Chapter Five

Nella's POV:

FIVE YEARS LATER………

“Damian!” I called out, tying my hair back with a band.

Where could he be? 

Suddenly, I bumped into someone. Looking up, I saw it was the cook.

Sighing deeply, I asked, “Where is he? Please tell me you found him.”

“I couldn’t find him,” she replied, her head hung low. “This house is huge; he could be anywhere. I had the maids search everywhere for him. You’ll find him soon, I promise.”

“I hope so, Lola. Michael is on his way back, and he hates it when his rest is disturbed.”

“Don’t worry, ma'am. We’ll definitely find him before Sir returns, trust me…”

“I found him!” someone called out, and we hurried toward the voice.

We entered the library and saw a maid standing by the door.

“Where is he?” I asked.

“Behind the third shelf,” she replied.

“You both can leave now,” I instructed. “And please shut the door behind you.”

I moved behind the third shelf to find the little boy crouched down, his head hanging low.

“What's wrong, baby?” I asked, gently lifting his chin with my hands.

“I don’t like it here,” he said, sniffing back tears.

“Why not? Don’t you like staying with Mommy?” I asked, and he nodded sadly. “What have I done to upset you? Please tell me.”

“You’re always so busy and never have time for me. I’m homeschooled, so I have no friends, and I don’t like the maids either; they act like they’re forced to take care of me,” he listed.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize my work was bothering you. I promise to make it up to you. Where do you want to go? The park or maybe Disneyland?” I asked, wiping away his tears.

“School.”

My heart sank. “No! Not school. Anywhere but school, okay?”

“But that’s where I want to go,” he insisted.

“Damian! Listen to me. I’m your mom, and I know what’s best for you. You’ll continue to be homeschooled, and you have to get used to it.”

He suddenly pushed my hands away. “You always lie to me! You just promised to take me wherever I wanted, but now you won’t.”

“Please, I’m begging you—don’t make this harder for me. Just do this one thing. I’ll introduce you to some of my friends' kids, and they can come over to play anytime. If that’s not enough, I’ll change all the maids in this house. Just bear with me for now.”

“I’ll think about it,” he said, pouting, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“Thank you,” I said, ruffling his hair.

Just then, the library doors swung open, and a maid hurried up to me. “Sir is back,” she announced.

“Where is he?”

“In his room, probably taking a bath,” she replied.

“Is Grandpa Ed still asleep?” 

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Is Lola done cooking?” I asked, and she nodded.

“Alright, then. Take Damian with you. Wash his face, change him into his nightwear, and prepare him for dinner,” I instructed.

Turning back to Damian, I kissed him on the forehead. “Go with her; I need to get your grandpa.”

I watched as he walked away with the maid, a smile on my lips.

Five years ago, I thought I would die in that fire. But my will was stronger. I managed to escape the prison just before the building collapsed. I ran to the streets searching for a taxi, but none stopped. I tried to flag down several cars, but no one would pick up someone in a prisoner uniform. Eventually, a car did stop, but it was on the other side of the road. I glanced left and right and started to cross, but suddenly a sports car came barreling towards me, I was knocked to the ground, unconscious. I was taken to the hospital immediately, luckily both my child and I survived. My savior was a wealthy billionaire who recognized me as the wife of his competition.

After hearing my story, he offered to help. “Become my secretary. Help Hills Inc. surpass Quinn's Innovations, and I’ll care for your child like a father,” Michael Hills, the cold billionaire, said. And I accepted.

‘I will never let Damian roam freely. He looks so much like his father; it could raise suspicions,’ I thought as I pushed Grandpa Ed in his wheelchair toward the dining hall.

“What are you thinking about, love?” Grandpa Ed asked, his blue eyes searching mine.

“Just work,” I replied.

“Huh,” he began, letting out a deep sigh. “I used to worry only about Michael, but now I’m also concerned about you.”

“I’ll be fine, Ed,” I said, pecking his cheek.

Two maids rushed to help me lift him and place him at the head of the dining table, while I sat beside him on his left.

In less than a minute, Michael entered, wearing black loungewear that complemented his jet-black hair and made his blue eyes stand out. He had a few buttons undone, that pointed out his muscular build.

“Welcome home,” I greeted with a wide smile before turning back to Damian, forcing a few pieces of broccoli onto his plate.

“Good evening, Daddy,” Damian said, and Michael acknowledged him with a nod as he took his seat next to Grandpa Ed.

“How was work today?” Grandpa Ed asked, sipping water.

“Normal,” Michael replied curtly.

“Nothing exciting happened?”

“It’s just the same routine.”

“I heard the NAMSA award nomination list was announced today. Were you not among the nominees?”

“I’m always nominated and I always win; it’s nothing new.”

“Um,” Grandpa Ed said, sounding a bit defeated.

Noticing Ed’s eagerness to engage with his grandson, I decided to help. “How many nominations?” I asked.

“Four,” Michael replied.

“Care to share the titles?” I tilted my head.

“Businessman of the Year, CEO of the Year, Best Sales Made in the Year, and the International Recognition Award,” he listed. “Although it seems I finally have a worthy opponent after five years.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, genuinely confused.

“Well, a certain company has been making great sales this year and can actually compete with me, according to my sales manager,” he explained.

“Which company?” I asked while trying to cut a piece of steak.

My hands froze when I heard him say, “Quinn's Innovations.”