Billionaires Don't Fall in Love

TWENTY-EIGHT

There was banging at the door that immediately woke me up. I stood up from the bed and grabbed my robe. I slipped on my night shoes before hurrying down. Lauren slowly came down the steps with an annoyed look.

"What's that noise?"

"How am I suppose to know?" I sighed.

The banging intensified.

"Oh my God, where is Tobias?" Lauren said.

"He's at the gym, I think. Is it five?"

"Yes. Look through the peephole and see."

"Why do I have to?"

"Because I'm over here. Look, there's a bat by the door."

I grabbed the bat before looking through the peephole. I squinted before opening the door. A young boy sat on the ground with a bookbag and a piece of paper in his hand. He looked up at me, his vibrant blue eyes.

"Hello? Who are you?" I questioned.

"What?"Lauren walked towards the door. "Little boy, where are your parents?"

"My mommy said that my daddy lives here. She left this."

"Your dad?" Lauren chuckled. She looked at me. "Is this a joke?"

"I don't know." I furrowed my eyebrows. "Come here."

I pulled the kid in before closing the door.

"What's your name?"

"Theo." He shyly said. "You're very pretty."

"Well, uh, thank you. Can I see that note?" I questioned. He nodded before handing me the folded piece of paper. I quickly unfolded it.

"Read it out loud," Lauren said.

"Duh." I rolled my eyes. "Dear Tobias, we have a son. I'm sorry that you found out this way, but I didn't know how to face you. I will be picking him back up in two days, but I thought you should decide if you wanted to be in his life before I file for child support. Theodore is four, also this is Jalena."

"No way this kid is his. Little boy-"

"My name is Theo." He furrowed his eyebrows.

"Right, Theo. Where is your mom?"

"I dunno. I'm hungry, miss, do you have any mac and cheese?" He looked up at me.

"Uh." I looked at Lauren for help

"I'm going back to sleep." Lauren shrugged before walking up the stairs.

"Sorry for my manners, what's your name, miss?"

What a respectful kid.

"Athena"

"Alrighty, well miss Athena, do you have mac n cheese?"

"How about we go check," I said before walking away. He stood in his place while looking at the ground. I walked back over towards him and bent to his level. "Everything okay?"

"Miss Athena, I usually go uppie with my mommy."

"Uh, fine." I picked up the toddler before walking to the kitchen. I placed him down in the chair before walking toward the fridge. I opened it and quickly scanned it. "Looks like no mac n cheese."

"Well, how about grilled cheese? My mommy makes it with bread and cheese."

"I could do that." I nodded. "You said bread and cheese? That's it, I thought grilled cheese had more."

"Nope!" He wiggled happily in his seat.

I gathered the ingredients and set them on the counter. What to do first?