Chapter 2 She surely looks like me

Hailey was not comfortable with the situation. She had protected her daughter all her life and felt that this was not the time to let her daughter witness unpleasant exchanges.

"Edward me and Orla can take a taxi home." Hailey stood up and was about to leave, but Casper gestured her to sit down.

"No... no…, I'm the one who should be leaving." He said and Hailey did not respond.

"Happy birthday Orla. I cannot disturb a family outing." He got off his chair and marched out. Edward excused himself and followed his son. He caught up with him when he was about to get into his car.

"You're such an embarrassment dad, spending time with this girl not even caring for your own dying wife." Casper was pacing around shouting at his father.

"You know that your mother is not dying." Edward had now prevented his son from getting into his car by leaning on the driver's door and was very calm.

"Justin alerted me about your mistress and your daughter who surely looks like me. How could you do this to mom?" He was yelling at his father, and he pushed him away from the driver's door of his car and he got in.

Opening the window and shouting again. "I'm not going to hide this from mom.”

He started the engine, and he was about to drive off when Edward shouted. "Hailey is not my mistress and Orla is not my daughter.”

Casper scoffed. "Still taking me for a fool dad. If she is not your daughter, then whose daughter is she and why does she look like me?”

"Because she is your daughter Casper." Edward's response made his son stop the engine and got out of his car.

Edward had no intention of telling his son but knowing his son he knew that he was not bluffing when he mentioned that he wanted to tell his mother. Edward was now thinking of what his wife would do if his son presented her with this information.

"What are you talking about? Do you want to throw your mistress to me? Is that why you appointed me CEO? Is that it dad? Answer me." He had now grabbed his father's collar threatening to hit him.

"Stop it Casper! You and your friends almost destroyed that girl's life." Edward had now freed himself from his son and was now angry with him.

"The birthday gift that your friends handed you. Savages! Drugging a girl just because she is an orphan and handing her to you to do whatever you wanted with her.”

Casper was in total shock and now had his entwined hands behind his neck and was now walking around aimlessly.

"Oh, my goodness! Are you telling me that this is the girl who sold her virginity?" He was looking straight into his father's eyes. He didn't give his father the chance to respond.

"What's happening dad? I knew something was wrong with that girl. Are you saying she was drugged?" Casper was now staring at the hotel entrance, and he could see Hailey and Orla standing watching the father and son arguing.

"Dad does she know?" His legs were now quaking, and his heart pounding uncontrollably thinking of what he could say to Hailey. He remembered the night very well and he was wondering how his father came to know about this and how he linked up with Hailey.

"She doesn't know anything, and we're going back there, and you are going to apologize, and we will help my granddaughter enjoy her birthday." Edward was now in control of the situation.

Casper walked behind his father, and they went towards mother and daughter. He had so many questions but was not going to ask at that particular moment.

"Grandpa I thought you had left without saying goodbye." Orla ran and hugged Edward.

"You know I would never do that." He lifted the little girl and glanced at his son who could read what his father wanted him to do.

"Apologies for my silly behavior, I'm Casper Crane Edward's son." He offered Hailey a handshake and she accepted.

"I'm Hailey Richmond and don't be too hard on yourself. Your reaction was understandable Mr. Crane." She said politely. She had no blood relationship with Edward so it was obvious one would assume that they were lovers.

"You can call me Casper." He said showing signs of nervousness and Hailey turned to talk to Edward who had his eyes on his son.

"Edward, I left Lily packing the cake for Orla and I should go and get it." Hailey went back inside and collected the cake. She didn't take time and came out and joined the father and son.

'What did Edward say to his son to make him behave differently?' She wondered as they walked to the car par.

Upon reaching the car park Edward informed his son that he wanted to drop off Hailey and Orla and would then go back to his hotel.

"Actually, I didn't get to taste the birthday cake so maybe I can take them home dad and stay for a few minutes tasting the cake. What do you think Orla?" He was avoiding eye contact with Hailey.

"Of course, son, that would be great." Edward quickly responded before anyone, and he told them that he was now going to his hotel as he was planning to leave early morning for his home.

'I have only seen this man on TV and in magazines. What am I going to talk to him about?' Hailey was battling with thoughts. If he had talked about the taking them home only, she would have refused but because he talked about having cake she had to agree.

Casper was every woman's dream. He was attractive and had a gorgeous body. He had been seen with different gorgeous women. Movie stars and models had accompanied him around.

Recently he had been spotted at a film premier and he was rumored to now being in a serious relationship with an A list actress.

Edward opened the passenger door for Orla and kissed her before helping her get into the car. Hailey quickly got into the passenger seat and sat next to her daughter.

Casper was still not sure what to do. In a normal situation he would have asked Hailey to sit on the front passenger seat as he always said that he didn't want to be like someone's driver.

Hailey and Orla waved at Edward as the car started moving towards the exit of the hotel car park.