Marianna's POV
Life has taught me two important lessons. Lesson number one, to keep my head down and lesson my two, to mind my own business. Not meddling in people's affairs keeps me out of trouble. It keeps me separate from drama that could otherwise get my son and I in unnecessary trouble. I did promise his grandfather that I will keep him safe and that is the plan.I stroked the straight blond hair on his head. I have been asked severally if this is my son it I'm just the nanny. One time the police stopped me and asked me for the baby's parents. I had to show the birth certificate and identification for them to let it go. Nicko is pale like his father. My skin tone is a little darker and it's hard to tell we are related. Bluntly put, he's the white kid and I'm the one who looks like a nanny. It's offensive but I have learned to deal with it. I can't change how people choose to view things but I can change my attitude about
Wayne's POVThirty five and still single.It's something to be frowned upon especially when the man in question is the kind most people would term as an eligible bachelor. I'm wealthy, I think I have good breeding on my good days and I'm single. That checks most lists yet I haven't found someone to capture my heart. In a literal sense it's not them, it's me. Maybe I'm picky. It's a curse if I'm allowed to be superstitious. In my family, all the men are single. Even those who marry end up caught in ugly divorces. Nothing lasts. We are creatures of habit who return to the hunting grounds after the prey has served it's purpose. I have lost track of the number of women I have been with. All those meaningless flings and one night stands don't satisfy me. I'm not sure what I'm looking for but I think I'll know it when I see it. Till then, I remain empty and discontent."I don't like this color. Why white? Wha
Marianna's POV"It fits. It fits." Keller's mom stepped back to look at me. It's something between a mustard color and gold. I'm not sure but it's pretty."Does it communicate properly? Does it look appropriate for a first date?"The last thing I need is to look desperate."How about we get a man's opinion?" She suggested. "I'll get Keller."I let out a sigh taking notice of the young woman in the reflection of the mirror. I think she looks okay. I think even after two years of hardships, she looks okay. If a man like Wayne noticed her in a world with far more beautiful wealthy women, then she's okay."Okay." I straightened out some creases close to the hem just above the knees. The gold shoes don't fit. They are a little lose because they are a size larger. I have stuffed tissues at the front."Wow Maria! You cleanup nice!" Keller looked me
Wayne's POVOscar keeps glancing at me but when I look at him he avoids my gaze. He has worked for me long enough to know when he has something to say but he tries to restrain himself out of respect. "Out with it.""Pardon me sir. I don't mean to meddle in your affairs but it's about the young miss. I have some concerns.""Go on." I pushed the empty tea cup aside. I didn't have much asleep. I was thinking about her all night, wondering if I should have invited her up to my room so that I can explore that dainty beautiful body underneath the simple dress. I struggled to keep my eyes above her neck for most of the night. When she allowed me to put the necklace I secured in an auction around her neck, my eyes didn't restrain from taking in the swell of her breasts. They looked full. My fingers burned with an urge to caress them, my lips want to kiss the flawless skin. I got hard in that instant and out of
Marianna's POVAfter examining Nicko thoroughly during his bath, I was finally content that he wasn't harmed in any way. I pressed my lips on his forehead. "I'm sorry figlio mio. I shouldn't have left you with her. Mommy has been so worked up looking for you. I know I have also been slicing you out of my life but no more! It's you and me forever kiddo. By the way, I met a man. He was here tonight."It's nursing time. We are lying on the bed. He's sucking away mercilessly as some sort of revenge for not being nursed all day. He must be hungry. He does not like milk in a bottle. Once he threw a tantrum and hit me with the bottle. Now it's just baby food and mama's boobs. Mostly mama's boobs."He's English. English people are from England. I love his accent. I love his deep voice. I love how handsome he is." Nicko paused. He stared at me. "But not like you. You are in a league of your own."He carried on. I stra
Marianna's POVI have been thinking a lot.I have been thinking about leaving Nicko with Keller's mom. Will my son be alright without me for that long? We haven't been apart for more than a few hours at a time. Three days is a long time. It's eating me up. Is it selfish of me to leave him behind in search of love? Is it right for a mother to make room for other people beside her child? I don't have any answers but I do feel guilty for not bringing him along. I feel like I'm a bad mother for not even mentioning him to Wayne.I have also been thinking about how I will tell Wayne. How am I to explain it? Is it even something to explain? I'm a mom and that won't change no matter how long I wait to tell him. Won't it be better to just embrace the inevitable? If he will reject me, isn't it better to just get to it so that I can move on? It won't be a big deal! I mean if my baby's father can fail to come back for me
Marianna's POVI have come to the sad conclusion that no one wants us. Maybe I should talk about myself instead of including Nicko but it is what it is.No one will give me a job because I'm not allowed to bring my son along.It's clear I'll never find love because no one wants a woman with a kid. It's supposedly called baggage.My parents have never looked for me. I just ceased to exist.My own best friend has never made contact.My so called friends -the ones I made while I was away from home- are a no show.It feels like falling off the phase of the earth and no one has noticed. It's painful. It really hurts to be rejected over and over again and having to live with this hopelessness is driving me to the brink of madness.I'm trying to tell myself that I'm a mom and i should be strong for my boy. I am try
Marianna's POVI walked past security. They gave me weird looks as I don't fit the crowd that comes here. I marched straight to the reception. "Good evening madam, how can we assist you tonight?""I'm looking for Wayne Bellingerre. Can you tell him Maria is here to see him?""I'm sorry but Mr Bellingerre checked out three days ago. Is there anything I can do for you?"I felt stranded. I came here with a mindset fixed on Wayne. I just need someone with influence and enough money to scare that child services woman into giving me my son back. I have walked a long way to get here. I live in the other side of town. I am too broke to afford a taxi. Just when my mind threatened to explode with a million thoughts at once, I saw a letter head on the receptionist's table. It dawned on me that the solution is in the name of the hotel."Then I want to see Frank.""Who?"
Frank's POV"So what was that all about?""What?" I chose the blue tie over the red one. I have a board meeting later today and my father was fond of saying that blue creates the illusion of trust. Taking on the Harrington Hotels has had its challenges but I take it a day at a time. I can't wait for Cole to be old enough to help out.She took the tie from my hand and draped it over my neck. She raised the collar in order to start trying it. My wife has the prettiest blue eyes I have seen this far. "The late... early morning visitor.""It's Marianna. You don't know her." Nora stilled. She blinked repeatedly. I can guess what is going on in her mind. She must have been at the window to see Maria embrace me like that."Is she your ex girlfriend? Do you have other children?""Calm down beautiful flower. She's Nate's girl." I assured her."Nate fr