My Ex's Daddy

A date gone wrong.

Valeries' POV

I did not look at him or his family for the rest of the night. Collin and I pretend to enjoy the rest of the night, but I know we are pretending as both of us are thinking about the Starks who spoiled our night. I know Collin has a lot of questions that he wants to ask me, but he does not have the guts to ask me.

I do not order dessert, and neither does Collin. We are not feeling comfortable in each other's presence anymore. We used to be such good friends, but I know I spoiled everything. Maybe I should not have been so honest with him and not told him that Dean is little Dean's father.

I want to go home. I want to be with my baby boy. I want to ensure that he is okay and that the Starks will not hurt him. I know how toxic Hannah is.

"I think it is time for us to go home. I am sorry, but I am apprehensive about little Dean. I do not want to leave him alone tonight. Dean Stark is dangerous, and I'm afraid he will discover I am Valerie Bell, CEO of Bell Enterprises. I am also afraid for you and your family. Perhaps we should pretend that we are fighting. I will pretend to throw you out with my ring and storm out of the restaurant. We will have to make a scene and ensure Dean sees it. Listen, Dean Stark will not stop destroying your family and business. It will be better if you are not associated with me." I say.

"f**k Dean Stark! I am not afraid of him, Val. I want to be with you and will not let him scare me away! My father has powerful friends as well. We are not easily intimidated." Collin says.

"Collin, Dean is not somebody you play with. He has too much time on his hands and too much money. He will buy all your stock to bankrupt you or to do what you tell him to do. I do not know what he wants from me, but all I can think about is he knows that I am the CEO of Bell Enterprises." I say.

"No darling, you are so wrong. I do not believe he knows you are involved with Bell Enterprises. He was trying to intimidate me. I do not let anyone intimidate me easily. Dean Stark is used to getting what he wants regarding women. Please do not fall for his trick again. He wants you in his bed because he cannot have you. He thinks that you are engaged to another man. I know men like Dean Stark. They want what they cannot get and don't want it anymore after they have it. The only problem is he already had you, but you must have been good in bed because he wants you in his bed again. Dean Stark wants me to back off. However, I will not back off. I will try to protect you where and when I can. I know women find Dean attractive. I cannot blame you for wanting to sleep with him." Collin says.

Collin assumes that I am one of Dean's many lovers. He did not even ask me what happened. Even my best friend thinks that I am stupid. He believes the stories Hannah spreads about Dean. I know Dean Stark is not like that. He never even goes out in public with women.

"So you assume I slept with him because I found him attractive. Oh well, it is in the past. However, you are a good friend to me, and I will not hold it against you because you think you know Dean and me and our story. If Dean comes after you, I will buy all the available stock from your father's company. Oh, and I can assure you, you might be wrong about Dean wanting me back in his bed." I say bitterly.

I get up and start walking out, followed by Collin. I pay our bill and get in my car. I do not want Collin to think he can come home with me. For some reason, little Dean doesn't like Collin very much.

"Drive carefully and let me know when you are home. I know you do not like to invite me over for coffee. I love little Dean, and he loves his Uncle Collin. I hope he will call me Dad one day." Collin says.

It upsets me because I do not want Little Dean to call him dad. Dean only has one father. I will tell my son who his father is when he is ready to know. He is still so small, and I want to protect him against Hanna Stark.

"I doubt Dean will ever call you father even if we decide to have a relationship. He believes that his father will return one day, and he does not want me to be in a relationship with any man other than his father. I will tell him who his father is when he's old enough. Anyway, enjoy the rest of your night. I will see you tomorrow." I say and drive away before Collin can say anything else to upset me.

Little Dean is only six, and I do not want him to get hurt. However, when I get home, little Dean sits with Ella in front of the PC. I do not know what they are watching, but Ella closes the laptop fast when I walk in.

"Mommy! Where have you been? I have been worried about you. I do not like it when you go out so late that night. Besides, I was waiting for you to put me in bed. Mommy, why do I look so much like Dean Stark, the billionaire? Why is my name also Dean? Is Dean Stark my daddy?"

I looked shocked at him and then at Ella, who seemed to be looking everywhere except me.

"What were the two of you watching on the laptop?" I ask.

"Nothing. We were playing a game. Aunt Ella and I were looking at all the handsome, unmarried men in town because she wants to get married but wants a wealthy, handsome husband." Little Dean says.

"Yes, we just saw a nice photo of Dean Stark. Do you know him?" Ella asks.

I never talk about my past with anyone, not even my best friend, as I do not want anyone to know about my past with Dean Stark.

"I do not know him, and I just like the name Dean. That is why Mommy called you Dean, and I do not think you look like him at all." I lie.

I think of Hannah and the way she looked at me. I want to protect Dean against that witch.

"Sure, so why are you going after Stark Enterprises then? Why are you giving them a go for their money? Why don't you want them to get even one contract? We all know he is a womanizer. Did Dean Start do you wrong?" Ella asks as soon as Little Dean goes to brush his teeth and get ready for bed. So, she also believes Hannah's stories about Dean Stark. I am not surprised. Hannah can be convincing.

"You read too many romantic novels. It is just business. I want to be the best in my field and go after the best. Thank you for watching my little angel, and do not put things in his head." I say as I walk Ella to the door. She is staying next to us in an apartment on the top floor of my building.

I make sure she is safely in her apartment before I go to little Dean's room to tug him in.