Chapter three

Five hours later,my mom was brought out of the operation theatre. I held the doctors arm aggressively. I've been trying to get some information for the last five hours from the nurses but they ignored me. This time I must get something,that's why I held her arm.

"How is my mom? How is she?" I asked.

"She's out of danger now." She announced.

"Thank God. Can I see her now?" I asked.

"Yes,but she's sleeping. Make sure you don't wake her up." She said.

We went into the ward and the man followed us. At first I was confused. "Did he do it for charity? Or does Mom know him?"

We went in and my mom was fast asleep.

"Thank you so much sir. Thank you." I said to him again and this time he stretched his hand and I shock them.

We all sat down except my brother,staring at my mother as she slept. The man still waited. Something was wrong,I felt attached and it was strange. I thought he should be on his way by now but it seems he had other motives. Maybe he wanted to talk to my mom.

After a while,my mom woke up and rubbed her eyes. She grunted. "Roberto!" I stood up and rushed to her. 

"How are you doing? How are you feeling?" I asked as I felt Diego trying to see her face. My tall muscular body didn't allow so he went to the other side.

"Mom are you okay?" He rubbed her hair.

"I'm fine." She squeaked.

"Grace!" The man said and his voice echoed in the room. It was then my mother noticed him. 

"Lionel. Raymond Lionel." She yelled as tears fell down her eyes.

"What are you doing here? Just get out! Get lost! I don't want to see your face here." She yelled and it caught the attention of the nurses.

"This is an hospital. You need to be silent." She informed.

"Take this man out of my room." She commanded.

"He paid the bills mum. Please be repectful and appreciative." I bent and whispered.

"I don't care. I deserve more than that. I deserve many more." She yelled.

A nurse informed the man to leave so my mom could stop yelling. I followed him.

"I'm so sorry about my mother's behavior. She's not usually like this." I said.

"It's okay. I understand. I just need her to listen to me that's all." He said.

"Maybe when she gets better,I could arrange an appointment for you guys." I said and he smiled

He turned to leave but he turned back and asked me a question. "Young man! How old are you?" I was shocked to hear the question. "Why was he asking? Did he want to offer me a job?" I asked myself.

Diego rushed to call me and I went inside without answering. "Mom said you shouldn't talk to him." He said.

"Why? Mom he paid your bills." I tried to explain but she cut me off.

"I don't care and I don't want to see him ever again and I don't want you to have any relationship with him." She yelled.

"Just rest okay? Don't let us stress this issue." I said.

My phone beeped and it was my wife's call. I was in no mood to pick a call so I ignored. She sent a message later which read. "Hi baby. Where are you?" 

I sighed and sat beside my mom,happy she was alive and not dead. Happy she was with me. " God will bless the Lionel man." I said.

**********

Two days later,my mom was discharged. I and my wife took her home. I drove my wife's car and parked in our compund. My wife left because she had to go to work. I ordered a taxi for her and she left after our good bye kisses.

I went back in and Diego was packing in mummy's stuffs when I heard a knock. It was the Lionel man again. I didn't want to let him in but it doesn't feel right. He paid my mother's hospital bill and this is the least I could do for him. I opened the door wide and excused myself from the road allowing him to come in. He was in a grey suit this time with leather shoes that looked really expensive. Three cars were packed outside with five bodyguards in suit and sunshades waiting outside. 

The moment my mother sighed him she stood up and yelled. "Raymond leave my house." She yelled.

"Let me explain Grace. I'm so sorry." He apologized.

"How did he know my mom's maiden name? The doctor must have told him." I guessed.

"I don't need to listen to anything. You are nothing but an irresponsible man and father." She yelled.

"Is my son still alive?" He asked.

"Your son? Your son?" My mom queried.

"The son you sent out of your house. The son who you didn't even spend his first stages of growth with. To hell with you." She yelled.

"Calm down mom." I held her and made her sit.

I and Diego were looking confused. "What is going on." I whispered and Diego shrugged.

"Please let me see my son. I need him now." He begged.

"Your son died a long time ago. He died while I was giving birth to him." 

"Wow! I was not the first born." I whispered.

"That's a lie. My son is one of these boys." 

I and Diego looked at each other. "Who would be the son of this man?" I asked Mom.

"None of them." She answered fast.

I and Diego looked at him.

"I need my son to come inherit  my properties. I have no child to take over." He knelt. "Please give me my child.

I went to him and made he stand up. "Sit down sir." I said and he did.

"You are not going to take my son from me. Never!" Mom said and left the room.

"Tell me your age. How old are you?" He asked again and I was about to answer when my mother grabbed my hand andtook me inside leaving Diego and Mr Raymond Lionel.

"mom what's wrong? He paid your bills." I informed her again.

"I know I know." She sat on her bed and covered her face with her hand.

"Then why did you treat him that way?" I asked.

"Because he threw me out when I needed him the most. He left me and my baby alone in this world." She explained.

"What baby?" I asked.

"Well. I was a maid in the Lionel's mansion. The Lionel's are second class citizens in America. They are a prestigious and rich family who pass down their ancient traditions and wealth to their first son. I happened to have a relationship with Rayomind Lionel." She paused for a while and looked at me. I was knelling in front of her paying full attention to what she was saying.

"What? I was in love. I didn't do it for money." She defended herself even when I didn't say anything." 

"I got pregnant and his wife knew. Only I and her knew she couldn't give birth again. She lied the baby was not for Raymond and even proved it with pictures. It was picture of I and Diego's father. Raymond got angry and sent me out of the house. I was all alone. I was an orphan and didn't know where to go. I had to go to Diego's father and I pushed the pregnancy to him." She said and looked at me.

"Mom that's mean. You pushed the baby to dad?" I said 

"Yeah. Diego's father is not yours. Your father is Raymond Lionel." She said and my heart began to beat faster.

"What are you saying? What are you speaking. Father Fernando is my father." I yelled and opened the door. I found Mr Raymond eavesdropping.

"You are my son dear." Raymond said.

"I'm not yours." I whispered.

"I'll transfer all my properties to you. You'll now be able to control billions of dollars. I'm ready to stop your suffering." He said.

I was shocked and happy at the same time. I would be able to prove to my in laws that I'm a billionaire. I'll be able to prove my worth to them.

He gave me his business card and we exchanged numbers. He was about to leave when he turned back and hugged me. "I love you son. I'm happy to find you back." He said 

"I'm happy too." I said truthfully.

I hugged my mom. "Thanks for giving me a good dad." I said and Diego hugged us. "Thank God brother is now rich. You'd give me a position in the company." He chuckled 

"No. You are finishing school and I'm sending you to Harvard." I announced and he jumped for joy. He dabbed several times before running upstairs.

I'm sure he was calling his friends and informing them.

"Our life is going to change mom. it's going to change for good." I said.

"I know but that doesn't mean I've forgiven him. All the pains and suffering I went through can't be forgiven just like that. Go to your father,I won't stop you but don't involve me in anything." She folded her arm.

"What are you saying mom. Don't say this." I said.

"Never mind about me." She said.

"I have to go home now ma. Please rest well. Don't let Diego pester you." I said and kissed her checks. I went back home in my wife's car.