The Billionaire's Secret Child.

Chapter 2 - The Bar

I leave my office, and I thank Amelie (my PA) on the way to the elevator, I hired her when she was eighteen. She was pregnant with Mark Germaine's baby. I always hated that prick, ever since school. So I have paid for her child's schooling, nappies, everything. Some people think that the child, Zoe, is mine but I haven't got where I am today by caring about what other people think about me. So I don't care about other people's opinions about me. Although... Zoe is super cute and I don't think I'd mind being her father, she is beautiful inside and out, her happiness and unconditional love is amazing.

It's 9:00pm and the streets are buzzing, I head to my local watering hole and order, that's right, the usual. Which for me is the manhattan. It's about this time most nights when I contemplate my existence. Yes I am as successful as one could be financially, but do I have a successful social life, long term relationship, my own family?

My answer? One word.

No.
No social life.
No girlfriend or fiancé or wife.
No Children.
So, am I really successful?

I pick up my drink and drain it but I'm not really satisfied. I glance towards the door and in walks a pretty girl, 23 or 24 maybe, behind her is a girl much more sullen and sad. She has a fake smile plastered on her face as she walks up to the bar. She is wearing a dark green dress and sparkly silver heels. Her make-up appears natural in the dimly lit bar but I can tell it is a mask. Inside she is falling apart.

I head towards her, I don't really know why but it felt like gravity. Like I had no other option but to talk to her."Hey" I say to her, "you ok?"

She looks at me, then turns to the waiter and orders her drink. This irritated me because I am not use to being ignored When it arrives she sits down and I am about to repeat my question when she says "No, not really but I don't want to talk to a random stranger about my problems! That is what Ben and Jerry invented ice cream for!"

I smile at her, even with her sarcasm and attitude I can tell she is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside. I am that good a judge of character.

"Aha ok, mind if I ask you what your name is?" She replies "I do if you are going to take me into a backstreet and murder me! But if you'll buy me another drink then sure!" She smiles at me, a genuine smile this time though.

"What is your name?" I ask again.
"Full name or just first?"
"Whichever, the one you are most comfortable telling me?"
"My name is Grace Clark-Tremblay, and you are..."
"Matteo, nice to meet you!" I finish for her and smile. Now that she is closer I notice smaller details about her, her hair is light brown with natural blonde highlights and her eyes are a deep brown colour. She is gorgeous.

At this point her friend walks over to us and though she is pretty I don't think she is as beautiful as Grace. Her friend is wearing a short black dress, silver heels and clutch to match. Grace's friend looks between us and winks at Grace, I smirk. Girl secret sign language?! She orders drinks from the bar and I interrupt before she can pay...

"Put it on my tab Javier." I ask the bartender whom is a good friend of mine, I've been good friends with him since I started my company and came here every Friday night for my usual, a manhattan.

Grace's friend stares at me confused then thanks me.
"Thank you...?"
"Matteo" I tell her my name and glance at Grace who is sat staring at the muscles under my suit shirt. My suit jacket is hung on the bar stool I'm sat on.  We lock eyes and she looks away awkwardly.

"And your name is?" I ask looking up at the woman.
"Harriet...my name is Harriet"
"Cool, I'm going to stay and talk with Grace, is that ok? I will make sure she gets home safely. Will you be able to get home safe too?" By this point Grace is fairly drunk and guys are looking at her from across the room. Anger and jealousy flows through my veins. I don't even know this girl yet I want to protect her!

When I come out of my state I notice that Harriet is speaking too Javier and she leans over the bar and kisses him on the cheek. I wonder... are they together? Then she replies...

"Yeah that is ok, look after her because I don't care who you think you are or powerful you might be, I will hunt you down and castrate you with a butter knife!" She makes the threat and I know she is not joking, if anyone hurt my little sister I think I'd do the same. Harriet looks at Grace who I'm sure is asleep on the bar with her head resting in the crook of her elbow, she hands me a slip of paper "this is Grace's address" then she whispers in Grace's ear "Goodnight Sleeping Beauty..." and heads back towards Javier one again.

I am sure that Grace is completely gone and needs her bed so I thank Javier and Harriet, pay my tab and place my suit jacket in the crook of my arm before sliding my arms around Grace. I left her, bridal style, out of the stool. She stirs slightly before muttering something, a something that I didn't catch, and snuggles back down into my chest, clutching at my shirt.

I carry her out to my car and place her in the passenger seat before searching my suit jacket for the slip of paper that Harriet had given me. I can't find it, but I also can't leave Grace alone in this empty parking lot to get the address from Harriet. So instead, I get in the drivers side and text Javier.

Jav,
Would you mind telling Harriet I've taken Grace back to my apartment? I lost the address, so I will take care of her and drop her off tomorrow morning at their apartment.
Thanks,
Matteo.

I glance at the sleeping beauty in my passenger seat, the moonlight illuminates her perfect features. I smile, start the engine before driving out the parking lot and to my apartment.

Author's Note:
Ok, sorry guys and gals for reposting this but there was an error in Matteo's text to Javier. I have changed it but it will not change the storyline of the book. :)