The billionaire's lost game

Chapter 3. Awkward moment

Marie turned back, and there stood Verena smiling mockingly with arched eyebrows.

Marie gave her a faint but simple smile, “Longest time, Verena.” She said calmly, trying to remain calm and composed.

Verena came close and gave her a quick hug. Marie didn't see that coming, and she didn't bother reciprocating, but before releasing her, Verena whispered, “I see what you’ve got here. Hold ur boy tight and don't cause problems.” She quickly released her from the hug while giving her a dangerous smirk. She left without looking back, heading towards Vincent's direction.

For a moment, Marie's chest tightened. She thought that maybe somehow, Verena knew about her baby. But, she waved the thought and turned to just meet her mom, but couldn't find Morris. She quickly removed her glasses, “Mom, where is Morris,” she asked while scanning the whole place to know if she would see him.

“Oh! Mr. Vincent took him, "I haven't introduced you to anyone yet. Vincent is Mr. Alessio’s only son.” Marie’s mom said sweetly, “I told my grandson that everyone here is family, that's why he allowed him, by the way, you didn't tell me you were having a baby,” but before she could finish, Marie was already out of her sight.

Marie's heart skipped a bit at the name Mr. Vincent. She never wants Morris to get involved with him, not now, not even later. She walked as fast as her legs could carry her towards their direction.

Verena was standing very close to Vincent, staring at Morris as if checking him out. While Vincent played with the little boy like they had known for ages. “My grandma said, you are family, are you grandma's son?” Morris asked Vincent while relaxing in his arms.

Vincent smiled, “Yes, I am ur uncle but not grandma's son,” Vincent replied softly with a smile, looking directly into the little eyes. “I am uncle Vincent,” he said calmly, and Morris just nodded, seeing her mom walk towards them.

Marie, seeing her son relaxing comfortably in Vincent's arms, became a bit surprised but not shaken. She immediately reached out to them and took Morris from Vincent's hands. Without any formal greetings with Vincent, she turned to leave.

“No greetings, ma'am,” Vincent said sharply before she could move, not knowing exactly how to arrange his words.

“Not like you needed it, anyway,” Marie replied with a tense but stern voice.

Verena, not wanting any further greetings, said quickly, “A cute son, you've got here.” But Marie did not reply. Morris just smiled while staring at her mom's face.

Vincent was short of words, he expected Marie to at least greet him or even say hi, after all these years. He had a lot of questions for her, but he couldn't bring himself so low or probably create a scene.

Just then, Marie’s mom came down to them. “Oh, Mr Vincent, sorry for not introducing her earlier.” She said happily without reading the room,“ This is Marie, my daughter and her son, Marie, this is Vincent, Alessio's son.”

Marie just nodded, while Vincent stared at her and said, “Yes, we knew briefly, didn't know she was the daughter you were talking about.”

“Did he just say briefly, that was what he called their years of endless night calls, sweet messages, memories and marriage promise,” she thought to herself. She immediately took her son out while her mom followed her behind.

A cold, heavy feeling settled in Vincent's chest. Anger surged through him. And for the first time, he felt neglected by a woman. “How can she ignore him, like he never existed after not seeing him for years, and that Morris child, something doesn't seem right,” he thought to himself.

Marie let out a steadying breath as she stepped out of their gathering with her son. “Who asked you to leave grandma's side? Don't try that again,” she said to Morris with a stern look.

“Grandma said everyone was family. He said he is Uncle Vincent," I am sorry mom,” Morris replied with a pleading look. “Mommy smile, are you angry because of Uncle Vincent?” he asked after he observed that his mom's look was that of anger.

Marie did not reply to him, she just looked at him and looked away. “Only if you know who he was,” she thought to herself without saying it aloud.

Marie's mom took her to greet Alessio, Vincent's father, who was seated at a well-decorated VIP stand. He was speaking with some dignitaries when they arrived.

Mrs Lawrence quickly signaled him to come. Meanwhile, he excused himself and headed towards them. “This is my daughter, Marie and her son Morris,” she introduced with a smile.

Mr. Alessio happily took Morris to himself, while he gave Marie a side hug. “Oh, dear, it must have been a very long journey for you,” he said gently. “Good to see you, Marie, honey, you didn't tell me you already had a grandson?” He asked, looking directly at Marie's mom.

The question took Marie's mom off balance. She gave a quick but confused smile.

Marie read the room and said almost immediately, “Thank you so much for having us sir, our journey was safe,” and she turned to Morris saying,“ This is ur Grandpa.” She regretted introducing them like that, but she had to do it to save her mother's face.

Morris jumped on Alessio, who happily took him into his arms. “Grandpa, you look exactly like uncle Vincent, is he ur brother,” Mr. Alessio smiled broadly, finding him funny.

“No, son, I'm Uncle Vincent's father, you have such large eyes,” he laughed and Morris joined him.

Marie, seeing their vibes, was a bit relieved. Alessio seems a bit lively, unlike his son, but she still has her eyes on them all. No one is trustable at the moment. It was just a few minutes more to the beginning of the engagement party. Her mom took the opportunity to call her in for discussion.

Marie already knew what the discussion was all about, but she couldn't dismiss it, she had to come up with something.

“Who is ur baby daddy?, because I know you are not married,” her mom threw the question.