Chapter 27 - The photo

Troy's POV

He bit his lower lip, shaking his head while looking down, blushing.

"You should not run away. Your mommy must be worried, and it is so dangerous being on your own outside without elders. Don't do it again, please. Promise?" I stated firmly, looking into his eyes.

"But I missed you." He pouted as tears shimmered in his eyes.

I smiled at him tenderly. "I missed you too, buddy, but next time when you want to see me, just call me; I will come to see you." I said softly as I hugged him and took him in my arms, kissing his cheek. He nodded, sulking.

"Come on, let's call your mommy." I suggested, tapping on his nose playfully. Alec nodded.

"Hey, Alec. Didn't you miss me too? Since you walked in, you haven't seen anyone else, but Troy." My father approached us, smiling.

"I missed you, Grandpa Aspen." Alec said and gave him a wide grin. My father beamed and took Alec in his arms.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called Rose. Fortunately, I asked Liam to send me her number today.

"Yes?" She said softly as she picked up her phone.

As soon as I heard her voice, my heart started pounding like I was a teenager who called her crush for the first time.

I cleared my throat and replied. "Hi, Rose. It is Troy." I frowned as she didn't say anything. "Rose, do you hear me?"

"What do you want?" She asked coldly.

I gritted my teeth and forced a smile to Alec who was in my father's arm while they were looking at me.

"I wanted to inform you that you wouldn't get worried. Alec is here." I replied firmly.

Alec pursed his lips together, looking at me innocently. I smiled at him affectionately.

"What? Who brought him? My mother didn't inform me." She asked anxiously.

"Probably, she doesn't know. He came alone." I replied, rubbing the back of my neck.

"What?!" She exclaimed anxiously. "Is he fine? Did anything happen to him? Troy, please tell me." She asked in panic.

"Calm down, Rose. He is fine." I reassured her.

"Thank God." She breathed deeply in relief. "Could you send him to the mansion with your driver, please? And warn him not to take his eyes off Alec for a second." She said softly.

"Don't worry, I will drop him off myself." I stated.

"No! I don't want to go. I want to stay with you. I had recently come." Alec refused, shaking his head. "No, Mommy, please." He shouted, making her mother hear him, and looked at me with puppy eyes.

"Rose, can he stay with me for a while? Don't worry, I will take care of him. Then I will bring him to you." I asked hopefully.

"Please, Mommy." Alec shouted.

She sighed and mumbled. "Fine, but no more than an hour."

"Fine, thanks. See you." I said happily.

***

"Alec!" Rose exclaimed in relief as she saw Alec. Alec ran towards his mother and hugged her. "Are you fine, my boy?" Rose asked, concerned and checked him if he got hurt or not. "Don't run away again. What would I do if something bad happened to you?" Rose added anxiously and hugged Alec again, placing tender kisses on his cheeks and hair.

I smiled affectionately while watching them. Rose was really a good and loving mother.

After giving Alec one more hug, she sighed and straightened.

"I am sorry, Mommy. But I missed Troy. When I asked you to take me to his home, you refused. And you promised to bake a cake with me if we stayed home, but then you went to work." He pouted.

"Umm..." Rose mumbled, looking at me. I gave her a sad look. She cleared her throat as she traveled her gaze from me to Alec. "It is your bedtime. Let's go inside." She said firmly as she held his hand and looked at me. "Thank you for taking care of Alec. I hope he didn't give you any trouble. He will not bother you again." She added.

"He doesn't bother me!" I exclaimed loudly and clenched my fist.

I felt angry after finding out that she didn't let Alec visit me, and now she told me that it was a burden to me to spend time with my.... Alec.

"I like spending time with Alec." I resumed, giving him a gentle smile. "Do you remember what I told you? If you want to see me, just call me. You learned my number." I winked at Alec and gave Rose a devilish smirk.

"Yes." Alec nodded, giving me a cheeky smile. "Will you read a story for me tonight like before? Please." He asked, giving me a begging look.

I looked at Rose asking for her permission.

"Troy probably has plans. You already took a lot of his time today." Rose said firmly.

"But..." Alec mumbled sadly.

"He didn't. It was a pleasure to spend time with him. And I am free tonight. I don't have any plans." I intervened, giving Alec a tender smile. She gave me a dirty look as I looked at her.

"Troy! Welcome." Kate approached me, smiling, and hugged me.

"Hey!" I mumbled as I hugged her back slightly and looked at Rose. She averted her gaze, pursing her lips together.

"Why are you waiting here?! Let's go inside." Kate suggested as she grabbed my hand. I nodded.

"Yay!" Alec exclaimed happily while grinning ear-to-ear. "I will show you my new toy too." He added cheerfully. I nodded, smiling.

I slowed my pace, letting Kate go in front of us and whispered to Rose as I stopped. "You can't replace a person with a cake." She gave me a dirty look. "By the way, how many cakes did you bake for trying to forget me four years ago? You should know it well that it doesn't help." I added arrogantly. She gritted her teeth, looking at me angrily. I smirked and went after Kate.

***

After taking a shower, I put on my clothes and went to the kitchen. My housekeeper greeted me and placed a cup of coffee on the table. I thanked as I grabbed the cup and took a sip from it.

"Sir, I found it under your bed a few days ago, but I forgot to give it to you." She informed, giving me an apologetic look as she extended a photo towards me.

I raised my eyebrow, confused as I grabbed the photo. "Thanks."

She nodded and left me alone. I placed my cup on the table and looked at the photo. My eyes widened in surprise.

"Rose..." I mumbled while staring at her photo with Alec in the hospital; probably, it was when Alec was born. He looked so tiny and fragile. Meanwhile, Rose's eyes were shining, but there was tiredness in them as well.

But what was it doing in my bedroom?

Oh...Probably, Alec dropped it when he stayed here.

I smiled affectionately while looking at their photo. I sighed, lost in my thoughts as I  grabbed my cup and took a sip from it.

When I wanted to place the photo on the table, it slipped from my fingers. I placed the cup on the table and bent down to take the photo; suddenly, I noticed the note behind it. I straightened and read it.

Alec's first day with his mommy.

With love.

Auntie Ann.

The date was written there as well. I instantly calculated the time he was conceived.

Oh my goodness!... Our first time... Fuck!

Of course, I didn't use protection because she told me it was fine. I thought it was her safe day, or she was on pills. Later, when I found out about her virginity, I thought that it was the first one; so I didn't ask anything later when she was sober.

I grinned happily and looked at the photo again. It was the proof which I needed. Alec was my son. There was no need to have any doubt anymore.

My son. Alec is my son.

I put the photo into my pocket quickly as I grabbed my keys and phone and left quickly.

When I arrived at the mansion, I saw Rose walking towards her car. When she saw me, she looked surprised.

I parked my car abruptly and got out of the car quickly. Rose looked at me, puzzled while furrowing her eyebrows while I approached her with an angry expression.

"Where is my son? I want to see Alec." I asked her firmly.

Her face paled. She cleared her throat as she averted her gaze and mumbled. "Again? Alec is my son. Leave us alone."

I breathed deeply and took the photo out of my pocket.

"Don't lie to me anymore, Rose. I know everything." I snapped angrily as I showed her the photo.

"How... Where did you find it?" She mumbled nervously.

"Alec dropped it in my penthouse. The housekeeper has recently found it. Should I remind you what is written behind it?" I replied bitterly. She gulped nervously. I breathed deeply, trying to calm down, and asked. "Why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?"