I Want To See My Dad

**Roxanna's POV**

I stood in front of the gigantic mansion which I had acquired the moment I came back to the country. 

I heaved a long deep sigh as I got out of the car and headed straight into the mansion. I looked at the time and saw that it was 9pm. 

Joel, might be sleeping now or at least, I hope. He rarely sleeps when I'm not around. As soon as I got into the mansion, I was met by the nanny, who stood by the door and quickly took my bag from me. 

“Welcome home, miss Austina.”

"Thank you, Pearl. Tell me, is Joel sleeping now?” I asked as I headed to my room upstairs. 

“I tucked him in, but he wanted me to leave and not put him to sleep, so I did just as he asked. Though I had planned to go see him after an hour,” the maid explained as she followed behind me, carrying my purse. 

“You did good. Joel doesn't like sleeping with anyone around. But I can assure you that he's not sleeping.”

“My goodness!” The maid exclaimed. 

Immediately I paused and turned around to face Pearl, who seemed worried. 

“Hey, don't be worried about my son. This is how he has always been. He'll be fine. He's almost like a grown up even though he's still a child.”

“But as his nanny, it's my responsibility to put him to sleep.”

“And you did good by dressing him up for bed. Though I know my son has a mind of his own, the reason you're here is to help him do the things which he's unable to do on his own, and I can tell you that you're doing a fine job.”

Pearl's expression slowly relaxed, and this made me smile. She must have been so scared. 

Pearl was hired yesterday, and she officially started working today. I understand her plight and can tell that she's a nice lady. 

As soon as I arrived at my doorstep, I turned around again and took my purse from her. 

“Now go to bed, pearl.”

“Huh? Miss Austina, you just came home, and I'm sure you are hungry.”

“Not really. I actually had dinner before coming home. As for my son, you don't need to check out for him. I'll take it from here, so just wake up by the agreed time tomorrow and resume your duties.”

“Oh, thank you so much, ma'am. Have a goodnight rest.”

She said and immediately exited the area. 

As soon as I got into my room, I pulled off the dress I was putting on and dived right into the shower. After washing up, I quickly toweled myself dry. While I was dabbing my hair, my thoughts flashed over what happened today. 

The Duke of Cadenza…who would have thought that I was going to see him. Isn't this interesting? I had never thought of coming in contact with Paula's fiancée. 

When I considered him to be my step-sister's betrothed, I can't help but grit my teeth in anger.  

What was this feeling? Should I be honest with myself? He's quite attractive, I've never seen him before and now that I have, I wouldn't deny that I was almost knocked off my feet. 

Just then, an idea struck. Perfect!

I raised the corner of my lips in a smirk at the mere thought of what I plan to do. 

Of course, that's the only thing I can do. My thoughts traveled to his eyes and his lips, and immediately I began to feel a light burning down there.

“Argh!” I screamed out and ruffled my hair with the towel. 

“Get a grip, Roxanna!” I screamed at myself, breathing heavily. Why am I suddenly fantasizing over a man whom I had just met today? 

Well, I shouldn't be blamed. I haven't had sex since that night I got deflowered. Not even a proper relationship because I've been so busy trying to build myself into a woman not even my dad can have power over. There's no way in hell I'll let him get the best of me. 

All of my feelings must be sexual starvation, which I'm not just ready to feed. I tossed the towel on top of the bathroom door and walked straight into my room. After putting on my pajamas, I went straight to my son's room. 

I had wanted to place a knock on the door, but if I do so, he'll realize that I was the one. I wanted to spy on him to see what he was up to first. With that in mind, I slowly turned the door knob and pushed it open slightly. I took a peek and there I saw my son, playing with his iPad and with a smile on his face. 

I rolled my eyes that instant. Joel is just a pain in the ass. I'm sure he'll give the excuse of wanting to see me before he falls asleep. 

Immediately I pushed the door open and walked in, meanwhile, Joel squabbled..... trying to hide his iPad. 

“Don't even waste your time hiding it. I saw everything, young man.”

Joel instantly raised his head up and when he saw that it was me, he lit up at once. 

“Mom, you're finally back!” 

“My goodness! You ought to be sleeping by now, little champ.”

“But you know I can't sleep unless you tuck me in,” he said with pouty lips. 

My heart skipped seeing my son this way. I mean, how can I not love him? He's the center of my universe! 

“But mummy might not be home one of these days. Don't tell me you plan to stay awake until the next morning, just in case I'm not there to tuck you in.”

“Well, it can't be helped,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders. 

“You won't do that, Joel. You know I wouldn't like that. Furthermore, not sleeping at night as a kid will make you a dullard.”

“Really?”

“But of course. Mummy will not lie to you now, will she?”

“Okay, mom, I'll sleep if you don't come to tuck me in at midnight.”

“Not acceptable at all. You are supposed to sleep before midnight.”

Joel made a face, but I surely wasn't going to fall for it. He needs to understand that he's still a kid who needs lots of sleep. 

"Okay, I will. Can I ask you a question mom?”

“Argh…Alright. Just one question.”

“I promise. Will I be able to see my dad, or at least his family now?”

“What?! Joel, I thought I told you your dad is dead!”

“What about his family? Don't I have a grandpa or a grandma at least.”

This child will be the death of me. He's been asking about his dad for the past one-year now, and I've told him the same thing over and over again. Why won't he believe me?

“Goodnight, Joel. Let's talk about this tomorrow, please,” I kissed him on the crown of his head and tucked him in. Just then, I got a text on my phone. Immediately I glanced at my phone and saw that it was a message from Tyson, or should I say the duke!