CHAAPTER TWENTY
Mark stumbled as he stepped inside the Ian mansion. He frowned and looked behind at the step that he just missed.
Right then he smacked his head into the door which he knew was there before.
“When was this door fixed here?” He cursed, rubbing the part where it hurt and glared at the door before moving past it.
Walking into Alex’s room, he found him sitting on his bed with his laptop.
Glaring hard at him, he marched towards him and shut his laptop angrily.
“Why the fuck did you call me when all you wanted to do was work? And when the hell did you fix that door over there?” Mark hissed, and Alex just raised his eyebrows.
“Are you drunk?” Alex questioned, purposely to irritate him and as expected Mark narrowed his eyes at him.
“I would’ve killed you here, at this chance, but I care about your unborn baby, so I’m sparing you.” Mark said arrogantly, and plopped on the bed beside him.
“Now spill!” Mark ordered, and Alex rolled his eyes.
“Will I be a good father?” Alex asked, It was a straight, direct question and Mark knew where this was coming from.
He sat up straight, and looked at Alex with a serious expression.
“You will be the best father if you let yourself be.” Mark answered, the answer was twisted and Mark made no move to clarify himself until Alex asked him.
“What does that mean?”Alex asked, and Mark sighed.
Mark questioned, “Alex, tell me one thing, are you doing all this to get your grandfather’s property?” Alex looked blank as he always does, but this time Mark could see him questioning himself.
“Of course I am.” He answered, and Mark nodded because he’d never lie, at least not to him.
“Now, are you going to ignore your child after you get the property?” Mark questioned him again.
There was something in his eyes, maybe a trace of vulnerability, longing or pain but Mark saw it.
Although, he didn’t comment because he never did as he understood his inner turmoil.
“You know I will never do that.” Alex’s voice was a little bit soft, but he covered it with his hard look.
“Are you sure, you’d never?” Mark pressed on the subject more, and Alex clenched his jaw as well as hands.
“Mark !” He warned, and Mark raised his hand in surrender but his mood was successfully ruined.
Alex looked away trying to calm his anger.
“But what triggered this topic?” Mark asked, looking at him curiously while Alex remembered how Mia had mumbled it in her sleepy state.
“Mia.” One word was enough to bring a small smile on Mark’s face.
He somehow felt that it must’ve been her, but didn’t mention it himself.
“Now that you’ve mentioned her, answer one more question. Will you be able to give your child, both, father’s and mother’s love? I mean that is what you’ve stated in the contract right? For the mother to hand over the child to you and leave.”
This was the first time that they discussed this topic calmly.
Mark watched Alex’s face keenly, and tried to figure out his facial expression although he didn’t show any.
“I don’t know” Alex answered, and a sigh left his lips because for the first time, he didn’t know the answer to the question.
Mark smiled secretly because he didn’t straightaway make an excuse or answer him arrogantly.
“You need to think from all perspectives, Alex. After the baby is born, you’ll get the property, alright, that’s good but what after that? What about the baby? You’ll get busy with your business and Mia will be gone, busy with her life, but who will look after that kid?”
“Please don’t say a nanny because you and I both know that we can’t trust anyone with a newborn in today’s world.”Mark said, as Alex listened to Mark’s words carefully and he seemed right. He had not yet thought about all this because all his focus was on having a kid, he never thought beyond that, but it was time he did that.
“Why don’t you marry Mia?” Mark suggested.
“I don’t believe in marriages.” He snapped immediately, and Mark sighed.
This man is a tough nut to crack.
“Then what? Fine, you can come up with a solution yourself. I’ll go to sleep.” Mark yawned, as he laid on the bed and after adjusting the quilt on himself, he slept off.
While Alex sat there lost in his thoughts, Mark slept peacefully beside him, on his bed.
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Mia had been munching on her chocolate thinking about yesterday night.
She vaguely remembered Alex carrying her to her room, and then how she stopped him saying he would be a wonderful father. She was half asleep, agreed, but whatever she said, she meant it.
The way he had behaved with her kids at the orphanage was beyond anyone’s imagination and she was somehow proud of him.
It was a new side of him which was revealed yesterday.
Mark greeted, “Morning, Mia.” She just nodded, lost in her thoughts, but then jerked her head towards him in shock.
Eyes wide, she stared at Mark who now sat on the couch opposite hers with a cup of coffee in his hands.
She blinked several times because he was in his nightwear, and his hair was messy as if he’d just woken up.
When did he start living here?
“Mia.” Alex called, as she startled, she kept a hand on her belly in a reflex action, as she looked behind at Alex who had called her.
“When did he start living here?” She asked what was on her mind, pointing at Mark who stopped drinking his coffee and looked at her in confusion.
“He didn’t. I called him yesterday for some work.” Alex cleared the air, and she muttered an ‘oh’ going back to munching her chocolate
“I need to talk to you.” Alex announced, and she raised her eyebrows at him.
Mark looked between the two and them and he cleared his throat.
“Okay, I’ll freshen up and leave for work from here. Alex, I’m using your room and you will bring me a new pair of clothes.” Mark ordered, and Alex ignored his words looking into his phone.
“Hellooo? You called me for work so it’s your responsibility now, I have to go to work looking fresh.” Mark said, and Alex gave him a look, after which he turned serious and left. While Mia stood there in confusion.
“Why did he leave suddenly?” She frowned, and Alex just stared at her.
“What is it, Mr. Ian? What do you want to talk about?” Mia asked in an irritated tone, as they had been in his room for fifteen minutes now, but he hadn’t said a word.
“Do you have any complications in your pregnancy?” He asked, and she was taken aback by his sudden interest in her condition, and she just gaped at him blankly.
“Why the sudden interest?” She asked, as she crossed her arms, demanded for an answer and he just eyed her movements.
“I’ll be accompanying you the next time you want to visit the doctor.” He stated instead of answering her question, and she flared in anger.
“What the hell? Why are you suddenly so keen on behaving like a good husband? I have taken care of myself until now, Mr. Ian, and will continue to do so. I don’t need any of your help.” Mia said sternly, as he eyed her growing belly not concerned about what she was saying.
She followed his gaze and looked back at him. Her gaze softened and she realised he wanted to spend some time with this little one as well.
“You can talk to your child, Mr. Ian, I won’t deny you, but don’t try to help me because I’m capable enough to handle myself.” Her tone was soft, yet stern and as he looked at her, he knew she wouldn’t accept his help.
“Marry me,” Alex announced.
“She gasped loudly and stumbled backward a little, which made him take two long strides towards her and hold her steady against him.
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“Sir, it’s my last day tomorrow and I’m feeling so sorry that I couldn’t find a suitable secretary for you at this time.” Margaret said, disappointed with herself as she stood in front of her boss.
Mark smiled fondly, as he looked at the woman standing before him.
She is smart, intelligent and very well managed in her work, but she is going to get married and is going to reside in London with her husband.
It was unfortunate for both of them, but it had to be done.
“But there is one woman who is willing to fill the position, although she doesn’t have the qualifications.” Margaret added hesitantly, and Mark frowned.
“Why are you telling me this when she doesn’t match the qualifications?” He asked because it felt absurd to him.
“Uh sir, because she’s the same woman who had come to meet you a few days before.” She explained, as he tried to remember and then his eyes widened in realisation.
“Chloe?” He whispered to himself, and slowly a smile crept on his face.
“Margaret, call her and tell her she’s been appointed.” He smirked, and Margaret just smiled and shook her head before walking out of his office.
“I look forward to working with you, Ms. Chloe.” He whispered to himself, as he leaned back on his seat and smiled looking at nowhere in particular.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.