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5

I was heading to Paris to check on the building progress of new apartments near the Eiffel Tower. I had been contracted to do the design outline and I wanted to see how things were coming along. I wouldn’t be paid until the foundation was up. Yanis was staying behind with Grandma at the hotel we had booked. She insisted coming to see my work, but I told her let me check on it first and then she could come and look. I don’t know why I wanted to always make sure things were perfect before showing them off to others, but that’s just how I was.

When I arrived to the apartment site, the frame was already up and I could tell this was going to be a 30 level plus apartment building. Originally it was designed only for 15 floors. However, the owner wanted to double everything, so other contractors were scrambling to provide his request. I informed him my design wasn’t created to be double, so some revised sketching would have to be done. He didn’t listen and ended up wasting millions when the other contractor told him that they were unable to to seal the foundation due to mismatch in the welding of the parts or something like that. He was furious until I reminded him that I told him the design was for 15 floors, not 30 or more. He increased my payout amount and asked me to redesign it. I told him it would take months as I was working other clients not only him. He paid heftily to acquire my full attention until the design and foundation work was complete. I was able to finish up with the other clients I was making blueprints for and then I focused on this job wholeheartedly.

I met with the owner, Jacob DeSantis, while coming to view the progress. He was reknowned in Paris. His father was a part of the mafia, but he didn’t want to endulge in that lifestyle. His father labeled him an illegitimate son and publically shamed his mother, Celina. Instead of retaliating he simply went on with his work and built a name for himself in luxury living. He has opened over 100 apartment complexes. All promoting comfortable living. His mother fell ill with the plague last year and I was working nonstop to complete his designs before her untimely death so she could see his dream brought to life per his request. She was able to see the designs and shortly after took her last breath. He thanked me for doing that for him. He named the complex after his mother, Celina’s Place.

I knew he taken a liking to me, but I reassured him the relationship between he and I was platonic and nothing else. He still attempted to woo me, but I would turn down his advances. He told me having a woman like myself on his arm would be the ultimate slap in his father’s face, as he saw him as nothing more than the product of a one night stand. I told him I was a person and not a trophy to show off to his dad and no woman in her right mind would go along with such antics. He replied that’s what made him like me more, my defiant side.

"As my woman, Chloe, I would tame that mouth of yours."

"I’d love to see you try, but, again, I’m not interested Jacob."

"Oh you pain my heart, but I’m not giving up yet. I love how you put your all into your work"

"It’s all for my son, Yanis"

"You have a son? Oh my apologies, I never asked you if you had someone. I’ve made a fool of myself. Intruding on another man’s woman. Chloe, please-"

"No worries, Jacob. I am a single woman. I just also have a son."

"And his father?"

"He left me before I could tell him I was pregnant. He disappeared into thin air, like a magic trick. If my son wasn’t able to be seen or felt, I’d think I imagined being in love with his father."

"I’m sorry. Is this why you deny me a chance? Afraid I’ll disappear too?"

"No, it’s..I-I"

"It’s okay, Chloe. I understand. My dad treated my mom harshly. He barely acknowledged her unless she was doing something crazy. He got mad when after my birth, she had given me his last name. I admit, I liked that no one messed with me, but I hate having his name. She said she would scream til her last breath that Marco DeSantis had fathered her son and threw her away like trash. His wife, Meribeth, hated my mom. She was barren, but she wanted Marco to take me from my mom so she could have a child to love. My mom refused. It’s why my father hated her. He couldn’t give his wife the one thing she could bare on her own. They gave my mom a hard time and every chance he got he made it seem that she was after his money. She didn’t take a dime of his and still made a life for me. She used her blood sweat and tears to provide for me on top of it all. Life isn’t fair to rob her of life after enduring all that she did."

I comforted him as he started to cry. I smiled as he gathered himself. I was without words for awhile. I just looked at his broken heart before me and understood his pain. I too longed for my mother.

"Jacob, my mom died when I was a little girl. She was robbed at gun point, shot and killed. She never made it back home. My father shut me out as he used his political campaign to comfort himself. To me, at some point he forgot he had a daughter. I basically raised myself with the help of the maids. I didn’t want to depend on anyone. I fell in love. Later, I would find out he liked my best friend more than I. I had a crush on my body guard for the longest time. I knew a relationship with him was deemed inappropriate, but I too fell in love with him. The more time I spent with him, the harder I fell. I admit to having sex with him at 16, but I initiated it and accept my role in our relationship. We were together for 2 1/2 years. Then he disappeared."

"He’s Yanis’ father!"

"Yes, he is. He discovered he had a daughter he fathered during his service in Europe. It was abrupt when he found out and I’m sure my father threatened him in some way or another. Still, it was no reason to ignore me all this time. I’ve been raising Yanis on the love I had for him. It’s not that I don’t like you Jacob, I’m just careful with what’s left of my heart. I don’t mind being your friend, but I don’t want anything more. My focus is on my son and my career. My grandma is living with us and that gives me a piece of mind."

"I’m sorry you were hurt in your past, I promise I’m not like them. I promise to protect your heart with my life."

"Jacob, that’s not a risk in willing to take. What’s wrong with us being friends? I don’t want to ruin what we have. Please..."

"I’m sorry, I upset you. I hope in the future, I can change your mind."

We changed the topic and continued in conversation for a little longer. The contractors and all the other workers had long been gone. I phoned to check on Yanis and grandma. She told me they were fine and I didn’t need to call to check on her because she was capable of taking care of Yanis. I chuckled at her light aggressiveness towards me. Jacob was even laughing with us.

He walked me to my car and bid me well on my trip home. I noticed his security came to him once I was on my way. I hadn’t noticed that they were present. I made it back home safely. I immediately picked Yanis up and gave him kisses. He giggled as I spun him around. Grandma was teaching him how to write his name. He had already learned his ABCs and numbers to ten. I watched them for about an hour and he was happy to show me how he did. I feigned a shocked demeanor.

I helped him get his bath and in bed a short time later. His laughter filled the room as he settled into bed. I read to him and then sang to him. He was fast asleep as usual. I checked on grandma who told me to go get some rest. I showered and got in bed. I checked emails and went over my schedule for tomorrow. Once I got everything squared away, I gave in to sleep.

Max POV

I had taken a private security job for a big shot in Paris. I hadn’t had any contact with anyone in the states since Phix sent me away. Pixie, Ava’s mother, was very cooperative with me. She was happy I was giving her a break. She had been caring for Ava on her own. Her family had disowned her because I had left her pregnant and alone almost 7 years ago. Ava was the love of my life and I was happy to have her. She took to me right away and after a blood test, she was confirmed as my daughter.

Mom wasn’t happy with me leaving just because I had a daughter. She had given Miles my letter to give to Chloe. I was hoping she would understand, but after talking with mom, she probably would hate me more. I thought about how I had asked her to marry me then disappeared from her life for good three years ago. I wondered how she was doing and was tempted more times than I could count to contact her. Her father had my cell deactivated and informed me to get another number and to leave the states.

He basically sent me back to Europe with Pixie. She told me that she was residing in Paris. She had taken a job as a fashion designer’s assistant to make a living for her and Ava. She was hoping I could lessen the financial burden she was currently experiencing. We lived together for a short while, but I learned quickly she wasn’t the woman for me and I was intoxicated when I went to bed with her. She was a succubus and she wanted someone to support her. She didn’t really want to work and I told her that I didn’t mind doing my part for Ava. I had given her $30,000 for the three years I had been absent. She blew it in two days. She asked me for more money and I refused. She became angry and agressive and asked me to leave.

I did as she asked and left. It was expensive to live on my own here in Paris, so I had to look for work. Jacob DeSantis was down a guy due to his father taking him out in an attempt to get to his mother. I applied for the job and he hired me right away with my resume. I have been working for him every since and he gave me a place in one of his apartment complexes. Mom and I were living comfortably in the apartment until Pixie brought Ava and dropped her off. She would leave Ava with us for long periods of time, but I understood in a sense. I didn’t mind having my daughter with me all the time.

I was working one afternoon when Mr DeSantis asked me to leave him at the site for his new complex he had work started on more than a year ago. He changed the amount of floors at the last minute and the engineer had to come in and redesign the blueprints so that the structure could have its foundation reconstructed. He asked the entire security team to disappear from viewing. We were to basically hide while he was with the client. I hadn’t expected his client to be Chloe. It was the shock of my life. She seemed to be pretty involved with him and who was I to disrupt her happiness with him.

When I saw him walk her to her car, my eyes couldn’t leave her. She was even more beautiful than all the pictures I had of her in my phone from the icloud backup. She had filled out a little and her hair was much longer than I remembered. I couldn’t wait to get home and tell mom she was in Paris. We appeared once she had departed. I opened the door for Mr DeSantis. He was in a better mood than I had ever seen him in.

“You’re in a good mood boss”

“Did you see my engineer? She’s beautiful!”

“Yes I did and you’re correct”

“She listened to me talk about my past and didn’t judge me for being a bitter kid. She instead encouraged me and told me about her past.”

“Oh yeah, what did she say?”

“I’m not willing to share that with you just yet Machen. She’s special to me and I want to make sure she knows that. I want you to order flowers and have them sent to her. She’s staying in one of my hotels. I’ll send her room number to your PDA. Make sure they are the best of the best. Her grandmother is with her and her son. Will you make sure they have dinner sent to them as well.”

“Sure thing boss. Any special requests?”

“The best and make sure it arrives before 5”

I made the order as he had requested and had it sent to the room number he had given me for her. I couldn’t believe she had a son. I bet he was adorable just like her. Jacob called me on my way home to let me know that there was a problem with her delivery and he had ordered more food that needed delivered to her. He wanted me personally to deliver the items and let her know that I was head of security and would be interacting with her on his behalf during her stay.

I arrived to her room around 4:56. I knew I had better not be late with the delivery. I couldn’t afford to have half of my pay docked. When I first started I made a lot of mistakes. He took away my pay for weeks and it really affected how mom and I were able to purchase food and other items.

She opened the door and told me to bring the food in and was on the phone on a call. I heard giggling of a small child and a woman’s voice. She yelled for her grandma and told her that the food from Jacob was here. Her Grandma came out to greet me.

“Hello si- Mr Wright?”

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