The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 44

Stepping out of the shower Regina dressed slowly. It was amazing the difference in a day. Last Saturday she had been distraught and stressed, angered and frustrated. Yet tonight she was much more relaxed and...happy. She couldn't help but smile at the memory of the conversation she shared with Marcus after his bidding spectacle. Really, what was he thinking? He must have been out of his mind to have paid so much. Still... It felt good too, like spending time with her was something to be treasured.

Regina wasn't sure what to expect when she joined him after their last talk. But the first thing he did was apologize. She had been so taken back she didn't even know how to respond. At first she thought it was a joke but his sincerity was simply too believable. Regina was almost ready to believe he knew who she was and about the triplets. But that was impossible.

It only got more confusing from there as he offered to come every Saturday if she wanted. She certainly never thought of herself as a damsel in distress but it was nice that he wanted to be her knight in shining armor. That would change as soon as he realized who she was. Right now he thought she was some glamorous singer...but she wasn't. She was a single mother and he would run for the hills once he learned about the kids and if he found out three were actually his...

Regina shivered. He would be furious. He would never want to see her or the children again. If he didn't try to take them away from her he would disown them and drive them away.

Perhaps moving to Texas was the answer. Surely he wouldn't do anything to them if they left New York voluntarily. Their paths had already crossed much more than she thought it would and the more entwined their paths became the more difficult it would be to keep the truth secret. Her only saving grace was that he hadn't seen the kids yet. No doubt as soon as he saw the triplets he'd have questions, especially the boys. She couldn't help but see the resemblance. He would too. But if they left New York they would be out of sight and out of mind. He would be able to marry his bride-to-be without fear that Regina would reveal their time together.

Regina rubbed her temple. When did it all get so complicated? She desperately wanted advice but anything she said would reveal the secret she tried so hard to keep. What should she do?

Shaking her head she headed to Mary's office. She gripped the strap of her bag in anticipation. With the bidding tonight she should have a good bonus. She could pay off a good portion of her hospital bill and also save for Gabriella's next appointment. Regina couldn't let this opportunity go to waste and she couldn't let it go to her head. She should just count her blessings tonight.

Reaching the door she paused when she heard voices, "And this person is a friend of yours?"

"Y-yes," Madeline's voice answered. "We grew up together."

"....Right. And she needs a job because..."

"Well, you know, she's had a rough few years."

"Mhmm. Being in jail will do that."

Mary's sharp answer seemed to silence Madeline's next retort.

"You think I'm a fool and wouldn't recognize your friend's name?" Mary asked with a sigh. "I'll hire her on a trial basis. She has a week to prove herself but if she misses one shift, throws one tantrum...she's done." "...Th-thank you."

Regina scuttled away from the door leaving a wide berth as Madeline hurried away. The last thing she wanted was to catch that person's attention. She waited a moment before approaching the door again. Knocking she entered with a nervous smile. "Oh good, Regina," Mary greeted. "Ah, close the door and have a seat."

She did as told trying to relax. In front of her Mary finished calculations before writing out the check. With a nod she tore it out and handed it to her. Regina tried to remain calm as she accepted it but when she looked at the amount she frowned. "Um...isn't this too much?"

"Well, it includes your normal payment plus your percentage from tonight's bidding as well as last week's bidding," Mary explained.

"Last week's...but you said that was for damages."

"I did. But the client who started the fight came in tonight to apologize and insisted on paying himself."

"He did?" Regina couldn't believe it. It was almost as if...no that was impossible. She shouldn't read too much into it. "Thank you."

"He certainly made a spectacle of himself tonight, didn't he?" Mary smirked.

"Yeah," Regina agreed. She couldn't help but smile at recalling their conversation. He really was something else. "... Well, good night?" "You too."

Regina left the office in a daze. He actually came back to pay for the damages? It was almost as if he knew what it had cost her but...that was impossible. He didn't even know she had children let alone that Gabriella was ill. There simply wasn't any way for him to know any of it.

Whatever his reasons she had to make good use of this opportunity. She would put off any decisions concerning Texas until after Gabriella's follow-up. There was no sense in rocking the boat until then.

Stepping outside Regina headed to her car feeling much calmer than she had all week. She paused beside her Geo to dig for her keys when an arm suddenly reached around her and pulled her head back painfully.

"Not a word!" a harsh voice commanded near her ear.

Regina stiffened. Was this really happening? She had worked at the Masque for years and never once had she found herself in this situation. Was she really being mugged?

"Your cash, let's see it. Now! Empty the bag!"

Her captor turned her toward the Geo's hood. Shaking she tipped her bag upside down and dumped the contents. Her chap stick, receipts, phone, a toy car and a few other random items clattered onto the hood. The toy car landed on its wheels and rolled off into the shadows. Regina winced as her captor jerked her to the side and rifled through the remains with his free hand.

"What's this? Where's the cash?"

"I-I don't have any," Regina shook her head.

She rarely carried any. Her driver's license, debit card and her paycheck were tucked away in her phone case. Other than that she rarely carried anything else. She didn't even have a wallet.

"What are you talking about!" he shouted spinning her around and slapping her across the face. "Strippers always have cash!"

"I'm not a stripper," Regina leaned against her car trying to keep her feet under her. "I'm a singer."

"Oh, you're going to sing all right," he sneered clutching his belt.

"NO!"