Chapter five

The car drive was silent as Valerie and her baby followed the men to see her father. She still couldn't believe her father was alive and he was Theodore armani she had searched him up and he was one of the most powerful men in the united states and the head of the armani conglomerate. But what if it was just all a big misunderstanding for all she knew , her mother wouldn't lie to her about something like this . Just as she was still pondering her phone rang . Looking at the caller she saw that it was Ryan's number .

“he must have gotten the divorce papers by now I guess”. She said and turned to Layla

“ Layla I think it's high time I changed my phone number I don't want Ryan to find a way to reach me , he is my past now”

“Its about time, i’ll make arrangements for a new number for you”. Layla told her

On getting to a massive gate the car slowed down and the driver opened the car window. There were four men in black suits standing at the gate. One of the men peeked into the car.

“She is lady armani and the chairman requested for her”. The driver said.

Upon hearing that Valerie was lady armani the man quickly bowed as a sign of respect to her. And commanded that the gate be opened immediately.

They drove in and Valerie could only gawk in amazement as they pulled over in front of a huge mansion, it was painted white and the pillars were made of granite, the balcony could hold 50 people at a time and the fountain looked unreal.

Stepping down from the car with her baby in her hand and Layla right beside her Valerie was very nervous as she did not know the outcome of her meeting with Mr. Armani. Just as she looked up she saw him.

He was an old man, in his mid sixties his chestnut brown hair had strings of grey hair coming out as well his eyes piercing right through her as she felt as if he was looking right through her soul he was wearing a simple white and grey cardigan with black shorts he was a very good looking man and Valerie thought of the many girks who would give anything to get close to him.

He held out his hands to Valerie and engulfed her in a big hug

“ welcome home mi Amor, I know you have questions, lots of them and ill make sure to answer every one of them”

Valerie, unsure of how to react gave him a small smile

“ thank you, sir, I really don't know how to go about this as I'm still not sure I'm your daughter, this might just be a big misunderstanding for all we know” Valerie said.

He then gave her a big smile and held out his hands for baby Carmen.

“My little Carmencita” he cooed as Valerie handed Carmen to him”.

Just then an elderly lady came out and Mr armani instructed her to take Layla and Carmen inside leaving the two of them to talk.

With a nod Mr armani told Valerie

“I have searched for you for over twenty three years now, I understand why your mum did not tell you about me as we did not have the best relationship. You see, I met your mum when I was in San Francisco she was working as a maid in our home and I fell in love with her at first sight, it was a beautiful time together but my parents strongly kicked against the relationship because of your mother’s social status and at the time there was not much I could do as my parents had already made arrangements for me to get married to Cecelia my ex wife I was willing to risk it all for your mum but she was too scared to be with me shortly after we found out she was pregnant with you and I asked her to run away with me but she wouldn't and when Cecelia found out she was pregnant your mother denied the pregnancy being mine and pinned it on her friend for fear of her own life. heartbroken, I got married to Cecelia and after you were born your mother fled and disappeared leaving not a single trace behind but luckily ive found you now and I'm ready to make things right it is time for you to take your rightful place as the heiress armani empire ” he finished.

Picking up a brown envelope from beside him he handed it over to Valerie to open revealing a document inside .

“This is a little gift from me to you, take it as compensation for all the birthdays I've missed and there's a little something for Carmen as well”.

Valerie gasped “this is transfer of ownership of luxe group to me! Luxe Group is the highest-grossing company in new York how is this even possible ?”.Valerie couldn't believe it.

Theodore urged her to open the second folder and when Valerie opened it she saw that Theodore has made transfer of shares of armani group to her and Carmen as well

“ this is all too much sir, I do not even know where to begin”, Valerie started

“Firstly no more sir its dad now and don't do anything, just accept it plus I've made arrangements for your move to California Armani suites is now yours you can take the penthouse on the top floor of the building your car just arrived and all the staff are at your beck and call, rosey your personal assistant should be here tomorrow with carmen’s nanny. We can talk about the paperwork and the company as from next week for now you need to rest, you just gave birth rosey will handle your shopping and any other thing you need you are now part of the one percent of the one percent. But there's also something I need to ask, what of carmen's father ?”.

Valerie had already began fidgeting as she did not know the best way to explain the situation to her father

“Ryan and I are done, the marriage did not work out so I left”. Valerie said not wanting to give too much details

“I already knew that, I also know that he treated you badly and that he left you at the hospital by yourself, he wont know whats coming for him, he messed with the wrong family” Theodore said fuming.

“No please, I want Ryan to remain in my past. I'm not interested in anything that has to do with him neither do I want him anywhere close to me or my daughter, he is nothing but a memory now, he is not worth your time”.Valerie tried to reason with her father and excused herself to go check on her baby.

Just then a phone call came in, it was her lawyer,

“Good day Mr George, any news?”. Valerie asked

“Madam Mr Hawkins has refused to file the divorce papers, do we take further action?”. barrister George asked Valerie

“Don't worry barrister George if he refuses to sign the papers that's on him I will not let him get close to me or my daughter ever again! He can rave all he wants”.Valerie said, fuming.

“He treats me like dirt and yet he's hesitating to sign divorce papers?, what does he think of himself? Such a conceited brute, this time around I wont let him get what he wants I'm leaving this city with my daughter and he will never set his eyes on us again”.Kate Hardin