The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(238)

It must have been his own hallucination created by his initial insensibility during the time he was unconscious.

It as it gave him the strength to face Java.

“I told you I have many tentacles. Bad grass is hard to die. Say your last prayer.”

No one was left in the underground, except Anton alone.

It was now Java’s turn to taste the dose of his own medicine.





Chapter Nine

Sitting by the window, Tasia’s mother, Tonya, was thinking about her daughter. She was regretful of gambling their house for the sake of her entertainment. Tasia had not come back home for over a year now. She spent Christmas alone. No gifts. No Christmas trees. Just a simple meal.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Someone was outside the entrance door.

“Who’s that?” Tonya yelled.

No one answered. Instead, the knock kept on going, louder and louder.

For goodness’ sake. Who’s that? “I’ll be right there. Hang on minute….”

As she opened the door, a slim black woman stood before her with a baby girl clutched in her arm. She did not recognize her. She had changed so much. That little girl she had once taken care of was now a full grown woman.

“Tasia? Is that you?” Tears welled up in Tonya’s eyes. Disbelief clouded her mind.

“Mama?” Tasia began to cry.

“It’s you. Thank goodness, you’re alive. Oh, my daughter…”

Lifting her arms up, Tonya let them rest on her daughter’s shoulders as she pulled her in closer, savoring the moment. Every second of it was more precious than diamonds. It was a gold that can never be purchased, its value beyond a price one could afford.

The baby smiled at her grandmother sweetly, entertained by her reaction.

“Is that my granddaughter, Tasia?”

“Yes, Mama. Her name is Alexis.”

“Oh, sweet heaven. She’s beautiful!”

“Like mother, like daughter.” She laughed.

“Where’s your husband?”

“Ummm… Let’s talk about that inside Mama. I don’t think this is a good place for that topic.”

“Yes, of course. Sorry, darling. Come on in.” Tonya shut the door.



****



It had been days since Tasia had arrived back in Chicago. Since then, she had been praying that her mother would not ask about Alexis’ father. She thought Anton was already dead, and she did not want to keep her hope up, afraid to be hurt again.

Since he was gone, Alexis had been her source of strength. She was the reason she found the courage to visit her mother again. Without her child, she would have gone insane by now.

“Alright, Alexis, mommy and grandma will take you to the park. You like that, don’t yah?”

Alexis giggled, exposing her toothless gums.

“Mama…”

“Yes, Tasia?”

“Are you ready? I’m gonna take Alexis to the car, alright?”

“Yes, darling. Just make sure you put her in the car-seat. She’s not allowed in the front passenger seat.”

“Cool. Thanks!” Tasia made her way down the stairs to the carport where the car was parked.

Driving to the park, Anton came to her remembrance as she noticed Alexis was sleeping. She really looks like her dad when she’s asleep.

As they came to stop at the intersection, Tonya noticed her agitated face. “Is there something bothering you?”

“Ha? Ah, no… I’m alright, Mama. I’m just thinking of what we should feed Alexis when she wakes up.” She lied.

Truth be told. She was thinking of Anton.

Sitting on a red picnic mantle, she watched her baby crawl around. How she wished Anton was there to see their daughter’s growth. But he was not. He was dead. As least that was what she thought.

Not far off, Anton stood under a tree, trying to find the courage to approach his family. Papa, if you ever hear me, please help me be a father that I should be to my daughter.

Since the time Anton saw his father’s reflection during the fight with Java, he was convinced his father had long desired his forgiveness. As Anton allowed himself to forgive, a sense of relief followed him all the time. It was the power of forgiveness that had taught him healing.

A cold breeze hissed at him. Goosebumps stood up on his skin. Was it his father’s spirit who was helping him out?

“Alexis, don’t go that far,” Tasia told her daughter.

Oblivious to who was behind her, a hand grabbed Tasia’s shoulder. She recognized his smell and the texture of his palm. Don’t tell me his ghost is haunting me?

Every doubt was abolished when she heard him speak.

“Tasia?”

She could not get it wrong. His strong, but soft Russian accent was remarkable.

“Anton?” She excitedly turned.

Gems of precious tears began to roll down involuntarily from their eyes. They were both speechless – tamed with surprise and gladness that miracles really do happen. And a happy ending was possible.

“How did you find us?” She asked with thankfulness in her voice.

“I’d do everything to find you and our daughter.”

He shifted his gaze at Alexis while she was crawling around, exploring her skills. She got her golden brown hair from her father. Her eyes were Hazel, a little bit lighter than her mother’s eyes. But her skin tone was mixed. A little lighter than Tasia’s. And a little darker than Anton’s.