Mateless Alpha

Chapter Two

Ishtar's POV

"Paula, did you manage to reschedule the meeting with the clients?" I asked, settling into the driver's seat after ensuring Ryan was securely buckled in.

"Yes, Ma'am. They were gracious enough to agree to reschedule. They mentioned that the ceremony is in six months, so they are open to meeting with you later," she informed me, eliciting a sigh of relief. Paula, my personal assistant, plays a crucial role in my moderate wedding planning company. Although we handle various events, weddings are our specialty. This particular couple holds significant importance for me. The groom-to-be hails from the Albanian royal family, and his fiancée is a renowned model and TV personality. As a celebrity couple, their union has garnered huge attention. When he publicly proposed to her, I knew I had to be the one to plan their wedding. It just felt like I was destined to,so I said to myself, Ishtar you need to plan this wedding, this job needs to be yours.

Fortunately, I was their first choice for a planner. Initially, I attributed it to my reputation and credibility in the industry until Tyler called to inform me that he had put in a good word for me. Tyler, the CEO or rather, the owner, of a prominent publishing house with branches in Albania and the United States, wields considerable influence and wealth. He tends to believe the world revolves around him. It's likely that he did me this favor in an attempt to win me over. For the past three years, he's been relentless in his pursuit, trying everything from lavish gifts like cars to boasting about his wealth and inundating me with flowers. Naturally, I rejected all advances. Having experienced my fair share of challenges, the last thing I need is a pompous man who believes he can buy my affection.

"Ryan!" I called out to my son, the tone of my voice gentle yet firm.

"Yes." he answered in a voice that was so mature for his age. No, it was not a monstrous voice but as a kid who believes he is in trouble, I expected him to answer in a shaky voice but he answered boldly.

"Did you hurt your friend?" I asked, giving him one last chance, knowing that now, with just the two of us, he would be honest.

"No, I didn't," he replied, his voice barely audible, and I was fortunate to hear it.

"Then why is your principal claiming otherwise?"

"I don't know, Mommy."

As we drove home, it struck me how much my son had grown, right before my eyes, and I hadn't noticed. The incident at school highlighted the fact that he was becoming more like his father with each passing day. He already bore a striking resemblance to him, and I couldn't pinpoint just one quality he had inherited from me.

"Okay, I believe you."

I maneuvered the car into the driveway and parked outside the garage, knowing I'd be heading out again soon.

"Mum, we're back!" I called out, expecting her familiar response, but there was silence. It was strange; Mum hadn't mentioned any plans to go out today, and it had only been a couple of hours since we left home, so I wasn't expecting the house to be empty.

I grabbed my phone and dialed her number. She answered on the fourth ring, and I could hear the chatter of friends in the background. Despite having lived here for five years, she seemed to have more friends than I do, which should have been the other way around.

"What do you want?" she responded curtly.

"Mum, where are you? I just got home, and you're not here," I exclaimed, trying to make myself heard over the noise.

"Oh, erm, sorry, I forgot to tell you. It's Eleanor's birthday, and she invited me for breakfast," she shouted back, the din in the background making it hard to hear.

"But Mum, I need you to take care of Ryan right now."

"What-what did you say? I can't hear you," she responded. I know she didn't realize it but she was shouting and at my end, it sounded like a screech.

"I said I need you to take care of Ryan. I have to go out right now," I repeated, this time a bit louder.

"But sweetie, Junior is in school. I'll be home by the time school closes, so don't worry," I know she didn't realize it but she was shouting and at my end, it sounded like a screech.

"No, Mum, I brought him back home. When do you think you'll be done with the party?"

"I don't know. If-if it's urgent, I can come home right now," she offered.

"It is, Mum. Thank you!" I hurriedly replied before the line went dead.

Eleanor used to be our neighbor; she lived across the street from us, but she moved a year ago. I heard she moved in with her new beau. Almost immediately after the call ended, my phone started ringing.

"Hello! Hi, ma'am. Sorry to disturb you, but Mr. Ortega is here."

"What does he want? Does he have an appointment with me?" I asked with displeasure.

"No, ma'am, he doesn't."

"Inform him to schedule one, or better still inform him I won't be coming to the office today. Hey, Paula, I'll call you back."

I ended the call when I noticed Ryan, whom I had taken to his room earlier, standing before me.

"What is it, son?" I knelt down to his level, cupping his adorable cheeks.

"Who is a da-d-dad mum?" I was taken aback by his question. Where did he hear that?

"W-why do you ask?" I managed to ask through my shock.

"Alexa and the others were saying I don't have a dad who will play with me, and that their dads play with them and it's fun," he said, his voice trembling, on the verge of tears.

"Oh, baby, I am your dad. Don't I play with you? Don't I buy you nice and fun stuff? Don't I make you happy?" I reassured him, trying to soothe his distress.

He nodded, his gray eyes wide with uncertainty.

"A dad is someone who loves you so much. So you see, I am both your momma and your daddy. Come here." I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him close. This boy is my life; I wouldn't be able to live if anything happened to him. In a way, him being expelled from that school is good. The kids there are quite toxic, and they made my boy feel so bad.