C20 The Confrontation

The following morning, Bailey tried her best to act normal. She avoided everything that would arouse Dylan's suspicions again and concentrated on making breakfast with Natalie.

"Not going to the office today I guess?!". Natalie asked, seeing that Bailey wasn't making any moves about going to work that day.

"Yes, I won't..... ". Bailey almost gave herself away and had to retract her words immediately. "I'll be going out today actually, but not to the office". She said.

Avoiding the housekeeper's eyes, Bailey concentrated on the sandwich-making she was learning from Natalie.

"Mmh, I can imagine that". Natalie responded and cast a glance at Bailey before continuing with the meal.

Carlos strolled into the kitchen, fully dressed for work. Ignoring the women, he walked to the coffee machine and fixed himself a cup of coffee.

Taking a few sandwiches, Dylan walked out of the kitchen the way he walked in.

Again, Natalie stole a glance at Bailey as if she planned on reading any meaning through her countenance.

Soon afterward, the sound of Dylan's car is heard as he drives out of the compound, to work.

After eating, and cleaning up with Natalie, Bailey got ready to go out as planned, to meet with Liam.

Bailey arrived, and Liam was already seated by the window, at the safe venue they had agreed to meet.

Her private investigator, Dimitri Volkov, and Ava are sitting in the car outside, keeping a close eye in case Liam decides to act out of proportion.

Bailey approached Liam, looking so displeased to have to meet with the backstabber again.

"What else do you want from me? Didn't we settle everything five years ago?!".

Liam looked up at her and quickly scanned her up and down, his gaze resting on her pretty face.

"You still look beautiful Bailey, it doesn't look like it's five years already". Liam commended, smirking sheepishly.

Bailey didn't come for his complimentary remarks, and so felt irritated by what he said.

"What do you want from me?!". Bailey asked again instead. Looking at Liam with so much discontentment.

Liam frowned. This was probably the first time in his life, that he had been looked at with such disdain.

Not wanting to waste any time arguing with her, Liam stated his decision.

"I want full right over Carla". He blotted out without a second thought.

"What?!".

Bailey was taken aback by Liam's outburst and what he said.

How dare he creep out after all these years to tell her that?

"You heard me pretty. I need to start playing my rightful role in my daughter's life". Liam annoyed Bailey further, and she couldn't just bear it.

"She is not your daughter..... ". Bailey almost screamed out.

She was already feeling so bad.

It seemed like fate was playing a cruel joke on her. Otherwise, why would Liam resurface after five years to torment her?

Her words amused Liam, and he laughed so hard.

"Listen, Liam, you abandoned me, and stayed away for five years without any communication. You cannot walk out from nowhere now to claim the right of custody over my daughter". Bailey vented all her anger and frustration out with those words.

"You don't have any choice darling. Carla is my daughter, and I have come for her". Liam's evil smile is what annoyed Bailey the most.

And his attitude.

It became clear that she had no choice but to sue the bastard.

Ava was right after all. She would have to sue Liam in court.

And to achieve this, she would need proof to drive the fact that Carla is not Liam's daughter home.

The proof?

A DNA test?

Proof of timing?

Or that of other sexual partners she may have had five years ago, during the time she had sex with Liam.

Another sexual partner?

Carlos!

The only other sexual partner she had around the time of Carla's conception was Carlos.

Even though providing this proof would show that Liam is not the only potential father to her daughter, Bailey feared what revealing this information to Carlos would cost her.

And that made her shiver.

Filled with anger, and frustration, Bailey picked up her bag and walked away out on Liam.

It is now essential for her to consult a legal professional for guidance on how to go about this.

"I'll be around baby, waiting!". Liam called out annoyingly after her. And his laughter trailed Bailey behind, making a few eyes at the local restaurant turn in her direction.

Outside the restaurant, Ava was waiting for her.

Bailey walked up to the car, opened the passenger seat, and entered the car angrily.

"Drive!".

That was the only word she said.

Looking at her face, Ava knew immediately that she didn't have to argue with Bailey but to just obey.

They arrived at Ava's office, and she fixed a hot chocolate for both of them.

Handing Bailey a cup of hot chocolate, Ava said.

"The best mood elevator. Drink up girl, it'll make you relax".

Bailey took the cup from her friend, muttered thanks, and sipped from the cup quietly.

She looked lost in thought.

Sitting opposite her friend, sipping her chocolate, Ava observed her best friend's countenance.

When Bailey finally dropped the empty cup on the table before her, Ava spoke up.

"Can you tell me how the meeting went now?!".

*************

At the office, Carlos fought with his mood to stay focused.

Miguel had come to see Carlos as usual and met his friend in the middle of a mini-meeting with his secretary. Discussing an important procedure for a special design planned for future release by the company.

And unlike Carlos, his mind was far away this time.

"...and then, we can use this software to stimulate the design, and test its functionality. Although this is just a procedure, I may not ascertain how effective it would be if not put into test... ".

Miguel watched Carlos stare into space, while his secretary spoke, and knew immediately that something was wrong.

"Hey, man! Is everything okay?!... ".

His voice suddenly interrupted the secretary, as she stopped and stared at Miguel. And back at Carlos who was brought back to reality.

"Dude, I can hear you..... ".

"No you weren't listening, you were carried away. What were you thinking?".

Carlos felt like Miguel was up again to tease him, and he rolled his eyes at him and turned back to his secretary.

"You can go on, I'm listening".

The secretary smiled and continued.

"Okay, sir. So as I was saying, once we've simulated the design, we can move on to the prototyping phase... This is where we create a physical model of the design to test its functionality and make any necessary adjustments. And then once we are satisfied with the prototype, we can now move on to the production phase.... ".

"Production, yes!". Carlos suddenly became focused. That is where we need to make sure we are using the most cost-effective materials and processes. Right?!".

Carlos's sudden focus didn't fool Miguel, and he knew it. But he determined to play on, notwithstanding.

"Exactly sir! We've already sourced the materials, and optimized the production process to meet our budget and timing". The secretary was beaming with excitement, too occupied with the discovery that she didn't notice her boss's absentmindedness.

"Great work! You are really on top of this!". Carlos stole a glance at Miguel, to see how his cooperation was telling on him while he praised the secretary.

"Thank you sir. I'm just trying to make sure everything runs smoothly...".

Miguel watched on and decided to wait till their little drama was over, then he would confront his friend.

Finally, the secretary folded her file, and leaving the office politely, Miguel turned to face Carlos.

"Now spill it; what's eating you up?!".

Carlos looked at his friend, seeing his seriousness, he knew he could no longer keep his fears away from him.