Irresistible Boss Succumbing to Your Touch (Maria Anita) novel Chapter 3

Manuela’s POV

Flavian entered the room looking like he had just returned from battle. His eyes were tired, and he seemed dejected. I was worried about him; whatever he had heard during that phone call surely wasn't good. I ran to him and hugged him, desperate to know if he was okay.

"More or less, little one. Let's sit down, I need to tell you all something," Flavian led me to the sofa and began speaking in a solemn voice. "My friend who's helping me investigate this whole situation called me. They arrested Gisele, and all evidence indicates she was the one who delivered your first wife's baby, Orlando."

"That's good news, isn't it?" Cam asked uncertainly.

"Yes, it is." Flavian gave a weak smile.

"But how can we be sure this woman is the one the maid called that day?" My father seemed uncertain.

"My friend is at the police station where she's being held, he's going to talk to her," Flavian explained.

"And what's the problem, Flavian?" My father wanted to know, as it was clear there was something more.

"This woman was arrested for running an illegal clinic where she performed abortions. Orlando, I was married, I've been divorced for a long time, but I just found out that my ex-wife had three abortions with this Gisele while we were married. That was a blow for me," Flavian explained, eyes downcast.

"I'm sorry, Flavian. Cam had already told me you were divorced. I'm sorry that woman did this to you. I know how hard it is to lose a child without having the chance to meet them," my father simply said. My eyes were wide with surprise, and I couldn't even speak.

"Thank you. My friend will contact us as soon as he manages to talk to this woman, so we have to wait," Flavian explained.

"Well, if we have to wait, how about we take a walk? That way you can clear your head a bit," Olivia suggested, and my father liked the idea, agreeing immediately.

Flavian and I decided not to go out. I wanted to finish reading the diary, and Flavian was still overwhelmed. Olivia left, taking my father and brother with her.

"Big guy," I called to Flavian, who got up from the armchair and sat next to me on the couch, pulling me onto his lap. "You're not okay."

"No, I'm not," he replied, looking at me with anguish in his eyes. "I've always wanted to be a father, little one, and she kept telling me she wanted kids but didn't know why she couldn't get pregnant. But she had three abortions. I just don't understand it."

"Do you still want to be a father?" I was afraid of the answer, but I needed to know.

"If I were her daughter, I would have my father's DNA. I know that's not important to him, or to me, but a part of me really wants to be his biological daughter. It's confusing. Am I wrong?"

"No, you're not wrong. Knowing where you come from, what your story is, that's important for any human being. You have the right to know this. And I understand that this part of you that wants to be Orlando's daughter is a part that wants him to be responsible for your existence, that wants to have him in your genealogy and be able to say you inherited some characteristic from him. That gives us a sense of belonging, Manu, and that's important."

"There's also the fact that Cam always talked about how wonderful, loving, and kind his mother was. I dreamed my mother would be like that. Sometimes, especially when Rita would hit me, I imagined that Cam's mother was my mother too and that Rita and Julian didn't exist. I've never told anyone this."

"I'm happy you're sharing such an intimate desire with me." He kissed the palm of my hand.

"And there's something else, I look like her, a lot. Also, my father told me about her, that she had to undergo treatment to get pregnant the second time because they really wanted another child, but she had difficulty getting pregnant due to polycystic ovary syndrome, this condition can be genetic..." I was talking rapidly, trying to express all my confused thoughts.

"Slow down, Manu!" Flavian smiled as he interrupted me. "Breathe! Come to think of it, we could do a DNA test between you and Cam, and we could ask your father to exhume the bodies he buried to collect her DNA. I don't think it's impossible that she could be your mother, especially since we don't know how much truth is in the pages of that diary."

"Do you really think there's still a chance?" I asked with a spark of hope.

"I do! And we'll find out. But now, what do you think about taking advantage of being alone and giving me a kiss? I think I'm feeling needy." Flavian used a whiny voice, and I started laughing as he covered my mouth with his.