She Has My Eyes

Cade Westham, was sitting at the private lounge of Serene Oasis hotel on a phone call with his brother.

“I know how much you're not interested in the family business but I’m sure you can handle it just until this scandal evaporates. Gabriel Stone will assist you every step of the way. Plus, you have me to come to.” His brother reassured him over the phone.

Two weeks prior, Cade Westham had finally triumphed in the lengthy three-month legal battle about the medical mishap that happened when he was operating on a well-known patient, ultimately resulting in her demise.

Shaken by the affair, he needed a place to escape from all the bad press in the media, and he ended up driving many miles south to Evercrest City, South Eldoria because the family corporation had recently opened a new branch there.

“But the CEO position? I think it's too…”

“Don't whine about it. Show everyone you are a Westham.” His brother suggested. “I know you can pull this…”

A green-eyed beauty unexpectedly appeared next to Cade and gave him a gentle squeeze on the arm before asking, "I have a marriage proposal for you," interrupting his call, she went on, “Are you interested?”

Cade was left jaw dropped and had to cut his conversation with his brother short before giving his full attention to his probable ‘matchmaker’

With his mouth hanging open, Cade had to interrupt his brother to focus entirely on his probable "matchmaker,” who was barely half his size even though he was sitting on a chair.

Except for his mother, sister-in-law, and niece, Cade Westham was a snob to the rest of the women population, despite being a gynecologist.

However, he had no prejudice against children and was particularly skilled with them.

“A marriage proposal? That's a first!” He chuckled in disbelief. “Where's your Mom?” He had asked.

“We are just getting to that.” She pointed out.

“Despite our lack of wealth, my mother is stunning, with flawless curves and long hair that matches mine. You need not be concerned about me. I'm not the type of child that sobs a lot. As long as you take good care of my mother, go with me to school on Father's Day, take me to theme parks, and occasionally buy me vanilla ice cream, I'll be happy with everything else.” After the young child opened up, Cade could feel her deep-seated need for a father.

He could see right away that she was raised by a single mother.

With a sigh, he smoothed her beautiful caramel hair and said, "Dear, marriage is not an easy choice…"

“Are you going to reject my mom too? Because of me?” With a furrowed brow, she broke off, “I don't know why grown-up men are so dumb. They should be grateful they are getting a wife and child. Only if they knew how hard it is to birth a child.”

She let out a reluctant sigh, mumbling, “I’m not baggage. I’m my Mommy's princess.”

Stunned, Cade could hardly hold his mouth shut. Despite being merely a child, she doesn't speak like one.

Yet, she made a valid argument. ‘Why is being a single mother so wrong?’ He was curious.

Seeing the cloud over her eyes, he could tell she desperately needed a dad and he didn't want to be the one to disappoint her.

“Fine! I will be your Daddy as well as your Mommy's husband for as long as you want.” He reassured her. “And your mom is right, you're not baggage. You're a beautiful princess.”

The child gasped excitedly, “Really?”

“Mr. Westham, the contract is prepared." Please review and sign this.” Gabriel Stone, his personal assistant said, coming back with a few folders.

“A contract? What is that?” The inquisitive young girl enquired

The girl's presence astounded Gabriel, and he couldn't help but inquire, "And you are?"

"His daughter" She answered abruptly, shocking Gabriel.

Cade pondered for a time before exhaling, "Aha!" figuring out how to, as best as he could, respond to her inquiries.

“A contract is like a promise between two people. When they agree to do something, they write it down and both have to follow what they promised. It's like making a special agreement or a deal with your friend, and you both have to do what you said you would.” He explained thoughtfully.

“Why don't you sit up while I finish with him first?” Cade suggested and waited for her response before continuing with his work.

So as not to keep his newfound child waiting, he quickly skipped through the file and signed where necessary.

“Since you're being so kind, why don't we also sign up a contract? That way I will be rest assured you’ll keep your promise. Forever.” She suggested.

Her suggestion surprised Cade since the more they talked, the more serious she seemed to get.

"You're not up for it?" Frowning, she asked, interrupting Cade's train of thinking.

He immediately replied, "Of course, I will. I'm a man of my word.”

Seeing the big grin on the girl's face, he couldn't let that disappear as he grabbed a note from the table and scribbled down a few words after which he signed.

The girl took the paper and leafed through it; while she could hardly read the entire thing, she was pleased to recognize some words.

“You're going to be my daddy and also get me ice cream?” She guessed some of the content right. “Well, you truly are a man of your word.” She acknowledged and Cade couldn't help but giggle delightfully.

“You're so smart. How old are you?” Cade was curious, so he asked.

"Four and a half. I'll turn Five in a short while!” She gave a direct response. "I'm going to go get your wife now!" Leaping off the chair she was sitting on, she continued.

As she bolted from the chair, joyfully bouncing up and down, Cade smiled from ear to ear.

"Tell them to get my suite ready as soon as possible, please. I have to wash up and eat.” He gave the command as he returned the signed files to Gabriel and then watched as he walked out once more.

Cade wasn't expecting the little girl to be back until found her way up to him several minutes later, the smile completely vanished from her eyes.

“Hey, where is my wife? I thought you were going to get her.” Cade asked gently, hoping to return the smile.

"I truly intended to bring her, but I believe that after too many rounds of this game, she has lost faith in me. You have to come with me, that way she won’t have any doubt.” Ivy prodded and pulled his arm gently, giving him a cutesy face he could not help but smile at.

A feminine voice cut him off as he was ready to speak, saying, “I’m sorry she interfered. She’s always like that with handsome men.”

With the compliment she gave when she could barely see his face, Cade could not only tell she was the ‘mommy’ but he could also tell where the green-eyed beauty learned her flirtatious repertoire from.

He avoided looking at her for a while as he quickly tried to gather his thoughts, ‘I really hope she hasn't put this innocent child up to this just to get my attention.’

Without paying much attention to the mother, he rose to his feet while playfully pulling the child’s cheek, he said, “There is no need to apologize for such a cutey.”

Standing less than a meter apart, he finally cast his gaze towards and his usually hooded eyes snapped wide open.

Cade had never forgotten the night five years ago when he found himself entangled in a one-night encounter during his world tour in his final year of high school.

Despite his general disinterest in women, the memory of that evening had never quite left him. So, when he unexpectedly encountered her again, he was hit by a rush of memories and emotions.

As he laid eyes on her, he couldn't help but notice how stunning she had become over the years, her long caramel hair flowing elegantly as she stood there equally in shock. No doubt she recognized him as well.

Cade felt a flutter of nerves as he tried to piece together how to address the situation.

‘Those daring eyes!’ He thought remembering how she majestically walked over to his space at the bar in an all-black top and shorts, her audacious kiss, and the whirlwind of events that followed.

It was as though time had stood still, and they were right back in that moment from years ago.

“I knew you'd like him.” The girl's voice echoed in his ear, pulling him back to reality.

For the next few minutes, he just watched the mother drag her daughter away. As he listened to their conversation, he couldn't help but agree with the little one, “She does have my eyes.”

‘Could she be–’

“Your suite is ready, Mr. Westham.” Gabriel said, making his way back to the lounge.

He was about to turn away when the little whom he has now come to know as Ivy-Lynn blurted, “What does it matter if he isn't my real Dad? At least, he is the only one willing to marry a single mom.”

He saw the mother staring at him with dagger-like eyes, glazed with tears that she tried desperately not to blink back.

‘I didn't tell her to say that.’ His thoughts swiftly turned to self-defense.

“Ivy, one more word from you, and I will never bring you to my place of work!” She threatened before eventually pulling her daughter away.

Cade was staring into space for a few seconds after they vanished from his view when Gabriel gave him a tap to startle him.

“Mr. Westham, is everything alright?” He asked out of concern.

Cade was flustered by the encounter but eventually turned towards Gabriel who was peeping through the door curious to see what had made his boss like this all of a sudden.

“It was just one time and now…she has a child who has my eyes. Her age matches perfectly– what could that mean?” Gabriel became even more perplexed as Cade continued to babble.