The Greek Billionaire’s Indecent Proposal
Chapter 22

Soraya’s POV

I sighed deeply as I thought about how the fight had ended. Was I being impossible for wanting him to share his past with me? Why couldn’t he just tell me what kind of family I married into? The way he handled me at times made me feel like I was being illogical, like I was a kid throwing a tantrum right in front of him.

I turned to focus my attention on the kids who were having a racing contest in the pool. Their giggles were so precious, it was pretty amazing how Jovan and Ajana had just accepted Kai. Gaia had nicknamed them ‘the three musketeers’, everything they did, they did together and they supported one another. Kai was learning Greek, Ajana had taken it upon herself to read story books to Kai and explain them in english just so he wouldn’t feel left out.

It had just been a few weeks since Xander came into our lives but I could see Kai blossoming already, the confidence he had gained from having a father who was present, a father who encouraged him to try new things and be fearless. Xander was Kai’s new hero and I didn’t feel sad about that because my own dad was my hero. I understood the bond that they were forming because I had the same bond with my father.

I heard myself sigh heavily again as these thoughts consumed my mind. Stacy had left that darn magazine next to me on the lounger. I took it and looked at the cover, it was so easy to fool people, Xander and I looked so in love, beyond these pages, the fancy pictures… you couldn’t see the insecurities that were edged deeply inside my body, my smile didn’t show that I had anxiety every morning when I opened my eyes thinking that Xander would have bolted and left me a cold note asking me to leave.

Stacy’s footsteps sounded behind me, I turned around to look at her. “You know you really do look good together, the two of you are too much alike, I feel like right now you are just stuck in this power struggle because you both need to feel in control. One of you needs to be the gentle one so that you can compliment each other.” She sat on the lounger next to mine.

“I’ve seen how that story ends Stace, with me all alone raising a kid but this time he wants to take my kid too, I am nothing like him.”

“Raya, you had to raise Kai by yourself, a new city all by yourself with no help but not because you didn’t have help but because you wouldn’t let anyone else in. Xander is responsible for the safety of this entire family and prefers to take up that burden all by himself, does he have Hector and Dorian and his cousins to help? Yes but he like you prefers to take up this burden alone.” You are sooo alike it’s not even funny.

I was quiet for a while just thinking and processing. Some housekeepers came out with dishes of food and started to prepare the the table by the pool. Stacy got up and walked over to the pool. “Hey kids, who’s hungry? Breakfast is ready.”

“Me me me.” They all chorused and rushed out of the pool. Two nannies came out of nowhere and started wiping them down in towels and helped them dish some food. Stacy dished two plates then indicated for me to come to the table to sit with the kids. The nannies and helpers disappeared again and it was just us at the table listening to the kids babble on and giggle. Stacy was very good with the kids as she listened to each of them talk, she laughed on cue at their silly stories and asked them questions which they answered enthusiastically.

“When are you and Hector planning to start a family.” I asked her curiously.

She looked at me and blushed furiously, Stacy was not the shy blushing type. I looked at her and smiled.

“Wait what? No way? For real?” I asked in disbelief. “When did you replace out?”

“Our last week in California, Hector doesn’t know it yet. I plan to tell him this evening. I am 7 weeks pregnant.” She smiled.

I gave a little shriek, tears began to form in my eyes as I stood up to hug her. “Ohh Stacy bear, I am so happy for you. I’m going to be a aunty.”

“Raya you don’t know how happy I am to have you here with me, I missed you so very much and to think I’m going to have my best friend here to go through this with. I feel a little selfish but I am the happiest woman in the world right now.” We hugged so tightly.

“Mommy why are you and aunty Stacy crying?” Kai asked as we pulled away and laughed. The kids were looking at us with so much confusion.

“Mommy and aunty Stacy are just so happy baby.”

“Happy means you have to laugh and smile.” Ajana shared and Jovan nodded in agreement. Making us laugh even harder right at that moment.

“That is true Ajana sweetie.” Stacy said.

“I bet you it’s going to be a girl, I can just picture you right now pushing a baby pram with a mini you in designer clothes.” I said to her and we laughed.

“You know me so well.” She said.

A few moments later footsteps approached the pool area. “Ladies, how are you doing this morning.” Sofija’s thick accented voice came from behind. “Ajana you are eating like you have never seen food before, do you want to be fat? Look at the way you are eating that pancake.” She said sounding so disgusted.

Shock rang through my body as I watched the little girl push her plate away and say “sorry mama.”

“She’s just a kid, Sofija. Let her eat, she’s barely eaten anything of her plate.”

“I don’t tell you how to parent your kid, don’t tell me how to parent mine.” She said in a bored tone.

“By the way, you can tell my brother that I apologised to you for yesterday, I was just overwhelmed about seeing you or whatever.” She said arrogantly.

“I don’t hear an apology?” I smiled at her but the smile didn’t quite reach my eyes.

She laughed, those cold malicious type of laughs that would have other women running scared maybe but I was not going to be bullied by Sofija Adamos. Her mean girl act would not work on me, I didn’t choose to be here but I sure as hell was not going to let her make me feel like I was an outcast.

“Look at you, where were your f*****g balls last night” she laughed.

“Mind your language around the children.” I hissed at her.

“Oh whatever! I am sorry! Are you happy?” She c****d her head to the side. “I am sorry and I will try to be nicer or whatever.” She rolled her eyes and then snapped her fingers at Ajana. “Let us go, you don’t look like my child right now.”

There was a nanny standing close by. “Take her and clean her up!” She yelled at the nanny. Ajana’ eyes filled with tears and my heart went out to her. Even at her age of 6 I could tell she only ever wanted to make sure her mom approved of her and clearly Sofija made that hard.

“Oh and I see you made it on the socialite magazine pages, wait till they replace out you are a nobody from nowhere pretending to be something but you are just basic. It’s going to be the shortest 15 minutes of fame. Then the vultures will come out and tear you apart and it won’t be long before my brother goes back to his usual type, the models?” She rolled her eyes and laughed.

“She doesn’t even need to dignify that with a response, you are a disgusting sad soul. I honestly don’t understand why you feel so threatened if she is as basic as you think she is. Your fear is so evident in your eyes.” Stacy told her.

“Me threatened? Please, I don’t get threatened I do the threats. Maybe I just feel sorry for you. You are a fish out of water in my world honey. Get ready to flop around on the deck!” She rolled her eyes and walked away.