Her Baby's Daddy

Chapter 3

Damian sat in his office that morning, the events of the previous night swirling in his mind like a persistent fog. Despite his best efforts, he had been unable to banish the image of the alluring pole dancer from his thoughts, robbing him of a peaceful night's sleep.

As he shut his eyes, he could just picture the way she had clung to the pole and the brief eye contact they had shared, that has been on his mind all day and this morning rendering rest an elusive luxury.

A sudden knock on the door roused him from his reverie. After a brief moment to compose himself, he beckoned the visitor inside.

Peter, holding a neatly arranged folder and a steaming cup of coffee, stepped into the room, after closing the door he walked closer to Damian's table and placed the coffee on the table. Standing back up, he proceeded to brief Damian on the day's schedule.

"Sir, Mr. Sterling from the construction company has requested an appointment for tomorrow. He expressed interest in collaborating with you for an upcoming project," Peter announced, pausing to gauge Damian's response.

"Clear my schedule for the morning and arrange the meeting for him," Damian replied coolly, betraying none of the turmoil brewing within. His mind was consumed with thoughts of the alluring pole dancer, and he found it difficult to focus on anything else at that moment.

"Your mother also called. She mentioned that Miss Lauren informed her you haven't been returning her calls," Peter continued, catching Damian's attention.

"She insists on speaking with you," Peter added, sensing Damian's preoccupation.

"What about the information I asked you to gather?" Damian inquired impatiently, his mind still fixated on the enigma of the pole dancer.

Peter opened another folder and began to read aloud.

"Kimberly Clark, 22 years old, a fourth-year business management student, also an accomplished pole dancer. She's an orphan, having lost her parents during childhood and her grandmother four years ago. She resides on XXX street, three blocks away from the club where she performs," Peter detailed, glancing up at his boss, who appeared lost in thought.

"And your meeting for ten o'clock is still on," he continued when Damian didn't say anything, after reading the schedule out he excused himself out of the office.

Some minutes after Peter had left, Damian was still very unfocused. He just don't know what it was about her that made him feel this way. He wasn't always one to go for looks, so what was it about her that got him so obsessed, he asked himself.

Taking his phone, he placed a call to Ms. Chalad to confirm if she had finally decided on a private dance. Maybe then he would be able to scratch this itch that he was feeling at the moment.

On the second ring, Ms. Chalad answered the call.

"Mr. Lillard, such a surprise hearing from you this early," she said as soon as the call connected.

"Has she agreed to it?" he asked impatiently, not in the mood for pleasantries.

"Not really, Mr. Lillard, but she said she would think about it. I'm hoping for a positive feedback," Ms. Chalad replied. Although it wasn't the response he was hoping for, he knew that it was a chance of a lifetime. Without saying anything else, he hung up.

After putting his phone on silent mode, he placed it back on the table, the screen lighting up sporadically with notifications. He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts, before deciding to focus on a few urgent tasks before the upcoming meeting.

He was deep into reviewing his second document when the shrill ring of the office telephone filled the silent room. Damian quickly reached over and picked up the phone, answering with a brisk, "Damian speaking."

On the other end, his mother's voice, Mrs. Lillard, sounded both relieved and reproachful. "So you are alive," she remarked pointedly.

Surprised to hear his mother's voice on the line, He glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was the home line. He inwardly chastised himself for not checking before picking up the call. "Mum!" he exclaimed, a tinge of guilt coloring his voice.

"It seems I have to go through my own son's secretary just to have a conversation with my son," Mrs. Lillard chided, her tone laced with sarcasm.

"It's not like that, Mum. I've just been swamped with work and everything," Damian replied, leaning back in his chair, knowing full well that he was about to endure a lecture.

"When are you coming home?" his mother inquired.

Ever since he had graduated from college and assumed the role of CEO for the family business, his visits home had become infrequent. His demanding responsibilities and his independent nature had kept him away from his parents and his younger sister.

"I will come visit soon," he replied vaguely, unwilling to commit to a specific date just yet.

"Soon is not a time, Damian. And Lauren mentioned that you haven't been returning her calls. What's going on?" his mother pressed.

"Mum, I've told you and Dad that I'm not interested in her. I'm not even thinking about marriage right now. When I am, I'll introduce my own wife to you," he retorted, frustration evident in his voice as he ran a hand through his perfectly gelled hair.

The prospect of marrying Lauren Smith, the daughter of his father's longtime business partner, was one that his parents and her parents had arranged without consulting him.

They believed that their union would not only fortify their families' business partnership but also ensure his future. However, he had made it clear to his parents that he refused to marry for convenience rather than love.

While his father understood his stance, his mother was resolute, disregarding his feelings. "I don't want to jeopardize my friendship with her mother," she had remarked, dismissing his sentiments.

"Come home so we can discuss this," his mother commanded in a tone that brooked no disobedience.

Assuring her that he would visit soon, he hung up the call. Letting let out a heavy sigh, he flung the phone onto the table, feeling his mood sour.

His mother had successfully managed to dampen his spirits. Just then, the phone rang once more, this time with Peter informing him that his 10 o'clock meeting was already underway in the conference room.

Straightening his suit and smoothing down a few stray strands of hair, he gulped down the last of his coffee and stood up, his mind filled with the lingering conversation with his mother as he headed out of the room to join the meeting.