The Billionaire’s Surprise Heir: A Second Chance, Secret Baby Romance Read online

  “I know you won’t thank me for saying it, but you need a man in your life, Tiffany,” she dares to say those words.

  “Oh, don’t you start too,” I retort. “I’ve enough with Ali getting at me. You know, best friends are supposed to support you, not nag you.”

  “You could never be without Alison, so don’t moan about her,” mom says. “Besides, I agree with her on this one. You need to socialize a little more. Meet people your own age, and meet men.”

  “Mom, I meet people all the time at work,” I defend myself. “I want peace and quiet when I’m home. What do you think Callum would say if I brought a strange guy home? No thank you, that’s not what I want.”

  “You know, maybe you should contact Callum’s father, you liked him,” she suggests.

  “Mother! That's a bit out of the blue!" I say, surprised. "I could never do that, you know how I feel about it all,” I can hear my voice getting louder, this is a sore subject.

  “I never understood why you didn’t tell him in the first place.” Mom was not going to give up on this line of conversation, ever.

  “Besides the fact that we were only together for a couple of weeks, and he was a career man, what other reason did I need?” I plead my case, as I have so many times before.

  When I was carrying Callum, my parents wanted me to involve the father. I was adamant that I would not. I actually fell in love in those few weeks and it devastated my life when Calvin wanted us to go our separate ways. He wanted to make his mark in the world, and that wasn’t me. Sure, I would have married him in a flash. Who wouldn’t marry a tall, dark, handsome and very fit young man? But, I sort of knew in my guts that he wasn’t the sort to stick around.

  We had an amazing time at the graduation party. That was probably the last party I attended. After we all returned to our parent’s homes, the phone calls got shorter and fewer. By the time I realized I was having his child, I was angry with him. He was more interested in his business that he was trying to build up with his brothers than he was in me.

  He often pops up in my thoughts unexpectedly. So far in my life, he's been the only man I think I ever loved. It was one of those relationships where we hit it off straight away. He was funny and charming and he literally swept me off my feet. It seems that he didn’t feel the same way, or if he did, other things were more important than I was. Sure, he was a decent guy, and I know deep down if I'd told him I was pregnant, he would have done the right thing. But, I couldn’t do that to him. He was so excited of what his future would look like. No way was I going to be the one to ruin his dreams.

  I never blamed him because I know we both took the right precautions. Fate simply decided that we were going to have a child together, and I decided to take on the responsibility alone. Of course, I have met other men, despite what my mom says. The thing is, my standards are high. Not only do I have to love them but they must come up to the standards of being a great father for my son. I've never met anyone who passed the test. In the end, I gave up looking.

  I still think about Calvin Luca and wonder what he's doing now? He was very clever but also fixated on his dreams. I hope he fulfilled his dreams in the end. Sometimes, I feel that I still love him. That's why I compare any man I meet, with him. No one comes even close.

  “I’m off to bed, mom,” I say in a weary voice. “You okay seeing to Callum today?”

  “Of course, dear, off you go,” mom smiles back at me.

  Whatever would I do without her?

  Baby Lilly

  I knew the day was fast approaching for Mia to give birth after I saw her squeezing her oversized belly into the dining chair. Still, what do I know of these things? I’m not a father myself. So, when I receive a call from Rosy, Mia’s hired “doula”, who's apparently a birthing coach, she tells me Mia's gone into labor. I wasn’t at all surprised and it made me smile inside. Even though I'm going to be present at the birth, I feel a sudden spur of panic. I deal with mega-millions of dollars every day, without flinching an eye. Yet, the thought of my sister-in-law giving birth panics me. I know this is a big moment for my big brother.

  Rosy informs me that Mia and Ethan have arrived at the birthing center on Pacific Heights, and could I make my way there.

  “Wait!” I yell down the cell phone. “What hospital is that?”

  Rosy patiently explains to me what a birthing center is and we agree that I should calm down and get my ass over there.

  OMG! A wave of panic swarms over me again. Mia’s about to give birth! She’s having a baby! I’m about to meet my very first niece. This will be a hugely momentous occasion for our family. It’s the first baby, that we are aware of anyway, that we three brothers have produced.

  Marriage, or settling into a stable relationship was never on the agenda for me. It's pretty much the same for my other brother, Nico. He’s busy being a cattle baron somewhere in Texas. So, it's only natural that Ethan would be the first to add to the Luca family tree. He’s the ever-reliable and oldest one of our trio. He’s the rock, the sensible one, and the only one to fall in love. Now! Today! Any minute! He’s going to be a father.

  I have to get a move on. I promised I’d be there pacing the floor and supporting Ethan. I even went to a few of their birthing classes with them and wow, it opened my eyes to what a woman is really made of. Mia insisted I tag along, but I think she hoped it would arouse the paternal instinct in me. Actually, if I'm honest, it did a little. There’s something very special about a couple who are in love and expecting a baby. I wanted to be a part of it and they let me in. Though I did draw a line at being present for the birth. Mia understood and said I should only do that for my own child. With the nervous tension that's flowing through me right now, anyone would think this was my child.

  No, I can’t drive, I tell myself loudly. I’ll get my driver to take me. Man, I never thought I could feel so weak. I’m about to become an uncle. Wow!

  The traffic's at a standstill as we drive through San Francisco. At this rate, I’ll miss the baby’s first birthday, never mind the birth. Why did they come to live in the center of San Francisco I'll never understand. Well, I do know why really. They bought this apartment because Mia has a major restaurant here. I'm staying at one of our hotels while I await the birth of my niece. It was better that way as I didn't want to be in the way of the loving couple.

  One of my goals when we first started out in our business venture, was to have a home in every country I could afford. It was only a dream back then, now though, it’s more or less a reality. Unlike me, Ethan has a house in Palo Alto, not far from here, for their main residence. That's where our main headquarters is based. When he married Mia, it made sense to put down roots.

  All these thoughts are bubbling over inside my head as I try to push aside the worry about the impending birth. I’m about to become an uncle. A real uncle. This baby will have some of my genes. Plus, I’m going to be her godfather. I know it’s only a title these days, but, as I’m half Italian I imagine myself as a benevolent mafia godfather.

  Finally, we manage to crawl our way through the traffic and I can see the health care facility up ahead.

  I wonder if she’s been born yet. Ethan hasn’t contacted me for at least ten minutes. I can’t decide if that’s good or bad. Who’d have thought that becoming an uncle could have such an effect? I’ve dealt with multibillion-dollar deals with some of the toughest negotiators in the world. Yet here I am, waiting for a baby that isn't even mine, and I'm a nervous wreck.

  The car pulls up right outside the doors and I exit in a flash. Before I know it, I’m listening to my own voice babbling on to the receptionist. I have to say, I'm not looking my usual suave self. In fact, I'm a bedraggled mess. When I got the call from Rosy, I was still sleeping.

  “Can I help you, sir?” A light female voice sings to me, bringing me out of my demise. “Are you an expectant father?” She presses me further when I don’t answer.

  “No, but you’d think I was, wouldn’t you?” I joke w
ith a nervous quiver to my normal bass tone.

  After a few more questions from the very patient young lady, she soon works out who I am and where I need to be. Then, she gets someone to accompany me to Mia and Ethan’s suite.

  I can see the light blue door to the suite as I’m approaching, with people dashing in and out. Does it mean something’s wrong? Then I spot Ethan as he comes out of the room with someone.

  “Come on bro!” He shouts over to me, as soon as he sees me. Ethan has a huge smile on his face so relief floods over me, everything's must be okay.

  “I’m a daddy!” He yells, opening up his arms in joy.

  The woman he’s with walks away and I see from the back that she’s a redhead. Ethan’s right, I do have a weakness for redheads, ever since my short fling with one. The cry of a baby pulls my attention away and I follow Ethan into the room. There I see a rather bedraggled but clearly happy Mia, and she’s holding a baby.

  “Did you just meet my nurse, Calvin?” Mia asks at me rather unexpectedly. "She was amazing. I don’t know how I would have managed without her. Oh, and Ethan too, of course,” she adds as if just remembering her husband's presence.

  “Come on over here and meet your niece," she invites me and I'm quick to accept. "Don’t worry, Uncle Calvin, she’s fast asleep now.”

  I gingerly take the new-born from Mia's arms and stare down at a perfect little face. “She's beautiful, like her mother,” I grin, holding her like she’s a delicate piece of porcelain. “Though she does have her uncle’s thick dark hair.”

  To which my brother and sister-in-law laugh out loud. We all enjoy swapping baby Lilly from arm to arm in our sheer delight at welcoming her into this world.

  Chapter 3

  Coffee and Milkshake

  “It was all very odd, Ali,” I say in a quiet voice as if it’s a big secret. I’m explaining a strange experience I had at work today, to my BFF.

  “You are going, Tiff!” She replies, only in a much louder voice. “I’m ordering you to go!”

  Ali and I have been best friends as far back as pre-school. We've gone our separate ways a few times, particularly after high school. It’s strange though, whenever I return home and meet up with Ali, it's like I never left. That’s the sort of person she is. Whilst she’s loud and opinionated, she loves everyone and has a heart of gold.

  We’re in the coffee bar where we hang out while I’m waiting for Callum to come out of kindergarten. She joins me whenever she can because she dotes on my son almost as much as mom and me. She even calls my mom, “mom,” that’s how close we are. Her real mom walked out on her and her brother when they were toddlers, so she hardly remembers her. Though now I’m a mom myself, I can’t conceive how any mom could desert her child. Sure, it happens but it's my humble opinion. Anyway, that’s a debate for another day. Ali’s dad is a great guy and he raised them both single-handed. I don’t call him pa, but I am very fond of him.

  “Let me get this straight, you’re telling me I should go on a blind date organized by a woman whose baby I just delivered?” I ask her, astonished that she believes it’s the right thing to do. “No way, Ali. It’s weird.”

  “Tell me what you know about the mother of this baby you delivered, and leave no gory details out, you hear?” She says, taking a long slurp on her strawberry milkshake.

  “As you know, I spend time with parents-to-be before and after birth, so I’ve known this couple for a few months now. The thing that made them stand out for me was that their last name is Luca.”

  “No way! You gotta be kiddin’ me!” Ali exclaims rather loudly, once again. “Why didn’t you tell me that?”

  “Calm down, crazy girl,” I tell her, laughing at her wide-eyed stare. “It’s only a coincidence, though I did think the father-to-be looked a bit familiar at first. Then again, I only remember what Calvin looked like. A lot’s happened to me since that two-week fling, Ali.”

  “Did you ask them?” She says, throwing her arms up in exasperation. Ali is always a bit of a drama queen.

  “Ask them what?” I answer. “Oh, excuse me are you related to Calvin Luca? Yeah sure, I’m gonna bother my patients with my past love life, I think not.”

  “Well, did you at least try and look into it?” Ali asks.

  “No, I did not. Do you know how many Luca’s there are out there? It’s an Italian name that I see coming up plenty of times. I can’t go chasing every parent who happens to have the surname of Luca,” I tell her in no uncertain terms.

  As it happened, their name had stirred a pang in my heart but I didn’t recognize the guy, and he didn’t seem to know who I was. Not that he’d remember someone he might have met for a whole two week period around six years ago.

  “Tiffy, my girl, you have got to go anyway,” I hear Ali’s voice hammering at my head. “You need this. A blind date will do you good. So, why did this Mrs. Luca ask you to go on a blind date anyway?"

  “She said it was my hair,” I reply.

  “Yeah, it’s always a mess,” Ali kindly informs me. “What on earth did she see in your fuzzy head of hair?”

  “Thanks, Ali, for that vote of confidence,” I frown back at her. “She wouldn’t tell me. Only said I was perfect for a guy she knew who was lonesome. Oh, and she offered us a table at her top restaurant.”

  “Aww, Tiffy, someone out there needs you,” Ali says mocking me but in the nicest sort of way.

  “Yes, you’re right Ali,” I scowl. “My son, Callum needs me. I’m not going out with some guy I’ve never met. He might be a psycho for all I know.”

  “You know these people though, they wouldn’t partner you up with a head case, Tiffy. You’re being paranoid, as usual.”

  “Yeah, you’re right. I admit. “Besides, these people move in different social circles to me. They’re the jet-set and I’m one of the common people. Not sure why they would think I'd have anything in common with someone they know, unless they're slumming it?”

  “Tiffy, don’t say that. You’re a great catch for anyone. Oh, you should go, especially if he’s rich,” she says, even more interested now that I mentioned that fact.

  “I do not move in wealthy and rich circles, Ali. Why the hell should I want to date this guy?”

  “He might want to marry you, you never know.” She always comes up with farfetched answers. “He might be some old sugar daddy looking for a sweet girl to marry. You have got to go. I’m telling mom, so she’ll talk you into going.”

  “Mom is more sensible than you, Ali, so don’t think that’ll do it. I’m not going and that's that,” I say, adamant to stick my guns, even though I am a little curious.

  “Look, tell me exactly what this patient of yours said. I want to know her exact words,” Ali demands.

  “Well, we’ve gotten to know one another over the few months I’ve been guiding them for their new arrival. They're no different to any of my other parents-to-be. You wouldn’t know they were filthy rich unless you read their file. They don’t act it. She’s a Chinese-American and I arranged lots of meditation and cultural classes for her. She wanted to know more about her roots. By the way, I think she’s one of those famous chefs on TV but I’m not sure. I try not to get too involved in my patient’s personal lives.”

  “Oh my, you mean Mia Wu, she is gorgeous and I love her cooking,” Ali informs me. “No way will she risk anyone murdering you. Now, you have to go.”

  “Well, she never mentioned anything until the night she was giving birth,” I continued on, ignoring Ali’s comments. “She knows I don’t get out much and she asked me if I wanted to go on a blind date. At first, I thought she was kidding, you know, I do a lot of small-talk while my new moms are in labor. Anyway, turns out she meant it and she said I’d be perfect because this guy is lonesome and he’ll love my hair. Then she had more important things to attend to 'cos she went into labor and that was that.”

  “Why didn’t you ask for more info after the baby?” Ali asks, with her usual enthusiasm. She's always trying to get me
to go out on a date. “I have been happy with it, you know, that you and Callum struggle and his father pays nothing towards his keep. Not that it’s my beeswax but you know how I feel about it all.”

  “Now we’re going off topic. Anyway, Callum will be out soon so let’s make a move,” I say, thankful for an excuse to get out of discussing his father with anyone.

  Ali always thought I was crazy for not informing the father of my child. I didn’t want a stranger, which is what he was, making all the decisions during my pregnancy. And then taking over my baby's upbringing. Besides, I knew the guy wanted more from life, he always went on about running his own tech business. I did what I thought was best for me and my unborn child. Both Ali and my parents could never get to grips with my decision.

  We set off to get my boy from his long hard day at kindergarten and I couldn’t wait to see him. His little face always brightens my day.

  Moody Blues

  The main reason I'm in San Francisco is specifically for my niece’s birth, so I want to visit her every moment I can. It’s been a revelation to me realizing how much I adore this baby. Before Lilly, I would never even hold a baby. It wasn’t on my “To Do” list. Now, I’m besotted by this tiny little bundle.

  As the birth went well and Mia and baby are fine, they went home the same day. Ethan's hired a matron to be on hand to help Mia out. She'll be around for a few weeks so Ethan and I don't have to panic. This is going to be a whole new world for Mia and Ethan. Deep down I feel a pang of jealousy. Nah, I don't want kids, do I?

  My enthusiasm for the new addition to the Luca family will not extend to diaper changing. I'm looking forward to holding her as much as possible and staring into her big dark eyes. I’m pretty certain they’re dark blue but I can’t remember for sure. Whatever color they are, she's the most beautiful baby in the world. Yup! I’m looking forward to being an uncle and a godparent.