Chapter 43 - The stalker

Troy's POV

I was tapping my fingers on my lap nervously while waiting for my mother to end her conversation on the phone.

I wanted to talk to my father and ask him if he told my mother something about Rose and me, but I couldn't reach him; his phone was turned off, and his secretary informed me that he was in a meeting outside of the company. However, I decided not to wait to talk to him; I wanted to talk to my mother as soon as possible and tell her the truth.

"So what happened? What do you want to talk about?" My mother asked, giving me a curious look as soon as she hung up her phone.

"Umm... I want to talk about Rose...and Alec." I replied and rubbed the back of my neck nervously. She raised her eyebrow, giving me an intrigued look. "I met Rose a few years ago. About five years." I confessed.

"Why didn't you tell us? What is the reason?" She asked in a calm tone, but there was something strange in her attitude.

"It is complicated." I pursed my lips together, entwining my hands.

Ugh! Why do I feel nervous? It is like I am a five years old boy who broke his mother's expensive vase and is afraid of telling her about it.

Troy, calm down and just tell her! You know your mother; she will understand you.

"Rose and I dated for a while when I was in London."

"Hmm... So the reason for your change is Rose?" She commented, giving me a piercing look.

"Somehow. There was a misunderstanding between us. She thought I was lying to her. So she left me without saying anything." I sighed sadly.

"What?" She asked, puzzled.

I breathed deeply and explained to her why Rose left me.

"I understand now." She mumbled, thinking.

"Umm... And one more thing, Alec is my son." I confessed, giving her a nervous look.

I looked at my mother attentively, waiting for her reaction, but she didn't look surprised.

I sighed, shaking my head, and commented. "Dad told you, didn't he?"

"Let's say he would not dare to keep anything a secret from me again because of his past mistakes." She replied, giving me a wicked look. "On the other hand, it is good you told me now; if you haven't told me the next few days, you would really piss me off." She stated firmly.

"I am sorry, Mom. It was so complicated between Rose and me. So I didn't know how to tell you. And all of these happened so fast." I gave her an apologetic look. "I found the woman who I had searched for years in my fiancée's house with a boy calling her mother. I was stunned. Especially Alec. It was a big shock for me." I sighed, ruffling my hair.

My mother stood up and approached me. She leaned against the desk beside me, resting her hand on my shoulder, and gave me a sympathetic smile, squeezing my shoulder slightly.

"Actually, I had suspicions about it long before your father confirmed it." My mother said softly. I looked at her, confused. "I told you before too when I saw Alec for the first time; he really looks like you so much. Then, when Rose came to the mansion, I caught your furtive glances at each other. Moreover, you acted different like in old times when she was around." She smiled warmly and stroked my cheek gently.

"And now, what is your relationship status with Rose? Are you back together? Otherwise, why did you take her with you to Rome?" She asked in curiosity.

"That trip didn't mean anything. It was true what I told you about it. I just lied about my meeting part; I wanted to be with Rose and my son and celebrate my son's birthday with them for the first time. I missed a lot of things; I didn't want to miss his birthday again." I replied as sadness crossed my features.

"Troy..." She gave me a compassionate look and stroked my cheek affectionately. "You will be a great father; I don't have any doubt about it. And I know you will do everything to make up for lost time." She said softly.

"I hope so. But now everything has changed between Rose and me." I resumed. She raised her eyebrow, looking at me curiously. "Yesterday Rose and I made up. We are together again, and she and Alec stay in my penthouse." I informed happily.

"I am so happy for you, honey. I really like her." She beamed and hugged me. I hugged her back as I stood up.

"Invite her to the mansion for dinner tomorrow. I want to introduce them to all family." She said in excitement.

"Fine, but don't tell anyone else because her family don't know about my paternity or us." I warned her.

She nodded. "But you have to tell them too. They have the right to know about it as well. On the other hand, they will find out eventually. Especially now, when the paparazzi are on your tail." My mother commented, worried.

"I know, but I will not hurry her. We will tell them when Rose feels ready. It hasn't been easy for her these days." I informed and shook my head.

"What happened?" My mother asked, concerned.

I breathed deeply and replied. "Her father..." I clenched my fist as I remembered how he treated Rose and my son. I took a deep breath, trying to calm down, and told my mother what happened yesterday.

After talking to my mother, I left her office. I felt relieved that I finally told her about Rose and Alec.

When I was about to get in my car, I noticed a man who wore a hoodie and held a camera in his hand. As soon as he saw that I noticed him, he started running. I closed the door of my car quickly and rushed after him.

When I turned around after him in the corner, I couldn't see him anymore. I cursed under my breath in irritation and looked around trying to find him.

It was the same man who I had seen in front of my company a few times. I didn't pay attention to it thinking it was a coincidence, and he probably worked somewhere close to the company. However, after seeing him with a camera, trying to take my photos in front of my mother's fashion house, I was sure that he was the paparazzi. Maybe, it was him who published that article about Rose and me.

I heaved a deep breath, ruffling my hair angrily, and went back.

As soon as I got in my car, I called the security chief of the company. I informed him about the paparazzi who was following me and asked him to find who he was. Then I called Rose and told her about my conversation with my mother and her invitation.

As I was about to get out of the car, my phone rang. I grabbed it and looked at the screen; it was Kate. I frowned, annoyed and declined the call; she had been calling me the last few days, asking me to give our relationship a chance. When I didn't pick up her calls, she sent me messages. I explained to her that it was impossible, and I was sure of my decision, but she didn't want to accept it, saying she wouldn't give up on me. She was really starting to get on my nerves.

Rose's POV

After taking a shower, I put on a navy blue midi dress and did my hair wavy. After applying light makeup, I grabbed my clutch as I breathed deeply, feeling nervous, and went to the living room.

I smiled as I saw Troy adjusting Alec's shirt in the living room. They looked cute together.

My handsome boys.

"You are stunning." Troy commented, roaming my body from head to toe, his gaze dark with desire as he noticed me.

"Thank you." I gave him a bright smile.

"Yes, Mommy, you are pretty." Alec beamed at me.

"Thank you, my boy." I said, smiling as I approached him and placed a soft kiss on his hair.

When I straightened, Troy leaned towards me and whispered in my ear. "I didn't get a kiss for my compliment."

I giggled, shaking my head. "Maybe it isn't your lucky day." I said mischievously.

He raised his eyebrow and whispered in my ear seductively. "No, I think otherwise. I will get my reward tonight with the compensation for the delay." He brushed his lips against my neck without kissing it, making me shiver in sensation, and winked at me as he pulled back slightly. I grinned, shaking my head in amusement.