BACK WITH THE BILLIONAIRE’S ONLY SON

CHAPTER SIX: A DNA TEST

Dante’s POV

I and Eduardo were in my office, discussing the latest updates on my mayoral campaign. Yet, as our discussion shifted, he brought up a topic that never ceased to bore me – marriage.

"Dante," Eduardo continued disturbing, "I've been thinking about your image as a potential mayor. Marriage could really help your public image. It shows commitment, stability..."

I rolled my eyes at his statement. There was nothing Eduardo couldn’t tell me, man had been around me since I was a little boy. He was almost like a father to me and I couldn’t let go of him. "Eduardo, we've had this conversation so many times before. You know it's not that simple."

He nodded but didn’t plan to stop. "I understand your reservations, Mr. Mortelli, especially considering your situation."

I leaned back in my chair, crossing my arms. "And what situation is that, Eduardo?"

He cleared his throat, choosing his words carefully. "Your accident, sir. The one from three years ago. The one that left you with... difficulties."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Yes, Eduardo, that accident. You already know that I can’t have a child. I see no reason why I should put any woman through the heartache of wanting children with a man who can't give them." I tried to hide the pain in my voice but it was evident that I was still struggling with accepting my situation. I could see pity and understanding in Eduardo’s eyes. the very thing I hated seeing, Pity.

Eduardo pressed on feeling sad for me "But what if... What if the child in question is already out there, and you didn't even know?" I could feel the hope in his voice rising as he talked.

“What do you mean?” I asked, my eyebrows raised in curiosity.

He leaned in till he was just few inches from my face and lowered his voice, "Lorenzo, sir. The boy you met at the school. He looks just like you."

My curiosity piqued. I knew the boy looked like me a lot and I’d hoped he could be my son. I’d prayed he could be my son so now that Eduardo was suggesting it I knew, I just knew that I had to find out if Eva’s son was mine. “Okay, okay, I know the boy looks exactly like me so what exactly are we going to do? You know Eva hates me and I can’t stand her either.”

Eduardo wore a sly smile. "A DNA test, Mr. Mortelli. That’s what we are going to do. Before you speak to Eva, we are going to find out if or not you are indeed Lorenzo's father, it could change everything because you’ll have evidence now.”

I considered his words. The possibility of having a child, one that I hadn't known existed, ignited sparks of hope within me. "Alright, Eduardo. So how do we do it without Eva finding out?”

Eduardo smiled slyly, I knew he loved doing crazy things like this. But the joy on his face was so irreplaceable you’d think he was a spy working for a secret agency. “It’s simple Dante, all we have to do is go to his school and get his

sample. I asked the doctor and he said anything like his hair or finger nails can he used.”

“You asked the doctor?” I said surprised. “Were you planning this before now?”

“Well….., I planned it, once I set eyes on that boy I knew he was yours and so we have to prove it,” he said smiling. “What do you say, are you going to do it?”

I looked at Eduardo for a minute, this old man despite being 53 was still as crazy as many young men. But I knew he was doing the best for me, I had no option, I needed to know if the boy was really mine or not. “Yes, I’m going to do it.”

“Good then,” Eduardo smiled, “here’s the sample container,” he handed over a small bottle to me. “All you have to do is: go to the school, find the boy, be all chummy with him and get a hair strand and put it in this tiny bottle.”

“Understood Eduardo.” I smiled and closed my eyes, hoping that the boy was mine.

#########

Today was the D-Day. The day I'd start the process to find out if Lorenzo was really my son. Eduardo's conversation yesterday had left me unable to focus on anything else. I couldn't help but desperately pray all night, turning in my bed, wishing for the boy to be mine. It was all I wanted.

After losing my family at a young age, I'd held onto the dream of having one of my own - a large house filled with kids and a loving wife. But that dream had been shattered three years ago after my accident. The doctor's words had hit me like a sledgehammer - I couldn't have children. It was a cruel twist of fate, a bitter reality I couldn't escape.

The only thing that could resurrect that dream, even in the slightest, was Lorenzo. But as I approached the school, I hadn't yet wrapped my head around the consequences of what I'd do if the boy was indeed my son. The tangled web of emotions between me and Eva was as complex as ever. I still couldn't stand her, and I was so certain the feeling was mutual.

The drive ended and I got down from my sleek car and stepped into the school, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. Despite the importance of the Mission, I couldn't help but stride majestically from the car. The familiar faces of the school staff recognized me and hurried over to greet me. I smiled and waved, acknowledging their greetings.

As I walked through the hallways of the school, the corridors buzzed with the energy of high school students. Their laughter echoed, and colorful artwork adorned the walls. I kept walking but I had no idea how I'd figure out which classroom little Lorenzo was in. The place was a labyrinth of students, laughter, and colorful artwork.

A friendly-looking teacher caught my eye as I walked down the hall. I stopped and inquired, "Excuse me, could you direct me to the classrooms for little kids….” I paused, trying to guess his age. “Say…about six years old?"

She nodded warmly. "Of course, Mr. Mortelli, it’ll be a pleasure.” She said and flashed me a smile. “Just follow this corridor, and you'll find the classrooms on the left."

With a nod of gratitude, I followed her directions, arriving at a row of about five classrooms. I'd have to peek into each one to spot the boy who might be my son.

I approached the first classroom quietly, peering inside through the window on the door. A group of children was engaged in various activities, but none of them matched Lorenzo. I moved to the second classroom, where another group of kids were occupied. Still, no sign of him.

As I approached the third classroom, anticipation built within me. I gingerly pushed the door open a little and peeked inside. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted a little boy with familiar features, the same dark hair and bright eyes that had captured my attention before.

He sat at a small desk, immersed in drawing with the crayons in his hand. It was him, Lorenzo. My son. Now, all I had to do was prove it.

I decided to wait outside until Lorenzo's break time. As I sat on the waiting chair I hoped that collecting his hair sample wouldn't be too hard.

As the kids spilled out during the break, Lorenzo called after a girl running past, "Laura, Laura!" His voice echoed across the schoolyard, and it was all I needed to hear to recognize him.

I stood up and approached Lorenzo, who stood looking a bit dejected. "Hey," I called out gently as I reached his side.

His face lit up with recognition, revealing his adorable Missing tooth. "Yay, it's you! The stwanger!"

"Yes, it's me," I said with a smile, bending down to his eye level.

"Mama says not to talk to stwangers," Lorenzo stated, crossing his arms and sporting a frown. "What do you say?"

I couldn't help but smile at his cautiousness. "Your mama's right to tell you that. She’s trying to protect you. But I think we could keep our talk a secret. What do you say?"

Lorenzo giggled. "Well, Mama's not always right. She says to be nice to people but... but she swapped you." He reached out to touch my cheeks, his innocent eyes filled with pity.

"It’s okay,” I said smiling and touched his hand which was on my cheek. “So what do you say about the secret?”

“Okay” Lorenzo said giddily.

“Good then, this will be our secret," I assured him, pulling out a gift bag I had placed on a nearby chair. "So, I brought you some toys."

"Yay!!!" Lorenzo exclaimed, recognizing one of the toys he had shown me at the mall when we first met.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes, I love it," Lorenzo said, coming closer to me and hugging me tightly. "Thanks."

As Lorenzo hugged me, my hands went into his hair and I rumpled it, trying to pat him playfully.

Lorenzo withdrew from me immediately, his face etched with a frown. "Mama took time to do it. Don't spoil it!"

"Oh, sorry. I can fix it for you," I offered, trying to make amends.

"No, there's nothing to wuse," Lorenzo insisted.

I quickly retrieved my comb from my breast pocket. "Here, let me fix it for you."

Lorenzo moved closer, allowing me to work my comb through his hair. As I combed, I carefully plucked a few strands from the front edges. I kept combing, hoping that I had taken enough for the DNA test.

"There you go, your hair is perfect," I said, offering him a smile.

Lorenzo smiled back, his hand affectionately patting his sleeked-back hair. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," I replied, I wanted to tell him I’d do anything for him but I knew that this wasn’t the right time yet. So I said something simpler, "if you want a toy, I'll get you a toy. If you want a game, I'll get you one."

Lorenzo chuckled and hugged me yet again. "Okay."

I fully embraced him, cherishing the moments I could spend with him without his mom interrupting us. Just then, the bell rang, signaling the end of the break. Lorenzo withdrew from me with a smile.

“Bywe strwanger” he said, his smile warming my heart.

“Bye.” I said, smiling wholeheartedly. Being around the little kid brought me great joy.

As I watched him walk away, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. I had my precious sample, but the road ahead was filled with uncertainty. What if Lorenzo was indeed my son? What would that mean for my life and for Eva?