Breaking news
Time flew by in a blur. It’s been a month since Peter told Lotus about his feelings. Their relationship has recently improved. They go out to dinner on a regular basis, sometimes with the kids and sometimes with Natasha. When Peter is around, the kids are very happy. Lotus felt safe and content with Peter, who was new to her. She had never felt this way about George. Lotus recently moved to her new office next to Peter’s. They can see each other through the glass wall at any time. Their government project was succeeding. Even though Gorge was still bothering her at times, it wasn’t a big deal. Her bodyguards were always at her side. But she had no idea that someone was watching her every move. Lotus dropped James and Jenny at school, as she does every day. She had no idea someone was taking pictures of her and her children. She went straight to her office after dropping them off.
After taking photos of Lotus, the investigator went to a nearby restaurant. Nina was already there waiting for him. She was hiding her face behind a large black sunglasses.
“Here are the photos, ma’am, and this file contains every detail of her life.”
Nina flipped through the files and photos, with a satisfied grin on her face.
“Excellent work. I am pleased with the results of your investigation. Now complete one more task. Make her a front-page story. I want to see her face on every news channel and in every tabloid.”
“I’ll be finished in an hour.”
Lotus walked into her cabin and noticed Peter sitting there. They are going to collaborate on a new project. So he’s come to talk about the project. Lotus gave Peter a sweet smile when he did the same. Lotus walked over to her chair and sat facing Peter.
“Would you like some coffee?”
“When you need it the most,” they both laughed. They become more serious about their work after a while. They hadn’t realized the time had passed when Stanley burst into Lotus’ cabin. He is holding an iPad.
“Stan, what happened? What’s the deal with your horrified expression?”
“Mam, I think you should look into this,” Stanley said, handing Lotus his iPad. where a tabloid with her photos was open. The tabloid’s cover story was
“THE BLACK-SHEEP OF KENT, WHO GOT DIVORCED THE DAY AFTER HER MARRIAGE FOR CHEATING ON HER HUSBAND. SHE’S RETURNED TO TOWN AS A BUSINESSWOMAN WITH HER TWO ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN FROM A SUGAR DADDY. PETER ROBINSON IS HER NEW PREY. WHO HAS ALREADY BROKEN HIS ENGAGEMENT WITH REBECCA MONTANA FOR HER?”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.
Lotus was taken aback by the news. She looked in another newspaper and found the same story with her and her children’s photos all over. She sat motionless in her chair, rubbing her face with her hands. Peter was perplexed when he saw her expression. He snatched the iPad from the table, his face hardened by the news.
“Don’t worry, Lotus; I’ll take care of everything. Simply calm down.”
Peter attempted to console her. But how can she relax when her entire reputation is on the line? Lotus was on the verge of crying when her phone rang. She took her phone from the table. It was from her children’s bodyguard.
“Mam, there are over fifty journalists here at the school gate looking for James and Jenny.” Lotus jumped out of her chair when she heard his panicked voice.
“Don’t let anyone get too close to them. I’ll be there right away.”
Lotus hurried out of her cabin after saying that. Peter dashed up behind her. He grabbed her arm and asked,
“Where are you going in this condition? Hundreds of reporters are awaiting you in front of the office building.” He stopped her from getting on the elevator.
“I’m not concerned with myself right now. I need to protect my children from them. They’re far too young for all of this.”
Peter rubbed her head as he hugged her.
“Don’t be worried. I’m not going to let anyone hurt James and Jenny. Let’s go; I’ll accompany you.”
They both took the elevator down. When they arrived on the ground floor, they noticed that the entrance was crowded with reporters. The guards were doing everything they could to keep them from entering the building. Peter motioned to Tom to handle the reporters, and Lotus followed him to the back door. They were able to leave the office building without being noticed. At the back door, a car was already waiting for them. They got right into it and rushed to the school. When they reached the school they saw a lot of reporters covering the gate of the school. There was no different exit of school so they have to go through that pool of reporters. Peter parked his car a short distance away from the school. He then took Lotus’ hand in his and began walking through the sea of reporters. As soon as they saw Lotus, the person in charge of the school gate ran over to assist them in entering the building. They were soon inside the gate with the assistance of guards. Peter and Lotus walked straight into James and Jenny’s classroom. When they arrived, the children were playing with other children, with no knowledge of the outside world. Lotus approached them and embraced them. She was relieved that her children were safe.
“We’ve got to get out of here,” Peter said as he picked up James. Lotus nodded and took Jenny in her arms. They quickly exited the classroom, carrying the children. When they arrived at the main gate, the cameras began flashing, frightening the two small children. Furthermore, the reporters were yelling various questions at Lotus. Peter held James close to his chest in a protective manner and then walked to the gate with Lotus in his other hand. The guards rushed over and formed a circle around them, ensuring that no one could touch them. They arrived at the car without incident. The reporters were still yelling their questions at them, but Peter ignored them and drove away. Monica rushed over to Lotus and the kids when they arrived home. Lotus had been acting tough the entire time, but when Monica hugged her, she burst into tears. Monica tried to stop her from crying, but her efforts were futile when she began sobbing loudly. Peter approached them and embraced Lotus from behind when he heard her crying. Monica left them alone and went to look after the kids.
“Ssshhh, everything will be fine. I spoke with Tom and my attorney, and the news will be removed from the media by tomorrow morning. You simply unwind. Who will look after the children if you start crying again?” Peter said patting her head.
“Thank you for helping me and my children today, Peter. And I’m sorry you had to go through this because of me.” Lotus said after wiping the tears from her face.
“You are not required to apologize for anything. You’ve done nothing wrong.” Peter said to her.
“Peter, I believe you are deserved to an explanation. You are free to ask about my past at any time.” Lotus said to him making Peter look guilty.
“Everything about your past is already known to me. I’m not interested in learning anymore.” Peter said looking anywhere but her.
“How do you know so much?” Lotus asked with a frown.
“Everything was told to me a long time ago by Natasha.” Peter stated clearly.
“So you have no concerns about their father?” Natasha asked raising a brow
“No, because I know who their father is.” Peter said looking straight to her eyes.
“What do you mean when you say you know who their father is?” Lotus asked being totally confused.
“I know exactly who was in that hotel room with you.” Peter said and something hit Lotus hard at that moment.
“How did you find out, and who was it?” She asked a bit louder than her normal tone.
“It was me that night.” Peter said looking down.
“It cannot be. You must be telling the lie to persuade me to be with you.” Lotus tried to find a excuse for herself not to hate him.
“I’m not telling you a lie. I’ve known it since the first time we met for a business meeting in that restaurant.” Peter said/ His voice trembled with the guilt and sorrow.
“How come you didn’t tell me?” Lotus asked him her voice cracked.
“I was initially concerned that you might be dating someone else. I didn’t want to be a stumbling block in your life. Later, when I went to Natasha to inquire about you, I discovered that they were my children. I was about to tell you, but Natasha cut me off. She mentioned how much you despise the incident. I didn’t say anything because you might have gone back to Australia if you knew. I can’t afford to lose either you or the kids again.” Peter said sincerely.
“If that’s the case, why are you telling me now?” Lotus was loosing her patience by all this suspense.
“I can’t see that you or my children should be blamed for something they didn’t do. Please, Lotus, allow me to introduce myself as their father. So that no one will ever again question their father.” Peter pleaded.
“No, I don’t want my children to be named after someone me who took advantage of their mother.” Lotus said angrily.
“I didn’t take advantage of you in any way. I was drugged, and you were the one who came into my room and approached me.” Peter said with desperation.
“What made you think I’d believe you? You’ve been lying to me for the past month. It is natural for you to lie about that night as well. And what evidence do you have that you are telling the truth?” Lotus questioned him.
“Lotus, I’ve had a DNA test. They are my kids.” Peter said in a low voice which infuriated Lotus.
“Did you conduct a DNA test on my children without my permission?” She shouted at him. How dare he do that.
“I apologize. I realize what I did was wrong, but please give me the opportunity to explain.” Peter tried to reason himself but Lotus wasn’t going to listen to him.
“I want you to leave my house. I don’t want you anywhere near my kids.” She said showing him the door.
“Lotus, please listen to me for a change.” Peter pleaded again to melt her heart. But she is no longer a soft young girl. She is a grown up badass woman now so she pulled him to the door.
Lotus shoved him out the door and shut it in his face. She then began crying once more.
As Peter stated, the news was removed from the media the following day. But how do you get it out of people’s heads? Lotus was aware of the strange looks she received when she returned to work the next day. She didn’t take the kids to school to ensure their safety. She wanted to talk to Natasha but she was out of town with her husband. Lotus suddenly felt all alone in this city.
After two days she dropped the children to their school and instructed the bodyguards to be alert of the reporter. She then went to her office. She was about to open a file when she received a call from the principal of the school. She went rushing there without being late. When she reached there she saw James was standing in the Principal’s office with another boy.
“Welcome Miss Kent, please have a seat.” Said the principal who had a fake smile on her face. Lotus sat in front of her. There was another woman who was sitting beside her.
“What happened to James?” Lotus couldn’t help but ask.
“He had a fight with his classmate. She is Mrs. Harrison who happened to be that boy’s mother.” The principal introduce that lady. Lotus gave her a smile but that woman didn’t bother to return a smile.
“Why did you fight with your classmate dear?” Lotus asked bending down in front of James.
“Mommy he said a bad word to Jenny that’s why I beat him.” James replied nonchalantly. Only now can Lotus see the resemblances of James and Peter. They looked the same.
“What bad word did he said?”Asked the principal.
“He said we are Ba***ard.”