The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
Chapter 111

Flair

POV

"Do I look alright?" I asked Grayson for what seemed like the hundredth time as we stood outside the Deluca mansion, his hand lightly holding mine, my hand paused as I raised it to knock on the door. For some strange reason, I was feeling nervous and apprehensive about this dinner.

"You look like your usual beautiful self," he said with a smile "Stop being so nervous. I know you want to make a good impression on Grandfather but you already have."

"I'm worried about Johnathon and Charlotte" I murmured and he sighed, quickly raising his hand and knocking.

"Don't be, you have me" he said tightly.

The door swung open and a nervous maid took our coats and gestured us into the living room. Grandfather stood up "Flair," he said as I stepped forward and hugged him "So nice to see you again. You look ravishing," he said as I laughed before he stepped back and shook Grayson's hand "Looking smart as ever son."

We politely sat on the sofa, Charlotte and Johnathon politely smiling. "Nice to see you again" Johnathon mumbled, avoiding my eyes.

"You look lovely Charlotte" I complimented her but she merely grunted and stared at the grandfather with an annoyed expression on her face. Dinner was going to be difficult to get through, I thought with an inward sigh. Grayson seemed to be along the same lines, squeezing my hand. "Dinner is ready" a maid announced and Grandfather was all smiles as he led us into the dining room.

Grayson pulled out my seat and I sat down before he sat beside me. Charlotte and Johnathon were opposite me and Grayson while Grandfather sat at the head of the table and Karen sat at the end. Our champagne glasses were filled and plates of vegetable lasagne were placed in front of us along with salad. I opened my mouth but Grandfather beat me to it "All vegan, I remembered" he told me with twinkling eyes.

I smiled, gratefully and began to tuck in. The flavors were heavenly and you couldn't even tell the cheese was vegan. It was delicious. I moaned in delight, causing Grandfather to chuckle. "I might have to steal your chef" I confessed as Grayson smirked "This is the best lasagne I've ever had."

"I'll get our cook to give you the recipe," he said smiling and looking pleased.

Charlotte and Johnathon were sulking. Grayson relaxed slightly and began to enjoy dinner.

Once the main course had been served, Grandfather tapped his champagne glass. "I have something to say in regards to the company" he began but Grayson quickly interrupted the old man, looking apologetic.

"About that Grandfather," he said as the old man looked at him and Charlotte began to look indignant "Flair and I have come to a decision, an important one" he began.

I reached out and took his hand, squeezing it and encouraging him as he took a deep breath but he didn't get a chance to tell his grandfather that neither I nor he didn't want the company, because Charlotte interrupted, her eyes blazing as she glared at Grayson. "Oh hell no" she spat out as we stared at her incredulously "You don't get to sit there and be all high and mighty just because you had the good fortune to marry a Grant" she spat out as Grayson glared at her "you don't get to be given a company because of it. Grandfather made those stipulations and he damn well better stick to them" she said vehemently.

"Nobody is saying anything to do with giving me the company," Grayson said confused.

"Good, because here's what I have to say. I Charlotte Deluca am putting my claim in for the company here and now, right in front of everybody here to bear witness" she sneered.

I frowned. Karen looked confused and the Grandfather was merely sitting back and observing everyone quietly. "Charlotte what do you mean?" Karen asked eventually as Charlotte looked around the table smugly.

"Well it's quite simple isn't it really" she said mockingly as we all looked at each other "What was the stipulation that you made grandfather? Can you even remember or has your memory faded along with your so-called health?" she mocked. "Charlotte" scolded Karen sounding incredulous.

"I'm as healthy as a horse you little toad," Grandfather said annoyed "So why don't you spit out what you're trying to say."

Charlotte smirked. "Well as you stated in your conditions, the first person to give you a living heir should receive the company, isn't that right grandfather?"

Grandfather gave a slow nod "That was one of the conditions" he emphasized but Charlotte was too lost in her own importance to pay attention to that "Well unless Flair here is pregnant?" she shot me a look.

Not that it was any of her business but I found myself slowly shaking my head, making her grin even wider and a look of excitement fill her face.

"Well then, it seems like only one of us is in the running" she crowed "because as of today, it seems that according to the test I took I'm pregnant."

Silence. Grayson and I glanced at each other, while Johnathon's face showed that he was anything but pleased at the news. Shouldn't he be excited? He should be thrilled at the news he was going to be a father. Grandfather looked astonished, a slow smile curving on his lips. "That is excellent news Charlotte" he beamed as Charlotte leaned back in her chair "Congratulations" he congratulated her "I'm so happy for the two of you" he added, looking hard at Johnathon's miserable face. "Congratulations Charlotte, Johnathon," I said with a smile, trying to feel genuinely happy for them.

Part of me was jealous even though I knew that wasn't fair, that I wasn't pregnant as well. It felt selfish to feel that way and I forced my feelings down in order to properly congratulate both of them. Grayson appeared to be stunned and I squeezed his hand, bringing him back to his senses.

"What? Oh," he said quickly, looking over at his sister, who looked like a cat who got the cream "Congratulations Charlotte." She sat there smugly. "So, because Flair isn't pregnant" she emphasized the pregnant part, making part of me wince "I take it the company will be all mine?" she asked sweetly, eying her grandfather shrewdly.

John shifted uncomfortably on his seat "Charlotte you do realize it stipulates a living heir" he pointed out softly as Charlotte stared at him "Which means if you lose the baby it takes you back out of the running? Are you even past your first trimester?" he asked and Charlotte bit her lip.

"No but I don't see the problem," she said c*****g her head "The baby is practically guaranteed to remain in my womb." "I hope you're right," John said quietly, "and if that's the case then it does put you in the running for the company, but it doesn't automatically disclude Flair and Grayson."

"What" exploded Charlotte "Why not?"

"If Flair was to get pregnant in the next month or so, then it could literally be up to who gives birth first" explained Grandfather nonchalantly "and there were other conditions that I'm not going to go into at the table. You, of course, have met the first one, but I have to ask, judging by the look on Johnathon's face, was he even aware of your pregnancy? He looks quite shocked."

"I wanted to keep it a secret. He's just overwhelmed, aren't you baby?" Charlotte cooed, as we all looked at Johnathon's face and the blood that had drained out of it.

Aware that everybody's eyes were on him, Johnathon straightened up and coughed, clearing his throat. "Yes, it has come as a bit of a shock but I'm thrilled," he said unconvincingly "And I look forward to becoming a father" he finished resolutely. "About the company" Grayson began tentatively "That's what we wanted to talk to you about Grandfather and perhaps now would be the perfect opportunity."

Grandfather's eyes rested on Grayson. I wondered if he knew what Grayson was going to say because he shook his head subtly at his grandson. "In private," he said, quietly, as dessert was placed in front of us "please. We will talk in the study." Grayson flattened his lips but nodded. We began to dig into the cake. Charlotte took two bites and then turned green, hopping up and rushing out of the room. Karen got up and quickly followed. "I think she's being sick," she said apologetically. Johnathon remained sitting. "Don't you want to check on your wife?" Grayson asked.

Johnathon hesitated. He sighed and then stood up, looking stiff, and walked out of the room, looking mutinous.

"He's not happy" I murmured thoughtfully "I thought he would have been pleased. We could never get pregnant in the three years we were married." I shot Grayson a worried look. "And if Charlotte is pregnant, then that means..."

I forgot all about Grandfather sitting there. "Nothing," interjected Grayson, looking at me steadily. "It means nothing, Flair. Stop panicking. We haven't been trying long," he told me, "and I'm in no rush."

"There are doctors you can see," Grandfather said evenly as we looked at him. "If you want answers, but for now, I agree with Grayson. Just because Charlotte is pregnant does not mean that the problem lies with you," he said nonchalantly.

I frowned. That almost sounded like an insult. I dug into the chocolate cake, moaning as the tantalizing taste hit my tastebuds. "This is so good," I said between mouthfuls as Grayson laughed at me. "Who would have thought you had a sweet tooth?" Grayson teased. "First donuts for breakfast, now this chocolate cake."

I giggled at him, finishing the piece. Grayson pushed his in front of me. "Here" he laughed and I began to eagerly dig in as Grandfather watched indulgently.

"Grayson," he said as I finished up "let's go and have that talk now. Where nobody is able to use eavesdropping ears. You can rest in the living room Flair" he added "I won't be long, I promise" he smiled at me.

Grayson kissed me on the forehead "I'll be right back" he said, following behind his grandfather as they began to make their way to the study. I settled down on the couch to wait, feeling pleasantly full and drowsy.