My Mother's Husband Is My Sugar daddy

Chapter 9

Giving Love A Chance

The school Luci enrolled Adriana it was just ten minutes away. It was a private school; it wasn't a school for the elites; children from different backgrounds attended the school, and the focus was on the children's well-being.

Slowly, Adriana began to soften, and her laughter returned. She started inviting friends over to play with, and her grades, which were once jagged and inconsistent, became steady. Luci watched her daughter's transformation with cautious joy. She made pasta every Friday night, Adriana's favorite, and made sure they had at least one movie night a week. Adriana's smile during those moments gave her life. It was all Luci needed.

Yet, beneath the smile she wore in the daylight, Luci was unravelling in silence. When Adriana slept, she would sit on the kitchen floor, clutching a framed photograph of Dotan Mechanzi, her late husband. Her thumb rubbed endlessly over his face, his laugh, his strength and the way he used to look at her like she was the most precious thing in the world. She would whisper, "Why did you leave me? How am I supposed to do this alone, Dotan?"

There were nights she didn't sleep, afraid of what might creep into her dreams. Her loneliness was a silent predator, one that stalked her even when Adriana was in the room. She did everything to shield her daughter from the weight of her sorrow, but sometimes, grief left its fingerprints in the air.

The years went by quickly, and Adriana was growing into a beautiful, bright girl; this brought joy to Luci's heart. One evening, while Luci was folding laundry in the living room, Adriana stepped out of her room with her hair tied in a messy bun and her oversized hoodie dragging past her thighs. "Mom," she said, nibbling on a piece of chocolate. "Can I ask you something?"

Luci looked up, folding one of Adriana's sweaters. "Of course, baby. What is it?"

"Why don't you have a boyfriend?"

Luci blinked, half-laughing. "Excuse me?"

"You're beautiful, you're smart, and I'm a grown girl now. You could date someone, you know."

Luci stared at her daughter, she became speechless. "And where is all that coming from?"

Adriana shrugged. "I don't know, I just notice that you hold that picture of Dad a lot. I want you to be happy, Mum; you've been taking care of me by yourself all this while; it's time someone took care of you, too."

The lump in Luci's throat made it hard to speak. "Adriana… I…"

"I'm sixteen mom, I'm not a baby anymore. I'll always need you, but I think maybe you should let someone love you. It doesn't mean forgetting Dad. It just means you're alive."

Tears welled in Luci's eyes, and she reached for her daughter, holding her tightly. That night, as Luci lay in bed, Adriana's words echoed in her head.

Fate answered quicker than expected. A week later, her company announced that they would have a meeting with a potential investor, Francis Monroe, a charismatic tech mogul who had built his empire through sleek innovation and ruthless business acumen. When they said he would be visiting for an in-person meeting, Luci was handpicked to represent the strategy team.

The conference room was filled with executives and nerves. Luci wore a sleek navy dress that hugged her curves modestly, her curls were pinned up in a classic bun her lips were glossed with rose pink, and a silver pendant hung over her collarbone, she came prepared.

Francis walked in tall, with quiet confidence. He wore a tailored grey suit that hinted at old money, he exuded an aura of elegance and beauty.

Throughout the meeting, he asked smart questions and listened attentively, and every time Luci spoke, his eyes didn't stray. She felt a twinge in her stomach whenever he looked at her.

By the time Luci got home, it was already late in the evening. She threw her heels off the moment she shut the door and sank into the couch with a deep exhausted breath. Adriana sat curled up with a novel in the corner of the living room, she looked up briefly, but Luci's mind was elsewhere.

The meeting had gone surprisingly smoothly, but that wasn't what had her distracted.

It was Francis.

The man with kind eyes and a voice so calm it felt like water. The CEO didn't throw his weight around like most men in power did. Luci remembered how he had stood to shake her hand with genuine respect. When their eyes met across the boardroom table, she had felt something she hadn't felt in years.

He listened when she spoke, he didn't cut her off or question her competence. He merely leaned in, nodded, smiled thoughtfully, and when she made a point about streamlining operations, his lips curved slightly.

"You're very intelligent," he had said at the end, and while he was walking her to the elevator he had added, "It was refreshing having you here."

And she had blushed like some teenager, mumbling something awkward about doing her best.

Now she sat curled on the couch, Luci shook her head at herself and chuckled.

"Oh Luci, you couldn't say something cooler than 'I try my best'?" She snapped her forehead.

Adriana looked up. "You talking to yourself again?"

Luci grinned. "Oh baby, how long have you been standing here?"

Adriana rolled her eyes, "Long enough to know that you met someone; tell me, Mum, is he cute?"

Luci was stunned at how much her daughter had grown, but she couldn't hide the blush on her face. So she told her everything about Francis. Adriana was so excited to hear that her mother was interested in someone that she announced that she made dinner, and the two went to eat.

After dinner, the two lay on Luci's bed and chatted, and then, her phone buzzed. She picked it up and froze, it was Francis Monroe.

Luci blinked, she hesitated, then slid her thumb across the screen and put the phone to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Luci," came the voice. It was smooth, collected, and calm. "I hope I'm not calling too late."

She sat up straighter. "No, it's okay, why did you call?"

"I just wanted to thank you again for your input today. It helped. I've been thinking about it since the meeting."

Luci smiled despite herself. "I'm glad to hear that."

"Would you have dinner with me tomorrow?" he asked. "Nothing formal, just a proper thank you. You gave your time and your mind today, and I would like to return the gesture with a good meal and hopefully some pleasant company."

Luci blinked, and her mouth flew open, but no sound came. Adriana looked up from her book, squinting suspiciously.

"Um…" Luci finally said, still caught off guard. "That's thoughtful, but I'll have to think about it."

"I understand," he said warmly. "No pressure, just let me know."

When the call ended, Luci lowered the phone slowly and exhaled.

"Who was that?" Adriana asked, already grinning as she tossed her book aside.

"No one."

Adriana arched a brow. "No one has a voice that smooth, Mum. That was someone."

Luci rolled her eyes, trying to maintain some composure, but the blush creeping up her neck gave her away.

Adriana gasped. "Oh my God. Was it the fine CEO you told me about? The one that smells like a fresh suit and manners?"

"Adriana!"

"I'm just saying, if it's him, then you should go! Don't even overthink it."

Luci tried to appear stern. "I'm not going anywhere. You're still growing up, and I'm not ready to bring someone else into our lives. I don't want..."

She paused, her voice softer now. "I don't want anyone mistreating you. You're all I have, and I promised your father I would protect you."

Adriana stood up and walked over. "Mum," she said gently, sitting by her side. "I'm sixteen, I can take care of myself. I'm not saying go marry him tomorrow. I'm saying go to dinner, talk with him, have a good laugh. You've been strong for me all these years, but I see you, Mum. I see you cry most times."

Luci's eyes widened.

"Baby, you..?"

Adriana nodded. "Yeah. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to make it worse. But I see you Mum, and I love you. I want you to be happy too."

Luci looked away, swallowing the lump in her throat.

"I just... I don't know what to say."

Adriana smiled and leaned her head on Luci's lap. "You've been everything for me, let me support you now, okay?"

Luci ran her fingers through her daughter's hair and stayed silent for a long moment.

Then, she exhaled and picked up her phone again.

"Okay," she said.

Adriana sat up. "You're going?!"

"Yes, I'll go."

Adriana whooped and jumped off the couch, doing a little dance. "Yes! Go get 'em, Mum!"

Luci laughed, holding her chest. "You're such a drama queen."

"You're welcome."

As Adriana danced into the kitchen for snacks, Luci leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

Maybe it was time.