Flawless Take-over

I was impatient to discuss in private now with Kan. 

Now that I knew she had not kidnapped her baby, I was in no hurry to send her away anymore.

My eyes looked round and settled on the housekeeper who remained there the whole time. From the way she stood, it was clear she had been expecting an order from us to kick Elora out at any point.

“Please take her to one of the guest rooms upstairs.” 

The housekeeper looked like she was about to protest, perhaps saying any of the bunk beds in the maids' quarters were just as fine, but she must have seen the look in my eyes because she maintained silence and bowed.

“And get anything you need for yourself and the baby; milk, clothes.” I looked at the child who was falling asleep in her hand, who I feared was malnourished and may fall ill anytime now. “Charge our expense card.”

I glanced at Kan, and he looked up and nodded, “Yes. Have my chauffeur take you to the mall. It should still be open by this time.” He waved his hand at Elora dismissively, and I could see his mind was not really here.

“Thank you so much,” Elora said, bowing again. 

I smiled sadly at her and nodded. She did not know the language, but it seemed she had quickly learned how hierarchy and bowing worked here to survive.

I watched her leave, and thought about how her boldness had possibly changed her fate. The way sex with the wrong person has changed it too. 

Just like it had mine.

She was just unlucky to get pregnant by a bum, while the man I chose to be reckless with turned out to be one of the most important people in the country.

I sighed and looked away to find Kan watching me. 

I could not properly read the emotion in those eyes, but they did not look the least bit kind now.

Oliver whined again, and I transferred him to my shoulder as I paced the room. He was obviously tired and sleepy.

“That police officer claimed Elora’s ex was the one who had full custody. And he called him her husband, not boyfriend or ex.” I said to Kan.

“That is what the man must have told them, so he could get his cash cow back.” Kan uncrossed his legs at the ankle. “As long as he had the baby, he would always have a source of income.” He wrinkled his nose in disgust.

“What if the police officer was lying?” I said quietly, because Oliver was already falling asleep on my shoulder.

“What?”

“I asked if he had proof of his claim and he said that was the way he got a search permit,” I said, and gently patted Oliver’s back, who stirred. “He either did not bother to check the claim or he would have found that she indeed had full custody, or he knew this and connived with someone to get a search warrant regardless.”

“You think he was working with the Tuckers?” Kan asked.

“Ophelia,” I said, shaking my head, and we looked at each other. 

I wondered if he would begin the debate again, but he seemed not eager to do that.

Although it does not make sense to me why Ophelia would suddenly want to come check the house, I knew this was all her.

And if she went to this length to search our house, it was because she was sure she would find something here. 

I gasped, and stopped in the middle of the living room as I remembered Oliver’s hand crawling on the ring and the special attention he had given it that day.

“What is it?” Kan stood up, looking concerned. 

“Do you remember the ring?” I whispered.

He blinked twice, and then clarity dawned in his eyes. “Yes.”

“I think Ophelia heard Oliver’s voice. He had been with me that day when I realized the ring was different.”

Kan frowned, and then his hand came up to his hair in exasperation. 

I looked away, wondering how things were managing to get progressively bad and fast spiraling out of control.

“Do you think she told Blaine?” I turned back to Kan. 

That would be the biggest trouble. It was one thing to protect my son from his father’s wife, who just wanted him dead. 

Between Kan’s protection and my money, that should not be difficult to do.

But to protect him from Blaine, who would be desperate to take him away from me, and who had the rights to actually go on a legal battle with me? 

That would be real hell.

Kan took my free hand. “She would be foolish to do that. And Ophelia is hardly foolish. She is desperate to keep Blaine by her side.”

I nodded. That made perfect sense. 

If anything, she would make sure Blaine never found out about his son’s existence.

As we got ready for bed a few hours later, Kan came up behind me. 

“What do you plan to do with the maid?” He put his hand around my waist from behind.

I sighed. The liberties this man took these days.

“I plan to help her,” I responded. “Flight tickets, a job recommendation, anything she wants that is within my capacity to give.”

Kan nodded behind me, his chin gently hitting my shoulder. “You see yourself in her, right?”

“Yes.” I was not really ashamed to admit it out loud. 

I was truly alone with my son in this world, when it came down to it. 

I realized this that day I lay dying on the floor. My baby and I had just ourselves.

Maybe it was not exactly like that anymore. I have my father now. 

Although I was still not certain to what capacity I had him, in many ways, I could rely on him.

And Blaine? He had shown up that day even when I was not aware I had called him. 

Of course, he knew the only way he would find his son was through me, but still he puzzled me.

“Ariel,” Kan said, kissing my neck from behind.

I sighed, “Yes, chairman”

And I felt him smiling behind me, “Why does that sound better than all the times others have called me that in the past?”

I giggled and said nothing as he held me tighter to himself. 

“Let’s go on a vacation this weekend. Let me make it all up to you.”

“But the Tuckers..” I started to say. 

“That’s why we need a vacation. We have not even celebrated our victory yet at such a flawless take-over,” he said, turning me around, so I was facing him and staring up into his eyes.

“We worked hard for this.” He placed a finger under my chin and pecked my lips. “Let’s enjoy this.”