Billionaire Baby Daddy

Chapter 2: Welcome back

ABIGAIL POV

*Five years later*

Stepping out of LAX airport, the blinding light and heat of the summer sun make me grateful for my dark sunglasses.

 Walking towards the pickup area I gather stares from those around me as if I am some sort of celebrity.

I don’t blame them; my hair is perfectly curled, and my skin is flawless and glowing with a slight tan from the Italian summer sun.

I take off my sunglasses and gaze at this familiar place, feeling a wave of nostalgia. It's been five years, and here I am, back in Los Angeles at last.

“This way Mia,” I say as I turn and reach out to take hold of my daughter’s little hand.

“Is… is this where Daddy lives?” Mia cautiously looks up at me, her green eyes adorned with long, thick eyelashes.

Stopping in my tracks I sigh as I squat down to face her directly. Swiping a lock of hair from her porcelain face, my heart races and for a moment I’m not even sure how to respond.

Five years ago, I made the decision to not abort this beautiful little girl and named her Mia.

 Mia has asked about her father a few times in the past but has never been too hurt by my dodging the question. I think she understands by now that it’s a sore subject.

“Well, Mommy, Daddy isn’t very important right now so don’t be sad.” Mia says with a pat to my head and takes my hand once more as if to comfort me. For a 4-year-old she can be very intuitive about things.

“Abby, Mia!” a familiar voice rings out from the crowd causing me to escape my thoughts.

“Aunt Giulia!” Mia was the first to react. Letting go of her suitcase and my hand, she runs towards Giuliana, jumping into her arms. Giuliana smiles brightly as she holds her tight.

Giuliana Lombardi was my roommate for the first couple years of college in Italy.

She happened to be from Los Angeles like me, so we instantly hit it off. Two girls in a foreign country, one is pregnant and exiled from her family, the other an heiress to a multimillion-dollar company sent to get familiar with her family heritage and an education.

Giuliana was very sympathetic to my situation, and I feel we grew even closer due to that.

 Eventually, we became like sisters, and when Mia was born I made Giuliana her godmother. Since I have no other family Giuliana is the only aunt Mia will ever know.

After graduating with honors, I became a very well-known prodigy in Italy for my architecture designs and construction knowledge. A rising star as well, Giuliana came back a year ago to help her family. She and her brother sit on the Board of Directors for a new company, so she convinced me to come back and work for them.

“I have already arranged a place for you two to live in, but Greenwood INC insists on scheduling the interview for today. Do you think you can make it there in time?" Giuliana asks me with concern.

"Take care of Mia for me, I'll go for the interview today," I smile at Giuliana.

Respecting my decision, Giuliana get into the car with Mia.

"Mommy, good luck!" Mia doesn't forget to encourage me, and she rolls down the car window, revealing a sweet smile.

This little one always warms my heart, especially in moments like these.

I feel guilty towards Mia because I can't be there with her right away to settle into our new home.

But this interview opportunity is hard-fought by Giuliana for me. Greenwood INC is a renowned architectural design company in Los Angeles, and if I want to establish myself here, I absolutely cannot miss this chance.

Besides, this time I also want to find Mia's father, even if he decides to abandon us again.

And so, I hop into another taxi and head to Greenwood Inc.

Soon enough the cab pulls up to a very large skyscraper and I step out.

Checking my phone, I notice it’s 30 minutes before my appointment, just as I had hoped. Better to be early and make a good impression.

 Walking up the stairs I open the heavy glass door that leads into a posh-looking lobby and step up to the reception desk.

“Hello, my name is Abigail Winchester I’m here for my 9am interview,” I say politely to the girl at the desk. She doesn’t even glance at me as she nods and tells me to have a seat.

Waiting patiently, I can’t help but feel slightly anxious. It’s been about two years now since I’ve had a professional interview.

From where I am sitting, I catch my appearance in the large glass windows of the building. I’m wearing my usual business pant suit with my black loafers.

I have my long hair pulled into a low bun and a pair of my dark rimmed glasses placed on the bridge of my nose.

This look might seem a bit dull or boring, but I focus on functionality over beauty when working in an office all day long.

Soon enough my name is called, and I’m sent to a second-floor office where I am interviewed by Archer Westley, the Greenwood INC design director.

Once we were seated at the table he only glanced at my resume before inspecting my appearance, looking at me up and down before speaking to me.

“So, Mrs. Winchester it says here you just moved from Italy, correct?” he asks as his eyes still drag over my appearance as if trying to figure out my age.

“Yes.” I reply confidently, not letting his stares get to me. He continues to ask me question after question that I answer in the same self-assured tone. Once finished with the basic questions he simply stops acknowledging me and starts writing on my forms. With a shake of his head, he clicks his tongue in distaste.

In comparison we look like exact opposites. The man before me is brown hair and brown eyes with a bright white smile, he is very handsome and wearing a chic-looking designer brand suit.

If I had to guess, I would say he is from one of the elite Los Angeles families and close to my age group at that.

Our parents probably run in the same circles. His last name rings a bell but I’m not 100% sure where it’s from since I’ve been away for so long.

From the looks he gives me I’m pretty sure I failed my interview. I mean, am I surprised? No, this building and the people in it are beyond chic and beautiful, and here I am dull and boring.

I start to fidget in my chair waiting for him to dismiss me when the door suddenly opens and the receptionist from earlier pops her head in.

“Archer, Mason is here.” She eyes me with a haughty look before turning back to him.

“Why is he here?” Archer frowns and stands to go greet him without another glance at me.

I quickly gather my things and take this as my chance to escape.

Hoping to leave quietly so as not to draw more attention to myself, I turn in the opposite direction as Archer, only to run face first into a tall man’s chest.

I catch a whiff of a strong, pine-like woody scent emanating from him, and then I look up to see this tall man dressed in a tailor-made suit with his initials on the collar. MG.

My eyes make their way to his face which looks like it’s chiseled from marble. His green glare is ice cold, reminiscent of the Arctic forest, and his lips form a firm displeased line.

His scent and face seem to awaken something deep within my memories. I duck my head slightly hoping he did not catch my stares as I take yet another step backwards.

 Weird, I get a sense as if I have seen him somewhere before.

He looked somewhat familiar.