Chapter Ninety four

"When are we going back to LA?" I heard her speak to me for the first time that morning.

I paused for a second and stared at her. She was seated in a lotus position on the bed.

"We'll be leaving tonight." I said.

I wanted everything to die down before we went back home. The news of Aleena's pregnancy must have been heard by everyone back home because Aiden was calling to confirm.

That woman had some nerve though! She went live on Instagram and announced her pregnancy and when someone asked about the child's father, she casually spewed out that it was me. She had not told me beforehand because she knew I would not let her say anything to anyone if I heard it first so she put me in a tight position.

My PR team was working on cleaning up the mess the scandal had made but it was going to be difficult because Aleena was a famous model and she had been linked to me on several occasions so her story was believable.

But no matter what, I was going to get the truth out of her.

"Okay."

***

I left the resort in the hands of a few trusted employees, expecting them to put their best foot forward and try to impress me with their reports.

Once again we were up in the air heading back to the US and Aleena was coming with us.

I noticed the awkward air around us and the thick tension between the ladies but I made nothing of it up until the chaotic turn of events when we landed in LA.

It had been some days after our arrival and no one had uttered a word about the current happenings to me, obviously because they were afraid of my reaction.

I had drowned myself in work, ignoring side comments and speculations as I always did and even when it hurt me to do so, I avoided Ariana. I couldn't face her after such a mess I had made.

People were speculating that she didn't want children and that was why I went ahead to get someone else pregnant. That wasn't the case at all but they obviously didn't know that.

For once, I hated being a public figure.

The intercom on my desk buzzed, I pressed the button and the voice of my secretary filled my ears.

"Sir, Mr Aiden is here to see you."

I frowned, puzzled at the fact that Aiden would meet my secretary before coming in.

"Let him in." I said.

Shortly after, he came in with Tracy.

"Hi Damien." She waved at me.

"Hey Trace. How are you doing?"

Pregnancy looked good on her for sure and she looked happier ever since she moved in with Aiden.

"I'm good." She said softly.

"Is she why you had to go through my secretary?" I asked with laughter at the tip of my tongue.

"Apparently your sister thinks it's rude to barge into your office and courtesy demands that I check with your secretary first." He said, rolling his eyes as he did air quotes with his fingers.

She smacked his arm.

"Ouch!" He exclaimed rubbing furiously on the spot.

I chuckled deeply.

"Serves you right." She mumbled and turned to me.

"Damien, the situation with," she took a nervous glance at Aiden before continuing.

"Aleena, what's that about?"

I exhaled as I leaned back on my seat.

"I can't explain it."

They both had their gazes glued to me.

"One night in London and the next thing I knew, Aleena was in the same bed as me and now she's pregnant. I can't remember anything that transpired that night."

"Do you think she could be faking it?" Aiden asked me.

"That baby bump looks real to me." I shrugged.

"What if it's for another man?"

That was Tracy.

"We had a paternity test done to avoid any drama." I said.

"And what are the results?"

"Unfortunately, the child is mine."

"How's Ariana holding up?"

That question stabbed my heart.

"I haven't told her anything about it. She hardly says anything to me. She's simply tolerating me till, you know..." I said, sure that Aiden understood.

"I'm so sorry to hear that man. I'm sure she'll come around." He said encouragingly.

"I can't even face her." I groaned rubbing my palm over my face.

"I'm sure she'll forgive you." Tracy said, reaching for my hand. She patted the back of my palm comfortingly. I nodded in appreciation for the kind gesture.

Tracy's phone rang out and she excused herself to pick it up.

"Hey mom." I heard her say as she walked to one end of the large office.

"What?!" She yelled.

Aiden was by her side in no time.

"Oh my goodness! Alright mom, I'll let him know right away." She dropped the call and turned to both of us who had our curious gazes on her.

"Baby what's wrong?"

"Aleena just moved into the villa and is having a confrontation with Ariana." She informed pursing her lips nervously.

"What the heck?!" I cussed loudly.

"I need to get there right away." I said to no one in particular.

"Yeah let's go before it escalates." Aiden agreed.

We rushed into the elevator and soon found ourselves in the underground parking lot.

They got into their vehicle while I slid into mine. I took the wheels cause no driver would get me there as quick as I wanted.

Ariana's call came through and her angry voice soon filled the vehicle.

"Babe-" I started saying but as she usually did whenever she was pissed, she cut me off.

"Damien, get over here right now!"

"God help you if you're not here in the next ten minutes!" She hung up before I could respond.

I gulped.

"This is not good." I muttered shaking my head.

***

Ariana's POV;

My morning had been uneventful. Mom and I had some tea time to catch up on stuff but I noticed she was avoiding the elephant topic that had been on everyone's minds. I did not want to think about it either.

I was seated by the poolside later that afternoon, slowly fluttering my legs in the water while I propped myself on the tiles surrounding the pool.

It was so peaceful and quiet out here. It was my other little oasis asides the bedroom terrace.

"Ma'am, there's a situation." One of the helps rushed towards me, startling me out of my quiet time.

"What's wrong?"

"Ma'am I'd rather you come see for yourself." She looked terrified and it worried me.

I stood up, carefully getting off the tiles so I wouldn't slip. Then, I slid into my fluffy bunny house slippers before following her into the house.

She led me upstairs towards my bedroom and I followed, frowning in further confusion.

I found the door open and when I walked in, I was met with Aleena strutting around like she owned the place.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I asked her, catching a glimpse of the suitcases laying in the center of the room.

"Oh, hello Ariana." She waved with an overly ecstatic smile.

"I asked you a question." I gritted out.

"Isn't it obvious that I just moved in?" She rhetorically asked me.

My nose flared.

I turned to the maid who watched our exchange with eyes as wide as saucers.

"Go call me my mother in law."

"Yes ma'am." She said quickly and scurried out of the room.

"Oh she can't handle anything on her own? Poor baby." She mocked me, laughing like a hyena.

"I'm warning Aleena, you had better watch your tongue." I warned sternly.

"Get your things and get out!" I yelled, pointing at the door.

"Or else what?!" She challenged in the same tone coming to stand in front of me.

"I'm the one carrying Damien's child, the mother to his future heir."

"And I'm his legal wife,"

"Contract wife." She scoffed, interrupting my statement.

"At least I have a title worth respecting, unlike some harlot who can't keep her legs closed." I retorted.

She gasped and raised her hand to hit me.

"Aleena!" Mom yelled from the doorway freezing her movement.

My eyes challenged her and I swear if she had dared hit me she would not be able to recognize her face after that.

"What is going on here?" She asked looking around the room.

"Aunt Stella, I'm moving in with the father of my baby." She said in a saccharine voice, cradling her baby bump.

I scoffed.

"You aren't supposed to move into his matrimonial bedroom." Mom scolded firmly.

"Is Damien even aware of this?" She questioned further.

"I'm sure he wants the best for his child. And, what's best for our child is being brought up in a home with both parents showering him/her with love." She said feigning a teary face.

I was irritated beyond words.

"Well if you were sensible you would consult your child's father before trying to encroach his space. You will not disrespect me in my matrimonial home!" I said strongly, getting angrier by the minute.

"I don't see you pregnant." She countered with a sneer.

"Will you shut it already?!" I yelled, walking towards her. Mom held me back.

A battle of words ensued and I so wanted to beat her up.

Mom went outside to make a call. Ma Rosa came in and tried ushering me away from the annoying bitch but I was not going to back down.

I picked up my phone and called the cause of all these problems.

He had better be here before I tore his woman's head off.