Chapter 12 - Memories

Troy's POV

"It is a good thing to chase your dreams and not to give up on them. We should follow our goals and instincts, despite the fact that others think or say that we cannot achieve them, we should do what they wait and want from us, giving up on our dreams." I commented honestly, feeling bad for her sister, despite the fact that I didn't know her. Their father, Steven, was a really difficult person. And he was so controlling and demanding.

"My understanding fiancé! But you know my dad. He wants everything to be as he wants." She said and exhaled. "Troy, my mother is calling me. I need to go. See you."

"Bye." I hung up and grabbed the paperwork which I had to sign after placing my phone on the desk.

****

As soon as my jet landed in New York, I went directly to the company. I had been to Paris the last two weeks. I had a few meetings with our new investor. Moreover, my mother launched her new collection at Paris Fashion Week.

My mother was a fashion designer. Her clothing brand was one of the well-known and luxurious brands in the world.

She asked me to attend the fashion show too. Liam was the brand ambassador for her brand. So he was with us as well. However, I couldn't stay with them till the end of Fashion Week because of my meetings in New York. As soon as she launched her collection, I left Paris without waiting for the after party.

I was going to the meeting when Kate called me and invited me for dinner to the mansion this evening, but I declined; I felt so tired and sleepy. I couldn't sleep a wink on the jet. However, she told me she missed me, and her parents also wanted to see me. As she insisted so much, I had to accept.

I parked my Porsche in front of the mansion and got out of the car. Suddenly my phone buzzed.

When I was walking towards the door while sending a message to Romeo, someone bumped into me. I placed my phone into my pocket, smiling while a pair of mischievous blue eyes were staring up at me. He was so cute.

"Hey. What is your name, buddy?" I asked, amused as I bent down in front of the little boy.

He bit his lower lip shyly, staring at me, and replied. "My name is Alec."

I looked at him in shock, and sadness crossed my features. I opened and closed my mouth without managing to say anything.

I cleared my throat and forced a smile, stroking the little boy's blond hair.

"Such a beautiful name! Nice to meet you. I am Troy." I introduced myself and smiled at him sadly.

"Nice to meet you, Troy." He said and gave me a cheeky smile.

"Alec, where are you?" A maid called him from afar.

"Oops!" The boy murmured in panic. I grinned at his expression.

"Oh, you are here. Don't run away again." The maid said as she approached us. "Sir, good evening." She greeted me politely as she turned her gaze from the little boy to me.

I greeted her as I straightened and took Alec in my arms.

"Why did you run away?" I asked softly as I stroked his silky hair.

"Troy, hi." Kate said, surprised as she approached us. "So you met my little nephew." She added, smiling.

"I am not little. I am four." The boy pouted and narrowed his eyes. I smiled, amused.

Kate grinned and said in amusement. "Sorry, Alec. You are a big boy."

"Nephew? I didn't know you have one, but it seems I don't know so many things about you. Do you have any other secret siblings, nephews or nieces?" I asked half-jokingly.

She chuckled. "No. Just one." She paused, sighing. "It is a long story. We can say my troublemaker sister made us a surprise."

"My mommy isn't a troublemaker." Alec scowled and folded his arms over his chest, looking at Kate angrily.

"It is a joke, dear." She said softly, looking at the boy.

"Come on, let's go to have dinner." The maid said to Alec.

"No!" He pouted, shaking his head, and leaned against me, wrapping his arms around my neck. "I don't want to eat." He added firmly. I smiled, amused and stroked his back gently while holding him tightly in my arms.

"Alec, but your mommy will be upset if she hears you don't eat anything." Kate commented.

"No, I don't want to. I want to talk to Mommy." He pouted sadly as his eyes welled up.

"Where is his mother?" I asked, stroking Alec's back tenderly while he nuzzled up to me.

"She had to leave urgently to Paris. Their fashion house launches their new collection. There was some problem. So they called her asking her to go there. She will be back in a few days." She informed.

I nodded and turned my gaze from Kate to Alec.

"Buddy, can you join me for dinner? I am so hungry, but I don't want to eat alone." I said softly.

He bit his lower lip, thinking. "Fine. I will eat with you, Troy." He replied, nodding. I grinned. "Is it your car?" He asked, pointing to my car.

"Yes, it is." I replied, giving him a questioning look.

"It is a nice car." He commented, staring at it. "What brand is it?" He asked, intrigued.

"Porsche Taycan Turbo S." I replied, smiling.

"It is so long." He frowned. I chuckled and tousled his hair in amusement. "Will you let me drive it?" He asked, giving me puppy eyes.

"Umm... How about you being my co-pilot while I am driving?" I asked.

He thought for a while and nodded. "Fine." I grinned and carried him towards the mansion.

****

I closed the file in front of me, sighing as I couldn't concentrate on my paperwork. I trailed my fingertip over my ring, thinking. The last coincidences made me think about my engagement with Kate. Before the girl who looked like Rose, then a boy called Alec. Maybe they were signs for me to think about this engagement. Yes, Kate was a good girl, and we got along well, but....

I heaved a sigh and grabbed my phone. It seemed I couldn't work today. So it would be better if I kept my promise to Alec. Moreover, I missed that little imp. He was a cute and smart boy.

"Troy, what are you doing here at this hour?" Kate asked, surprised, closing the door of her car, and approached me as I got out of the car. "You are always busy during the day." She added, smiling. Suddenly, her expression changed. "Did something bad happen?" She asked anxiously.

"Nothing happened. I have some time. So I came here to keep my promise to Alec." I replied.

"Troy!" Alec exclaimed happily while running towards me.

"Hey, buddy!" I smiled as I bent down, opening my arms wide.

He wrapped his arms around my neck tightly. I hugged him and lifted him up in my arms, kissing his cheek.

"Is my co-pilot ready?" I asked, grinning.

"Yes!" He exclaimed happily, raising his arms. I chuckled and kissed his cheek.

"May I join you two?" Kate asked, smiling.

"Sure." I nodded.

"I will just grab Alec's car seat." She informed. I nodded.

After driving for a while, we went to have lunch.

"Last night, Dad asked me when we were planning to get married." Kate asked as she placed her fork and knife on the plate. "I told him we didn't talk about it. But what do you think about this summer? Maybe on your birthday?" She added softly.

"Umm... Isn't it so early? We need some time to prepare the wedding ceremony." I mumbled and took a sip from my water.

"But why not? We can get everything ready in three months." She commented.

"Kate, let's talk about it another time." I said, gesturing to Alec.

"Fine." She muttered, annoyed and sipped her wine.

"What a cute boy!" A middle aged woman exclaimed, looking at Alec, smiling as she approached us. I smiled, nodding, and looked at Alec who was drinking his orange juice. "He looks like his father." The woman added, giving me a warm smile. I looked at her in surprise.

"Oh no! He is my nephew, not his son." Kate intervened.

"Oh! I am sorry, but he looks like you so much. So I thought he was your son." The woman gave me an apologetic look.

"No problem." I smiled at the woman and stroked Alec's hair affectionately.

"Have a good day!" She said, smiling, and left.

"Finally! I don't like when strangers approach and chat like they know us." Kate commented angrily and frowned.

"Don't get angry, Kate. It isn't a big deal." I commented and shrugged my shoulders.

"No, I don't understand where she got that he is your son. If two people have the same eyes and hair colour, they have to be blood related." She said, annoyed and rolled her eyes.

"Kate, you are exaggerating. She was a polite woman. And she apologized for the misunderstanding." I commented nonchalantly.