The Prince from my dreams

Chapter 4 – Old habits die hard

Elliot’s POV

Surrounded by the enthusiastic researchers, I lost my appetite when I could not find the one person I wanted to see. I excused myself and moved out of the restaurant, beckoning James to follow.

I glared at him, losing patience. “Why did you invite all the researchers for lunch? Can't you understand simple orders? Is there a problem with your ears or brain?”

James: “Hey! Don’t blame me. I did it for you.”

“I had enough of your nonsense. If you continue pissing me off, I swear. Friend or not, I will fire you.” I said gritting my teeth.

“Did you forget how you made her angry in the morning? I thought she would reject your invitation for lunch. I didn’t want you to lose face. So I invited the entire team. This way, she will not think you are targeting her and will be at ease to come.” he explained.

Though his logic seemed right, it still didn’t work the way we expected. She ignored my invitation nevertheless. As my eyes wandered searching for her in the restaurant, I heard James, “She is not here. I asked one of the researchers. She said, Ms. Abbot is at the lab.”

I remained cold, not acknowledging his words. While I pulled out a cigarette, James chimed excitedly, “You can go to the lab to find her. You two can still spend some time alone.” Winking at me. Without looking at him, I threw the unlit cigarette and went to the lab to find her.

At the lab, my smile froze. Ria was being embraced by someone. But it took me a second to figure that she was being taken advantage of against her will. My blood boiled and before I knew, I went up to him and kicked him hard in his sides.

I turned around and signalled the approaching James to take him away. I kicked him one last time before he was dragged away.

The look on Ria’s face said she was scared. She looked scared like a lost kitten. I composed my expression to a more tender one. Caressing the back of her head, I enquired, “Are you okay?”. Her eyes were glossy due to the brimming tears. But she smiled assuringly and nodded.

“Thanks for your help today.” She said gratefully.

“Lets eat something first.” I suggested, wanting to take her away from the place for a while. If James had been present he would have whistled at my perfect timing.

“Sorry. You go ahead. I have things to wrap up.” She said, looking at the apparatus. “What a waste of time! I have to start from the beginning.” She sighed while she reset the apparatus.

“Hmm. Do you have a lot of pressure at work here?” I asked, concerned.

“No. I set my own deadlines here. I am the boss.” She declared, inspecting the simulation and taking down notes.

“Shall we go out for dinner later tonight?” I asked. “After your office hours?” I never felt so nervous my entire life. This was the first time I had asked a woman out. I knew no woman would reject me. But the woman in front of me was different. So I crossed my fingers behind my back while I plastered a smile on my face.

She looked away from her notepad to look at me. Before she could reply, “Momma.” I heard a cute childish voice from behind. The owner of the voice was a small boy no older than three years. He had a round chubby face. He was wearing a white T-shirt with blue suspenders. He looked rather cute if I ignore the fact that he called my love his mom.

I hid the shock from my face and looked at Ria. Before she acknowledged the boy, he pointed his chubby little pink finger at me and asked, “Is he my dad?”

This was way too much of a shock for me to handle. I looked at both of them in disbelief. Not only is this woman a mother of a toddler. But also he doesn’t seem to know his dad. I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I was internally fuming. A sudden pain stabbed my chest as if being squeezed out of breath. Before I ended up doing something stupid, I left the lab in long strides.

Ria’s POV

For once in my life I am glad that someone came to my rescue. And that someone was none other than the one I had a brief crush on. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Elliot stand tall kicking the sh*t out of Jack Mason. Gosh! He looked scary. I am more scared of Elliot than Jason. But coming to think of it, he was my knight in shining armour at the moment. So I raised my head to take in his majestic figure ruthlessly punishing the pervert. But I definitely got carried away with my thoughts. Gently chiding myself, I shifted my focus on my experiment, when out of the blue Elliot asked me out for dinner.

It was like a dream come true. But no matter what, dreams are dreams. My happy bubble was popped by none other than this cute little intruder. “Momma” he came to me with an obvious sprint in his gait.

Before I could accept his invitation, Elliot was pissed off. Seemingly because of this boy? Not long after this, I saw him retreat, apparently fuming not bothering to clarify things. There, he goes again! Always ready to jump to his own conclusions. A highly prejudiced man. “Old habits die hard.” I sighed inwardly looking at his retreating back.

I picked up the boy and carrying him in my arms I cajoled him. “Alpha! Be a good boy. Next time don’t interrupt when two people are talking.”

“Okay.” He smiled understandingly.

I kissed his head and checked that he was completely charged. I had to run few tests on him before the final evaluation.

Elliot’s POV

My thoughts were running wild. Who was the father of that child? Since the child did not know his father, they might have separated. But I was dying to know who fathered him. I asked myself, if I was ready to accept another’s child as mine if I married her? Yes. Definitely yes. But my family wouldn’t approve of it. I wondered what hardships she had to endure during these five years.

“Investigate the last five years of Ria Abbot. I want it by tomorrow.” I told James. From the look on his face he wanted to protest but he gave in to my sullen mood.

In the evening, while I left Hamilton’s AI and Robotics Research centre I saw Ria get into the car of a handsome man. He seemed to be from a good background. He also took the trouble to open the door for her. It made me jealous. I felt hard to breathe when I saw her get into the passenger seat.

“That’s Victor Hamilton. Cory Hamilton’s son.” James said.

That is when I remembered something, “Also investigate what power Ria holds on the company. From what she said in the morning, she is more than a researcher.” James nodded.