The Beautiful Billionaire

LINDEN “Guys, I just came into your life months ago, and you took me and welcomed me with warmth and open arms. This morning, I’ve been thinking of what to say because there are no words enough to express how grateful I am to meet you all. Thank you for being there for us.” She looked at me as I stood next to her in front of our family, loved ones, and friends.

“Do the honor.” I smiled at her.

“Enjoy the dinner.” The surprise was about to be revealed.

“Oh, my God.” London was the first to react. Her eyes were wide. The moment she took the table napkin, the words It’s a girl were written on the plate. “I thought it was a boy. Congratulations.”

Everyone gushed and applauded as we revealed the gender of our baby to them.

“I know it.” Estelle’s mom had a teary eye as she lifted the plate that would be their gift from us, customized in Paris. “It’s beautiful, honey.”

Estelle went to her mom to hug her. “Thank you, Mom.”

“Well, we have a job to do, guys,” Kye told Lynx, Sax, Qamar, and Quinn at the round table.

“Congratulations, brother.” Striker stood up from his chair to give me a hug.

“Thanks. And you will be a father in two weeks, right?”

“Yeah. I’m excited and terrified at the same time. I can’t wait to see my baby.”

As we had dinner, I watched my family grow. We would have a new family member in a few weeks, and then I would be a father in a few months.

Moses, Tate, and my father were in a deep conversation. My guys were also enjoying the dinner, talking about the successful mission. My wife, London, and Striker were at my table, and I wasn’t aware he’d been watching me.

“Don’t you like the food?” I asked Striker.

“I’m eating, brother, while you haven’t touched yours.”

“I am just reminded of something.” I watched my wife talking with London about the podcast aired on YouTube yesterday. It has already garnered a million views.

“About what?”

“If we didn’t meet, I wouldn’t have met those idiots.” I chuckled. “I wouldn’t have met these guys. I wouldn’t have met your father, who pushed me to Italy, and I wouldn’t have met my wife.”

“That’s fate, brother. Honestly, I didn’t expect you to fall in love, have a girlfriend, get married, and have a kid in less than a year. I know you will have to settle down one day, but it also shocked me. I’m just happy that you’re happy.” He looked at the table beside us. “I can’t wait for those idiots to find their girls.”

Before I could reply, my wife and London laughed as if they just poked fun at someone.

“What are you two pregnant laughing about?” Striker asked them.

“It’s a pregnant thing,” my wife answered.

“Care to share.” I looked at both of them.

“Oh, no,” they chorused, staring at each other before they laughed again.

“Careful, Vanderford, you might break your water,” Striker said.

I exchanged looks with him when I heard nothing from the two pregnant. “Unbelievable.”

Willa and Deirdre were also in a conversation.

“Hey, stop staring. Let them eat.” Estelle gripped my knee.

“I wasn’t, baby. I’m just happy that our life is back to normal.”

“I don’t think so,” London disagreed. “Once the baby is out, your life will never return to normal.”

“Are you trying to scare me, sweetheart?”

“No. I’m just stating the truth. I heard you read a lot of books about fatherhood.”

“Did Estelle just tell you that?”

“Yeah. We talked about you.”

“Wow. So that’s what you two are laughing about?”

“Women, when put together in one room, are like nuclear bombs, brother. So be careful.”

“To our women.” I raised my glass.

“To being a father.” Striker raised his. Our women followed.

After dinner, Moses sat beside me as our guys played football in the backyard.

“I remember something like this happened on my son’s birthday. I was so happy I couldn’t even stop thanking God.”

“Yeah. I remember I was so like meeting my hero for the first time and, at the same time, intimidated by you. I’ve met billionaires, my friends are, but meeting you was like meeting the Potus, you know. I was even scared to hold my hand out, afraid you might not shake it.”

Moses chuckled. “I’ve known you for years since I found out you and my son were in the same unit. I checked about who you are.”

“So, did you find something that interests you?”

“I found your mother.”Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

My head snapped at him. “My mother?”

“Yeah. I don’t want to tell you about this. I don’t wanna ruin your night, but if you’re interested, I can tell you where she is.”

I looked away and shook my head. “I’m not interested. Why would I? She’s not interested in us. I’m just surprised she’s still alive.”

“Okay, son.” He patted my knee.

“Maybe you know where to find someone I want.”

“Gustav?”

“Yeah.”

“You should know Paul Murphy is in the custody of the DEA.”

“Yeah. I know. He said Gustav didn’t know what he did. He worked alone. I don’t believe a shit he said. Gustav might threaten his family if he involved him if he got caught.”

“You should leave this behind. Leave Gustav alone.”

“Why?” My eyes narrowed. “After what he did to me and Estelle, I can’t do that.”

“You have to learn how to move on and leave things where they should be, like how you moved on without your mother, Gabe.”

“Are you protecting Gustav?”

“The hell I am. I am protecting you and your wife.”

“You have to convince me, boss. Why should I leave him alone?”

“He’s still your father-in-law, your wife’s father. You and Estelle are in a better place now. You are back together. You should keep it like that. Forget about Gustav since he seemed to have left you alone. One day, he will realize what he’s done and come to see his daughter and granddaughter. You should prepare yourself for that.”

I shook my head. “I won’t let him get near my daughter, boss.”

“I was a terrible father-”

“You didn’t destroy Striker.”

“I did. You just don’t wanna see it was my fault. I left him and my wife for money. Sounds familiar? Gustav sold Estelle to Weston, and you were there to save her. You got the girl, married her, about to have a child. Be happy without toxicity in your life. But you have to give Gustav a chance if he comes asking your forgiveness. You’re a good man, Gabe. A better man than him. Hell, a better man than me.”

“How about Weston? I haven’t been fully back at the office. I don’t request a report if it is not urgent, but I’m sure you know where he is.”

“His mistake is working with Gustav to take down Estelle. I know for a while now he’s been smuggling weapons to the terrorists, ganglords, and mafias, but I couldn’t disclose that to the agency and our partners. Besides, he’s not a bigger fish. Your friend is back to his job.”

“Yeah. Jasper will be fine.”

“What’s really bothering you?”

I turned to him. “What made you say that?”

“Estelle will marry you again. When the baby is born, she will stay with you.”

“How are you so sure?” My brows furrowed.

“You don’t see how she looks at you? She’s as lovesick puppy as you, dumb.”

I shook as I tried hard not to laugh. “You just called me dumb and my wife a lovesick puppy. I can’t believe it.” When I felt someone was watching me, I looked at my wife- she was looking at me, smiling with the other ladies. “She didn’t even say she loves me and wants me to ask her again next week.”

“Be brave, fearless like how you face an enemy. Ask her to marry you right now?”

“And what if she says no?”

“Jesus, son. You are surrounded by the people who love you. What are you waiting for? Be on one knee and ask her.”

“I don’t have a ring.”

“You don’t need one.”

“Fuck it.” I stood up and went to their table. “Estelle.”

“Yeah?” She was still seated and quickly answered as if I surprised her. Willa, Deirdre, and London didn’t seem to pay attention to us. “What?”

“Two nights ago, you told me to ask you again. We’re surrounded by our family, our loved ones, and friends. I know it hasn’t been a week.” I went on one knee. God help me. “I know I’m not a perfect husband, not even close to a good one. I’ve done terrible things in my life, but one thing I did right was marry you. I want to renew our vows, so if you would give me the honor of marrying you again-”

“Yes, dumbass.”

“Oh, I’m not done.”

When she rose from her chair, my breathing held. My heart skipped a bit. She knelt before me and cupped my head. “I love you, Gabriel Rembrandt, and I don’t care. You’re not a perfect husband. I only wanted a good husband, but God gave me a better one. Yes, I will marry you again.” Then she kissed me hard and quickly with a loud pop.

A loud applause erupted around us, and I was still speechless.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

I was still processing when she broke into laughter. “Guys, I just made him speechless. Can you imagine that?”

When I found my bearing, I smiled with teary eyes. “That never happened until tonight.”