by Tara Brent
The Billionaire's Surprise Heir
Tara Brent
Published by Tara Brent, 2019.
This is a work of fiction. Similarities to real people, places, or events are entirely coincidental.
THE BILLIONAIRE'S SURPRISE HEIR
First edition. August 15, 2019.
Copyright © 2019 Tara Brent.
Written by Tara Brent.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Other Books by Tara Brent
Chapter 1
Tiffany, Mom, Callum, and Dora
As I sit in the hard leather seat of my 1998 VW Beetle, my hands grip the steering wheel. Letting out a long sigh, I'm relieved to have another day at work over and done with. My name tag reflects the word “Tiffany” at me, backward. I’m not particularly looking forward to the drive home. I'm one of those people who can’t wait for the self-driving cars to finally become a reality for everyone. Then I won’t have to look at the grey bags under my eyes, in the rear view mirror while I’m driving. It’s a case of, I want to get home as fast as possible after a long shift at the hospital, but I wish someone else would drive me. Not that I’m insulting, my Dora the little Explora. Hah! Yeah. I named my car after a kid's TV program, how sad is that?
Dora and I have been together for a few years now. She’s my means of independence and freedom. Well, I drive from home to work and then back again at the end of my shift if you can call that freedom. Anyway, it’s better than getting the subway. She keeps me safe and warm and she’s always waiting for me when I walk out the door.
It’s been a busy night and I’m completely exhausted. Still, I do have a wonderfully satisfying job. My last delivery was the sweetest little girl you ever did see. Curly locks and a button nose. Then she spoiled all that cuteness and blasted out her lungs at me. I thought she’d blow the hospital roof off! Now there’s a girl that’s going to make her mark in this world.
Okay, Dora. Time to set off and hit the early morning traffic. Turning the key in the ignition, Dora starts the first time. She's my ever-reliable little car. A quick glance in the mirror and I see some guy parked right behind me. He's blocking me and I can't reverse to get out of my parking spot. Where’d he come from? I'm sure he wasn’t there when I got in the car. I’d lower the window to ask him to move, but Dora’s electrics are a wee bit temperamental. She only works when she feels like it. I do love you Dora but I wish you were fully functional. Still, I don’t give her too much of a hard time. It can’t be too much fun hanging around in this parking-lot while she waits for me to finish my shifts. Sitting among all the big classy cars owned by those well-paid doctors. Right now she was parked in-between two big SUVs that dwarfed her little frame. Being a petite car isn’t easy, especially when you’re bright yellow.
After sitting in a daydream for minute or two, I take a glance in the mirror. The car blocking me has gone so I reverse out and head for home. As we get into the busy moving traffic, I switch on the radio and Ed Sheeran croons out of the door speakers. Hmm, bliss, music keeps me awake as I drive home. This drive in the morning is often tedious. By some weird coincidence, the traffic signals are always on red. We turn onto Jackson Road and arrive at my first set of lights. Sure enough, they turn red as we get there.
I sit with great patience awaiting the traffic signals to change while contemplating upon my life. I have a good job that I love. A nice home, though it is my mom's house. Plus, of course, my beautiful son, Callum, and he's all mine. Being a single mom isn’t a bad thing because that little guy fills my heart with joy. Yet, why does it feel as if there’s a big hole in my life?
So busy in my own thoughts, I miss the light change and the car behind me is honking his horn as if there's no tomorrow. The racket jolts me back to reality.
As we continue our journey home, I watch the other drivers buzzing past me. They’re all on their way to work while I’m on my way to bed. I’ve done my bit, for a few hours anyway. It’s not that I don’t love my job, because I do. I mean I deliver babies into this world of ours, what’s not to like? Okay, there are times when it’s hard. Especially when a mother has a problematic experience. I’m only human and it pangs at my heartstrings if things go wrong. Not only for the wee baby but the parents too. For those few moments in time, everyone in the delivery room is in it together. We're a close-knit team and we all feel the shock if something goes wrong. So, there’s good and bad in what I do.
I never meant to be a nurse, though I’m glad I specialized in midwifery. What I always wanted to be was a Bio-med in Genomics. That was when I first started at college. Having worked hard at school, I was bright enough, but life got in the way.
“Hey! Moron! Jeeze... Talk about not looking where you’re going!” I cry out at the guy who steps on the road without looking. He's completely engrossed in his cell phone. I don’t know why I shout at other people from my little Dora pod without the windows down. It’s not as if they can hear me. Then again, it makes me feel better so I'll keep on doing it anyway.
Having got over almost running someone down, my thoughts turn back to my son. He’s only five yet it feels like he’s been in my life forever, and I don’t mean that in a negative way. He loves his mommy like crazy, and, I love him back just as much. There’s nothing quite like being a mom. Our life together is full of unorganized chaos. We’re like two peas in a pod, neither one of us with much in the way of common sense. If it wasn’t for mom, I don’t know how we’d both get by. She’s an angel in disguise, that’s for sure. I hope she coped with Callum okay, last night. She’s a shining star and I wouldn’t be able to go to work without her. I’ve kept my hours part-time so I get to spend time with my son, but it’s a struggle for us all.
I pull onto my street and park up on the driveway, once again we arrive home safe and sound. As I take the keys out of the ignition, I pat Dora’s dashboard to let her know how much I love her too. For sure, I love my car, my son and my mom, yet still, I feel that something's missing in my life.
It could be my pa. We lost him a couple of years ago and it left a gaping hole for me and mom. He was my pillar when I was pregnant. As usual, I was totally lost in my chaotic life, as everything took a strange turn of events. I knew from the day I found out I was having a baby that life would be very different. My pa, well, he made sure I was never down. He loved being a grandpa. Yeah, I miss him. That’s what I must be pining for. Although he was in a lot of pain towards the end, so it was a relief when he passed. Whilst losing my dad had left a huge hole, I'm sure that’s not all that’s missing from my life.
Calvin’s Challenge
“I’m surprised you even bother to turn up for these meetings anymore, Calvin,” Ethan says to me, as he refills our wine glasses. “Aren’t you like the CEO and the president of Luca Inc. these days? I lose track of everyone’s titles.”
“I miss being on the front line, Ethan, and besides, this was a huge contract, how could I not be there?” I reply, smiling at Mia, his wife. She's struggling to fit her large belly into the dining chair. Their baby looks like it might be joining us all at any moment. “Anyway, haven’t you got more important things to be fretting over, than whether or not I attend a meeting?” I say, pointing my glass over at Mia’s swelling belly.
“Well if I can’t celebrate my little bro's success at negotiating another million dollar contract, then what’s the point of it all?” Ethan says while raising his glass in a toast. “Investment is my kid’s future, so I salute you.”
“Yeah, I still get a kick outta hard negotiations" I respond, between mouthfuls of Mia’s delightful home cooking. Not that you can call it home cooking; Mia is a celebrity chef with her own TV show. "This was one hell of a deal.”
We finish our meal with much laughter and banter. Mia and Ethan disappear to clean up the pots. Something I always let someone else do. I'm not much of a homemaker. So, I take the alone-time to stand in front of the wall-sized window of their new penthouse apartment. They've not lived here long as it's a new-build called Hayson Tower. I observe the twinkling red and white lights in the evening traffic as they all snake over the Golden Gate Bridge. How many times I've crossed over that bridge in my lifetime? Too many to count. Further back the sun slips down below the horizon, bathing the bay in a fiery golden orange. The water looks calm, like shimmering glass.
Turning away from the window I look around their new apartment. It’s full of fine expensive furniture and accessories. I often ask myself why we buy all this luxury. Taking a seat on the pure-white Fabio cinema couch, I can see it hardly ever gets used. It looks classy and feels soft as I run my hand along the opulent leather. Once they have children, I’m not sure how practical this couch will be. It’s much the same in my place as well. I have a luxuriously furnished home with pieces from the best designers. Yet, I more or less only ever use one room. This is not where I ever thought I’d end up.
Mia comes out of the kitchen and sits next to me. She takes my hand in her slender fingers. She's like a big sister I never had and I love her as much as my two brothers. I'm the youngest of three but I'd say I'm the clever one too.
“You look deep in deep thought, Calvin," her soft voice whispers. "You in need of a sister-hug?” She asks, resting her head of long dark hair on my shoulder.
Ethan comes and sits beside us. As Mia turns to her husband, I stand up again and return to the huge window. It pulls me in like a magnet as I’m mesmerized by the stunning view. There's something calming about watching all the city lights in the darkness of night. Though, a pang of jealousy hits me as I see the reflection in the glass of the two people behind me, who are madly in love with each other. Mia has her legs draped over Ethan's knees, and he's massaging her feet. They look good together. Whenever I see them together, I always feel that something’s missing from my life. Not that I want marriage. I couldn’t imagine having only one woman in my life. What about when you fall out! You can’t simply separate and find another date. Nope, that’s not for me. I’m not a one-woman kinda guy.
“Who’s the latest lucky lady, bro?” Ethan asks me. “Saw you with a redhead the other night. You got a weakness for redheads?
I don’t reply. Instead, I give him a brave smile. It's well known that I'm a lady’s man, though it isn’t something I brag about, not even to my family. That wasn’t why I was silent though. The fact that I’d been thinking about a particular redhead I'd dated when studying Electrical Engineering at Stanford, seemed really weird. That graduation party was the best night of my life. Typical of me, I was wrapped up in my own self-importance. No wonder the relationship fizzled out. The fact that I can remember her name says a lot about her. She was a keeper but I didn’t know it at the time.
“We should match him up with someone who’s doesn’t know he’s a rich playboy," Mia jests. "Someone who doesn’t move in his circles. It would be interesting to see how he copes,” she teases. “What do you say, Calvin? Could you cope with dating a girl who's struggling with life and wants you for you, and not your money?”
Mia had hit on a sore point. My brothers, Ethan and Nico, all became millionaires from the sale of our start-up company. In the beginning, we produced specialist computer hardware. We built it up from a small venture in our parent’s garage, testing electronic equipment. Then we moved on to specialize in data storage as we invested. Now, we own one of the biggest technology corporations in a global network of companies. Yet despite all my wealth, I'm not content with life.
At the age of 30 years old, I’ve had it all. Women, fast cars, yachts, and planes, but I still feel that something's missing.
“Sure, why not?” I agree as I turn around and raise my glass to the challenge. “You know that whoever you have in mind, I’ll eat her alive.”
“Oh, that is a challenge that I must take on,” Mia retorts as she sits up straight, looking excited. “I could do with something to keep me occupied when this little one enters into our lives. You, brother-in-law, are about to fall in love, I guarantee it.”
“Whoa there Mia,” Ethan realizes the seriousness of our pact. “My brother does not have a heart. You’ve seen the pile of women he rejects. He loves and leaves them. I hope you’re not thinking of anyone we know, he'll break her heart.”
“I haven’t got anyone in mind yet, but I’ll be working on it,” she replies with a smug smile.
Standing, she picks up her glass of mineral water and clinks it with my wine glass.
“We are on, brother," she says, staring into my eyes with the anticipation of winning. "Prepare to have your own heart broken,”
“Erm, she has to be below my usual standards, remember, that’s part of the deal,” I say, to wind her up some more.
“I know, I know,” she nods. “That’s why I need some time to work on it. I'm ashamed to admit I don't move in the poorer circles. But, mark my word, I’m going to change your life around.”
Of course, we all laugh but secretly I hope that she means it. Somewhere in my comfortable life, I’ve gone wrong. Something’s left me empty inside. It's my hope that Mia can help me fill that emptiness.
Chapter 2
Hot Chocolate Cuddles
“I’m home, mom!” I shout out as I enter the door and head straight down the hallway to the kitchen.
Always when I get home, I head to the kitchen to make myself a warm, soothing hot chocolate. It helps me wind down after the drive home. I know mom will be up because she’s always been an early riser. She’ll be sitting in the dining room reading her newspaper, much the same as she has for as long as I can remember. I've tried to get her to read the news on her computer but she’s too set in her ways. Call her old fashioned if you will, but I wouldn’t have my mom any other way. I love her dearly.
The dining area is set up in the large glass conservatory leading from the main living room. Mom will want to greet me, so she’ll join me as I make my habitual hot chocolate before going to bed.
“Hi, Tiffany, sweetie.” I hear mom’s light voice as I put the pan full of milk on the stove top and turn on the heat. “You had a busy shift?” she asks as I turn around to hug her.
“Same as usual,” I reply, placing three heaped teaspoons of drinking chocolate into my cup. “I’ll come to join you, mom. Go back to your paper.”
“I’m on the sofa, it’s a bit chilly in the dining area. The fog's not lifted yet,” she replies, hating the morning chilly fog of San Francisco.
Within minutes I'm sitting next to mom on the small sofa, and we’re snuggled side by side.
“How’s my little fella been, mom?” That’s always my first question but I know all’s been well otherwi
se she would have phoned me.
“Went to bed fine but then I heard him walking about around midnight,” she tells me.
“Oh, that’s unusual,” I say, raising my eyebrows. Callum is usually a solid sleeper, like his mother.
“Yes, it turned out he’d wet his bed and he was most upset over it,” she explains to me.
“Wow, he hasn’t done that in at least a year,” I felt a little shocked.
“Oh, it’s all down to the changes he’s going through, Tiffany,” my mom said softly, putting her arm around my shoulders. “Going from pre-school to kindergarten is a big thing for a child so young. Give him time, he’ll soon settle.”
“But he loves it there mom why would that disturb him so much?”
“I don’t know sweetie. Could be that you both need a break. We should think about going to your dad’s cabin by the lake,” she suggests.
I had some amazing vacation memories there, but it was my pa that made that place so special. I’m not sure how it will be without him.
“I don’t know mom,” I answer, a bit reluctant.
“I know, I know, it won’t be the same without your pa, but we have to make some good memories for Callum too.”
“Yeah, you’re right, mom, as always,” I agree, as I take a sip of my hot chocolate
“You always look so tired, you work far too hard,” she says, concern etched on her face. “I wish you’d go out more, you know what they say all work and no play makes Jill a dull girl.”
“I go out every day, mom. Besides, when I’m not at work I want to be with Callum.”
“At 29 years old, you aren’t getting any younger, young lady,” she chirps.
“What? Are you saying I’m an old maid?” I tap her on the arm that holds me close to her.
We laugh together. I can say anything to my mom and she can say anything to me, and we’re both okay with it. That’s how we are. I'm lucky to have had great parents and I want Callum to feel the same. Well, at least that he has a great mom.