“Do whatever damage control you can. I’ll talk to Vicki and she and I will decide what we want to do. I’ll let you know.” I hung up, pissed that my good mood had been blown out of the water just like that. Vicki was looking at me with big eyes waiting to hear what had happened. “Variety did a story about my supposed infidelity and the birth of Michael. They named you in it and said that you were my maid when you got pregnant. I guess they made it all sound pretty seedy.”
Vicki looked like she was about to be sick. “I’m sorry,” she said.
“You’re sorry? For what? You didn’t seduce me… I was separated at the time and you and that bozo you were with were “on a break.” We didn’t do anything wrong and you have nothing to be sorry for. We have Michael and we have each other and the rest of the world can go…”
She smiled and put her fingers on my lips. “I get it. Thank you. You’re so sweet. I just worry all the time, Alex… I worry that I’m not going to fit into your world. I worry that I’m going to embarrass you, or cause trouble for you…”
I took her hand and I looked into her eyes. With every last bit of sincerity in my body I said, “First of all, you could never embarrass me. You’re beautiful, intelligent, and you have more class in your little finger than most of the women I know. Second of all, if anyone thinks that you don’t fit into my world… they better keep it to themselves. They will be very, very sorry if I ever hear them say anything of the sort… okay?”
She nodded, but I’m not sure she believed me. We finished out picnic, but the mood was much more subdued than it was. When we made it back to the house, Amanda was there. I wanted to choke her for showing up and not just calling me. I had a feeling that she was about to say something to make Vicki feel even worse… and I was right.
“Who is Rita Lawton?”
“I have no idea….”
“She’s my mother,” Vicki said. Suddenly I was the one who felt sick.
CHAPTER FOUR
VICTORIA
“Excuse me!” I turned and ran for the stairs. I could hear Alex calling after me but I was feeling like I was about to be sick. I ran up the stairs and vomited all of that beautiful food I’d just eaten on our picnic. I don’t know how long I sat there in front of the toilet, but by the time I finally dragged myself up, brushed my teeth and drank some water, Alex and baby Michael were waiting for me in the master bedroom.
“Are you okay?” he asked me, as he bounced our baby up and down. My heart swelled. I am so in love with him.
“I’m fine,” I lied. I still felt sick and I wanted to cry. “What did she say about my mother?”
He patted the bed next to him. I went over and sat down and took Michael out of his arms. I hugged him to me. When my baby was in my arms I felt like I could take on the world. “She said they interviewed her. She left me a copy of the article. I haven’t read it yet. I’m not sure what you’re afraid she said but it doesn’t matter Vicki, I promise you. I will have my staff do damage control on this. I’ve already called Noel, my attorney and I’ve called my PR guy Vic… we’ll get through this.”
“How will this affect Michael’s future?”
“It won’t. It’s the twenty-first century. Babies are born out of wedlock more often than not. He’ll have every advantage, I promise you.”
“What about your parents? What must they think of me?”
He rolled his eyes. “My parents are in Tuscany and were barely fazed when I told them they were grandparents. Being parents was inconvenient to them. I hardly imagine they plan on putting themselves out to be grandparents. They’re not planning on returning here for anything other than a visit now and then, so it’s not like anything can really hurt them at this point. Whoever leaked this to the press is petty and vindictive but we’re not going to let them win. I want you in my life… in my bed… you’re in my heart, Vicki and I hope that I’m in yours.”
I was crying… again. “I’m sorry. I can’t seem to control these tears lately.”
“You just had a baby, from what I’ve read, I think it’s normal.”
I nodded and said, “You are in my heart Alex. That’s why I worry so much. I’m so afraid that all of this mess is going to ruin what we have together.”
“Then stop worrying, now. This is not going to affect you and me and I am never going to let anything hurt Michael… so we’re good, no matter what the article says.”
I put my sleeping baby up on my shoulder and said, “I’m going to lay him down and I’ll be back. I know it’s a form of self-torture but I have to read the article.”
He smiled sadly and nodded. I think he expected me to say that. He leaned in and kissed the baby and I went and laid him down in his crib. When I got back, Alex was reclining against the headboard of the bed. I sat down next to him and he put his arm around me, kissed the side of my face and handed me the magazine, open to the article. The headline read:
“Billionaire Alexander Reigns steps out on wife to have a torrid affair… with his upstairs maid!” I knew that I should stop there, but it was like watching a train wreck… I couldn’t. I read on:
“A source close to the couple states that while Mr. Reigns was still married to his wife, Cassandra, he became involved with his upstairs maid. The maid is a twenty-four year old woman by the name of Victoria Lawton. Our source also tells us that Miss Lawton was involved in a serious relationship with another man at the time… in fact, she was engaged! Last week, Miss Lawton gave birth to a baby boy. Mr. Reigns was quick to dump his faithful wife Cassandra and rush to Miss Lawton’s side and meet his heir apparent….”
I handed the magazine back to Alex. “I can’t read anymore.”
He nodded and took it. “You don’t want to know what your mother said?”
“I can imagine. I never told her you were the father of my baby. I’m sorry Alex. She’s a mess and money means more to her than anything… looks and money, that’s what makes her world go around. I’m so ashamed.”
“Please don’t be,” he said, pulling me into his side tighter. “We’re going to be okay… all of us, I promise.”
***
I slept in Alex’s bed that night. Nothing happened between us, he just held me all night. It only reaffirmed my belief that he is nothing but a good man. Everything he does and says makes me fall deeper in love with him, and as much as that makes me happy, it makes me worry more as well. If I were to lose him at this point I’m not sure how I would recover.
Alex got up early and went into work. I was already up feeding Michael when he left and he came in and kissed us both and told us to have a great day. He left me with a warm feeling and an optimistic one. Waking up in his arms made me want more than ever to believe that everything would be okay.
After I fed Michael and put him down for his nap, I showered and dressed for my day. I was about to go down for breakfast when my phone rang. I nearly threw it out the window when I looked at the face of it. It was my mother…I had a feeling she would be calling soon.