My Ex-wife is now a Billionaire Heiress

Chapter 2#

Andrea•

My Aunt, Leslie Queen, was the first to welcome me as I made my way into the Queen's mansion. Ever since Dad was taken away for treatment, I hadn't been around much. I've been too busy working and ensuring the success of Queen Group. Before he left, he had put me in charge as the head of the billion dollar conglomerate. I didn't even think I was worthy and fit to carry out such a huge responsibility seeing as I was just the daughter he lost.

Dad and I were so close and even though we only bonded for a short period of time, It was as if I had known him all my life. It was a pity my mother never got the chance to spend so much time with him before her death. And everyday I pray, that dad's heart condition gets better so we can spend so much time together before it becomes too late.

*

"Oh my darling! Look how beautiful you look!" Aunt Leslie exclaimed, excitement laced in her tone as she pulled me into her arms. "I'm so happy you're back, honey. Tell me, how was your stay in France?" She asked me as we both headed inside.

I rolled my eyes. "Ugh, tiring. Though, it was fun. Honestly, I didn't even think I would be able to do it. I didn't think I'd be able to make the expansion a success. Honestly, it still feels like a dream, Aunt."

She smiled as we arrived in the living room. "It's you, Andrea. You, a talented, driven, intelligent and selfless young woman. To be sincere with you, it's no surprised that you were handpicked by Robert himself. He truly saw your potential and I'm sure he'd be so proud of you. Of what you've become and for what you've achieved. Queen Group is so lucky to have you as its head, Andrea."

I managed a small smile. "I only hope I don't let the company down. I only hope that's it all round success for us all. And by the way, where is he?"

"Over here, mama!"

Elyan jumped into the living room in excitement. His face, hands and hair were covered in flour and he looked so excited to see me as he drove himself into my arms. My son. I only found out that I was pregnant with him three weeks after leaving Riccardo. To be honest, I was so shocked, I didn't even expect it all. A baby? In that condition I was in? Heaven knows if it wasn't for my father Robert Queen who found me, I certainly wouldn't have survived with Elyan. Not after what I went through after my breakup with Riccardo. At first, I didn't want to accept him but after seeing him, how innocent and tender he was on the day of his birth, I knew that there was no one I'd rather be with than with my son.

"Welcome back, mama. I missed you so much."

I wrapped my arms around him protectively. "I missed you too, my sunshine."

We stayed like that for a moment before I pulled away to observe him properly. "And what's this? Why are you covered in so much flour?" I asked him with a smile.

"Well, I was only trying to bake you a welcome back cake, mama. You know the one you had last time was a total disaster so I was only trying to see if I would be able to make a proper one this time around. And although I had a little help from nanny Kate, I'm still not sure of the taste." He said, lowering his head as he fidgeted with his wrist.

My gaze followed that familiar action but I brushed it off and looked down at him with a smile. "Well, I'm sure it'll taste good seeing as you've put so much effort."

"How come you're so sure of that when you've not even tasted it?" He asked me and I smiled again.

"It's because you made it with so much love, honey. And do you know what they say about meals made with so much love?"

He shook his head.

"They taste the best. Not because of the various ingredients or the person who made it, but because it was made out of love. Love is the greatest ingredient of all. Now, how about you give mama some time to freshen up so she can come taste the delicious cake you made?"

He nodded as a cheerful smile appeared on his face. "Okay mama! But..don't be long, okay?"

I nodded. "I promise."

He smiled then dashed off. I stood, staring with a smile when my aunt cleared her throat beside me.

"He loves you so much, Andrea. Look how excited he is after baking you a cake. He spent hours in the kitchen, you know. Even when I told him to go take a rest and that I'll help him finish up, he refused, insisting he wanted to bake you the cake himself."

The smile on my face suddenly died down as I plopped down on a couch. "I don't know, Aunt, he just...he just reminds me so much of him. Every single time I look at Elyan, all I see is him. He's a splitting image of him and I can't help but think, why didn't Elyan look different? Why did he have to look so much like the man whose thoughts tormented me for so long? A man who caused me an unbearable pain, a wound in my heart that took so long to recover?"

My Aunt placed a hand on my arm. "It's not Elyan's fault he looks so much like his father. And I know it isn't easy for you looking at Elyan and all you see is Riccardo."

I snapped my head to look at her. "I almost died when I found out that I was pregnant with Riccardo's baby. It wasn't easy for me to take in at all. Worse, I almost lost Elyan. And as for Riccardo, he--he just...he just dumped me like I was some sort of trash, used his brother as an excuse all because he wanted to be with another woman. He should have told me he was tired and fed up with our marriage rather than faking up all that story of me having an affair with his brother. He made me feel so much pain for something I didn't even do meanwhile he was the true hypocrite. I know I've made a promise to move on and not think about him ever again, but I can't help it. Every time I think I've gotten over it and that it doesn't hurt me anymore, all it takes is one glance. One glance at my own son and the pain comes rushing back. Am I doomed to suffer like this forever?"

She looked at me then lowered her head. "Andrea--"

"I may not be sure of the extent of my hatred for Riccardo now because of what he did to me but I am sure of one thing. Riccardo will never find out about my son. Ever." I got up from the couch and smiled. "Well, what's most important is that I am back. I survived and I am back. With a zeal of vengeance. They all should better get ready for me. This is just the beginning."

***

"Time to taste the cake!" I announced the moment I walked into kitchen and saw Elyan seated on a stool, waiting for me with a fork to taste his cake.

He passed me the fork and looked at me as I drove the fork into a portion of the cake and led the fork to my mouth.

He was looking at me so innocently and expectantly.

"Hmm..." It actually tasted good. Better than the one he made last time. "I'll give this one a seven over ten."

His face lit up in excitement as he got up from the stool and leaped around the kitchen excitedly. "Yes! A seven! That's massive, mama!"

I looked at him and I couldn't help but smile a little. Seeing him happy like this warmed up something inside of me and it made me really happy as well. Even though every inch of him reminded me of Riccardo, I can't help but feel like I would have been nothing without him. I would have been empty without Elyan and I probably wouldn't have a reason to live. Riccardo may have caused me so much pain but he also gave me the greatest treasure in the world. My son. My Elyan. The bane of my very existence.

"I love you much, mama." He said and wrapped his arms around me. "And although you try to hide how sad you are sometimes but I promise you, mama, I'll be a very good boy. I'll grow up and I'll make you really proud, mama. I promise, you'll never have to shed tears, ever again. I'll take all your pain away. You'll never have to be sad again."

A tear slipped down my eye and before I could brush it off, he reached out to me and wiped it away. "I love you, mama."

I looked at him for a moment then smiled. "I love you too, my son."

***

"Good morning, madam president." My secretary greeted me the moment I entered my office.

"Morning Lisa. What is my schedule for this morning?" I asked her as I handed her my robe and took a seat.

She opened the file she was holding and flipped through it for a moment. I leaned back on my chair and rolled my eyes. "Hurry up, Lisa. You know I don't have all day. I still have to meet up with my investors by ten."

"Yes madam president. Uh, madam president?"

I rolled my eyes and grit out. "Yes?"

"Before your father um...stepped down, he scheduled a meeting with the chairman of Emporium. The mega Corporation owned by the Del Valle Family."

I stilled, wincing at the familiar name. "Del Valle?"

"Yes ma'am. Del Valle is a major shareholder in Queen Group."

No. It can't be. A lot of people bear the name Del Valle so it doesn't mean it's him right? It can't be him. It couldn't be. "Why wasn't I informed of this before?"

"Um, you just got back and---"

"Who?"

"Excuse me, ma'am?"

"Who is the person I'm having the meeting with?"

"Uh.. the chairman of the corporation, Mr. Riccardo Del Valle."