Shantel could feel her pulsing racing as she kept staring at the screen. This was impossible. Why was she panicking over a mere ordinary girl? This could mean nothing. Perhaps Cole just took a photo with the woman and her child. He's also a philanthropist, isn't he? She thought deeply as she tried to calm her nerves.
"This.. this means nothing. He's just.." she began to say, but even within herself, she doubted if it was false. Cole was hot. Any girl could hook up with him.
Maya shrugged. "Well, yes, but the post was hastagged perfect couple, Shantel," she said.
Shantel could not take her eyes off the screen. "She might just be assuming that they look good together," she tried to wave away the glaring truth.
"And you're cool with that?" Maya asked and Shantel was forced to look at her. "Someone else is been assumed to be the perfect woman for your man and you're cool with it?"
"Nobody said she's the perfect woman for him. The poster only said perfect couple," Shantel replied as she handed Maya's phone back to her in a rush. She walked over to the bar to take her glass of whiskey.
"Exactly, Shan. How can someone else be tagged a perfect couple with Cole and not you?" Maya asked and Shantel gulped the whole whiskey down. "Did you read the comments?" She asked further.
"What do they say?" Shantel inquired as she refilled her glass, trying her best to keep her composure.
"Cole Darrel has finally shown his woman to us! Wow, I never knew the billionaire had a son! So cute!
Does this mean that the rumors about dating Shantel Jackson were lies? How does he feel dating an ordinary girl? Our bachelor is no longer single!"
Maya read out loud.
Shantel clenched her fists."That's about enough," she said and Maya stopped reading.
She looked back at her phone. "Lots of people are reposting and articles are popping up. I thought you said he was only popular in the business world," Maya replied, not listening to her.
"Are you trying to mock me right now?" Shantel asked her, narrowing her eyes.
"I'm trying to let you know that with your nonchalant attitude, you're about to lose Cole to a poor woman," she replied.
"Impossible. Cole is mine and mine alone,"
"So, what are you going to do about this?" Maya asked.
Shantel gulped down the glass of whiskey again and picked up her phone from the table. "Tell Amanda that I'll be honoring one of those interviews I've been ignoring," she replied, walking away and Maya nodded.
~~~~~
"Mommy!" Tris yelled happily as he saw Amy in the school premises. Amy was standing with a big smile on her face and her arms outstretched towards him. He ran into her embrace.
"Baby. I've missed you so much," she said hugging him tight.
"I've missed you more, mom. It's been long you've come to pick me yoursel'," he said.
They pulled apart and Amy had an apologetic look on her face. "I'm sorry, baby. It's just that mommy has been so busy with work. Will you forgive me?"
"If only you'll promise to come pick me every day," he replied, smiling.
"I'll try my best," Amy said, smiling back as she held his hand and they walked towards the bus station.
"What about dad? Can he come pick me too?" Tris inquired.
"Tris, daddy is very busy, I don't think he'll have that time," Amy responded.
"Hmm.. " Tris thought for a moment. "I'll ask him myself," he concluded.
Amy chuckled and ruffled his hair. "Alright,"
"Will daddy have dinner with us?" He asked curiously.
She smiled. "How about you invite him for dinner?" She asked.
Tris eyes beamed in excitement. "Yippie, hurray!" He exclaimed in joy and Amy laughed.
~~~~
Cole picked up his phone as he went through his messages. He thought of contacting Shantel after his discussion with Liam.
*Flashback*
"Shantel should know about this from you before she finds it out from these hungry bloggers, seeking for whom to defame," Liam had said.
"Shantel openly denied me, Liam,"
"But still, she should know," he insisted.
"The court case was very private. I had ensure there was no media coverage," Cole had responded.
"You never can be too sure of this,"
"I'll tell her in due time," was his response.
'''''
Cole sighed as he dropped the idea of calling Shantel on phone. They had to see before he could tell her anything. Besides, their relationship was over a long time ago.
He was about to drop his phone when a message popped in. It was from Amy.
Tris wants you to come over for dinner tonight. Are you free? The message read.
A smile crept on his lips as he responded immediately. I've got plenty of time for him, he replied.
Just as his message delivered, he got a call from Amy.
"Hey," he said as soon as he picked. It wasn't Amy's voice he heard, but Tris.
"Daddy!" Tris replied happily.
"How's daddy's favorite person in the world doing?" Cole asked smiling from ear to ear.
Tris giggled. "I'm fine, daddy. Will you come have dinner with us? Pretty pleaseeee,"
"You don't have to plead with me, son. I'll wrap up things in the office and come immediately," Cole swivel in his seat.
"Yayyy.. bring dessert,"
"Will chocolate chip ice cream be enough?"
"Perfect," Tris giggled.
"Then, your wish is my command,"
"I love you, dad,"
Cole's heart melted at his words. Those words he never got to say to his father and he never got to hear them from him either. But, history wasn't going to repeat itself. "I love you a lot, Tris Darrel," he responded and after a giggle, the line went dead.
Grey walked into the office. "Alpha?"
Cole raised a brow. "What is it?" He asked.
"Your father wants to see you in the pack house tonight," Grey replied.
Cole leaned in his seat. "That urgent?" He asked with a raised brow.
"Yes, alpha. He seemed quite distraught on the phone. He said he wanted to reach you personally, but it seems like you have blocked all of his calls,"
Cole nodded. "True,"
"So, will you go to see him?" Grey asked.
"No," Cole responded as he stood up and picked up his jacket. "I have plans and he cannot ruin mine with his impromptu one," he responded as he picked up his phone.
"Plans with who?" Grey asked as Cole walked past him.
"With my son," Cole replied, heading towards the door.
"And your father?"
"The old man can burn in hell for all I care," he said without remorse, and with that, he walked out of the office.