The Secret Obsession of the CEO
Chapter 108: Happiness And Confusion

Chapter 108: Happiness And Confusion

Derick could hear his mother’s thoughts although she never said a word. His divorce hurt his entire family and he didn’t even give them closure.

He knelt in front of Penny and held her hands. "Mom... It will be okay... I will keep Rory away from her. There won’t be any trouble during~"

"Oh, for Pete’s sake, Derick. If she shows her shameless face here, it won’t be Rory she should be worried about. I want to tear her apart!" Penny said and her cheeks trembled out of anger.

"Mom..?" Derick’s voice shook as he was surprised.

He didn’t know what made his mother so angry. He never told her anything about his past marital troubles.

"What?" Penny rubbed his head. "You said nothing, but I know she hurt you so much. I tried to ask Rory but she refused to talk about it. I can only imagine the hurt she’s put you through if Rory went as far as to hit her..."

"Mom..." Derick’s eyes reddened. He was happy his mother understood him. He knew his mother did not agree with the divorce as they had a son together. But maybe she had time to think about it to change her mind.

Or if she was talking to Rory, then it should be her...

"It was my fault. I knew there was something wrong with her right from the start. Rory kept on rolling her eyes at her. That should have been a sign. I should have stopped you from marrying her just because she was pregnant... I even insisted on the wedding to make sure my grandchild is not born out of wedlock...."

"No, mom... No... It was not your fault!" Derick wiped the tears off his mother’s face. She is a very emotional person and crying would do no good.

"This one looks fine... But that one looked fine at that time too...Rory has the eyes of an angel. She knows evil when she sees it. What does she say about this one?"

"Penelope! That’s enough!" Leroy stopped his wife. "Rory is a child. Don’t put her on a pedestal. It would only burden her. And don’t you trust your son? He dated Julia for more than a year. They have lived together for months. They know each other enough and decided on getting married. She is a nice girl. Her family is nice too. Don’t load your disappointments on his head. He is getting married in a week!"

Penny wiped the tears on her face and nodded. "You’re right. I am sorry for overreacting..." she held Derick’s cheek. "Son, I just want you to be happy."

"I am, mom," Derick kissed his mother’s hand. "I know I am not the perfect man. I have my faults. I cannot express my thoughts very well through words. I go silent when I have to speak, but Julia... She understands me even when I speak little, mom... When I am with her... I feel light and... at peace. I don’t dread going home to her. So... I am happy, mom," he smiled.

Only when he spoke did he realize that he is very happy. After the dreadful period of his life when he was married to that woman, he thought he does not deserve much happiness.

But Julia has changed his belief. He knew it. And that’s why he wanted to put a ring on her finger.

He might not be cute and do cutesy things, but Julia knows that. And still, she loves him. And he loves her too.

The dreadful feeling he had earlier went away and his mind got occupied with peace.

"Find a way to get custody of your son, Derick..." Penny whispered.

She knows her husband does not agree with her sentiment. But she did not like that she does not see her grandson whenever she wants to.

"Mom... I..." Derick cleared his throat.

"Derick, ask Rory to bring me a glass of milk on your way out," Leroy said. He did not want him to be emotionally manipulated by his wife.

Penny did not speak one more word. She understood what her husband meant. He wants her to shut up. She would have gone to get him some milk, but she could understand that he wants to talk to Rory about something.

"Yes, dad," Derick left the room.

He got to the second floor and noticed that Liam’s door was closed. He didn’t want to disturb the couple and the baby.

If the baby screams, his peace would be disturbed.

He got to the kitchen. There was no one there. But for some reason, he felt like he was being watched. He looked around and checked every nook and corner of the first floor, but he could not see anyone. But oddly, he could not shirk off the feeling.

He was near the dining table and he thought he heard something. With careful steps, he walked to the base of the staircase. And in the reflection on the frames, he saw a figure retreating.

"Who’s there?" he shouted.

His hand naturally reached for his waist, but he was not carrying. He went to the couch and got the baseball bat they keep hidden under it. And that was when he heard the thumping sound on the stairs.

It was heavy and careful.

Holding the bat, he inched closer to the stairs.

"Please don’t shoot... It’s me..."

Derick hid the baseball bat instantly and walked to the kitchen casually.

"You shouldn’t walk alone like this," he said opening the fridge.

Sidney chuckled nervously. "I was thirsty. So I thought maybe I should have some milk..."

"I... can’t see any milk here," Derick said after checking once more. "But there is orange juice!" he got the orange juice.

He got a glass and poured her some and offered Sidney. "Here..."

"Thanks," Sidney got the glass from his hand.

Derick pointed at the stairs. He did not want to know why her robes that were tied just a moment ago are untied now. She was wearing just a silk slip without any underwear. He did not find it right.

"I’ll go..." he smiled awkwardly and walked away. He’s known Sidney for ages, but he never talked to her before.

In his opinion, she didn’t have a character. He didn’t want to get involved with her.

"Umm... Derick..." Sidney grabbed his shirt to stop him.

"Yes," Derick was stunned but he stopped to listen.

"I have something important to say," she grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.

"Ah... I have to go," Derick got out of her grip and walked out of the kitchen.

This is his aunt technically and she is a pregnant woman. He did not know whether it is his inner detective or his lowered trust in women in general.

He thought Sidney was coming on to him.

"You seem flustered!"

Derick almost punched Lennon’s face as he appeared suddenly from the side.

"Ah, no... dad asked for milk and there is no milk in the fridge," Derick said and ran up the stairs.

Lennon watched Derick leave as if he is on fire. His eyes then ended up inside the kitchen. "I would have gotten you the orange juice if you asked me," he walked in.

"I just wanted to take a walk," Sidney smiled.

"Although you are in the second trimester, walking on stairs often is not very good. Rest in the room and tell me what you need, alright?" he kissed Sidney’s cheek.

"Okay," Sidney placed the half-empty glass on the counter and walked up the stairs without even turning back.

Lennon sighed seeing the clean kitchen. That glass was the only dirty dish in there. He washed the dish, dried it, and walked to his room.

Derick was still confused by what happened just then. He knocked on his father’s door and opened it.

"Dad, there is no milk in the fridge. Should I get it from the store?" he asked.

"No need," Leroy waved his hand. "Where’s Rory?" he looked behind him.

"I...went to get the milk myself..." Derick said.

Only now did he realize that his father wanted to talk to Rory and milk was not his priority.

Can’t he tell me to get Rory?

"I’ll get her," Derick closed the door.

"How is your son even a federal agent, Penny?" Leroy asked.

"He’s my son now? He was your son when he got that award..." Penny chuckled. "And would it have hurt you to tell him to bring Rory if you wanted to talk to her?"

"You understood me, didn’t you? Why couldn’t he?" Leroy grumbled.

"I am your wife and he’s your son. I know you for decades while he knows you only for a decade or so," Penny patted his belly and Leroy chuckled.

"That is right!"

-----

Derick knocked on Liam’s room. And Liam peeked out just opening the door for mere inches. It was then Derick noticed something.

"Did you bring the entire carton here?" Derick confronted.

"What carton?" Liam asked.

Liam was not impressed. But Derick got angry seeing the layer of milk on his lips.

How can he bring an entire carton to his room?

"Milk!" Derick said gritting his teeth. "I can see it on your lips. Don’t lie. I can see..." he pointed at his mouth.

"Milk?" Liam sneered.

"Shut up, Fizzy!"

Derick heard Rory shout from inside the room.

But Liam did not stop. "What made you think that I need a carton to drink milk?"

Liam wriggled his brows.

"What..." Derick was confused.