Unmatched Love

by Mary Nixon

  "Keira, leave us." He told her softly.

  Once Keira was gone, his pale blue eyes settled on me.

  "Say that again with a straight face." He demanded fiercely.

  "What did you do to mom? She left here in the middle of the night crying her eyes out."

  "And you just assumed of was my doing?" He questioned.

  "Yeah it was. You're the only one who ever

  makes her cry. You're such an insensitive prick."

  "And you did your responsibility as a son and consoled her?"

  Now he was being sarcastic and rude.

  "Of course I did. I owe her that much. She loved me when no one else would."

  A bitter laugh escaped him. "You don't owe her anything."

  "Only you would be this callous. You were fortunate enough to have a mother who adores you and yet you treat her like shit!"

  He stood up from the bed, his fists balled up.

  "You want her? Keep her! I have no use for her. She's not mother anymore."

  Surprise hit me at how casual he was being about it.

  "Is that why you kicked her out in the middle of the night you bloody idiot?"

  That must have been the limit.

  He shoved me hard enough to almost destabilize me. I shoved him back and wasted no time in tackling him down where I punched his nose and the rest of his face as he punched me in the eye. Things would gave gotten out of hand if it want for the bodyguards who intervened.

  "Keep her if you want to. Get out of my house!" He yelled as his bodyguards held him back.

  "You're cold Jacobolas and you deserve to die alone."

  "Forget we were friend. Get out!" He yelled again.

  I didn't object. I left and went straight for Bianca. She was wide awake and seated on the bed.

  "Pack up, we are leaving!"

  Bianca's POV

  Tony had sounded worked up when he ordered me to pack up.

  I wasn't sure what was going on but I wasn't about to ask either. I was halfway done when Keira budged in.

  "What's going on? What's happening between Tony and Jacob?" She asked.

  I was just as confused and clueless as she was.

  "I don't know. I had hoped you knew. Tony just ordered me to pack and I'm doing just that."

  Keira looked troubled.

  "Promise me that whatever happens between them you and me will remain friends." She asked taking my hand into hers.

  I knew far too well how stubborn Tony could be. I slowly withdrew my hand from hers.

  "Keira we've been through a lot together. Its enough for me to know you're a sincere friend but you need to understand that if he asks me to stop talking to you, I will have to oblige."

  Like she understood where I was coming from, she hugged me tightly.

  "I love you Keira. You're my best friend. I will secretly text and call no matter where Tony drags me."

  "I love you too Bea. Let's not allow their fallout to end our friendship."

  We were interrupted when Tony stormed in. We held hands tightly.

  "Let's go, now!"

  I saw Keira's inquisitive eyes and I hoped Tony wouldn't blast her.

  "Tony, Bianca is my best friend. Please don't separate us. What you and Jacob had was a small misunderstanding that can be sorted out if we sit and talk."

  Tony sifted his stance.

  "Look love, you and Bianca have nothing to do with this. If you think for a second that your stubborn boyfriend will want to resolve this, then you don't know him at all."

  He gripped my hand and Keira's and separated us.

  He picked the packed bag, grabbed my hand and dragged me behind him.

  Keira followed as I gave her one last glance before I was at the back of a town car speeding off out of the Berlotelli Villa.

  =================

  Author's note

  Hey there my fabulous readers!!!

  First things first, a big fat apology for in publishing the last parts of this book.

  I'm editing and that means new content that may conflict with the existing one.

  Expect three more chapters or so before the end and some shocking bits.

  Love you all, and thank you for the support.

  =================

  Chapter thirty three: Cheryl

  I had been staring at nothing for the longest time. I felt purposeless and slightly confused at what had happened between us. Twenty years of friendship was over just because we couldn't agree about the one woman who had raised us should be treated.

  Two decades of friendship was over.

  I was over.

  I was empty.

  Jacob was my best friend, the only reason I was a billionaire was because he generously handed me an oil well as a gift. He gave me a foundation for my wealth.

  How had things gotten so out of hand?

  My bad temper? My lack of a brain to mouth filter?

  Had I picked the wrong time to confront him?

  It didn't

  seem like there would have been a right time. He was pissed at me from even before I had asked to see him?

  What had I done wrong?

  All those questions had been puzzling me. When Jacob and I were younger, he would sometimes be pissed at me for no reason. Sometimes he would have had a bad day and he would take it out on me. He would apologize and we would get over it.

  This time round it had been too long. An entire month and he hadn't called. I hadn't called either. I was just as stubborn as he was.

  I supposed we both got the ugly trait from Erma.

  Erma.

  She was not returning my calls and was not in Milan as she had promised she would.

  "Tony?"

  I raised my eyes to Bianca as she stood in front of me holding out a plate of food. Her eyes darted to my other untouched plate and she sighed.

  She set down the plate and opened the drapes. The dull London skies didn't exactly inspire any positive mood on my end. It was pouring cats and dogs and it had been so the entire week. I saw no points in opening the drapes.

  I squinted slightly and focused on my beautiful fiancé.

  "Are you alright Tony? You've been sulking all month. You haven't even left the house once." She said as she brought herself to straddle

  me.

  She touched my beard and smiled slightly.

  "This look you have going on makes you look older and sexier." She whispered. "And more like a father."

  I drew my full attention to her. Her green eyes were a little teary.

  She brought my hand down to her stomach.

  "You're going to be a father Tony. I just found out. Please tell me this is reason enough for you to live again." She spoke softly.

  A small smile crept up on me. I felt a little brighter. I touched her belly rubbing it continuously.

  "Life is giving us another chance at being parents. This time, I want it to work Tony. It must work."

  "And it will love. I'll make sure it will work. Bianca, I can't believe this. Bloody hell I can't wait to hold our baby." I told her.

  She burst into tears and cried her heart out as I just held her. She was excited no doubt and she was right. I had a new reason to go back to my normal life.

  How long would I sulk over Jacob when he had moved on with his life? When he was moving on like we didn't have a fall out?

  "I'm so happy. I can't wait and yes, you just gave me a new resolve."

  She smiled and started laughing with her eyes still tearing up. She cupped my face and kissed my lips sensually.

  "I love you." She said.

  She suddenly got a distant look in her eyes. She was debating with herself. My hands settled on her slender thighs. If she gained a little more weight I'd love it. If she was at least two sizes bigger.

  "Whatever it is, tell me." I spoke up.

  "I don't want any secrets between us, so I'm going to tell you something about myself. Promise me you won't hate me."

  She was fumbling with h
er engagement ring and I knew her greatest fear; that I would leave her.

  "I can never leave you. Now that you're having my baby, you're stuck with me forever."

  She smiled.

  "Before I became a model, I did some pretty bad things." She began. "I was raised in a bad neighborhood without the shelter and protection of a family. I was a street rat for sometime before I was put in foster care. I got passed from one home to the next until I lost sense of permanence."

  That explained why she had feared commitment when I first met her.

  "When I turned ten, I ran from the foster home I was in and joined a local gang. We did all sorts of things from tagging walls to petty theft."

  I couldn't imagine Bianca tagging a wall but this world was full of surprises.

  "After two years or so, I grew fond of a girl who was my closest friend. Her name was Tabby. She was a junkie but I still adored her. One day, she was so desperate for some heroine she hooked up with a guy to get it." She paused.

  I rubbed her thighs slightly.

  "Half way through she paJacobed and wanted out. It was her first time I guess. That man wouldn't let her go. I was scared and I paJacobed. I grabbed a metal pipe and

  beat him halfway to death."

  I was a little surprised although I had no doubt Bianca could hold her own in a fight.

  "Tabby stuck the needle into her arm first chance she got and over dosed. She died soon after. I risked my own life to save her and she still killed herself."

  Her eyes teared up.

  "I was arrested. I went to juvy for two years. In there it was hard. I learned the hard way that life was selfish. It was always me myself and I. Tony, I'm the way I am because life moulded me this way."

  She allowed her tears to glow and I was greatful for her honesty. I had a dossier on her life history but it was always better to hear it from the source.

  "Its okay love, I understand. Life dealt you a bad hand but now you are okay. You are safe. You are with me. No one will ever hurt you."

  I pulled her very close and kissed her softly.

  "Thank you for opening up. I'm glad you trust me. I love you."

  *

  Later that day after Bianca had poured out her heart to me, I decided to go see my sister. During my time in Santorini I had learned a few things about her that I wanted to ask.

  Secrets are not uncommon within my family. Everybody harbored secrets.

  The manor was quiet when I got there. My father was busy filling in a crossword when I walked into his office.

  "Lyons!" He exclaimed with a hint of excitement in his voice. "What a lovely surprise."

  "Why are you so jolly?" I asked.

  "Its not every day my only son visits. What brings you here?"

  He set aside the newspaper and focused on me. He was aging rather quickly and I was worried

  about his heart. I had watched Jacob's grandfather die right in front of my eyes and I wouldn't let it happen with my old man.

  We had our differences but Wayne Bellingerre was still my father.

  "How have you been dad?" I asked.

  "Great, running the company you promised to take up." He grumbled.

  "I'm sorry about that. A lot has been going on. You heard about Jacob's grandfather?"

  "Of course. He was a business legend. A heart attack?"

  I nodded.

  My father sighed bringing his hand to his chest.

  "My time will be sooner or later."

  "Don't say that. The spiteful ones live the longest." I teased him.

  He gave a hearty laugh and peered at me.

  "How's Erma? I tried calling her but she's not picking my calls."

  "Jacob kicked her out of the villa. Sources say his grandfather named him his sole heir. He cut Erma off financially. I don't know what the bloody hell is wrong with him."

  My father stood up and placed his hand on my shoulder.

  "Lyons, there's more to Jacob's behaviour than meets the eye. I would advise you to hold off on getting worked up."

  "Are you okay with the way he's treating Erma?"

  "Of course not but why don't you ask Erma why her son is going ballistic on her."

  My father seemed to know something I didn't.

  "What's going on Wayne?" I asked.

  "You'll find out soon enough. I just hope you'll forgive us all. Why are you here? I know it's not because you wanted to see me."

  He was definitely hiding something that probably entailed Erma, Jacob and

  I.

  "I'm looking for Cheryl."

  "Haven't seen your sister for days on end."

  "She doesn't live here?" I asked.

  "She does, but this house is too large, I never even see her. The servants sat she leaves early and comes in late. So I honestly don't remember the last time I saw my own daughter."

  "I need to talk to her. When you do see her, tell her to come see me."

  After I left the place, I had my chauffeur drive me to Bellingerre Consolidate. I went through the workload my father had left me hoping to keep my mind from wandering off. I was thinking about a lot if things.

  Erma, my friendship with Jacob, my soon to be wife and baby and now Cheryl.

  Picking up my phone, I decided to give Erma a call. It rung on end and finally went to voicemail.

  "You've reached Erma, please leave a message."

  "Mom, I'm worried about you. Please call me back. I love you."

  After I hung up, I watched Cheryl walking into my office. Her silver eyes looked tired. She seemed a little stressed out as well.

  "She lives." I teased her.

  She dropped her bag on my table and sat down facing me.

  "What the bloody hell do you want?"

  She was in a bad mood.

  "Would you happen to be hiding a five year old boy in Cuba?" I asked.

  I saw no need to beat around the bush. Cheryl liked it when people got straight to the point.

  My question unnerved her. She raised one of her brows and squinted slightly.

  "I don't know what you're talking about." She denied picking up her bag.

  "Let me rephrase. Do you have a five year old son whom you're hiding in Cuba?"

  "No."

  A lie.

  Trust Cheryl to lie with a straight face. She was frustrating me. I was done with secrets. My temper was flaring. I banged my fists on the table and that startled her."

  "Tell me the truth!" I snapped.

  "Why? Who the bloody hell do you think you are to demand anything from me?"

  "I'm you're brother Cheryl. I have a right to know."

  She rolled her silver eyes at me and laughed sarcastically.

  "And I'm the Queen of England. Stay out of my business James Lyons. It doesn't concern you at any level. Piss off!"

  She walked out and I just stood there wondering what had just happened.

  Everything was falling apart and something told me that it was all about to go downhill from here.

  =================

  Chapter thirty four: Mistakes of the past

  Author's note:

  Hey everyone.

  So here we are, secrets all over the place. Hold on to your hats for two major secrets that are about to come out that will leave Tony feeling utterly betrayed.

  This chapter is a walk down memory lane.

  Enjoy your reading.

  (29 years ago in

  Paris)

  "I'm not interested." I turned down the silver eyed man.

  He chuckled softly and reached out for my hand despite my clear stand on his question.

  It was freezing in Paris, the dead of winter for that matter. I would have been back in the warmth of the Tuscan sun but I preferred the sub zero temperatures compared to my father giving me hell about my son's father.

  His touch was the kind of warmth I needed, the attention

  and affection I badly craved.

  His silver eyes were cunning and very enticing. The way he loo
ked at me made my toes curl. Nathan hadn't looked at me this way in a long time.

  I was young and desperate for some love. I wanted to be loved and Nathan was never around. I was only nineteen at the time, turning twenty in a week or so. I already had a two year old son at home. If this man knew all I was thinking, he would probably retract his

  offer to have dinner with me.

  "One dinner. If you don't want to see me anymore, I'll respect your wishes."

  "You don't even know my name." I teased him still enjoying the warmth of his hand.

  His silver eyes flickered affectionately.

  "But I do. Who wouldn't know the lovely Erma Berlotelli?" He asked with a seductive smile. "We've met before but perhaps you're were too young to remember."

  I winced my soft brown eyes trying to recall where I

  had seen him. Then it dawned on me. Five years ago, my father had thrown an end year party at Berlotelli Winery and Vineyard. I had met him then.

  "You know I was only fourteen."

  "And now you've grown into a lovely young woman. You're very beautiful Erma."

  "Grazi. What's your name?" I asked as much as I knew who he was.

  "Wayne. Wayne Bellingerre. So what's your answer?"

  "Sure. I will have dinner with you."

  That is how it all started.

  Random dinners as we rendezvoused all over the world. It was exciting and I loved the thrill of having his full attention.

  But he was a man, with needs and as much as he was a gentleman, he still dropped hints about what he needed from me.

  One rainy night while we were in London, in his home, it happened. We made love repeatedly through the weekend.

  That weekend had been perfect.

  I didn't have any regrets up

  to the point when I returned to Tuscany and Nathan was there. He had formally asked for my hand in marriage and my father approved it.

  We had a big Italian wedding. I loved Nathan and I knew I had broken Wayne's heart but I loved Nathan. We had a son together.

  The first month of marriage was a bliss, a bed of roses. Everything was perfect. I was happy with my husband and my son. But my secret union with Wayne wouldn't remain a

  secret as I had hoped.

  Two months into my marriage I realized I was expectant but it was not Nathan's. It was Wayne's. I had no intention of telling anyone. I would have the baby and I would never tell my husband the baby wasn't his.