Beautiful Mistake (Mistake #1)

by Laiza Millan

  "What do you want?" she spat, clearly unhappy to see him. She hadn't seen him for quite a few days now, what did he want?

  Drake halted just inside the door and scowled. "Easy, Collins." He raised a packet he was holding and gestured towards it. "Mr. Baker sent me with another packet for you to look over."

  Emma narrowed her eyes, motioning for him to come closer. "Where is the other intern who gave me the last packet?"

  Drake shrugged and gently placed the paperwork on her desk. "His shift ended an hour ago."

  "Oh," she mumbled, eyeing the packet with reluctance. "Well, if that's all, then you can leave now, Mr. Rogers."

  Drake hated being told what to do.

  However, Rich told him that if he wants to see Aidan again, he has to be - Drake inwardly winced at this - disgustingly nice to her. Or at least be on his best behavior around her.

  Stupid.

  So, with only a few seconds of hesitation, he swallowed his pride and nodded before turning around to walk away. "All right, have a good day, Miss Collins."

  To say that Emma was shocked was an understatement. That was such a civilized thing of him to say. There was no, 'don't tell me what to do, bitch?' or any of that, 'shut the hell up, you idiot' nonsense?

  How odd...

  Before Emma could voice her suspicions, a sharp cry startled her. She gasped in surprise and shot out of her chair to squat down towards the sound.

  Drake stiffened at that familiar noise and dropped his hand away from the doorknob. He whirled around to see the top of Emma's head peaking from behind the desk.

  What the hell? He frowned, cautiously taking a step closer to her. "Collins?"

  He could hear her speaking softly. "It's okay, darling. Was I being too loud? Did Mommy wake you up?"

  She gently unhooked the restraint on Aidan's baby seat and placed her hands under his arms to lift him up.

  "There, there, baby," she said softly, rubbing his back as she held on to him securely. She finally stood up and jumped at the sight of Drake's presence still in the room.

  "What are you still doing here?" she snapped quietly, gently rubbing Aidan's back for comfort.

  Drake blinked.

  What the hell?

  He's... he's here. Aidan's here!

  Drake could feel his heartbeat increasing with both excitement and anticipation, just by seeing that little tiny boy who looked just like him. Fuck, he hadn't seen him in nearly a week and now he was here...

  He cleared his throat, still staring at them both. "I, uh... I heard a sound -''

  "It was Aidan, obviously," Emma interrupted. "Now leave, please."

  Drake, still confused and surprised, shook his head. "No, wait a second. Why did you bring him to work? Does Mr. Baker know?"

  "Of course he knows!" Emma snapped, feeling insulted. "I asked permission today, of course. He told me I could bring Aidan anytime I want. Besides, there was no one else I could call to babysit him."

  Drake shook his head, taking a step closer. "Alona or my mother could have -"

  "Don't start, Rogers," she hissed, her arms tightening on her squirming son. "Just stop it and leave now.."

  Drake took another step closer but paused when Emma took a step back. What, did she think he was going to hurt them both?

  "Collins, what -"

  "Get out of here." Emma growled, not wanting to hear a word he was saying. "Honestly, Drake, just leave me and Aidan alone for once, will you?"

  Aidan squirmed against his mother's hold and turned his body around, seeing Drake for the first time that day. He stopped moving for only a second before letting out another cry. He extended his tiny arms towards Drake, begging for his father's hold.

  Drake could feel that all too familiar tug in his chest, but remained still. "Collins, can I just -"

  "No!" she snapped, feeling annoyed. "I told you, you had your -"

  "Ah!" Aidan interrupted them with a piercing scream, his hands stretched wide as he tried to reach for Drake once again.

  Emma looked down at her son.

  She was torn with conflicted emotions as she stared at her son. Rich had told her that Aidan liked Drake but she didn't know what to believe anymore. The sight in front of her told her that he was telling the truth, but her head was saying otherwise.

  After all Drake has done to her and Aidan? No way. Does he not realize how much this was affecting her as well? He broke her trust long ago, does he think she's going to trust him easily again?

  Why should he get to know Aidan when he didn't even want him in the first place? Why was Aidan so connected to Drake when she was the one who had been taking care of him since day one?

  Now her hold on her child was becoming slack as Aidan continued to move and squirm, increasing his screams and cries.

  "Collins, look at me." Drake knew that Emma was having a hard time just by holding Aidan, but honestly! Couldn't she see that he just wanted to hold him?

  Emma glanced at Drake and was shocked to see him looking at Aidan with such... Oh, Aidan keeps moving!

  "Emma." Drake took another step closer and lifted his hands up in surrender to show he wasn't a threat.

  He felt so awkward and strange doing it, but if that was what it took to show her that he meant no harm this time, then so be it.

  Emma ignored him and continued to speak softly to the squirming baby. Why couldn't Drake Rogers just go away? When he wasn't here, she and Aidan were doing fine!

  "Collins," Drake started again. "Please."

  Finally, Emma stopped and looked up at him. What the hell? Did he just beg?

  She saw a few employees stealing a look inside the office as they passed her door, and she inwardly cursed at Drake for forgetting to close the door.

  Before she could think of anything else, Drake stood inches in front of her, blocking the nosy co-workers' views. His hands were still raised and his eyes begged her to give him this chance.

  That's right, beg. You had better start begging because you don't deserve anything, not now, Emma couldn't help but think to herself. Is she being a bitch? Honestly, she doesn't care right now. Drake is an asshole, it's about time he got a taste of his own medicine.

  Drake was so close that Aidan reached and placed a hand on Drake's chest. But to Emma's surprise, Drake remained frozen. His eyes still searched her face, waiting for her permission.

  Now's your chance, Emma. She thought of what Rich said. Just stay close to him.

  She sighed and glared at Drake's shoulder. She didn't know if she would be able to do it... She didn't know if she could...

  Quick flashes of him insulting her and her friends kept buzzing through her head...

  "I don't want to be a part of it!"

  "I want you to get rid of that thing inside you."

  More of what he said are stuck inside her head too stubborn to be let out.

  "You're acting like a clingy bitch."

  "You shoud know, Collins, that guys will say anything to get themselves a quick fuck."

  "Emma?" Now Drake's voice broke her thoughts.

  Her eyes snapped to his, surprise clearly etched on her face.

  He was asking permission still, ignoring Aidan's impatient complaints. He could have easily snatched Aidan away from her if he wanted to, but he hadn't.

  He was waiting for her to show her agreement.

  Ugh, this is all too confusing for her. She wants the past to just go away and leave her alone, but they keep coming back to haunt her.

  "I swear to you, I just want to hold him." His voice broke, but he didn't care. "Please, just give me this once chance, that's all I ask."

  She glanced at his face and bit her bottom lip. Part of her wanting to leave, and yet the nicer part of her wanting to give him the benefit of doubt. After much hesitation and reluctance, Emma heavily sighed. Swallowing hard to prevent her mind changing, she leaned towards Drake and nodded.

  Immediately Drake's face was greeted by a smile.

  He gently pried Aidan from her grip
and mimicked her moves by whispering in the baby's ear and rubbing his back for comfort.

  It took a few more minutes of rocking and comforting whispers, but he did it. Aidan's small cries died down and turned into sniffles.

  After a few more minutes, everything became quiet. Only Drake's whispers and Emma's dead silence was heard between them.

  As Drake continued to stroke Aidan's back, the sixth month old lifted his head to stare at his father's face while he lifted his fingers to pull on Drake's lips.

  .

  .

  Emma couldn't believe what she was seeing.

  "Ouch." Drake winced playfully, causing Aidan to give him a toothless grin.

  Who was this man? This couldn't be Drake Rogers, the bastard who had been treating her like shit.

  No way.

  Aidan pulled on Drake's hair, earning a yelp from him as a response.

  "That hurts," Drake chuckled, removing the tiny fingers from his hair. Aidan ignored him and continued to pull. "Jeez, Aidan, I told you that it hurt and yet you're doing it again."

  "Well you deserved it," Emma said, stepping closer to them and gluing her eyes on Aidan. "You deserve more than just hair pulling, let's not lie to ourselves."

  Drake rolled his eyes, but kept his gaze on the baby, a slight quirk on the corner of his mouth. Emma sat on the edge of her desk, watching them.

  It felt so strange seeing Drake like that... It was as if he was happy... But she still couldn't wrap her mind around it, even though she could see it with her own eyes. This was totally unlike the Drake Rogers she knew.

  This was someone completely different.

  "Did you eat or drink anything before you got here, Rogers?" she asked questioningly, stifling a laugh when Aidan suddenly pulled on Drake's ear.

  Maybe someone drugged him? Did he hit his head? She wouldn't be surprised!

  "No," he said, rubbing his ear and playfully glaring at Aidan, who let out a yelp back. "Why? Are you offering, Emma Collins?"

  "No," she snapped in annoyance. "It's just strange. You don't think someone could have slipped you a drug or something?"

  "The hell are you on about?" Drake asked, confused. "I didn't eat anything today, Collins. So if you're trying to ask me to lunch with you and Aidan, I'd be glad to go."

  Emma bristled. "That's not what I'm asking."

  "I know, I know." He smirked, squeezing Aidan's fingers. "Your mother needs to take that stick out of her ass, right, Aidan?"

  "Hey!" Emma snapped, clearly annoyed. ''Watch your language. If you're going to act like a disrespectful man again, then give him back to me.''

  Drake glared at her but kept his mouth closed, giving the rest of his attention to Aidan.

  "This doesn't change anything," Emma said clearly, watching him.

  She watched his reaction; his Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he swallowed hard, and his eyes shifting downwards as if an unpleasant thought had crossed his mind.

  "Whatever," he muttered, absently straightening Aidan's rumpled clothes.

  "I'm serious," Emma snapped, wanting to get her point across.

  ''And I'm serious, Collins," Drake snapped back, throwing an angry look at her. "I know I've been a bit inappropriate to you -"

  "Inappropriate?" Emma cut him with a scoff.

  Drake continued on. "- and I know you hate me, but I'm sorry, all right?"

  Emma's eyes widened.

  Drake, too, stopped abruptly, as if he was also surprised by his sudden apology. It fell out of his mouth so quickly that it was too late for him to pull it back in.

  He gave her another dirty look to hide his shock before dropping his eyes again in humiliation.

  "I'm sorry," he repeated, his blue eyes lifting to Aidan's. Some sort of emotion was swimming underneath his gaze as he looked at him. One that Emma couldn't quite place. "But I want to be part of his life."

  Emma remained quiet, too stunned to say anything.

  No, no, no. This is too confusing for her. Why is he acting so different? Why now? Why not before?

  He apologized for once, it's weird!

  Mistaking her silence as a negative answer, he growled. "If you're going to try to stop me from seeing him again, Collins, I swear that I will do everything in my power to fight back."

  Emma blinked, anger starting to replace her surprise. She took a step closer to him and hissed. "Like what? Take me to court? Please, don't forget what I told you."

  How dare he think it's okay for him to take Aidan away from her, when this whole entire time it was only her who did the whole work?

  Her who kept begging him in the beginning?

  Now that she's finally standing up for herself and Aidan's safety, he has the nerve to threaten her?

  Drake's arms wrapped around Aidan securely, but he kept his silence. Aidan, as if sensing the tension his father was displaying, placed his hands on Drake's face.

  Emma was taken aback by her son's behavior and how rapidly Drake's demeanor relaxed just by Aidan's touch, but made sure not to show it on her face.

  "I know," he said quietly, stroking Aidan's hands with his fingers. "I'm sorry; I would never do that to you and Aidan. I'm sorry."

  Again with the apologies! What the hell?

  "But he's my son." Drake continued quietly to himself, thinking Emma didn't hear him.

  "And he's my son since the beginning." she answered back icily. "You were never there in the beginning. I gave you so many chances and you messed them up every single time. I don't want Aidan to get to know his father, and then never see him again, or have his heartbroken by you. It's just not fair."

  Drake's heart suddenly weighed heavily, as if it dropped down to his stomach.

  "I understand," Drake murmured, again surprising Emma with his lack of fight and insults.

  Who the hell is this man?

  "Tell me a good reason why I should give you another chance?" Emma asked sullenly.

  .

  .

  Drake opened his mouth to reply but closed it when no answer came to him. He let out a heavy sigh, shaking his head. Well, what could he say?

  "I'm sorry," That was all he can say.

  Emma sighed.

  "I don't know if sorry can simply cut it this time, Rogers. If I was fifteen years old, I would have accepted it. But I have myself and my son to think about." she murmured, taking her phone and preparing to dial a number. "You need to leave. I have to interview someone about a job opening."

  Drake shook his head, letting out a short, sharp laugh. He pulled Aidan closer to him and leaned down to place a chaste kiss on his forehead, not bothering to say anything else.

  It felt as if heavy pounds of regret were being pushed against him, burying him, shortening his breaths. That feeling was another one that was uncomfortable to him and he didn't know what to make of it. Giving her a quick short nod, he gently leaned towards her, motioning for her to take Aidan back.

  With no hesitation, she hung up the phone and quickly wrapped her arms around the baby. She heavily sighed with relief when Aidan placed his head on the crook of her neck, relaxed and tired once more.

  Drake watched them both for a second and leaned down to kiss the top of Aidan's head again in a fatherly manner. It still shocked Emma to see that side of him, but she kept her thoughts to herself.

  She frowned at Drake when he straightened up. Catching her eye and nodding again, he turned around to leave, closing the door behind him without another word.

  She didn't know if her surprise was because he didn't take his chance to threaten her again, or if it was because the look he unconsciously gave her was telling her that he was nearly giving up.

  .

  .

  "Do you mind if Ian comes over again, Drake?" Alona asked kindly, placing her hand on his knee.

  Drake glared at her action. "I don't care."

  She flashed him a smile and sat up straighter, taking a spoonful of soup.

  "You spend a lot of time with him these days," h
e said thoughtfully. "Why is that?"

  He didn't fail to notice the way she stiffened.

  How peculiar...

  "We're friends," Alona said with a shrug. "Just like how you and Richard spend time together sometimes, so do Ian and I. Is that bad?"

  "Rich and I are best friends," Drake told her dryly. "Are you going to tell me you and Ian are the best of friends just like Jason and Emma? Or is it the same as Tom and Emma?"

  "I don't know what you're talking about" Alona scoffed, defensively crossing her arms.

  "No?" Drake accused. "No lingering sexual tension between two former lovers, is there?"

  Alona's eyes widened in surprise but she quickly snapped back. "Listen, just because you've had a horrible day, doesn't mean that you have to contaminate my day with whatever the hell you've been through."

  Drake inwardly rolled his eyes. "Screw you."

  "No, thank you." She daintily dabbed the corners of her lips and got out of her seat. "If you'll excuse me, I have better company to be with than you."

  Drake's palms were starting to hurt from how tight his fist was clenched. It wasn't until Alona finally left the dining room that he relaxed with a sigh.

  "Mr. Rogers?"

  Drake rubbed the ache from his hand and turned to see the family maid standing by the doorway. "What is it?"

  The main bowed down slightly. "You have a visitor, sir."

  Drake rolled his eyes. "Why does Richard have you announce his arrival every time he gets the opportunity?" Before the maid could answer, he sighed. "Never mind, don't answer that. Thank you, though, please let him in."

  The main bowed down again and rushed out.

  Groaning, he leant against his chair and stared up at the ceiling.

  "That is so you," an irritated voice broke out. "You bossing your maid around like a slave."

  Drake groaned again. "For your information, Collins, I have been nothing but nice to our maid. Plus, as far as I know, slaves don't get paid. However, our maid does. We give them plenty for their family and vacation days whenever they ask."