‘Yes. He’s my son.’ Dimitrios’s tone gave little away. The admission was already more than he ideally wanted to concede, yet using the press to his advantage made sense, given the circumstances. If Annabelle wanted time to think, then she should at least see the full picture. At the moment, the idea of media intrusion was simply hypothetical to her.
‘No kidding.’ Ashton’s laugh was unpalatable. ‘Six years old?’
‘Yes.’
‘And was I right about the mother?’
It was a turning point. Once he confirmed her name, there would be no going back. ‘Yes. Annabelle Hargreaves.’
‘How did you meet her?’
Dimitrios’s lip curled in contempt. ‘You’re going to have to do some of the leg work yourself. If you want to invade my privacy, I can’t stop you, but I’m not going to spoon-feed you the story.’
Another laugh. ‘Have you got a statement for me, then?’
He narrowed his eyes, aware that he was crossing a line he couldn’t uncross. He thought of their son and leaned forward, knowing he really had no choice. Just as Annabelle didn’t. From the moment they’d conceived this child, their futures had been sealed. ‘Annabelle and I have known each other a long time. Recently, we rekindled our romance. We were taking it slowly—for our son’s sake—but now I’m happy for the world to know. We’re getting married—as soon as it can be arranged.’
CHAPTER THREE
THE FLASH EXPLODED in her face like lightning striking. Annie startled, instinctively pulling her hat down lower. There were at least a dozen photographers standing on the footpath, all shouting questions at her. It was hard to discern a single one from the eruption of voices.
‘How did you keep the billionaire’s love child a secret for so long?’
‘Is it true he’s never met his father?’
‘What are you wearing to the wedding?’
‘Can we see the ring?’
‘Have you been seeing him all this time?’
‘How have you put up with the other women?’
‘Is it true there are twins as well?’
Aghast, she kept her head lowered and moved quickly, but they followed behind, hounding Annie as she walked, shouting questions. When she was only a block away from her son’s school, she turned, her face pale and drawn. ‘Please.’ She held up a hand. ‘Just leave me alone.’
Silence fell for a moment and then the questions grew louder.
‘You don’t sound like a woman in love. Trouble in paradise already?’
She spun away and, despite the stultifying heat of the day, began to run. The school gates were her sanctuary—the photographers didn’t cross the barrier.
How the hell had this happened? She walked towards her son’s classroom, fishing her phone out of her back and loading up a browser.
With a finger that shook, she typed Dimitrios’s name. The first article appeared instantly.
Billionaire Reveals Secret Love-Child and Bride-to-Be!
With a noise of disbelief, she clicked the title and scanned the first paragraph.
Renowned bachelor Dimitrios Papandreo is leaving the singles market in a move that will shock and devastate women around the world in equal measure. Rekindling a romance with his childhood sweetheart, the magnate is said to be ‘looking forward’ to his impending nuptials.
‘When it’s love, you don’t want to wait.’
Love is something the tycoon has been seemingly immune to, dating often but never for long, but apparently he’s finally met his match—a woman with whom he fathered a secret son six years ago!
She clicked out of the article and groaned, stuffing her phone back in her pocket. What the hell was he playing at? God, what was she going to say to Max?
Her phone began to ring and she lifted it from her pocket in the same motion with which she answered it.
‘Hello?’
‘Are you at Max’s school?’ Over the line, Dimitrios’s voice took on a whole new quality. It was darker and deeper, with an even greater ability to reach inside and stir her up.
‘Yes. And, thanks to you and that bloody article, I was followed here by swarming paparazzi. What the hell were you thinking?’
‘The story was going to break one way or another,’ he said quietly. ‘I put a positive spin on it. Wouldn’t you prefer our son to think we’re a love match, rather than two people who couldn’t control themselves?’
That pulled her up short.
‘A heads-up would have been entry-level considerate.’
‘Yes.’ He drawled the word, so she shut her eyes, knowing that he could have said the same to her. Then, she heard him sigh. ‘I didn’t know when it would run. I was surprised by his efficiency. I suppose he thought I might leak the same story to a journalist from one of my own newspapers or magazines and wanted to be sure he got there first.’
That made sense, but it didn’t help. ‘Yeah, well, I’m at school, and Max is about to come out of his classroom, and the second we leave we’re going to be mobbed by the press. I’m not ready to tell him about this, damn it, but you’ve made that impossible.’
‘He deserves to know about me. You cannot put that off any longer. As for the paparazzi, I’ve sent a car.’
‘What car?’
‘A driver with a black SUV. He’ll meet you in the teachers’ car park. That should be safe from press.’
She looked over her shoulder to the path that led to the teachers’ private parking area. ‘I suppose so.’
‘Take Max there, then go home and wait for me.’
‘Wait for you to what?’
‘To arrive. What does Max like to eat?’
The question was such a swift change in conversation, she almost felt as though she’d sustained whiplash. ‘He’s not very fussy,’ she said. ‘For a six-year-old. Burgers, pasta, sushi. Why?’
‘I’ll bring dinner. Wait until I’ve arrived. We’ll tell him the truth together.’
He disconnected the call before she could argue—not that she was sure she wanted to. Everything had become so overwhelming and real. She felt as though the wind had completely gone from her sails.
But this wasn’t a time for self-indulgence, or reflection. She needed to act now, think later. She closed the distance to Max’s class room. When he emerged, she stood still and stared at him for several seconds, her heart in her throat. He was at least two inches taller than the other children, all legs and arms and intelligent eyes. His smile was quick, his face so handsome. She watched with heart-wrenching pride as a younger child stumbled and almost fell and Max, without hesitating, reached out and steadied the little girl, grinning at her before turning away. He grabbed his bag from the racks and then looked around, his eyes lighting up when he saw Annie.
He had no idea how his life was about to change.
‘Hello, darling.’ She tousled his hair. ‘How was your day?’ Such a banal question to ask when a thousand little explosions were rioting through her body and brain.
‘Good. Mr Peterson said I aced our maths test’
Pride stuck in her throat. He was an excellent student. His reception teacher had suggested his academic potential might warrant skipping a year, but Annie had been of the opinion it was important for Max’s social development that he spend at least a few years with children his peers in age.
‘I’m not surprised by that.’ She took his hand, leading him away from the class room, a lurching feeling tipping her tummy.
‘Where are we going, Mummy?’
Max hadn’t noticed yet, but Annie was conscious of the way other parents were looking at her. She had to get Max home.
‘A friend is picking us up,’ she murmured. ‘This way.’
Now she understood why celebrities always wore over-sized sunglasses. What she wouldn’t have done to be able to flick something down over her
face! She drew Max closer, walking with an arm around his shoulders until they reached the car park.
A big, dark SUV was there, just as Dimitrios had said it would be. As they approached, two men stepped out, one from each side. The blond, wearing the very dark glasses Annie had been coveting a moment ago, moved to the rear door.
‘Ma’am.’ He dipped his head forward. Annie froze, the gesture of respect completely unexpected.
‘Hello,’ she murmured, looking into the rear to see a booster seat had been put in place.
‘Who are they?’ Max whispered, looking to Annie with curiosity rather than fear.
‘Friends. In you go.’
She watched Max buckle himself in then crossed to the other side of the car, where the other man held the door open for her. She smiled awkwardly before taking her own seat. The car wasn’t a make with which she was familiar, but she didn’t need to recognise the brand to know it was clearly the last word in luxury, from the windows that were tinted as dark as night, to an expansive sun roof overhead and seats that were a sumptuous, soft black leather. There were arm rests even in the back seat and, just as Annie was marvelling at this, the man in the front passenger seat said, ‘There are drinks in the centre console.’
‘Drinks?’ Max’s expression showed how fabulous he thought that was. He flicked a switch before Annie could stop him, and the console opened to reveal small bottles of champagne, water and juice boxes. She was sorely tempted to open a champagne, anything to calm her nerves, but she knew she needed every wit about her for what was coming next.
‘Can I have a juice, Mummy?’
Mummy. It pulled at her heartstrings. She opened her mouth to say no, but then realised that was silly. His world was going to change shape altogether; why deny him a rare treat when it was on offer?
‘Of course.’ And, to reassure him, she reached for a water bottle for herself, smiling.
She didn’t live far from the school, and fortunately the paparazzi were still waiting for Max and Annie to leave the class room, which meant they were able to make a quick retreat and arrive home with no one the wiser. The car pulled up outside the front and, despite the lack of intrusive photographers, the man from the passenger seat moved quickly, coming to open Annie’s door and keeping his eyes on the footpath beyond. As soon as Annie and Max were out, he shepherded them to Annie’s door, standing by as it was opened. Once inside, Annie saw a dark shadow beneath the door and knew that the man was standing on the other side.
‘Your friend doesn’t want to come inside?’ Max asked.
Annie’s smile was distracted. ‘No.’
‘That was strange.’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you want to play cards?’
She blinked, the question reassuring in its normalcy.
She was about to agree when the door pushed inwards—no knock this time—and Dimitrios strode in as though he owned the place. As though he owned every place. She put a hand on Max’s shoulder reflexively, drawing him closer, but her eyes never left Dimitrios. He was wearing jeans today, and a simple T-shirt, white so it that showed off his tan, with a collar that sat perfectly at his neck.
‘Is this another friend, Mummy?’
Annie’s eyes flared wide.
‘Not exactly.’ She swallowed. ‘Sit down, Max. There’s something we want to talk to you about.’
She was conscious of everything in that moment. Of Dimitrios’s size and scent as he came close to them, the smallness of her apartment, the dimness of the furnishings, their son’s earnest little face, the way his uniform was tatty and faded.
‘Max, this is Dimitrios,’ she said quietly, taking the seat opposite Max at the dining table, watching his face for the tiniest flickers, nerves making her pulse fire. ‘He was very good friends with Lewis.’
‘Uncle Lewis?’
‘Yes.’ Annie smiled encouragingly. ‘And, through Lewis, Dimitrios and I met, a long time ago. We became...friends,’ she said, stumbling a little as she got closer to revealing the true nature of their relationship.
Dimitrios settled his large frame in the seat between Annie and Max, putting a hand out over Annie’s. She hadn’t realised until then how badly it was shaking.
‘The truth is, Max, your mother and I were more than friends. We fell in love...and made you.’ Every cell in her body began to reverberate. We fell in love. It was such a lie, but told so easily that it flared to life inside her.
‘Made me?’ Max frowned. ‘As in, you’re my dad?’
It was impossible to miss the flaring of pride in Dimitrios’s eyes, or how much that statement meant to him. A wave of nausea-inducing guilt flooded her body.
‘Mummy? Is that true?’
She found words almost impossible, so nodded instead.
‘But you don’t live with us.’
‘No, I haven’t lived with you,’ Dimitrios responded.
‘Why not?’
‘I live in Singapore.’ As though it were simple and that answer explained it.
And, to Annie’s surprise, Max nodded. ‘That’s very far away, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. Have you ever been to Singapore?’
‘I’ve never been on a plane. I don’t even have a passport.’
Dimitrios’s face angled towards Annie. ‘I see.’
That wasn’t so uncommon, Annie thought. It’s not as though she was the only single parent in the world who’d deprived her child of an overseas holiday.
‘I can organise a passport for you. How would you feel about going to Singapore?’
Annie’s heart skipped a beat. She put her hand on top of Dimitrios’s to quell his line of questions but he resolutely ignored her, refusing to look her way.
‘I... Are we going, Mummy?’
Annie tried to smile. ‘That hasn’t been decided yet.’
Dimitrios leaned forward. ‘The thing is, Max, I think it’s time for us to be a real family—for us all to live together—and my home and work are in Singapore.’
Max tilted his head thoughtfully. ‘What’s your home like?’
Dimitrios’s smile was pure charm. ‘Would you like to see a picture?’
Max’s eyes shifted to Annie’s. ‘Mummy? Do you want to move to Singapore?’
Annie felt Dimitrios’s warning gaze, and her stomach looped with feeling. He’d lost so much—wasn’t this the least she could do? Besides, her brief run-in with the paparazzi had shown her what her life was about to become. And what about Max? Didn’t he deserve everything Dimitrios could give him? Didn’t he deserve a father in his life?
‘Singapore is lovely,’ she said carefully. ‘How would you feel about leaving school, though, darling?’
Max frowned, considering that, then turned to Dimitrios. ‘Are there schools in Singapore?’
Dimitrios smiled gently, passing his mobile phone to the boy. ‘Yes, there are excellent schools.’
‘Is this...the school?’ She saw Max’s little mouth open in shock. Instinctively, Annie angled herself to see the phone better.
‘No, Max. That’s my home.’
‘Your...home?’ Max’s eyes were huge. ‘You mean I’d live there?’
‘If you’d like to.’
Max returned his attention the screen. The house was everything Annie would have imagined, if ever she’d put her mind to it—enormous, modern, huge cement-and-glass boxes piled on top of each other surrounded by tropical trees. It was clearly both impressive and expensive. Beyond it, the ocean glistened, and in the far distance, she could make out the distinctive skyline of Singapore.
‘Mummy? Look.’
She nodded. She’d seen enough.
‘Why haven’t I met you before?’
Annie stiffened, looking at Dimitrios, her heart sinking to her toes. She searched for a way to break it to their son, to confess the decision she
’d made and the consequences he’d been forced to live with. Having to confess this to Max was something she’d dreaded—and she felt the full force of what she’d been keeping from him, of the decision she’d made seven years earlier.
Dimitrios spoke before she could work out how to put her thoughts into words.
‘Sometimes families become separated, Max, but, now that I’m here, I don’t ever want to miss being a part of your life. I wasn’t close to my dad, but I’m hoping you and I can become good friends.’ His voice was deep. As an adult, she could hear the pain that underscored his words, but Max seemed to take them at face value.
Tears at Dimitrios’s kindness filled Annie’s eyes. How easy it would have been for him to lay the blame at her feet! To begin to drive a wedge between them, to undermine her with Max. But he didn’t. If anything, he did the opposite, glossing over the details, smoothing the way for this transition without laying blame anywhere. She stood abruptly, moving into the kitchen and turning her back on them, the very act of breathing almost beyond her.
He was making everything so easy; he had all the answers. It was Annie who was left floundering, trying to decide how she could make this work, what she wanted and whether her wishes even mattered. Surely Dimitrios and Max deserved to have her put them first now, to make the whole idea of being a family work?
‘You have a swimming pool?’ She homed in on their conversation again, bracing her palms on the bench.
‘Two swimming pools.’ She heard the smile in Dimitrios’s voice and her heart twisted with memories and regret.
It was the same voice he’d used the first weekend they’d met. She hadn’t been much older than fifteen. He and his twin brother Zach had come to the small village on the outskirts of Sydney where she and Lewis had grown up, and Annie had felt as though her whole world had got bigger and smaller at once. She’d never known anyone like him in real life. He’d been twenty-one, but as big as a much older man, and he’d dressed like one too—expensive, classy, easy. He’d smiled at her and something inside her had changed for ever.
‘Why does anyone need two swimming pools?’ Max was saying with a little laugh.
An Heir Claimed By Christmas (Mills & Boon Modern) (A Billion-Dollar Singapore Christmas, Book 1) Page 5