Chapter 18 - Best friend

Rose's POV

"I am sorry, but I don't want to talk about him." I interrupted her, giving her an apologetic look.

"I understand." She tapped on my arm, nodding.

"That is enough about me. Tell me about your secret fiance." I said cheerfully.

She smiled shyly, tucking a lock of her hair behind her ear, and said happily. "We met through work. His name is Troy."

"Troy... This movie apparently haunts me." I mumbled under my breath mockingly.

"What?" She asked, giving me a questioning look.

"Nothing." I gave her a half smile.

"He is adorable. I love him so much. We are getting married this summer. But..." She paused, sighing. I gave her an inquiring look. "He is a workaholic. His company always comes first. He often changes our dates. Moreover, he didn't attend the meetings with our event planner. He told me he wanted everything to be as I wanted at our engagement party. I know he is thoughtful, but it was more related to his busy schedule than that." She complained sadly and sighed.

"But Mister has to be part of it. It wasn't just your engagement party as well as his. At least, make sure he gets involved in your wedding organization." I stated, shaking my head in disbelief. "I understood why he gets along with Dad very well. They look like each other." I commented, rolling my eyes.

"No, Rose. He isn't like my father at all. Troy is so caring, kind, charming and understanding." She commented with shining eyes.

"We will see." I commented, unconvinced.

She smiled, shaking her head in amusement. "Let me show you his photo." She added as she grabbed her phone.

"Mommy! Mommy!"

I stood up instantly as I heard Alec's frightened cries and rushed upstairs.

"What happened, my love?" I asked, worried as I saw him in the hall, crying. As soon as he saw me, he ran towards me, sobbing. I bent down and hugged him tightly, kissing his hair.

"I thought you left. I don't want to stay alone with the grumpy grandpa." He mumbled, sobbing, and hugged me back tightly.

"Don't worry, honey. Mommy is here. I will not let anyone hurt you." I assured him and took him in my arms.

"Grumpy grandpa, huh? I am sure Dad will like his new nickname." Kate chuckled behind me.

"Yes, for sure." I mocked, rolling my eyes, and wiped the tears off my son's cheeks. "Let's change your clothes. Then we will have dinner." I informed, stroking his hair affectionately, and kissed his cheek. He nodded, still wrapping his arms around my neck.

A few weeks later

Paris, France

"Was it Alec?" My best friend and workmate, Ann asked, smiling as she approached me.

"Yes. I miss my boy so much." I replied, sighing sadly, and looked at my screensaver; it was Alec and my photo.

I had to come to Paris urgently. There were a few problems with the dress which we made for Paris Fashion Week.

I didn't want to leave Alec in New York, but I couldn't bring him here and leave him alone in the hotel room. So I had left him with my mother in New York, but I missed my little boy so much; it was the first time I had been away from him this long.

"You will see him soon. The driver is ready to take us to the airport." She gave me a compassionate smile, traveling her hand up and down my back. "How is my little man?" She asked cheerfully.

"He is fine. He has fun with his new friend." I replied, amused. She gave me a questioning look. "Kate's fiance, Troy, keeps him company. It seems they get along well because Alec doesn't stop talking about him every time we talk on the phone. He even told me he wants to be like Troy when he gets older." I informed, grinning.

"Oh, my little man found another buddy for himself. I am jealous now." Ann said, pretending to be upset. I chuckled, amused.

"Come on. Let's go. I want to see my boy as soon as possible." I confessed, excited and led us towards the exit.

New York, USA

As soon as I got out of the car in front of the mansion, my little boy ran towards me happily.

"Mommy!" He exclaimed, showing me his infectious grin.

I smiled as I bent down and hugged him tightly, breathing in his scent. I placed several kisses on his hair and cheeks.

"I missed you so much." He admitted, his arms wrapped around my neck.

"I missed you too, my boy." I admitted and kissed his cheek.

"Welcome, dear." My mother greeted me and hugged me. I smiled and hugged her back.

"Mommy, I want to show you my new toys. Troy bought me cars, a train set, an airplane, a stuffed bear and an elephant." Alec informed me in excitement and pulled my dress, trying to get my attention.

"I hope you didn't force him to buy you a lot of toys, Alec." I commented firmly.

"No, Mommy. He bought it himself. I didn't ask him. He is my friend. I love him so much. We played with my trains. It was so funny. Can we stay at his home, please?" Troy asked, giving me a begging look.

I looked at him in surprise. It was the first time that I had seen Alec excited while talking about someone who he met recently. Now I was getting more intrigued about Troy. He managed to get my son's love and admiration. Even my father liked him, and it was so rare because my father didn't like anyone so easily.

"We will talk about it later, honey. Come on, let's go inside. You will tell me how you spent your time while I have been away." I said softly as I picked up Alec in my arms and kissed his cheek, breathing in his scent.

Oh, how much I missed my boy!

****

I was brushing my hair in my bedroom when Alec rushed inside.

"Mommy, Troy is here!" He informed me cheerfully and ran towards me. "I want you to meet him. You will love him too. He is so cool." He added in excitement and grabbed my hand. "Come on! He is in the garden, waiting to meet you." He said, pulling my hand.

"Fine! Fine! Calm down. I am coming. Let's see who is this famous Troy." I stood up, smiling, and followed my little boy.

"Be careful, Alec. Don't run." I demanded, amused as Alec was dragging me with him while rushing towards the garden.

He released my hand as we arrived at the garden. I beamed at my boy as he pointed his finger towards somewhere, smiling. When I lifted my gaze up, my eyes widened in shock.

"Hector...." I murmured, stunned.

Troy's POV

I was staring at Rose without moving, frozen.

Is she real? Or is it hallucination?

No, it is her. I finally found her. I found my Rose.

I pursed my lips together as my eyes welled up. It felt like it was like yesterday when I held her in my arms. I couldn't describe how I felt now: emotional, excited, nervous, angry or happy.

I opened and closed my mouth without managing to say anything. Meanwhile, Rose was staring at me in shock without saying anything.

I couldn't pull myself together. I dreamt of finding her all these years, and now she was in front of me, but I was standing at the same place like a lost kid without knowing what to do.

I cleared my throat and wiped the tears off my cheeks without taking my eyes off my Rose. She didn't change so much, just her hair was shorter than before. She looked more beautiful.

"Mommy!" Alec called her, pulling her dress to get her attention. "Why are you looking at each other weirdly?" He added, confused.

Mommy?

I traveled my gaze from Alec to Rose and vice versa, puzzled.

She...Oh, no! She is...Alec's mother.

No, I cannot lose her again when I finally found her.

Hold on! Alec told me he is four years old...

I tried to calculate when he was conceived, but my brain didn't help me. There were a lot of thoughts running in my mind.

I looked at Alec, preoccupied while thinking of the sentences I heard about our familiarity from the people who saw us together.

I ruffled my hair, trying to pull myself together.

If Alec told me the truth about his age, it would mean....he is  my son. Or... Rose cheated on me while we were together. Or maybe, Alec told me a lie; he is a child, maybe he didn't know his real age, or he wanted to look older. Children often lie about their age, or they don't often remember their ages correctly.

But we were careful; we used protection. How could it be possible?

Maybe, Rose got in a relationship with someone else as soon as we broke up. And Alec is that man's son?