Chapter 17 - Little secret

Rose's POV

"No, I don't want to go; Daddy will not find us there." My son, Alec scowled, furrowing his eyebrows as I told him we had to go to New York.

I smiled sadly and pulled him into my lap. "Don't worry, honey. I will inform your Daddy." I lied, stroking his hair gently.

As much as my mother tried to find him, she was unsuccessful. Even a private detective couldn't find Hector. So I was forced to lie to Alec about his father; he was little because of it, I couldn't tell him the truth. However, I was planning to tell him about what happened when he got older.

"Promise?" He asked, looking at me with puppy eyes.

"Yes, come on. Let's get ready. Your grandma looks forward to seeing you again." I said and kissed his cheek. He nodded, smiling as he wrapped his arms around my neck.

****

New York, USA

"Alec, stop jumping on the bed. You finished eating your breakfast a few minutes ago. You will feel bad." I stated firmly while checking my emails on my laptop in our suite after I had come back from the bakery near the hotel. It was my favorite bakery in New York. They made such delicious croissants.

"But, Mom. It is fun." He pouted without stopping jumping. I shook my head, amused.

My little stubborn boy.

"Alec!" I exclaimed as I hid my amusement.

"Fine." He pouted as he stopped jumping and grabbed his toy.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. Probably, it was my mother. I called her when we arrived in New York, but she was abroad with my father. They were coming back today. My mother told me that as soon as she came back, she would visit Alec and me.

She called me fifteen minutes ago and informed me she was on her way.

"Granny!" Alec shouted happily and rushed towards the door, making me smile.

I placed the laptop on the couch and went to open the door, following Alec.

I smiled, looking at Alec while he was playing with his new toy which my mother bought for him and turned my gaze from my son to my mother.

"No, Mom. I don't want to go to the mansion or stay there." I refused, shaking my head.

"Please, Rose. How long will you ignore each other? Moreover, your father and sister should know about Alec. You can't keep him a secret forever. Eventually, they will find out considering the fact that you are here now. It will be better if Steven learns about Alec from you, not paparazzi." She insisted, placing her hand on top of my hand. "I want my family together. Please, dear. Moreover, your sister is going to marry. She will be happy to see you at her wedding." She added, giving me a begging look.

I sighed, ruffling my hair, and stated. "Mom, you know my father. It is impossible. And I hadn't even known she got engaged. I don't even know anything about her fiance. I haven't seen the news about their engagement. And you know we have been out of touch since my dad forbid her to talk to me."

"Your father made sure that the engagement stayed private. You know your father and his relationship with the media. But his son in-law was at the same wavelength about it. They get along well. But it isn't thanks to your father." She winked at me. "So it is an opportunity to get back together with your sister and meet her fiance. And don't worry about Steven, I will talk to him. He should change his attitude towards you. Especially now." She said firmly and gestured to Alec with her head. "He has a grandchild now. I don't want to stay away from my grandson anymore."

"Mom..."

"I don't want to hear any excuses. You are going to come with me to the mansion and stay there." My mother interrupted me firmly.

I sighed and nodded. "Fine, but if he says..."

"Don't worry. I will handle him." She said cheerfully.

****

I took a deep breath as the driver parked the car in front of the mansion. I stared at the house in nostalgia. It had been so long since I left this house. I couldn't help myself but felt nervous. I didn't know I was ready to face my father or not.

My childhood memories flashed in my mind as well as my last fight with my father. I hoped my father changed a little. Otherwise, I didn't think there would be any improvement in our relationship. Especially, when he saw Alec and found out the father of my son was absent from Alec's and my life.

"Where are we, Mommy?" Alec asked in curiosity, interrupting my thoughts.

I wiped the tears of my cheeks quickly and forced a smile.

"It is your grandparents house. Mommy grew up here. We are going to meet your grandpa and aunt." I replied softly and stroked his blond hair affectionately. He nodded and looked at the house curiously.

I held Alec's hand tightly while we followed my mother. Before coming here, she called my father and sister informing them to be home.

"What the hell is going on here? What is this girl doing here?" My father snapped, frustrated and stood up as soon as he saw me.

Alec tightened his grip around my fingers and leaned against my leg, frightened.

"Steven, calm down! You are frightening the child." My mother intervened firmly.

My father traveled his eyes from me to Alec as he finally noticed my son.

"Who is he?" He asked in curiosity.

"Your grandson, Alec." My mother replied.

My father's eyes widened in shock, and his jaw clenched. Meanwhile, my sister was staring at Alec in surprise.

"Alec, let me introduce you to your grandpa, Steven and your aunt, Kate." My mother added softly as he looked at my frightened son.

"Where is his father?" My father snapped, looking into my eyes.

"Steven, calm down!" My mother warned him again and called a maid. She asked her to take Alec upstairs.

"Mommy, no. I want to stay with you." Alec whispered, grabbing my hand tightly as the maid approached us.

"Honey, don't worry. Wait for me upstairs. I will come as soon as possible." I assured him softly and kissed his cheek. He nodded as he released my hand slowly and held the maid's hand.

I breathed deeply and closed my eyes, trying to calm down.

"Where is that child's father?" My father snarled, clenching his fist. "Let me answer. You don't know. Right?" He added mockingly.

I took a deep breath and replied, looking into his eyes in confidence. "Yes, I don't know where the father of my son is."

He gave me a disgusting look, shaking his head in disbelief.

"As I guessed. It was predictable you would end up in this kind of situation. I knew your reckless behavior would ruin your life. Some prick knocked up you and threw you away after using you for his entertainment." My father snapped bitterly.

"Steven!" My mother exclaimed, giving my father a warning look.

"What? Am I wrong? Look at the daughter of the most influential attorney in the USA." He growled in frustration, pointing his finger at me. "I am ashamed of you." He confessed harshly, looking into my eyes, full of rage and disgust in his eyes.

"I am leaving." I announced, furious and turned around.

"No, Rose! Stay, please." My mother begged. I sighed, closing my eyes, and turned around, gritting my teeth. "And you Steven. You should respect your daughter and grandchild. I haven't seen my daughter in all these years. You can not do it to me again. My daughter and Alec will stay here while they are in New York. At least, let me be with Rose and Alec for a few months while she works here." My mother declared, determined.

My father frowned and stated, waving his hand in the air. "Fine, it would be better if she stays here. At least, maybe this way, no one finds out about her mistake."

"Dad! Watch your language! You can say everything to me, but no one can call my son a mistake. I will not let anyone disrespect him!" I warned him angrily.

He rolled his eyes and left without saying anything or looking at me. My mother approached me, giving me a sympathetic look, and hugged me.

After Alec had fallen asleep, I went downstairs. When I walked into the living room, I saw Kate sipping her coffee while sitting on the couch. As my sister saw me, she gave me a warm smile.

"Would you join me?" She asked, smiling. I nodded and sat down beside her on the couch. "We haven't seen each other since you left. Tell me about your life. How is it going on?" She asked after placing her cup on the center table.

"I work as a fashion designer at my dream fashion house. My boss sent me to lead the new branch. So I am her for a few months." I replied and shrugged my shoulders.

"I am happy for you. I am sorry for not calling you, but you know Dad. He made me promise that I didn't call you." She gave me an apologetic look.

"It is fine. Don't worry." I forced a smile.

"Alec is cute." She commented and gave me a bright smile.

"Yes, he is." I smiled happily.

"Umm... His father...."