Chapter Four

Hazel was in his office going through some documents when his PA entered, "Boss, the DNA result is out"

Hazel paused what he was doing and stared at Nath, "what does it say?"

Nath quickly opened it and his eyes widened a fraction, "It confirmed that you are indeed the boy's father" 

Hazel's mouth tightening a bit was the only indication that he was affected by the news, Nath slowly sat in front of him and handed the result to him

"What are you going to do now?" He inquired softly

Hazel's gaze never left the DNA result in his hand, "I told you to find out about that woman, what have you found?"

"Oh yes! Her name is Anabelle Gideon, she lived with her mum who was a single mother and worked as an intern in our company six years ago, the HR said she suddenly stopped coming to work and no one knew what happened to her, the boy is five years which means she must have gotten pregnant with your child when she left"

"What about her mother?"

"She hasn't visited her mother for the past six years neither do they communicate, it looks like she was disowned when she got pregnant"

There was a slight pause, "you have her address right?"

"Sure boss, she lives in a small street close to the market and works as a messenger in a small firm"

"A messenger huh, she must be always out of money"

"It would seem so boss. Her son...I mean your son attends a very low budget out of standard school"

"Damn it, I won't let the son of a De Valle live like a pauper"

"What do you want me to do boss?"

"Since she could barely get by, she must need money so bad, go to her and offer her a reasonable amount of money that will keep her on the flow for a very long period of time in exchange for the boy"

"Alright boss" At Hazel's nod, Nath stood up to do as he was told.

"A son!" Hazel stared at the DNA when Nath had gone, he was preparing to have an heir someday of course but nothing had prepared him for this news, he had a son, what kind of a father would he be? One thing he knows is that he will try his best to be a good father and when he has his son with him, he will make sure he lacks nothing and teach him how to be a strong and independent man, he will teach him how to survive in the business world and how to run the De Valle company

His cell phone rang, interrupting his thought, Joelle, he had promised to have lunch with her and had totally forgotten about it

"Hello," he said when he picked up

"You promised to have lunch with me, I am at the restaurant but you aren't, please do not tell me that you've forgotten" Her voice was soft and tender, and he sighed

"I'm on my way Joelle, just give me a few minutes" he heard her chuckle happily

"Alright my love, I love you"

Hazel hung up the call without responding to her last statement, in the seven years since he has been with Joelle, he was used to hearing her tell him, "I love you" but not once has he responded to her, he does not love her but he treats her with respect as long as she knows her boundary and does not get too clingy, her love for him was enough for the both of the

He can never love any woman nor can he even think of settling down with any. Now that he has an heir, he has no need for another, he would simply take his son and have him grow up in De Valle's mansion. It would be for the best.

Joelle watched as Hazel quietly ate his meal, he was never the type that chit chat, since the first time she saw him, she had fallen head over heels with him and had accepted it when he told her that he was never going to love her nor marry her but if she truly loves him, then he was willing to accept her love.

Over the years, she had gained recognition because of him and had become a famous actress, he told her that there would be no other woman in his life for him except her, and he had kept to his word.

He had always taken her to function and everyone was jealous of their relationship but there was still a void in her heart, she had been hoping that one day, he would reciprocate her love, one day he would fall head over heels in love with her and get married to her, it was her greatest wish to become his wife but he always shun her each time she brought the topic and had once threatened to break up with her, so, she just accepted defeat and stayed by his side.

She was hoping that he would say something to her about the incident in the hospital. She had been anxious since that woman had told him he had a son, was it truly his son? Her heart was beating wildly as she stared at him and forced a smile

"Do you like your meal?"

"Hmmm, it's nice" was all he said and silence fell over them once more

"Ummm, in the hospital, about what that lady said that you have a son, do you think she is lying about it?

"She's not, I have confirmed it through DNA, the boy is mine"

Joelle paused for a moment and clenched her spoon, she felt like crying as pain seared her heart, it couldn't be, she had been looking forward to having his heir and being the only one to have his heir, she forced her emotions down and forcefully swallowed the food she had put in her mouth 

Hazel hates clingy and dramatic women who cannot control their emotions, so, she dares not break down in front of him or show him how sad she is, she stares at him once more and forces a smile

"What do you plan to do now?"

"I'll take my son to be with me, he is the heir of De Valle's empire after all"

Now, Joelle felt she could not handle it anymore, sometimes she wondered if he knew how much he was hurting her

"And the mother?" She asked, feigning nonchalance

Hazel wiped his mouth with his napkin, "I don't care about the mother, all I want is my son"

Joelle hid a small smile, although she was not okay with him having a son with someone else, she felt just a small satisfaction that he did not care about that woman, she would have to find out about that woman and pay her a visit.

*

*

Anabelle was on her way back from the office when a car suddenly stopped in front of her and a man she recognized as Hazel's assistant got down, immediately, she pivoted and started moving in the opposite direction

"Ms. Anabelle Gideon" Nath shouted and rushed towards her, Anabelle quickened her steps but she could not outrun him, he caught up with her and pulled her by her arm

"Why the hell were you running away from me?" He was panting as he pulled her towards the car

"Why should I run from you? I don't even know you, I only just remembered that I left something in the office and was going back for it" she lied through her teeth

Nath snorted, not believing her a bit, "Well, I . Nath Douglas and I am the personal assistant of Mr. Hazel De Valle"

"What do you want?" She snatched her arm from his grip and stood facing him

"My boss asked me to give you this, I believe this will change your life for good"

Anabelle eyed the cheque without making a move to take it, "why is he giving that to me?" Her tone was wary and a strange foreboding washed over her,

"He is giving this to you in kind heart in exchange for his son"

Anabelle felt like someone had pulled the ground from beneath her, Hazel wanted to take her son away from her. Her insides trembled and she tried to compose herself

"Go and tell your boss that I am not giving him my son and I do not want his money" Her tone was intentionally frosty and she turned to walk away

"Ms. Gideon..."

"It's Anabelle" she replied, irked beyond words, "...and you can relay my message to your boss, he should stay out of I and my child's life"

Without waiting to hear from him, she d

ashed off, there was only one thing ringing in her head, 'she won't allow anyone to take her son from her'.