ILLEGITIMATE CHILD WITH A MAN

The only heir to the Nemara Inc., Victor McNemara, has a secret child with a man. It has been confirmed by the businessman himself when he made an official statement in one of his interviews. The 'mother' is supposed to be an acclaimed owner of a Café in central Boston, Oliver Brenan, who still has not said his piece on this matter. With that, we are left with only our imagination on what his side of the story is.

However, the most important question running through everyone's head is, HOW.

Based on our research and scientists we asked to make sure we got the right information, there has been an experiment going on for some years, making it possible for men to conceive a child.

The procedure has to start early in life, the patients having to be younger than fourteen. It is mainly a hormonal procedure requiring a weekly dose of a special mix of several hormones, added with an injection of an Eneritha serum.

"The Eneritha serum is why this is possible in the first place. It forces the hormones to work and change the male body into a one that can conceive. Of course, it doesn't work for everyone. Throughout the experiments, we found out special gen is required and without it, the serum won't kick in and the hormones won't react in the right way," says one of the leading researches, Dr. Elijah Baldrick.

...

I threw the newspapers away, a dull pain throbbing behind my eyes. This was beyond fucked up. The number of articles and news reports going on about this was insane. It had been a week already, and the world still lived on this news as if its life depended on it.

I was deadly tired of it all. After my enormous announcement on the television, the paparazzi swarmed around me every time I left the hotel. I was glad I postponed moving-in to my new house because just the imagination of them standing in front of the house and waiting for any chance to bother me was disgusting. It would be the worst way to settle down in a new environment.

Sighing, I looked at the minibar longingly, hating the fact I had to be on my way in the next five minutes. The thing I needed the most right about now was a drink. But I wouldn't be able to get one until evening, and it was driving me crazy. There was nothing better than having a glass of fine scotch when you were feeling like shit.

I put on my jacket and grabbed the files I finished during the night. There was a big meeting with the executive board of Edwards' company, and we were supposed to come to an agreement concerning the merger. Dealing with the board, with Alison's father by their side, was the last thing on my wish list for today, but if I wanted to keep to my plan and make it work, there was no way around it.

Walking out of the room, I came face to face with Nelson. He looked even worse than me, and I couldn't suppress the chuckle coming out of my mouth. Unlike me, he decided it was a good idea to go clubbing instead of getting a night of good sleep for the negotiations, and he looked just as bad as I had imagined.

"Good morning," I said, glad there is at least one other person who feels shitty – even though for a completely different reason.

"Don't enjoy it too much," he grumbled, walking down the corridor with me.

"Man, what a night. Why didn't you stop me? I came back two hours ago." Whining, he stepped into an elevator, pressing the ground floor.

"Don't put the blame on me, Nels. You knew what was on the agenda today. I stayed in the room, restrained myself and had only two glasses in the evening. That says a lot. You knew how important it was and you knew you would be coming with me. If you feel like shit, that's your problem. I don't feel too good myself, but seeing you makes it better." I grinned, feeling like everything would be better than I thought once I got a huge cup of coffee and something sweet in my system.

***

The meeting was shorter than I expected. We were done after five hours with a positive outcome, and Alison's father wasn't as big of an asshole as I remembered. It might have been because he knew what I was planning and liked the idea as much as I did, but based on the expressions and words from others present, the proposal I prepared was almost excellent and would assure me the same outcome either way. I was good at what I did. That much, I knew.

Now, finally out of the office, I was ready to get some burn in my throat. I was craving the golden liquid as never before. But of course, someone didn't wish me this goody. My mobile phone started to ring right before I stepped into a bar we were headed to.

"It's funny, but I'm not even surprised this happened." Nelson laughed, shaking his head and gesturing he would be waiting for me inside with glass ready.

I was this close to shutting the hell-machine off if it wasn't for the name on the display. I had been waiting for this call for what felt like an eternity.

"Hi," I said, stepping back a bit to get away from the noise coming out of the bar. It was full of people, surprisingly so with the sun still up and shining, and the humming of their voices could be heard even through the closed door.

"Hi, Vic. Can you spare me a minute or two, or are you busy right now?" Oliver's quiet voice sounded on the other line, and I found myself smiling.

It was several days since I last heard him, and I was missing it the whole time. Since the whole illegitimate-child-with-a-man scandal started, we managed to speak with each other only once. The rest of our communication was through messaging, but that wasn't comparable to directly talking to him.

"No, I just finished work. Are you ready?" I asked, following on from our previous conversation.

We were supposed to meet in one of the following days to discuss our further involvement and relationship, but with the mess going on, Oliver wanted to wait until it calms down a bit. I wasn't convinced it would, especially when we weren't seen together since then, but I decided to play by his rules for once. Telling him it wouldn't get better for way longer than a few days wouldn't do us any good anyway.

"Yes. I'm sure you're thinking I was naive to think the leeches would forget about us so easily, but whatever." He sighed and I could hear just how tired he was. The strain in his voice was as clear as a day. I couldn't imagine how hard it had to be on him and Matt; I grew up in the spotlight, after all. But the persistence the press was showing in this particular case was too much even for me, which said a lot.

I got it. It was hot news. Shocking news. Men having a child with each other? No one probably ever dreamed it would be possible. Add an heir of a multimillionaire business and an owner of a slowly rising Café and you got a great scandal. But there was a little kid involved. One would think the hyenas were reasonable and empathetic enough to realize dragging this for so long could have catastrophic consequences for his life.

Yeah, just wishful thinking on my part. I was as naïve as Oliver in this matter, which was ridiculous knowing how exactly those bastards worked, and what they were willing to do to get a great scoop.

"I'm not thinking anything, Oliver. I cannot imagine how hard this is for you, and I'm sorry it happened. I didn't want this any more than you," I said, knowing he wouldn't believe me however hard I tried to prove it. If it wasn't for the stupid phone call I made that morning, right before the news hit the television, everything could be different. There was no point in crying over spilled milk, though.

"Right," he took a deep breath, and I could hear someone else talking beside him. "Look, Vic. Could we meet right now? I think it's better to do it as soon as possible."

I checked the time, seeing it wasn't even four in the afternoon, and thought for a minute. With this meeting being so out of nowhere, there wouldn't be anyone to dig out the information about it and follow us there, so it was actually a pretty good idea. If we agreed to meet in advance, there would be a high possibility of some fucker sneaking up on us to get a good picture.

Glancing around, trying my hardest not to make it obvious, I checked if there was any lurking paparazzi or another annoying journalist. After living this life for so long, I was quite positive my ability to sense those fuckers was almost perfect, and I couldn't sense anyone at the moment.

It wasn't that surprising, though. They saw me leave the office with Nelson in tow, and there were very few who didn't know my habits. Every time I was with Nels, we either went right back to the hotel or somewhere to party or drink. No one probably cared for those kinds of scandals right now – considering the bigger issue hovering over my head.

"That sounds good. I'll just tell Nels I'll be leaving him alone for the night." I shook my head at what I just said, starting my way towards the bar. He wouldn't be happy to hear the news as we hadn't had much time to spent with each other and talk in the past few days, but there was nothing to be done. This was more important at the moment.

"Great. I'm at my brother's. I'll send you the address so please come as soon as possible."

I took a deep breath, ready to ask a question concerning his location when Ollie answered before I even managed.

"Don't worry, Kyle's out." Chuckling softly, he hung up and left me there with my heart beating so hard I thought it would jump right out of my chest. It had been too long since I heard him chuckle like that.

Stopping a taxi and giving the driver a few bucks to wait for me, I went to notify Nelson of my sudden call-up, thinking about what Oliver wanted to talk about. I knew the subject, of course, but I had no idea what conclusion he made and how it would affect our lives from now on.

After I explained the situation to Nels and left him groaning in the bar, two glasses of beer right in front of him, I went back out and got in the taxi. I hoped Matty would be there with Oliver so I could talk to him for a bit. It felt like we didn't see each other for weeks. Giving the driver the exact address Oliver sent me, I leaned back and closed my eyes, letting him drive me towards whatever future awaited me.