Touching the Heart of Ace

I should have known he was hiding something from me. But I thought he was retaliating for going behind his back to help that ghetto people.

I felt bad for calling them ghetto people but it was difficult to address them as anything else when they themselves addressed them as such. The lady who came for me literally said that to me. 'Are you Davidson Truscott? We are the ghetto people."

I was in the shopping mall buying Robbie some mundane stuff which he kept on forgetting, with my bodyguards on tow. At least they had the decency to pretend like they did not know me; giving me a false sense of privacy. But there was nothing I could do to change my Robbie's mind, so I let them be. That and Uncle Fred threatened to personally babysit me.

Well, the bodyguards pretended not to know me until this slightly stout middle aged lady stood next to me with another young lady and a kid. Then the bodyguards were keenly listening and closing in.

Huff.

The first thing I noticed was the kid was around my Lia's age and was fascinated with the sweets on the aisle.

"Are you David Truscott?" The lady asked again when I did not answer.

"Yes?" Should I lie? The paparazzi were still around and I should be careful. If they could pretend to be pizza delivery boys to get pictures of Lia and I, and barge into our beach home what else were they capable of?

They did not care that Robbie smashed them bloody, or they were arrested for forced entry but they were happy that they could get two blurred images of my holding Lia. Lia and I were in the beach and those two came running for my baby. Thankfully Robbie saw them first or it would have been too traumatic. Well, it was... Lia and I never stepped outside to beach ever since.

"We have to help us. Please, Sir." The lady snatched my hand to her chest and the bodyguards freaking took the Taser out.

"Ma'am step back. Step back from him this instant..."

"Please. Sir, please. We have nowhere to go. Please." The lady started to cry and that set of the baby who was busily taking in the colours of sweets until then.

I told the bodyguards off. "Put that thing away; we have a child here. RIGHT NOW!"

I watched the young lady in her mid-twenties picking up her crying child and trying to sooth him.

They lowered the tasers but did not take them away and I almost popped my vein.

"Robert Brantley is taking our homes away. Please help us." The lady refused to let go of my hands and if anything she only clutched it harder. Tears dribbled down her eyes.

But instantly I knew what this was about. The Mayor had visited us a few weeks' back and Robbie and he signed a deal stating they were demolishing some old buildings and constructing living quarters for govt. employees and forces.

40% of the living space should be reserved for govt. workers and rest Robbie could rent out to public.

I knew the deal was signed. I was there.

And I did not meddle into his office affairs. I did not know how it worked and I had no interest in knowing.

"Ma'am I have no idea why you are telling me this. I am not..."

"Yes you know. Please, Sir... Please. We live there... please... don't... Please help us." The lady was holding my hand like this was the bottom of her life. "Robert Brantley will listen to you if you..."

"I have no idea where you heard that rumour from. I assure you that it is not true. He is his own man. But I have no say in his work or..."

"But you do. We know that we do. Please. We have children, young unwed mothers, sick people and old people and please... we have to evacuate in a week. Please."

She looked like she was going to drop to the floor and I felt bad.

"I have no idea how to help you. I was not lying when I said..."

"Please at least listen to what we have to say." The young mother said confidently looking at my eyes. She was able to calm her crying child amidst our conversation. "Legally our people own the place. Police might not help us given how rich and white you are but... we will fight... we will strike... So please listen to us. Don't make it difficult for both of us." How could women handle pain and be confident at the same time.

"That is it. Step back. You step back." One of the bodyguards came to her holding taser again.

"Stop!" I glared at him when I noticed the young boy's lips had started to wobble.

"Sir, she threatened you."

"Not me. Robert Brantley. She threatened him. And I am sure he can handle her just fine on his own."

"Sir, but we are to take you back to home on the first sign of trouble and this is..."

"Please, son, I am old and a chronic patient of hypertension. I just want to talk. I am not your mother but won't you at least listen to me? Please. Please remember your mother in your safe home. I don't have it... Not anymore. They will demolish it."

I gulped.

My mother never had to beg anyone for a home.

"Sir, please. Let us take you home." The bodyguard insisted and I saw another bodyguard reaching for mouth piece, no doubt to alert Robbie.

"Okay. You can take me home."

They all relaxed and let out a sigh of relief but the lady squeezed my hand harder and started crying earnestly.

"I told you Miss. Amber, rich white men are all the same. Let that bloody hand go and let us go home... if they are not dust yet." The young woman spat, glaring at me with tears leaving her face.

"I don't know how you managed to know that I will be here. Answer me truthfully." I demanded.

My Robbie was seriously afraid for my safety. I did not want to jeopardise his happiness because someone pulled 'mom' card on me. He was my family and I had a little baby to get back to.

But my eyes shifted to the now sleeping young boy on his mom's shoulders. What about him?

"We can't tell you that."

I nodded and took off the hand on my arm a bit forcefully.

"My mom would have told me the truth. But... you are not my mom and I am not your son."

I turned to leave after taking a final glance at the sweet boy who was sleeping with snot running to his mom's shoulders and dried tears on his cheeks.

At least a white baby girl and black baby boy had that in common; they sleep the same after a round of crying.

"We cannot take other's home to keep ours. We were desperate and sh... that person was only helping us. That person knows us. She volunteers at the soup kitchen. And sh... that per..." "You already said she. Winny told you about me."

I shook my head. I trusted Winny. If she told them about me there must have some strong reason behind it.

The ladies looked at each other. "We thought her name was Windy."

"Oh, yes. Windy. My daughter calls her Winny. It stuck."

My eyes went to the sleeping child.

"She did not tell anything about your kid. We did not know. I did not bring my son to..."

"I did not say you were."

"Sir, let us go." The bodyguard stood between us and I hated that.

"In a second. Please step aside."

"But Sir."

I glared and he moved.

Good!

I was not a prisoner in probation.

The older lady was silently crying knowing I was not willing to help. I had to respect Robbie and his job. I had nothing to do with it. I could not just barge in to his office and...

I sighed taking the sweets the boy was staring at. It was cheap as dust but kids did not care about money unless you taught them to be a snob.

"Here" I extended the sweet to his mama. "He had been looking at it for a while."

"No, thank you."

"Take it. My daughter also likes the same sweet."

"My son does not know it is a sweet." I tried hard not to show my surprise but I was sure I failed. "What he does not know would not hurt him... yet."

"It is just a sweet."

"For you, Sir. I cannot afford it."

"Oh no. It is on me. Please take it. He had been..."

"Then what? He will know it is a sweet and he will like it. Then next time he will look expectantly at it and I won't..." Then her voice cracked and her face crumbled. For a moment I felt she was as old as the lady next to her. "Well, sweet is not what my son needs. I have to find a way to keep him out of the rain." Her face smoothened again but not her eyes. "Come on Miss Amber. We are standing in his way. That is enough reason to be tased."

She pointed accusing eyes towards the bodyguard. At least he had the decency to avert his eyes.

"I cannot talk to you here." I told them the truth. "I was not lying when I said I don't meddle into his professional affairs. But... if telling me is something you want to do, this is neither the place or time."

I asked them to meet me in three days in a nearby deli. I had to literally threaten the bodyguards to keep that bit away from Robbie. He would throw a tantrum that would put Little Lia to shame.

Such a baby!

I dragged the culprit as my bodyguard aka Winny and she sheepishly tried to slither out of the way... but I won.

The ladies were there already waiting outside along with the baby who was whining to his mom about something.

That warmed my heart. My Little Lia was just the same. There was something about seeing a baby clutching your knees and fighting you.

We got in and I ordered lunch for all of us. If they got nothing from this at least they could leave with a full stomach.

The ladies were really polite and said they would wait outside until I had my lunch. I was not going to do that but, they only obeyed when Winny insisted.

I had no idea how to make them believe that I could do nothing about it. They wanted me to stop the govt. from demolishing their homes. I could not do that. Hell, if they were lucky all I could do was may be postponing the inevitable for another week.

"We are black, we are ghetto. It is apparently a dangerous combination. Police refused to help us. They told us we should stop terrorising people and start living like citizens. We have no money, no education, no shelter or support, no police. Where would we go? How would we live like citizens? Of all the people living there I am the only one with the education and I drop out of college the first year. Please help us." The young mother's name was Naomi and her son was Tyrone.

Tyrone the little Terror. He took a spoon from the sauce and smacked the table twice with a giggle.

Miss. Amber took his 'toy' right before he could smack it once more.

"We have been living there for three decades. Our people own it..."

"Who are these 'your people'? Where are they?"

Naomi handed Tyrone to Miss Amber and took out some papers. "The building and the plot are owned by Triple K's. Technically they are our landlords. They were convicted once for auto theft and that is why police will not help us. But... we rent out the space from them. Government gave this plot to struggling black people back in 70s. That included my grandparents too. We had to sell our shares to Triple K but they let us stay there for rent."

She handed me the papers and I went through them quickly.

515 dollars a week as rent and the other papers were the documents that stated they had sold their share to Triple K's and were willing to stay there under rent.

"We are legally allowed to stay here."

I nodded. They were right.

The place was theirs. But why would the Mayor do something as slimy?

"What does Triple K's have to say about this matter?" I was curious. They had a solid evidence in their hands. If they could take this to court, then they would get the place back.

"Police will not hear it. We have no money left after rent and food, to hire a lawyer... we... we had been hoping Triple K would do something about it. They tried hard but... demolition begins next week. They had already thrown us out and barricaded the place. Please Mr. Truscott. Help. We have sick people and pregnant women... kids younger than Tyrone... Please..."

"There is next to nothing to do against Government plans unless we take it to court but even if we hire a lawyer now, I don't think that would do any good, this close to demolition date."

I heard a coo next to me and saw Tryon fascinated by my shiny cufflinks. He gave me toothy grin before poking on it.

"Ty, you can't touch white..."

"It is fine. Unless you are not okay with it." I said. "May I?" I gently picked up the kid, making him giggle and settled him on my thigh. He was truly an adorable terror. He was about to chew on the papers that were scattered in front to me.

"Let us horse ride."

I gently held his waist and bounced him on my knee. He cackled and started to slap my thigh to make it go faster.

"As I was saying, I am sorry, there is not much we could do at this point... but... I will talk to Robbie. Since this is illegal, I think I can make him withdraw the contract of building construction but about demolition... I could postpone it for a few weeks... I am sorry."

"We can't turn down any help at this point, son. We are desperate." Miss Amber wiped her eyes. "People are waiting for something. It has been raining for few days and..." She sniffled.

"Where are you guys staying at the moment?"

They looked at each other. "Parker road."

I knew the place but I did not know any motels or apartments there but I nodded anyways.

I handed them the original papers of their claims and asked them to bring me copies. But then I thought better of it and suggested to drop them off and get copies by myself.

What little money they had, they should not spend it on paper copies.

"You do realise Robert will kill me this time, David." Tristian opened the door to my car and I handed the now sleeping Tyron in my arms to his mother.

"We can walk Mr. Truscott. Your car looks nice."

"And you both look nicer. Get in." I closed the door and climbed on the passenger seat while Winny sat with the ladies in the back. I smiled seeing her properly situating Tyron on the car seat.

"If Robert asks I would say I know nothing about this. Okay?" Tristian started fretting again. "When you said I owe you, I did not think you would purposely put me in trouble. You are taking revenge, aren't you?'

"Yeah, yeah, yeah you scaredy cat. Nick won't let him hurt you."

We made a quick stop to get copies before dropping the ladies at...

... the side of a road?

"What the!"

I did not mean to be that surprised.

"Robert will kill me. What are we doing here on this side of town? God! It stinks." Tristian whined.

"Well thank you gentlemen for taking us... home."

"How do you guys live here?" My voice sounded squeaky and snobbish even to my own ears.

There were plastic sheets thrown over poles and that was it. About fifty people somehow managed to cramp themselves in such a small... I had no idea what to call this living arrangement.

"People who had some savings already left. Others found spot in shelters. We were not welcome. We have diseases, kids, we are ghetto, we are... trouble."

Miss Amber started to cry again.

I had no idea what to say or do. I had no idea what...

When my brain was back online I was sitting next to Winnie, and Tristian was driving us back home.

Did I just leave them there?

I could not do that. It was raining yesterday and it would rain again.

There was a sewer next to the place they were staying and that was the smell. There were pregnant women... no... girls... among them.

Dear God!

"Turn the car."

I was surprised when Tristian did not ask me why or what. It was almost like he was waiting for me to say it just to go back to them.

Miss Amber was sitting on knees where I had dropped her, crying and Naomi was just standing there and watching all that with stoic face.

"Look Naomi..."

I started before I was even out of the car.

"Mr. Truscott?"

"Look..." Why was I out of breath? "I will try very hard to help but... but... you guys can't live here like this."

"We have no place to go. No money. Literally no money. I don't think you even understand what I am saying. We drink tap water over there." I cringed seeing the slimy mouldy green tap near the sewer. "None

of us were able to hold on to a job."

"My brother owns a container zone. We have some scheduling issues this year and it will be closed for few more months. It has enough space to hold all of you. Some containers are converted to liveable

space with clean water supply and toilets."

I panted.

They stared.

"That is better than living here... You told me already, it rains and you guys are living on tap water."

"We will have to turn the offer down." Naomi told me adamantly. "You and Robert are... friends. If we take this offer, we will not have a strong case in the court if you..."

We all heard a rumble of thunder.

"Naomi." Miss Amber squeezed her hand.

I could not leave them there, could I? I had to take them somewhere and I had to talk to Robbie before he found about this himself. Container zone was ideal.

"Promise this offer is not to betray us." Naomi begged without meeting my eyes.

"I promise. I do not know how much I can help with your home but this I can do. Come with me. It is safe and we have guards at night, so you will be safe there. Please come with me."

Naomi nodded and Miss Amber started crying again.

I dialled my phone. "Please send a delivery truck to Park Road... A big one... sure... it will do..." I saw Naomi talking to some girls who were clearly pregnant. "I also need an S.U.V. Yes, please... I want them here in not more than fifteen minutes."

Winny, Tristian and I helped them pack up whatever meagre things they had and waited patiently for our pick up.

"I am glad you called me." Tristian mumbled.

"I thought you did not want to die."

He smiled.

Our relationship had been better. Ironically we started it to annoy our men but we were in better terms. I decided to call him Tristian because it was a jab at him every time and also I hated correcting his names

always.

It was his fault anyways.

I asked Winny to get in the S.U.V along with the pregnant ladies because I did not like the way the driver was looking at them; like they were scum and sluts. They weren't. I had no idea what had happened in their lives but I was not going to assume.

Naomi got in the delivery truck with everyone else and Miss Amber got back in the car with Tristian and I, along with Baby Tyron and all of his small friends.

Small babies were so carefree. They did not ask where were going but tried to kiss, bite and climb over each other. Thankfully Miss. Amber glared when they went too far and hurt each other.

I was mostly worried about them not in baby seats. But Tristian was driving so slowly that even tortoise could overtake us and I was happy.

I called Jason as soon as we reached the container zone and predictably he threw a fit.

He would get over it.

But...

What about Robbie?

Dear God!

What had I got myself into? Oh God.

He figured I wanted something even before dinner.

"What?" He asked.

"What what?" I asked and kissed him again.

"Angel what did you do?"

"Whaat? Nothing. Why are you asking stupid questions?" I climbed on his lap and fed him a piece of fried chicken.

"I thought you did not want me to eat fried chicken for dinner."

"Once in a while is okay..." I smiled and kissed his nose.

"God, you are trouble and you are trying to get me in trouble." He held me tight.

"I have no idea what you are talking about." I shrugged and showered him with all my love. I giggled when Daddy picked me up and dropped me on the dining table. "Later. Have dinner."

So I had done everything to keep my man in good mood.

Now only I could broach the topic and make him understand that we did not need this project and...

"No."

I wasn't done talking.

"Please Daddy, listen to me. That is their home. What we are going to do is illegal. It is their property. They have proof."

"No."

"Come on!"

"You stay away from such people. You have no idea what they are capable of and I don't want you to be associated with them. Hear me?"

I glared as he walked to the bathroom. "You can glare all you want; you stay away from this."

"I won't. They have proof and we will lose the case." He laughed and I hated how condescending the voice was. Like I did not know how the world worked.

Well he was right but that did not mean we had to do something wrong and very illegal.

"You are precious. Now, come on, Love, let me clean you up."

"I will clean myself. Don't touch me." I stomped by foot and hurried to the bathroom.

A loud painful smack fell on butt and I shrieked.

"So juicy and jiggly. Fuck!"

It was not!

What the hell!

I did not have a jiggly butt. Did I? Did I?

Ugggh... not important.

"Daddy please, they have no home."

Robbie froze and I was feeling nervous.

"How do you know, Angel?"

"Huh?"

"How do you know they have no home. Did they meet you? Fuck! When?"

I gulped.

Oh shit...

"Nooo... no... no... just you know... I was telling you... in the sense... that..."

"It does not matter. I will handle it. You don't worry your pretty head about that."

"Fine." I nodded and dropped the topic for the time being.

But the hell broke loose when he caught me sneaking into his office in the middle of night.

"Why do you always disobey me?!"

"Because you don't listen to me!" I shouted back.

"You don't know those people. You have no..."

"Well surprise! I do! And I am going to help them." I crossed my hands over my chest and man! Robbie, was he angry?

"Oh you know them? You know them! Then come with me, I want to know if you will help them after knowing the crimes they had done. Want to help them!!!" He dragged me back to his office but stopped, right

as he reached his computer.

I pouted and stood next to him like a scolded child.

I felt him hugging me and then a kiss fell on my cheek. "I cannot do that you. You are my baby. I cannot... why do you want to help them so bad?"

"Because that is the right thing to do. Especially after knowing that it is their property."

He snorted and shook his head.

He hugged me tight and my feet left the floor. "Let go, you bastard. I told them that I will help and I want to help."

"So you did meet them."

I nodded to his neck and he sighed. He sat on his office chair and pulled me to his lap.

"Tell me everything."

I did.

"They have all the papers and they will take it to court." I quickly went to our bedroom, took the copies and gave them to Robbie before sitting back on his lap. "See..."

Robbie looked like he wanted to squish me hard, wrap me in bubbles and keep me tucked away from all the evil in the world. So I whined and thumbed his chest. "Daddy please..."

"I don't want to break your heart."

"You won't."

"If you cry over this, I am going to be very mad." He glared and I promised I would not cry no matter what.

A little white lie could never hurt anyone.

"Fine!"

He huffed, placed me to another chair and gave me some documents to look over... which made no sense.

The land was actually govt. property and the buildings were constructed illegally. The Mayor wanted to clean up the town and do everything right.

"Why would Naomi and Miss Amber lie to me?"

"They did not." Robbie sighed. "Angel, it is just... this kind of stuff is not for you. There is nothing we can do."

"At least tell me why they lied to me."

"Again they did not. The people who had been 'renting' the place lied to them. They don't own the place."

My mouth dropped open.

"Why would they do that? They had been paying 500 dollars every week for god knows how many years."

I quickly shuffled through the papers and it clearly said that the govt. had been sending eviction notice for past five years.

"It is not just that. The area is a bit shady with drug traffic, prostitution, you name it. But the big push happened because a girl who happened to be a friend of Mayor's daughter was harassed while she was on

the way to college. Mayor had to do something about it."

I closed Robbie's file and went back to our bedroom. Robbie lied next to me and kissed my shoulder.

"This is why I hate when you poke your nose in where it does not belong. You get sad and then I get sad."

I turned around and hugged him tight. "Take me there tomorrow?"

"Angel... why are you..."

"Please Daddy. I just want to see if there is something we could do."

"Sleep now."

I hugged him tighter and then fell asleep.

I annoyed him endlessly until he took me there and I was shocked how dirty the whole place was.

The walls literally were cardboard sheets. There was nothing in these rooms that warranted 100 dollar rent much less the obscene amount they were paying.

And

even after knowing Naomi and Tyron would not have a home anymore, I hoped that this place was turned to dust. The construction was flimsy and it would toppl over

omeone in a strong wind.

There were water leakages over electric circuits and I was worried about our safety, after only being here for twenty minutes.

There was nothing we could do.

I went to the container zone with heavy heart and Naomi being the intelligent woman she was, knew right away that I did not bring good news.

I wished it was all I could say.

I had come with ten bodyguards surrounding me and she inferred that Robert Brantley knew about the situation. The bastard calling me every five minutes was also a dead giveaway.

I told her the truth and I did not blame her for not believing me. But when I handed her the official papers and eviction notices she had no other option.

"I am sorry."

"No you are not. You are happy that we don't stand a chance in the court." She stormed off trying very hard not to cry.

What could I do?

The demolition happened and that was it.

But... I gave them a home.

Robbie knew I was not happy with the helplessness I felt regarding the situation. He was sympathetic but he was not willing to give away his hard earned money to a bunch of people he did not particularly care

about.

So, I asked if he could rent the topmost rooms to them. They would not be able to pay right away but we could give them a head start of six months and when they could stand right on their feet, we could start

collecting the money.

Well, he did not say 'no'.

So I went ahead with the plan. Jason had agreed that they could stay in the container zone until the construction was finished.

I had promised that they would be able to move in within a year but some delays happened. But it was not that bad. We had to make two families share an apartment until the furnishing happened.

I was remorseful but they were grateful. The rent was 350 dollars a week and it came with better amenities than they were used to.

But Daddy, my big bad guy, suggested that he could give them jobs at the local convenient store that he was constructing along with the residential complex.

God, I loved him so much.

But of course I did not expect him to be present at the gratitude ceremony they hoisted.

I went, of course. Naomi was crying the day they moved in. I should give them a chance to properly thank me or they would feel bad. I had asked Daddy to come but the big meanie only glared at me.

So I was genuinely surprised that him and Lia joined us.

"Daddy you made it. I thought you would not come."

"You are trouble." He kissed my forehead and gave the kicking Lia to me.

I introduced him to all the people who had joined together. was sad to say that some people did not trust me when I said I would give them a spot in the new complex. They left as soon as they could and we

only had around twenty of 'ghetto people' with us.

I wished they stopped calling themselves ghetto people. But what did I know about their life.

Miss Amber was so understanding when I said how many people was judgemental towards them moving in. I felt bad but what had to be said should be said. I told her that 40% of the residents would be police

officers and govt. employees, so if any illegal actions happened in their place, they would be evicted.

I felt that was one of the reasons some people did not stick around.

I thought Robbie would hate it here but he was quite accepting to all of them, though he occasionally glared at someone if they stood too close to me.

Lia was running around with the kids and she had them eating out of her palm.

I was surprised when a teenage boy gave Daddy a sculpture of a fist. He kept that in his office and I had seen him occasionally cleaning them.

Robbie cleaning was a sight itself.

But Daddy was still salty about my going behind his back at first and got involved with people he did not approve of.

Oh well.

He should have known I was a stubborn spoiled brat before falling in love with me.

So, when I noticed he was being secretive I thought he was getting back to me. Turned out he was busy with my new company.

It was the biggest launching of a new company in the decade according to Forbes. I was a nervous wreck because, come on, how could I not!

I had done all the programming Robbie and Jason demanded me to but except that I was pretty chill about the company until it was time.

I was sweating even in my back-open jumpsuit Killers had designed for me.

"Oh god. I am going to die. There will be people Robbie." I whined. "Oh God."

"You just stand right and answer the questions." Said the man who glared at anyone who came with a mic.

"I am scared." I cuddled up to his chest.

"I got you. I am here. I will stand close. Okay?"

"Okay?"

"You are asking me?" He chuckled.

"I don't know. Hug tighter." I demanded and I sighed when he did.

I tried very hard not to cower behind Jason while he was mingling and welcoming everyone as an owner. I was one too but I did not feel like it.

"Slave, I am gonna puke."

"Goose. You are not gonna puke. Hold my hand." My eyes searched for my man and I heard a small whisper on my ears.

"Behind you."

Oh thank god.

"Mr. Truscott. A question please. Mr. Truscott. Do you think ZeeTech is right about your stealing..."

"Are you aware of the environmental complica..."

"Is it true that your new launched product was disapproved..."

I felt a hand on my back and I knew that touch.

"Please everyone. One question at a time. I can't hear you properly." I chuckled and waited until they had calmed down.

"ZeeTech made a claim that you had stolen their idea to launch your product Parsec Pro. How do you face that accusation?"

"ZeeTech is a reputed corporation and a pioneer in the field of robotics. I am sure they can come up with substantial evidence to support their claims, if they are true."

"Environment is already struggling with industrialisation and e-waste accumulation. Do you think it is responsible to launch another company while earth is suffering as it is?" "Environment is not struggling because of industrialisation. It is struggling because of irresponsible industrialists. To avoid e-waste accumulation our company takes complete responsibility of our products. All you have to do is send them back to us. We even take the responsibility of collecting them. All the plastic elements are recyclable and we have facilities to take care of toxic metals."

"You were one of the young master minds who appeared in International Science Fest at the age of 9. You said your goal was to build a talking robot. Do you think your success is the manifestation of your

dream?"

Wow. That was a very personal question and who did a research on me?

"Mr... Mr. Freeman? Is that you? It is you!"

I could not believe it. When I was younger he was the go to science guy. He used to run a show called 'From lemon to lemonade' and had a monthly magazine that would send us an assembling activity along

with

its

parts.

It was like my show.

I still kept all my magazines and the assembling parts that came with them.

"Hello, young man. You made it."

"I cannot believe it is you."

His show was cancelled when I was 15 or something and I was heartbroken. Slowly they stopped the magazines too. But by then I was an MIT student and I honestly forgot to be sad about them.

I hugged the man who made me realize that I was supposed to be an engineer.

He laughed. "Glad you remember me."

"Of course Mr. Freeman. 'Over the hills we jump and through the volcanos we swim..." I sang.

"But for the time being we make lemonades for our moms..." He sang along and I laughed. "So you remember. That is... nice."

"Of course I remember. You did my first ever interview. I was even in your show for ten minutes. That was... That was my childhood dream come true." I had won one of his yearly contest and that was when I

said I would make a talking robot. "I am so happy you are here. It is fitting that you are here. You did my first interview ever and now you are here for my company inauguration."

"You were very nervous that day."

"Oh, I am nervous. So nervous."

"Still an introvert, I see. Where is your mom? She must be very... oh I am so sorry, son."

I nodded. "Well she is happier now. Let me introduce you the important people in my life. Robbie, Jason... this is Bernard Freeman. He is an icon for scientists all over the world. Wait till you see Liz, Mr.

Freeman. She is going to faint. Jason, could you please get me a V.I.P access card for Mr. Freeman; front seat. Please be here till the end, Mr. Freeman; it would be an honour."

I pushed past all the annoying media people and introduced him to all our business persons. It was not a big surprise that most of our American- research members already knew him and were ecstatic to see

him in person.

"Mr. Freeman, this is Amelia. She is my baby. Say hi, Baby Angel. He taught me all the tricks."

"Ticks like Funky? Llo."

"Hello, Amelia. I hope we will see another engineer soon?" Mr. Freeman shook her baby hand.

"Oh no. She is more interested in destroying stuff than building them." We all had a good laugh over that.

As expected Liz went all fan girl over Mr. Freeman and forgot to stop shaking his hand.

"Wow, I did not know I had these many fans." He joked.

"Are you kidding me? In M.I.T we used to have trivia quiz programmes weekly and it was honour to fight for a spot in the team under your name. You have more than 'many'. Why did you stop the show? We

were all heartbroken."

"Mostly fund. With more interactive games blooming, T.V shows lost its charm. Then I did it with my money for two more years but... then I had to stop it too. Now I own a local science channel. Not very lucrative. But it is a job. Then I saw your name and I had to get at least one question in."

"I am very honoured that you are here Mr. Freeman. My mom would have loved to meet you again. Trust me, you were the only reason why she got to sleep in, on Saturdays."

Seeing Mr. Freeman among my family was a sign of success to me. I could not believe he was struggling with shows. Kids like me had a hundred things to be thankful to him.

He was amazing.

"... my Aunt Marie always said, success would not take a day. It would only take a second but for that second to come, we have to invest years' worth of effort. At that time success was getting good grades,

wining a competition, but all the people in this room know that those were just recognition to our efforts. Real success is when we live a life worth enough to inspire others. We have a very successful person in

our midst and I am honoured to have him on this day; the day I launch my first company. Bernard Freeman. Everyone who made it in the science field knows that name. He was the first person to call me smart

apart from my mom. Second person to show me how to build something after my dad. Thank you, Sir."

But yet the person who had shiny eyes when I extended my gratitude was Robbie.

Well he was the reason why my company was launching and he thought I would forget about him.

Stupid stupid man.

"... to the man who kept on pushing me amidst my kicking and whining..." I laughed along with the chorus of giggles... "Thank you Robert Brantley, love of my life. I love you."

"LUB YOU DAVEY"

Lia screamed at me from the audience and laughter arouse again.

"I love you too, Lia. Thank you for not waking up when I was working." She giggled from her dad's arms.

God! I loved my family.

So everyone got the memo that Robert Brantley was the love of my life and I loved him dearly to the point of crazy but someone missed that glaring message; the man himself.

I meant did I not literally shout to the world that he was mine and I was his.

Yet the man was thick as rock.

Everything was going on smoothly, Miss Amber started working as the manager of the local convenience store, Naomi got a job and she took part-time courses in community college, Little Terror Tyron was still

flicking world upside down but he warmed my heart when he patted my thigh for a quick bounce.

And when Robbie asked me to continue my mom's 'Education for Everyone' and enrol that young man who gave him a fist sculpture to Art's college, I was like, what more did we need!

But apparently Robbie was in need of a hard smack on his head.

It all started with him going through my phone.

I saw it but it was not a big deal. We both used and went through each other's computers and phones without giving much thought to it.

But then started his previous behaviours I had thought he had dug up in a hole.

First was fucking me to the mattress the moment he felt I had enough time away from him. Then came his obsessive need to bring me all the gifts in the world, which I had to shut down instantly. I meant how

much stuff could a home

store?

I should have known when he started to micro-observe my every movement and it was annoying me to hell.

Enough was enough and I cornered him only to hear ?C 'I am the only darling in your life'.

Which I agreed- well except for my Lia but I got what he was saying, there was no doubt about that.

He was the only one.

Yet was he satisfied? No.

So, we kind of had a huge fight when Lia was not at home. I had gone grocery shopping and he wanted to know why I did not assign Winny or why I did not tell him that I needed groceries and blah blah blah.

Did I like his jealous side? Of course I did, to an extent. But this was ridiculous.

He fucking made me feel like I was a prisoner under probation.

The asshole.

So I kicked him - he spanked me; I bit him - he hurt my lips and things escalated too quickly and we both ended up in bed.

But I was angry.

Uggh!

So the reason was a message.

I am so sorry that I missed your visit. I had leave the town and I could not inform you. Monday 11 am is a perfect time. Please tell me if your husband is home. Then we change the timing. Waiting impatiently.

The sender was 'Darling Ben.'

I glared at the man who threw my phone to the wall and damaged its screen. I was not going to forgive him for that.

I could not have a serious conversation with him while naked. So, I tuned out his nonsense rubbish words and got dressed.

"You hear me!!! I will fucking kill that bastard! DARLING!!! DARLING!!! You call him darling?! I am your fucking darling. No one else. Do you hear me?"

"Well he is a darling; unlike you who is walking around like a demon from hell!!!" I shouted back. What? He thought I was a fucking cheater?

Okay then! I was one.

Was I going to prove every second of my every life that I would not cheat. Well fuck him! I was not going to.

I did not like the way my stomach fluttered when his hand wrapped gently around my neck. "I will fucking murder him in front of you." He whispered.

Don't get hard. Don't get hard.

"What? Talking about him got you hard?" The bastard felt that on his thighs and my hand fell right on his cheek.

And he punished me again with his lips and later something much more big. I stood up wiping my lips and coughing.

But I was sad. If he thought I had another lover, I was not going to correct him.

I left the man in our bedroom and ignored him.

"Who is he?"

Silence.

"Angel, tell me who he is."

"Well don't you know who he is, based on the message?" I spat. "Don't talk to me!"

I pushed him away and my heart ached badly.

He could have at least asked me.

I heard another scream and the bastard came in holding my broken phone.

"HE FUCKING TEXTED YOU AGAIN!!!"

Dear God, please tell me why I was in love this fucking idiot.

"It is all done perfectly if you want a quick tasting. I know we were planning to meet on Monday but it would make my day if you can come today. Darling fucking Ben. What is this Angel? Tell me I did not read

this."

"You did."

And I felt bad when I could see his heart break, through his eyes.

I sighed.

I did not know why I loved him but dammit I did.

"You are not going anywhere." He whispered. I had not seen my Demon in long. But here he was.

I loved him too.

"I am going..."

"The fuck you are! I will..."

"Get ready if you want to come with me."

"... not let... what?"

"Do you want to come, Robert?" I liked his flinch.

"Yeah! I want to come." He ran away to get dressed. I was too annoyed to admire that muscular ass bunching.

Whatever!

Did he think I would cheat on him with anyone who would text me? Was that it?

Did he not trust me? Did he think so low of me?

I hated having sex with him while angry. It would feel good at the moment then... then I would feel dirty.

Stop it, Ace! The man is lost but he loves you.

Well he had a very shitty way of showing me. Asshole!

"You wear this." He handed me a t-shirt and I glared.

I could not wait for him to grovel at my feet. His eyes lusted over when I got undressed in front of him. I knew why he picked his t-shirt. This was my off-shoulder one. It would show the world the hickeys he had

given me.

"Satisfied?"

"When he sees them then I will be."

He snatched the scarf I was planning to tie around my neck because I knew where we were going unlike this idiot.

Idiot!

"Either we leave home with my wearing that scarf or we won't go at all. I will meet him some other time, Robert."

"Angel... Stop hurting me!"

I was not hurting him enough. "You pick." I glared and turned around when he handed it over.

We will be there in few.

I sent a quick message and rolled my eyes when I heard Robbie's teeth grind.

He was blind with jealousy or he would have wondered why I would text my secret lover that 'we' were coming instead of 'I'.

All through our car ride we both were silent and I hated that but I refused to start a conversation.

Robbie looked ready to kill and I let him be.

"They are here." I heard an excited voice from the inside and Robbie looked even more angrier if it was possible.

He was such an idiot!

The bell chimed as I opened the door and Ben came to welcome us smiling so big.

"Mr. Truscott. I am so glad you made it. This must the famous Robert Brantley. Pleasure to meet you in person. My missus is so excited to see you. Honey, come out. You are beautiful and I promise Mr.

Brantley would not care about your lipstick shade."

"Stop embarrassing me!"

Ben gave out a belly laugh still shaking Robbie's hand.

A very beautiful curvy lady came in with fresh make up and a touched up lipstick and stood next to Ben.

"Did you welcome them in?"

"Of course I did... I think..."

I smiled seeing them bicker. "Of course you would forget. If only you take your eyes off me for a second." The lady blushed before formally inviting us in.

"Welcome to Darling Ben ?C The Best Bakery in Town."

"Soon to be in the world." Ben added and I chuckled.

"Bakery?" Robbie squeaked.

"Ohoo hoo. Looks like Mr. Truscott indeed gave you a surprise. Yes, sir. We made you that clove bread. Well, my missus did. She got that touch you know, whatever she cooks tastes..."

"That is enough Ben. Mr. Brantley already liked it. Now come on, let us serve them the Darling. They are together here for the first time. Please be seated. I am Charlie and I hope you enjoy your time here."

She went away bickering to her husband.

They were so in love.

"Darling Ben is a bakery." Robbie told me.

Oh really!!! No shit Sherlock! I glared.

"Angel."

I turned my face to the window and heard him calling someone and telling that no back up was needed.

Of course.

He came with fucking army to nuke this city.

Asshole!

Idiot!

Bastard!

Stupid!

Robert!

"Angel..." He called me again and I did not bother to glance.

"Our signature dish ?C Darling. It is said to keep love among couples fresh and alive. Give it a try." Both husband and wife were waiting impatiently by our table for us to take a bite.

Robbie did first and Ben smiled when he moaned.

"My great-grandfather made this recipe for my great-grandmother. Difficult times back then. No money, no food. So, when she craved for a sweet during pregnancy my grandfather had to bake her one. His

name was Ben. Since then every man who becomes a baker in our family had to take the name Ben or it will bring bad luck to business. I am the Ben of this generation."

"And the best ever was." The wife happily added and I smiled.

God they were both in late forties and still so much in love.

"Shall we do the tasting now or..." Ben asked me and I nodded.

Might spoil the surprise as well. Robert Brantley did not deserve my surprises.

Asshole!

"Tasting what?" Robert asked.

Yes, Robert; he was no Robbie.

"Ohh hoo. Another surprise I see. Cake for your birthday, Mr. Brantley."

Robbie loved the cake so much like I had predicted and asked for another piece making Ben and his wife so happy.

I felt the love seat I was sitting dip and the bastard sat next to me.

"I am sorry."

I did not care.

"Angel please. I am so sorry." He kissed my shoulder and I shrugged him off. "I know you hate it when I jump into conclusions."

He flinched back when I turned my face to him but the idiot was brave to kiss my cheek.

I heard a giggle and a soft 'we will come back later' was added.

Robert hugged my waist and tried to act cute but I was not having it. But it was so difficult when he knew how to butter me up.

So after an hour or so I was not shrugging him off and Robbie bought all the baked goods from Darling Ben.

But when we walked to the car I thought how my Big Baby might have felt. I would be devastated if I saw some 'darling' texting him and asking him to meet secretly.

Yes, he did explode which was not what I wanted but was I any better?

I did not get in the car and continued to walk.

"Oh shit! Angel... Come back! I am so sorry. Don't leave me."

I hated how insecure Robbie was and I knew it was partly my fault.

He dropped his heavy arm on my shoulder and pulled me to his chest. He sighed when I cuddled closer.

I finally pulled him to nearby alley and questions popped out of my mouth.

"Do you not trust me?"

"Of co..."

"Do you think I will cheat on you? Is that because I slept with you while you were married?"

"No... Baby... I am..."

"Why did you not just ask me, Robbie... why did you..." I blinked back my tears.

"Angel..."

"I feel you don't trust..."

"Because you don't get to see you. People will kill and die for you. And I know if I don't do anything about that they will take you away from me... I am sorry... I trust you. I just don't trust them. I won't do it

again."

I kissed him.

Damn he was an idiot but he was my idiot.

"You made me think of all kinds of nonsense, Robert."

He winced. "I deserved that."

"Yes, you did. And I am going to call you Robert whole day."

"Angel..."

"I can extend it to tomorrow too..."

"Okay... I accept."

I kissed him again and we were making out horny teenagers who were still in closet in alley.

"I love you." I mumbled out amidst our make out.

"Love you more... more, more and more." He replied before leaving wet trails on my chest.

"Dammit guys! I was fucking worried. Disperse! Disperse! Bunny and his Wolf secure and making out. I KNOW! They don't listen." Nick was holding a mouth piece and rambled.

"You call me Bunny? What the h Nick?"

"You? No no your man is the Bunny. I have seen you hacking Dave, you are one mean Wolf."

I giggled and pushed my man with my hip. "You are the Bunny!"

"As long as I am your Bunny." He kissed my neck making me blush.

"Please continue rest back at home." Nick grumbled and it was adorable.

So that was why Robbie changed his contact name in my phone from Big Baby to Darling Big Baby.

It had been quite some time and he brought up 'darling' frequently. "Promise me you would think of us waiting for you to come home, Robbie. Please."

"I always think of you. It is just the offer was too sweet to pass but I will control myself next time. Because I am your darling."

"You are my Darling Big Baby Bunny." I kissed his forehead and pulled him to my chest. "Sleep now."

"I think you need to be buttered up a bit more." He cheekily smiled, kissed my heart and spread my legs.

"But I want to stay mad at you." I pouted.

"I will remind you to stay mad at me tomorrow morning." He kissed my chin.

"Promise?"

"Promise, my love."☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐