Chapter Five

Hazel clenched and unclenched his fist when he recalled what Nath had told him, that the woman had rejected his money, there was no way any woman would turn down the amount of money he had offered her, she must really be a gold digger, perhaps, she wants more out of this.

He was standing in his office with a cup of fresh coffee and staring out of his window, the corner of his mouth turned up in agitation, he would have to visit her himself and double the amount he had offered to her.

There was a slight knock on his door and his secretary informed him that Joelle was there to see him, he nodded for her to be let in.

Joelle went straight to him and ran her fingers against his shoulders, "I was in the area for a business and decided to drop by to see you" She said in a soft voice, 

Hazel took a sip of his coffee and slowly turned to face her, "is that all?"

"You have been so tense since you know about your child, I just want to be here for you" she pouted a bit and paused, "don't you like it?"

Hazel raised a brow, Joelle was the only person who understood him very well, she was reserved and kept to herself, never whining or complaining and that's what he liked most about her, she was totally obedient to him, "Of course, I love it that you're here" he replied and she smiled as she wrapped her arms around him

"How is it going? When are you going to get your child?"

"She rejected the money I offered her"

Joelle tensed and slowly looked up at him, "are you going to still keep fighting?"

"Of course, that boy is my son and if she refuses to give him to me, then, I'll let the court handle it"

Joelle's eyes widened, "The court? That won't be good for your company image right now given that you are expecting two top foreign businessmen who want to invest in your company"

"I don't care if I lose the deal or not, If there is a need for me to file for custody of my son, I will do it"

Joelle almost screamed in frustration but she forced a smile even though she was seething inside, gently, she lay her head on his chest, "I'll support you, I'm always here for you" she subtly clenched out, why can't he forget about that bastard son of his? She was happy that the mother of the boy didn't want to let go of the child but was not too happy that Hazel kept insisting on having that child, she decided to test the waters

"You know, you'll be a very good father to your son, I love how you are fighting for him and I promised to be a good mother to him.

I can't wait for when we'll give him a little brother and we'll be a complete and happy family"

Hazel paused and grabbed her arms, he pushed her slightly away from him so that he could look at her face, "My decision on getting married hasn't changed, I am not getting married to you neither do I plan to have a kid with you"

Joelle blinked severally and her smile slipped a little but she managed to nod, how could he say that to her? But she knew better than to go against him so she put on her fake smile and nodded while her insides were boiling and she felt like pulling her hair

"You should leave," Hazel said just as his phone rang, he absently brushed a kiss across her lips before picking up his call.

"Hello mother," he said as Joelle walked out, his mother was another witch standing between her and Hazel, the old woman hated her and Joelle hated her in return but always disguised it behind her smile and often sent gifts to her even when what she felt was scratching out the eyes of that old hag, to think that the old witch never accepts her gift.

She had hoped that one day, she would get married to Hazel and put that old witch of a mother in her rightful place.

Hurrying to her car, she furiously threw her purse across the seat and told the driver to just drive, she needed to go to the bar and drink away her sorrows.

*

*

Hazel's hand tightened on his phone as he listened to his mother's sharp voice, "What's this I'm hearing about you having a son? Is it true that boy is your son?"

"Yes Mother, it is true, I had a DNA test done"

"Then you must get him, he should be living as a De Valle and not in some slum"

"I plan on getting him"

"Good, I am happy to hear that you finally have an heir, he will stay with me and I will teach him the way of a real man"

"You shouldn't be strict with him the way you were to me, he might grow up to hate you,"

"Are you now lecturing me on how to raise a child? You are successful today because of how I raised you, everyone fears and respects you, in the world we are in today, that is what is needed to survive"

"What about motherly love, a child needs that too"

"If I didn't love you, I would not have risked my life to save you and ended up in a wheelchair, you at least owe me your life" she snapped and Hazel gritted his teeth, his mother was right, he owed her his life, thanks to her timely intervention he was alive, each time he sees her on that wheelchair is a constant reminder of the incident that almost claimed his life, his mother might be strict but she is a good person

"I just want my grandson, bring him to me" Her voice reached his ear before the like went dead.

Hazel sighed and rubbed his aching head, he buzzed his assistant who was in his office in a minute

"Have the driver prepare my car, I am going to see the mother of my child".

*******************************************

"Why didn't you tell me that Hazel De Valle is the father of your child? Oh my gosh, how did that happen?" Stella whispered hotly to her friend

"Shhhh, Melvin might hear you"

Stella dragged her aside, "I know that I shouldn't pry but you must have had your reason why you kept it a secret from everyone but it's all my fault that he found out now, if I had known, I would not have taken him to get that autograph"

"I don't blame you, I should have told you about it, now, he wants to take my child away from me," Anabelle could not stop the sob that broke out, "I'll die if he takes him, I can't live without my child"

"Shhh, you won't lose your son" Stella hugged her and patted her back, she felt so sorry for her friend

"Mom, what's wrong? Are you hurt?" Melvin's voice was filled with concern as he stared at his mother who was resting her head on Stella's shoulder

Anabelle avoided him to see her face as she quickly dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief before turning to face him with a broad smile

"Oh no sweetheart, I am fine, your godmother is about to leave and I'm bidding her goodbye"

Melvin seemed satisfied with his mother's reply and he nodded

Anabelle was about to tuck Melvin in bed when she heard a knock on her door, could it be that Stella had forgotten something? She kissed Melvin's head and went to get the door.

Anabelle's eyes widened as soon as she saw who was at the door and she immediately tried to shut the door but a hand reached out just in time to stop her

"What the hell are you doing here?" She whispered fiercely and cast a worried glance at her son

"My boss wants to talk to you, he is waiting for you in his car," Nath said, his gaze not too pleased that she tried to shut the door to his face

"Well, tell your boss that I do not want to talk to him" she spat and once again, tried to shut the door once more but this time Nath didn't let her shut the door instead he grabbed her hand and dragged her off

"Where are you taking me?" Anabelle asked 

"No one says no to my boss".. Anabelle could see the luxurious car parked just a few kilometers away from her house, she tried to wiggle free but Nath would not let her, he opened the door and pushed her inside.

Anabelle tried to open the car door but the auto-lock of the door was activated by the driver, he had gone out of the car immediately after he saw Nath bringing her so that she was left alone with him inside the car.

He was seated with arms crossed and staring straight ahead, not even sparing her a glance, Anabelle swallowed as she glanced at his profile, he still preferred to keep his hair at shoulder's length, it was neatly packed with a band, there were stubbles on his jaw and tired lines across his eyes, he looked handsome as sin and her stomach clenched, she quickly averted her gaze, she mustn't be thinking of how handsome he looks, she has always had a crush on him but she was no longer that naive intern that moon over him and tried her best to catch his attention but he never for once glanced her way.

"W...what do you want? Why have you sent for me? Her voice quivered slightly and she berated herself, she had to act strong for the sake of her son

Piercing blue eyes pinned her and she felt like entering inside the sofa

"Why did you keep your pregnancy a secret?"

Anabelle's brain rallies around for a way to get out of this situation, "I... don't know what you're talking about, I am very solid that I lied to you, he is not your son, the blood type thing was just a coincidence" she was breathless by the time she finished lying through her teeth

"Lies" Hazel gritted and slightly turned so that he was facing her fully, he put his hands on the window so that she was trapped between his hand, his hot breath fanned her face and Anabelle's stomach clenched tightly, he was so close, she could just reach out her hand and touch him but she didn't dare do that, instead, she clenched her hands on her thighs

"You have the guts to lie to me?" His tone was disgusted and it mirrored in his eyes

"I am not lying, Melvin is not your son"

"Then how do you explain this?" He leaned back suddenly and she heaved in relief.

Hazel threw a paper on her lap and she slowly picked it up and her eyes widened, it was a DNA test result

"That result clearly shows that he is my son, and I want my son, so tell me, what's your price? Since you rejected my last offer, perhaps you want more?"

Anabelle gritted her teeth, the thought of losing her son filled her with so much terror and she blinked severally, "The only thing I want from you is for you to leave us alone, I only want my son with me"

Hazel snorted, "I'll give you fifty million dollars, a house in the upland, and any car of your choice, that should be enough to take you away from this slum"

"I do not want your damn money, Hazel De Valle, leave me and my son alone" She banged on the door for it to be opened and the auto lock was deactivated

"You leave me no choice, I will sue for full custody of my son," he said calmly

Anabelle turned slowly to stare at him, "Then I will fight you with every breath that's in me, you can't have my son Hazel De Valle"

She opened the car door and walked out, she banged it with such a force that rocked th

e hinges of the car and the only indication of Hazel's annoyance was a slight narrowing of his eyes and the clenching of his fist.