Always Been You

~Lola’s POV~

I went to my trunk, took out a picnic blanket, and placed it a little further away from Mason. I’m not sure I trust how I’m feeling right now. I shouldn’t be feeling this way towards him. I then began unpacking our lunch. Thanks to Ruth, she made light meals for our picnic while I was busy looking for a live-in tutor. She made hot dogs and some watermelon. I noticed the kids were still playing with Mason. So I took back the lunch and stuffed it back into the basket. I reclined on the blanket, taking in the scenery around me. The sky was blue, and the fresh flowery aroma brought by the air was so soothing. I still can’t believe I made it this far. I heard someone approaching, and I turned my head to find my little girl lying beside me. We stared at each other for a while before returning our gaze to the sky. Then I felt a little peck on my cheeks. I smiled at her and lifted her up, and she started giggling.

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were running away from me.” Both my daughter and I turned our heads to find Mason staring down at us. I put my daughter down and stood up.

“W-why would I want to run away from you?” he smirked.

“You tell me, Lola. We are friends, and you found me here. Instead of joining me, you kept your distance.” He was right, but right now I really don’t trust the heat I’m feeling and I don’t want to complicate things for my children. I need to find a way to divorce Dante. Then I can start feeling what I’m feeling right now. Besides, it’s not going to be easy to find someone who will love me with my kids.

“I’m sorry. I just needed some space.” He didn’t say anything. Mia began giggling as I lay next to her and hoisted her up the same way I was. “Where are the boys?”

“Oh, they are playing games inside my car.” My boys love Mason’s car because, in the back seats, he installed some tablets with a lot of games. Maybe I should do that too because the boys love it. Mia then decided to follow her brothers. It was just Mason and me. We kept staring at the sky, and he was telling me about how June had been going on and on about being rejected by Mr. Monroe.

“I mean, my sister is gorgeous; why would he reject her so harshly?”

“Maybe June was trying too hard and making it obvious.”

“Yea, maybe you are right.”

“It’s perfect here,” I said as I turned my head to Mason’s side, only to find Mason staring right back at me. We kept staring at each other for what seemed like forever.

“You know, Lola, if you didn’t have that ring on your finger, I could have kissed you right now.” I was speechless and couldn’t think of anything to say, so I bit my bottom lip and stared at him. What am I doing? God help me! “Stop doing that because I’m going to forget that ring and kiss you for real.”

I can’t do it with Mason. He’s a friend of mine. I’m not going to cross the line with him. I need to figure out how to keep him from getting the wrong idea.

“You’re so charming, Uncle Mason. Don’t blame me for staring,” I murmured as I looked away from him.

~Lev’s POV~

Dante was in his suite, probably busy with some paperwork, and I wanted to go out and explore the town. We’ve been coming here for about 2 years now. Since the boss is busy, I will have to explore. I went to the receptionist and asked her where I could go to relax, and she said that there was a park 15 kilometers away from the hotel. I climbed into my car and drove to the park. I just want to take a long walk without being disturbed. When I got to the park, I parked my car beneath one of the oak trees. I removed my suit jacket and tossed it on the back seat before locking the car and starting to walk. I noticed the same wild, lovely flowers that were so tempting, and I sat next to them, gazing at the sky.

“It’s so pleasant in here,” I thought to myself as I gazed up at the clear blue sky above. I laid back and relaxed, but then I noticed someone peeing behind the wildflowers, and the pee was shooting in my face. I got up, ready to yell at the person, but it was a kid.

“Can’t you see you’re showering me with pee?”

“Sorry, uncle,” the boy said in an angelic voice. Then he looked up at me, and I froze. My eyes went wide. The boy looked just like my boss, Dante. I crept up to the boy and stroked his lovely face. He then smirked. I dropped dead. He smirked, just like Dante.

“Hey, what’s your name?”

“Tyler Monroe.” Tyler Monroe? Is this just a coincidence? He has the same surname as Dante. I shook my head. Maybe it’s just a coincidence. Do you want to sit with Uncle? ”

“The..” He could finish his sentence, and he finally pointed to the ground as he was struggling to form a sentence. I managed to understand what he was trying to say. What a thoughtful child. Just like his father. Urgh, Lev, stop it! I mentally slapped myself for thinking such. He couldn’t be Dante’s son. He was trying to tell me that the ground was wet from his pee. So I moved further away from the wildflowers and he sat with me.

“Where is your mother? Is she not going to be worried about you? ” I asked, and the boy shook his head. I laid down and so did he.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“You are beautiful, Tyler. Where is your dad? ”

“I-don’t-know.”

“That’s OK. Do you mind taking a picture with Uncle? ” he giggled and came closer, then I took two pictures. I don’t know what is going on, but this boy is so much like him. Wait, was Lola pregnant? Naa, she couldn’t be. But then what was the deal with Dante having labor pains two years ago? Could it be that it was the day this boy was born? What is happening? I brush the thoughts away while I enjoy the view and the fragrance that came with the wildflowers. It was a beautiful day for a picnic. I had to get back, so I told the boy, and he ran back to one of the cars that were parked under one of the oak trees in the park. I stared at the car as though something was amiss. My heart suddenly got heavy for no reason. I didn’t stay any longer. I drove back to the hotel and went to Dante’s suite. When I went in, he was busy with some paperwork. I looked at him, hesitating if I should tell him or not. But then if I keep this to myself, I won’t be able to forgive myself.

“What are you doing standing there staring at me? Do you like my ass? ”

“Naa, it’s not too soft, it’s too muscular. I like soft ones.” He groaned. “Do you think Lola was pregnant when she left New York?”