Not his baby: A BWWM Billionaire Romance

by Rebecca Dupree

  Gina smiled, but Jill immediately knew it wasn’t a smile of relief. There was something brooding behind it, a heavy heart, and an even heavier conscience.

  “Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts.” Jill put the cup down on the table and shook her head. Gina didn’t even get to try her coffee, though she loved the machine Jill had. “A little late for that now, isn’t it? I don’t get you, Gina. You finally have everything sorted out, in a way that couldn’t be better, might I add, and here you are, beating yourself with a stick for a little lie. Learn to enjoy life. And be grateful for opportunities you get. I mean it in the most loving way possible, of course.” She added the last sentence in a much less preaching tone of voice.

  Just let her finish her little rant. I’ll try to explain it to her then. Maybe she’ll actually understand. It wasn’t that Jill was a bad person, or that she didn’t know what was best for Gina. It was just that Jill was a different kind of person. She was more practical, more pragmatic, less emotional than Gina, and this, of course, led to her making different decisions and considering them the right ones. She also didn’t care if she hurt a few people here and there along the way. The end justify the means, right?

  Gina finally spoke with a heavy heart. “You don’t understand, Jill.” She sighed. “Tyler is ecstatic about the baby.” She eyed her old cup, the one she claimed for her own while living in Jill’s apartment, before grasping it with both hands. It was warm to the touch.

  “And this is a problem because…?” Jill didn’t understand. For her, it was all a done deal. Even if he did find out about the baby’s real daddy, he was already hooked, as in he wouldn’t be able to shake Gina without alimony or some other kind of financial support. And after all, wasn’t that what Gina was after all along? “You’ve got him right where you want him. Why would you back out now?”

  “Things have become, complicated, Jill.” Gina didn’t know how exactly to explain this. “I feel bad lying to him all the time, especially because I’ve grown to love him. He is a wonderful man. So much different from what the tabloids said about him. And he’s really changed. The baby transformed him completely, and I’m afraid to tell him the truth.”

  “Why would you tell him the truth?”

  “Because I can’t live a lie. I just can’t.”

  “Can’t you convince yourself that this is now your life, and it doesn’t matter who the baby’s real father is because this little munchkin is going to grow up thinking Tyler is his father? What more do you want?”

  Gina sighed. There was no use talking to Jill. She was a great friend, but sometimes too far away in her way of thinking to understand Gina’s emotions.

  “He’s been doing everything. Getting the best doctors. Driving me to all the appointments. He’s actually there for every checkup, holding my hand. It’s wonderful. That’s why I feel so bad lying to him. I mean, I love this man more than life itself and the most important thing I’ve told him about myself is a lie.” Gina suddenly felt a burst of tears coming on. Ever since she got pregnant, she’d become even more emotional than usual.

  “There, there,” Jill said, a little mechanically, but with her heart in the right place and a box of tissues at hand. “It’ll be fine. I’m sure you feel crappy right now, but it’ll pass. Trust me, no good can come out of you coming clean. It’ll just complicate thing unnecessarily. And worse yet, you might lose him. You don’t want that to happen, do you?” Jill hugged Gina, and Gina shook her head, still sniffling. “Calm down now. All’s going to be just fine.”

  Inexplicably, Gina did feel a little better after this quick and unexpected crying session. She drowned her guilty conscience and all she could feel again was love for her unborn baby and Tyler.

  “Now, how about I tell you about this guy I ran into last night…” Jill started her story, and Gina finally managed to take the first sip of her already lukewarm coffee. She enjoyed Jill’s escapades and was looking forward to hearing about the newest one. It was something to get her mind off of her own guilty conscience, which wouldn’t leave her alone, even in her dreams.

  Chapter 15

  It was early in the morning and Tyler was already in his office, discussing the latest contract with his assistant.

  “These numbers here are fine, Ben,” Tyler commented. “We’re right on schedule. I think both of us might be able to take a vacation this month.” He tapped Ben on the shoulder. “Can you just go and grab the Hilton contract? I need to make a couple of phone calls and then we can go over the deadlines for that one.”

  “Yes, Mr. Reid.” Benjamin nodded and exited Tyler’s office quietly. As he turned around, he bumped into Jeanie.

  “Watch where you’re going, alright?” he angrily hissed through his clenched teeth. He had been even more dissatisfied with his position at the company lately, and it was all because of that bitch Tyler had married. He couldn’t understand it. Tyler was rich and good looking. He could have any woman he wanted, and yet, he chose…the maid. And not just any maid, a black maid. The idea of mixed races repulsed him.

  “Touchy, aren’t we?” Jeanie smiled. She thought very little of Benjamin Williams. In reality, everyone at the company did. His weasel-like face was not welcome anywhere, mostly because everyone knew he’d sell his own mother and stab her in the back in the process just to get ahead. His selfish nature was known to all, and everyone was just waiting for the moment when the big boss would figure it out on his own and fire him.

  “Everything’s different…” he mumbled, half to her, half to himself.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Ever since that…trash entered the company, it’s been nothing but a downward slope for everyone here.”

  Jeanie wasn’t sure who exactly he meant, but something told her that Tyler had some idea. He was standing right behind them, and was about to invite Ben to come back before Ben’s hateful slur dropped.

  “Benjamin. If you please…” Tyler gestured him back into his office. He closed the door, and suddenly his facial expression changed completely. “I couldn’t help but overhear your comment just now, so I’m wondering, who exactly did you mean by trash?”

  Benjamin knew he was caught red-handed. He had been saying stuff about the Mexican janitor for years, but he knew that no one was paying too much attention to that. But now he had crossed the line. For a second, he had forgotten that Gina wasn’t just a maid anymore, but Tyler’s wife.

  “I’m so sorry, sir.”

  Tyler wasn’t having it anymore. “You know, Ben, I really tried to turn a blind eye to many things you’ve said and done over the years because I thought you were a stand-up guy.” Tyler seemed disappointed. “It turns out, I was wrong. Do you know how much I hate being wrong?” He paused dramatically. “I hate it. I really do.” Another pause. “And I think you also know how I feel about teamwork in my company. If you have a problem with somebody, you tell them so. Immediately. You don’t go around talking trash about the people you spend eight hours a day with, do you? So, I think today will be your last day with us,” he concluded.

  “What do you mean?” Benjamin shouted desperately. “You don’t mean that, sir…you can’t.”

  “My mind is made up, Benjamin. Please gather all your belongings by the end of the day.” Tyler knew that firing people wasn’t really done this way. There was usually a notice, and at least a month was given, but he didn’t want to be around Benjamin anymore. And seeing as he was the head of the company, there was no one who could go against his decision. He was more than happy to give Benjamin an additional month’s paycheck; he just didn’t want him at the office anymore.

  “I’ve given my heart and soul to this company. You can’t just toss me aside like I’m nothing just because of that whore maid!” he yelled from the depths of his miserable soul.

  “I warn you, Benjamin,” Tyler growled as he grabbed Benjamin by the collar and pressed him hard against the wall, “that is my wife you are talking about. The mother of my child. And if I hear one
more word about her out of your filthy mouth, first I’m gonna break all your teeth, and then I’m gonna sue you for slander and take every miserable penny you own. You got that?” He squeezed a little tighter, and Benjamin could only nod.

  “Now get the hell out of my sight.” Tyler pushed him towards the door. When Benjamin finally closed the door, Tyler’s body slumped into the chair heavily. He had a horrible headache, and the very thought that he had to call his lawyer and make sure that Benjamin was under nondisclosure, a contract every employee was obliged to sign when starting to work for their company, didn’t help one bit.

  That evening, Tyler dropped his briefcase on the kitchen table and took out some papers. He went over them quickly, and after he had done so, there was a smile of contentment on his face. All seemed right with the world. He was home, where he belonged, with the people he loved most.

  “Babe!” he yelled. “Can you come in here for a second?”

  A few seconds later, Gina waltzed into the kitchen, wearing only a house robe. Her hair was still wet. She looked incredibly seductive without even trying. Tyler kept looking at her, wondering how he’d gotten so lucky.

  “Hey, you okay?” She looked at him in astonishment, not sure why he was staring at her like a crazy person.

  “Oh, yeah. Fine.” He outstretched his hand, offering her the papers. “Here.”

  “What’s this?” she asked, hesitating to accept them. A small part of her brain sounded the alarm. He knows everything! He’s giving us the divorce papers! Do not accept them! But on the outside, she was dead cool. She didn’t move an inch, just kept looking at the papers in his hand, hoping she’d make out any words that might reveal what this was all about.

  “Well, read it.” He smiled.

  She looked at him, then back at the papers. She finally opened the folder and read what was inside.

  “You’ve opened up a trust fund for the baby?” She lifted her gaze. His kindness and generosity were being proven to her every single day. She looked at this wonderful man and couldn’t believe she was still lying to him about everything.

  “I just…can’t…” She started crying and he immediately wrapped his arms around her, showering her face with kisses.

  “My little emotional darling.” He smiled.

  Chapter 16

  It was a lovely afternoon and Gina decided she would like to spend it walking the streets of the city, with no particular destination in mind. All she wanted to do was get some fresh air and perhaps have a coffee at the little restaurant that had the super sweet lava cake she enjoyed so much. Tyler said he had meetings all afternoon, so despite all his wishes, he was unable to join her. Jill was also busy, so Gina was left to her own devices for the day; not that she had a problem with this.

  Gina was now six and a half months pregnant, and finally it was starting to show. Before, she would spend countless hours in front of the bedroom mirror, looking at her own figure in the reflection. Her stomach was still normal. There was no bloating yet, or perhaps just a little bit, so it looked more like she had just eaten a little too much than being pregnant. Finally, her belly started to round up, and nothing gave Gina more pleasure than to place her hands gently on her belly, palms down, and to feel the almost inaudible humming of new life.

  She often thought about her baby. She discussed it with Tyler, and both of them had decided together that what they wanted the most was a surprise. Tyler said that knowing the baby’s gender before it arrived would be like unwrapping a Christmas present before it was actually Christmas, and that he wanted to wait. When she heard his reasoning, she couldn’t help but agree. It was too sweet to disagree with.

  Gina had been walking around a little, doing some window shopping, when she got a little tired and decided coffee sounded like a great idea. She found a cozy little spot and sat down. The café overlooked a fountain, and pigeons were in it, cooling themselves. It was really a beautiful day, and she wished Tyler could have joined her. She almost couldn’t believe how deeply she had fallen in love with him in such a short time. Yes, their romance had been somewhat of a whirlwind one, especially with the swift marriage and all, but now, after these several months had passed, she truly felt content and happy, finally sure of her decision. There was no more doubt in her mind whether or not she was doing the right thing. She loved Tyler more than life itself, and she was sure that Tyler would be the best father this little child could ever wish for. At times, she could barely believe her good luck. But then she would stop thinking that. Her mother had always told her never to question fate.

  “We all get what’s coming to us. No matter what. Always remember that, and never be sorry for getting something better than someone else. For some reason, fate thinks you deserve it.” She could still hear her mother’s voice, as if it was yesterday. It soothed her.

  She felt a sudden urge to call Tyler, just to hear his voice. She picked up her phone and dialed his number.

  He answered immediately. “Hey you! Everything fine?”

  “Yes.” She smiled. It amused her that he always thought she was calling because there was some emergency with the baby. “We’re both fine. Just wanted to hear your voice,” she told him seductively.

  “Oh really?” he replied, lowering his voice. “Isn’t that nice of you. I’ll have to find a way to repay these niceties tonight, how about that?”

  She laughed. “If I’m not fast asleep or stuck in the bathroom, be my guest!” They both laughed.

  “Okay, then. Sorry, but gotta rush.”

  “I know.” She smiled. “See ya later. Love ya.”

  “Love ya, too.”

  Gina hung up, when suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her.

  “Well, aren’t you one big happy family?” The voice was harsh and bitter. And vaguely familiar.

  She turned around and faced Benjamin Williams. She had no idea why he was there. Was he following me? What did he want with me? She knew Tyler had fired him, and she also knew why. That was why she was afraid.

  Benjamin didn’t wait to be asked to join her. He simply sat down opposite her and smiled a wicked smile. He had a nasty set of stained yellow teeth, and she always wondered why he didn’t get them fixed.

  “What do you want?” she finally asked him when she saw he had no intention of going away or speaking to her for that matter. He was just sitting there, staring at her. But she didn’t dare call for help. After all, he hadn’t really done anything wrong. He just sat down at the same table as her. She believed that if he wanted something from her, he would eventually let her know and she might be able to settle this horrible meeting properly and make him go away. She felt more and more uneasy and afraid as seconds passed.

  “A small thing compared to what you have,” he revealed, though this piece of information told her nothing about his true intentions.

  “Can you please stop talking in riddles and tell me what you want? Why are you here?” Her voice was trembling, and, instinctively, she was shielding her belly with her hands.

  “Here.” He offered her a folder, placing it in the middle of the table. She only looked at it. She didn’t reach for it.

  “What is it?”

  “It’s your history,” he revealed. “Your life. Your baby’s father.”

  When he said the last words, she grew pale. She could feel her head spinning, and it was hard to catch her breath. Benjamin offered her a glass of water.

  He pushed the glass towards her. She didn’t even look at it. “Drink it,” he urged her. “I need you alive for this.”

  “For what?” she managed to say, still disoriented, unaware of what exactly was happening.

  “Well, since you pretty much ruined my entire life, I figured it would only be fair to do the same to you.” There was an evil gleam in his eyes, and Gina knew he was the kind of man to be afraid of. “But to show you I’m a better man, I’ll give you a choice.” He tapped the folder that was still lying on the table. “I won’t show this to your dear husband, provided you giv
e me what I want. Sounds fair, no?” He shrugged his shoulders. It was obvious that this entire game was amusing him immensely.

  “What do you want?” She felt like she had just been repeating this question over and over, yet there was still no answer to it.

  “Isn’t it obvious?” he asked. “Money!” He accentuated the word, every syllable rolling down his tongue like marmalade.

  She shivered. “How much?”

  “Half a mil should do it.” He nodded. “I’m not a greedy man, you know.”

  “I don’t have that kind of money!” She wanted to shout, to scream, so that someone would get this weasel away from her, but she knew he was now stuck to her and would suck her dry, like a leech. That was exactly what he was. She knew people like him very well. If she paid him once, she knew this wouldn’t be the end to it. He would keep coming back for more and more, until one of them put a stop to it. And there was only one way to stop a blackmailer from blackmailing someone.

  “You don’t,” he agreed. “But Tyler Reid does.”

  “But I can’t spend his money as I wish. That’s not how it works!” She was actually angry with this poor excuse of a man. Did he really think that she had access to all those millions and that she could go and get them whenever she wanted to? Ridiculous!

  “Well then.” He stood up to go, and reached for his file. “You’d better find a way to get that money, and soon. Otherwise, I’m mailing this to Reid, and I’m sure he won’t take it lightly.” He shoved the file in his jacket. “You’ve got a week.” He nodded at her and then left.

  Gina felt frozen, unable to move a muscle. Just a few seconds ago, she was the happiest woman in the world, then this man came crashing into her like a tornado, destroying everything she had created in the last couple of months. She had no idea what to do. There was no way she could get the money. And even if she did ask Tyler, how would she explain it? What on earth could she possibly need half a million for? There was no way that could work.