Chapter 24- We need to talk
“This is where your mother used to work. She used to sit at that desk And then she would come to my office to give me reports or bring me lunch. Your mother is very hardworking”
Aaron explained to the kids while showing them around the assistant’s office at his company. It was already past working hours so the company was quiet and empty save for the security guards
After having pizza and ice cream, Aaron gave the kids a tour of the City. He showed them the amusement park that is run by the Wentworth group and said, “This is where your Mommy and I will be bringing you to have fun.”
The kids wanted to go in because the lights from the Ferris wheel were attractive but it was dark and not a good idea for children to play when night had fallen. Aaron promised to bring them during the day.
“Can we also go on the rollercoaster ride, Daddy?” Reagan had asked. Aaron ruffled his hair and agreed instantly, “We shall go on each and every ride that you want.”
He then took them to the hotel, the cosmetics branch and finished with the headquarters. Aaron wanted to show the kids where it all started. His love story with Tessa started at the Company and it was a special memory for him, despite how it ended.
Reagan looked up at Tessa and asked, “Mommy, you used to work at Daddy’s Company?”
Tessa was looking around her former workplace, feeling a sense of nostalgia. She recalled how at some point, she loved her job very much and did her very best to help with the company’s progress.
Hearing her son’s question, she glanced at him and nodded, replying, “Yes, baby. This is where I used to work until I left and decided to start my own company.”
“So now you’re a boss like Daddy? But your office is small. It’s not big like Daddy’s,” Reagan remarked and then he looked at his father. “Daddy, you should build Mommy a big company like this one.”
Tessa’s heart jumped at Reagan’s words and she ended up scolding her son, “Reagan, who taught you how to make such outrageous demands? Mommy’s office is just fine.”
Aaron glanced at his son and then at Tessa. He thought about how his son was right. Tessa had started her own company and it needed the right investment for it to grow and get listed.
He didn’t take long to make a decision. Tessa was the woman he loved and he had promised to give her the world. While looking at her, he declared, “Consider it done.”
Tessa frantically waved her hand in the air, refusing, “No, please. I don’t need something big like. this. Don’t listen to Reagan. He’s just a child”
“But he’s right. The mother of my children deserves the best.”
However, Tessa wasn’t comfortable. She seriously looked at Aaron and stated, “Please promise me you won’t try to build a company for me. I would like to grow and build it myself.”
Aaron noticed how this was important to her so he nodded. “Ok, I’ll step aside for this only. But I’ll take care of everything else. The kids’ school, the house and all the bills. Let me take care of you”
Tessa smiled but she didn’t reply. They continued to have a tour of the Wentworth group until Willa dozed off in Aaron’s arms and they decided to call it a night
Reagan and Nia were excited and wanted to explore more but Tessa put her foot down. “You need to rest. Kids shouldn’t stay up late,” she said and they obediently followed her to the car.
They were using Aaron’s cat since Enock had driven Tessa’s car back to her apartment. When they were almost home, Aaron gave Tessa a sideways glance before asking “I told my father about the kids and he wants to meet them tomorrow Is that ok with you?”
Tessa gazed at him, appreciating that he was asking if she was ok with him taking the kids to his family She nodded, “Yes, sure. They have to know their grandparents”
“Um… it’s only my Dad. My Mom is late. She passed on when I was in high school.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Tessa felt guilty for reminding him about his mother’s loss. She cleared her throat and added, “I didn’t know.”
“It’s ok. There’s no way you would have known because I had not told you about it and it’s not something that we tell the whole world. If you’ve noticed, I only talk about business during interviews Would you… like to come with us and meet my Dad?” Aaron asked.
Tessa’s eyebrows creased. Back then, she wanted Aaron to introduce her to his family or show her where he came from but he didn’t. He hadn’t directly refused to but he didn’t bring it up either. Having him ask her if she would like to meet his family was new to her.
She was still trying to wrap her head around how things were different this time. Aaron was pursuing her passionately. He was the one doing the most. Getting gifts, bringing her lunch and buying her flowers. The tables had turned.
“Please… I just want him to meet the woman who gave me three adorable kids,” Aaron pushed. When he saw that Tessa was hesitant, Aaron turned to the kids for help.
“Reagan, Nia, do you want to see your grandpa tomorrow?”
“We have a Grandpa?” Reagan asked gleefully from the back seat.
“Yes, you do. He’s your Daddy’s Daddy. Do you want to meet him?”
Reagan and Nia’s eyes lit up at their father’s words. They had a grandma but they didn’t have a grandpa
“Yes, Daddy. We want to meet Grandpal” They chorused.
“Good. Do you want Mommy to come with us?” Aaron asked.
“Yes! Mommy, please come with us!” Reagan urged.
Tessa sighed. She was about to refuse when Nia added, “Willa usually cries when she goes to new places. Come with us, Mommy!”
Chapter
That seemed to be the push that Tessa needed. There were times that Willa became irritable in new places despite being a carefree girl She would often look for her mother after a few hours. Tessa didn’t want Willa to cry on the first day of meeting her Grandfather, so she agreed.
When they arrived, Aaron carried the sleeping Willa carefully while Tessa watched
She didn’t miss how he protected Willa’s head while taking her out of the car. He then stretched his hand towards Nia and told Reagan to stay close to him.
A warm smile crossed her lips. ‘He really loves the kids,’ she mused.
Twenty minutes later, Aaron had put the kids to sleep and Tessa walked him out the door. When they were outside, he whipped around and looked at her.
“Can you hug me again?” He asked in a deep raspy voice.
Tessa’s eyes widened.
“I hugged you already.”
“No. That was a half hug and it was too quick. It was more like a tease. I need a proper hug that
lasts at least ten minutes.”
Tessa rolled her eyes and laughed.
“Don’t try to be smart with me, Aaron. I told you we can only be friends.”
“Yes, I know. But friends can hug each other. There’s nothing wrong with that. I won’t do anything
else, I promise,” Aaron replied while looking into her eyes.
His cerulean blue eyes were somewhat magical and they seemed to be peering into Tessa’s soul.
Her face flushed under his gaze and she chuckled before waving at him, saying, “Goodnight,
Aaron.”
Aaron sighed as he watched her close the door. Tessa’s walls were still up and she wasn’t willing to take a risk with him. He inhaled sharply, recognising how this happened because of him. She shut herself down from love because of him. Despite knowing this, Aaron was confident he could make her happy and love her right this time around. He vowed as he pointed at the door.
“When you become mine again, I’ll hug you to my heart’s content.” The next day, Aaron picked Tessa and the kids up and drove to the Wentworth’s mansion. Tessa’s stomach was in a knot. She was nervous because this was the first time she was meeting.
Aaron’s father. She had heard rumours of how he was ruthless in the business world. Her only prayer was that he would love and accept the children.
Aaron noticed that she was very quiet so he asked, “A penny for your thoughts?” Tessa glanced at him and shook her head, saying, “I’m just wondering if your father knows I’m coming along.”
“He doesn’t. But he will meet you either way. You are the triplets’ mother”
The knot in her stomach tightened What if he didn’t want her there? She could only take in deep breaths to calm herself
The three kids were excited in the back seat and kept chattering nonstop When they arrived, Aaron helped them out of their car seats “Wow!” The kids exclaimed the moment they saw the mansion.
“Is this Daddy’s home? It’s so big’” Reagan commented.
“It’s like a castle!” Willa added. Tessa was also awed by the exquisite mansion. It was a vintage-styled mansion with modern fittings. There was a fountain just a few meters away from the entrance. They were about to go in when an elderly man marched out of the house.
The man was none other than Edmund Wentworth, Aaron’s father There was a huge smile on his face which showed how happy he was about meeting his grandchildren
*Finally! Been waiting all day!” He exclaimed and then glanced at the three kids, spreading his arms wide “Come to Grandpa.”
The kids looked at Tessa for permission She nodded at them and then they rushed towards Edmund Wentworth, screaming, “Grandpa!”
Edmund laughed and crouched down to hug the little ones.
“Yes! I’m your Grandpa! Oh, look at you all. You’re so big!”
When he was done hugging the kids he got to his feet and Aaron introduced Tessa. “Dad, this is Tessa Hilton. She’s the triplets’ mother.”
Tessa took a step forward and greeted him, “Nice to meet you, Mr Wentworth ”
Edmund waved his hand, remarking, “No need to be so formal. You’re a VIP already just by giving birth to my grandchildren.”
He then turned around and began to lead the kids into the mansion “Tell me your names, little ones. Grandpa has bought you a lot of presents.”
“I’m Willa. The youngest one.
Tessa smiled as the kids let loose and followed their grandfather inside. She then glanced at Aaron and found that he was staring at her with a warm smile on his face. Her heart skipped a beat and her face flushed.
“What?” She asked.
“Nothing. You look more beautiful when you smile,” Aaron said and then he gestured with his hand, pointing inside the mansion “Shall we?”
Tessa nodded and they entered the mansion. They sat in the living area where Edmund and the kids chatted happily.
Reagan saw a picture of Aaron on a horse and he pointed at it, inquiring, “Do you have a horse, Daddy?”
Aaron looked at his son and replied, “Yes, I have many horses. Would you like to see them?”
“Yes! Yes! I want to see the horses!”
Nia stood up and said, “Me too. I want a horse!”
The adults laughed and Edmund looked at Aaron, saying, “Give them a tour of the stable and let them pick a horse each ”
Tessa’s eyes widened but she didn’t dare say anything. She could never understand the world of the rich.
She was about to follow Aaron and the kids when Edmund said, “You stay. We need to talk.”
