My Son(6)

To break the silence in which she had suddenly become aware of him watching her she had began to move around the kitchen filling the kettle and laying out 2 cups.

“Would you like tea or coffee” she had asked as politely as she could aware that her voice was still shaking

With a lifting of his eyebrow he asked for coffee black with no sugar and she had busied herself preparing the two drinks

After sliding the cup across to him Kelly had become aware of the fact that she was not dressed but was still wearing her silken pyjamas which left very little to the imagination. Colouring a little she had put down her cup and mumbled something about dressing. Marc had seemed uninterested, but she had stood savaging her lip for a few seconds before turning to him and worriedly looking at Max’s room asking for assurance that he would not wake up the small boy still sleeping peacefully inside. He had frowned “I said I would wait” was the irritated reply he had thrown at her and with a last worried look she had left to quickly dress.

Marc had sighed looking around the small kitchen. The last time he had come here he had been critical and incredibly rude about her home. However, he had to admit that it was a warm bright and welcoming house, frowning thinking how it suited her so well. Everything seemed to be child orientated with small signs everywhere of the presence of a child – his child he had thought grimly to himself once more.

He had rubbed his hand over his face wondering for the millionth time why Trudy had withheld the knowledge of his son from him. His mind going back to the last time he had seen her, and the first time he had seen Kelly.

He couldn’t remember the particulars of the party. Yet another cocktail party with most of the same crowd, all laughing and boasting about their latest acquisitions. He had been bored and not even the attentions of the beautiful blonde, her name which had escaped him, had lifted his spirits. As he had looked around he had recognised many of the women on the arms of various competitors and colleagues. Many had fulfilled this same role with him he had thought as they clung to the arm of their latest amours.

He had sighed aware that even now many cast their eye in his direction. Being head of the De Santo Corporation he was both powerful and wealthy, an enticing combination and, he had found women had fallen at his feet most of his adult life. It didn’t hurt either that at 33 he was tall, about 6”3 with a slim muscular build and devastatingly good looks which most women found irresistible. He in turn had enjoyed them, although none had held his attention for long before he bored of them. Even now as he had looked at his partner he had realised he was growing tired of her trivial chatter about nothing important. He had he knew already made a mental note to make this their last date.

As he had turned to deposit his drink on a passing waiter’s tray, he had come face to face with Trudy and he had smiled warmly at her in welcome taking her hand and kissed it gallantly. She had in turn laughed and raised her eyebrow in the provocative manner which had first attracted him to her.

“Trudy” he had said

“You look as lovely as ever”

She had laughed pleased, at the compliment.

“I see that you are as smooth as ever Marc” she had responded, giving him a knowing smile

“How long has it been” he had queried

As she had had no need to think but responded quickly”over a year”

“Ah yes” he had murmured

At that point he had become aware of the woman standing just behind Trudy, as she had moved to the side and pulled the woman forward introducing her to him

“Marc meet my friend Kelly” she had said as he had caught his breath. She was truly beautiful. While stunning to look at, she had something else, something he could not quite put his finger on, but which made her stand out from the crowd in an almost surreal manner.

Smiling he had caught her hand in his and as he had done with Trudy, kissed the tips of her fingers. The touch of her causing a ripple to travel through him which had been so unexpected, however, only he had been so affected, as looking into her blue eyes he was shocked to see how coldly she had looked back at him.

Trudy who had been closely watching had stepped forward quickly before he could say anything and grabbing her by the arm had moved on

“Wonderful to see you again Marc” she had said hastily

“Look Kelly we’re being called” and they were gone

The whole incident had confused Marc at the time. It all made perfect sense now he thought wearily. Kelly Brown had thought he was some kind of monster who had abandoned his child – no wonder she had looked at him that way.

He remembered the rest of the night watching her from the other side of the room. Notorious venues for beautiful women to meet new eligible men, she had blanked every man who had tried to attract her attention, and there had been many. She had been polite, but distant and even the most renowned playboys had been forced to give up.