Chapter 10

"It's been a long time Diane" Eric finally spoke looking at her with a hard and long look. At this moment I would give my red Ferrari to know what Eric was thinking right at this moment.

What has got to be running through his head seeing his estranged daughter once again?

"Not long enough" she quipped back k in a still neutral voice.

Still not betraying one emotion. It was like she was just stating a regular fact. She sure had gained a backbone.

I am pretty sure that Eric's eye quickly darkened. He hated being contradicted. I would have expected her to shrink back but installed she looked rather amused. Almost like she was expecting and looking forward to a fight.

But I was not going to let that happen. I really needed to take control of this conversation. I could not afford a confrontation and an all out war. I had just seen her, I needed her to trust me.

"Diane. We- I mean I really need to talk to you about something important" I quickly spoke.

"Well, as you can see now is not a good time. I am about to have lunch. But thanks for stopping by" she nodded her head as signal for us to leave. Then she freaking went back to her phone. What the hell was so important on her phone?!

"Diane" her father growled.

She just rolled her eyes. And went right back to her phone

"Diane" her father growled.

She just rolled her eyes. And went right back to her phone without a care in the world or who was in hers.

"Please leave" she asked one more time.

But I was not in any mood or in the capability to heed her request. I had waited to damn long.

Diane please" I counted to ten. I could not lose my temper with her. This would not help me in any way. I had to be nice to her. For now.

"Please just leave" she asked once again. No more like demanded

"I really need to talk to you" I stated once again.

"Now's not a good time I am expecting somebody"

I bet she was.

"No we need to talk. I am not leaving this table till we talk" to emphasise my point, I folded my hands across my chest. I hoped she remembered that I only did this when I was completely serious. When we were still together she used to tease me and nick name it my tantrum pout.

She sighed and placed her phone in her purse or bag.

Whatever you ladies call those huge things. But whatever it's called she picked it up and proceeded to head out.

"Thank you gentlemen. You have managed to ruin my appetite" she said with a sweet smile. Damn that smile could make ice melt. Her perfect rows of teeth and her filling lips could knock a man out I thought to myself.

I was too busy gazing at her lips that I didn't notice that she was walking away. I scrambled out of the booth and saw her heading back to the foyer of the restaurant. And I should add that the view was great from the back too. A couple of men were even glancing after her.

She sure knew how to walk. But I guess that was expected in her business. To be able to seduce men. Entice them. I felt shame and pity for my child. I had to get my child away from her. She was a bad influence. What child wanted a mother

Who works as a hooker?

Her dad- I mean Eric was stunned. He shared a look with me.

And without wasting any more time or a second thought we followed her to the foyer of the restaurant. Luckily she was still there, standing there.

But what confused me even more was her posture. She was facing the direction of our table. Then she walked towards it.

Confusing me even more. I mean why was she headed there? I am pretty sure no one at the table liked or even knew her. I exchanged confused looks with Eric who was wondering the same thing.

"Why hello stranger" she called socially to Robert. My friends and family glanced and the table was looking at her in shock and surprise. Judy looked like she was really about to faint.

"Why hello. I am sorry but do I know you?" He answered back.

I groaned inwardly. What the heck was she doing? Was she trying to embarrass herself?

"No but your bank account sure does" she laughed.

I froze. She didn't just say that. I said to myself and by the look of everyone's face they couldn't believe it either. The table suddenly went very quiet. Iwas cringing inwardly.

Was Robert one of her client's? Was she trying to create a scene? It was known to happen in Hollywood with scorned lovers and mistresses. But I thought Diane was better than that. Guess I was wrong again. She was still an attention seeker.

Surprising the whole table especially my friends was that

Robert just laughed.

"And you were worth every penny" he chuckled. His wife just laughed. Then he stood up and pulled her in for a hug. This was getting weirder by the minute.

"It's been too long, little girl" he said patting her head.

"Stop treating me like a child. Angela tell your man to stop" she whined. Pouting her lips.

"Robert stop" she playfully chastised her man. She was certainly taking this very well. She was known in Hollywood as being very territorial and jealous of her husband.

"What are you guys doing here?" She asked curiously.

"Just came to see my nephew and get away from the city for a while" he sighed. Sitting back down.

She nodded her head in understanding.

"I was pretty sure I would find you here" he said fondly to her.

"Hey why don't you join us for lunch. We can catch up?"

Angela suggested.

"I think she would rather prefer to spend her lunch with more interesting and handsome men. Like me" a man joked from behind me.

What is it with everyone startling me from behind today? I turned and squinting my eyes I saw the man headed to our table. I then immediately recognized him as Alexander Tay.

I couldn't help but glance at Ashley. She was looking nervous and blushing. Wait did he just say spend time with Diane? Was he the one that she said was having lunch with?

"What you saying that I am ugly?" Robert gasped. Still joking none the wiser.

"If the shoe fits.. Alexander said letting the sentence hang.

Robert gave him the finger and he just laughed. He waved to everyone. We waved back.

"Besides I am sure that Diane wants to spend lunch with me"

Robert argued.

"Yeah right" Alexander snorted.

"Diane who do you want to spend lunch with?" Robert asked with big round eyes staring at her.

"Actually neither" she replied.

"Ohh burn!!" Angela booed.

"Wow"

"Cut us when we are down huh?"

"No I meant neither, because I am leaving right now. I got a new flight and it leaves in an hour" she explained.

"What. Why?" Alexander protested.

"Work calls" she shrugged.

"You just finished working" he argued.

"Yeah. Now I have to go work again" she said rolling her eyes.

Sighing in defeat he asked her "When does your flight leave?"

"Within the next hour" she confirmed.

"Ohh. That's fast" he said sadly.

"Yup. But what can you do" she shrugged.

"Well you know what I'll come with you" Alexander announced.

"What?" She cried.

"You might need the company" he reasoned. How close were these guys exactly.

"No I don't. Besides I'm sure you want to spend time with your family" she argued.

"No he doesn't" Robert answered for him earning him a scalding look from Alexander.

Robert raised his hand in surrender "Sorry, but I want to spend my vacation relaxing. Not baby sitting you"

"I am sure he'll behave. And I really don't want company"

Diane tried protesting again.

"Yes you do. Now shut up. Besides we have more work to discuss" using air quotations on work.

"And here I thought I had finally gotten rid of you" she lamented

"Nope. Besides we can talk about our date" he said raising his eyes in a suggestive manner.

Angela squealed "What when did this happen? I am so happy for the both of you? Tell me all about it?"

"Sorry no comment" Diane said with a smirk on her face.

"Hey I taught you that" Angela protested.

"Yeah. Too well. Well bye everyone" then she bent down to give them both a kiss.

Without sparing a glance at any of us she walked out with Alex beside her. Alex waved a goodbye to us.

I could tell that Ashley was beyond mad and hurt. But that didn't concern me at the moment. Right now I wanted to know how the hell she knew Robert and his family. What game was she playing?

After they left the conversation flowed once again but it was strained. If the Roberts did suspect something was up they didn't make a mention of it. I think everyone was still trying to process beasts happening.

During dessert I decided to casually bring up the subject. I needed to get as much information as I could.

"So Robert, who was that young lady?"

"Oh that was Diane Reyes" he answered.

So that is why we couldn't find or locate her. She had changed her last name.

"She sounds familiar" I feigned trying to rack my brain. I needed to keep this conversation going. Very little bit counted.

"Yeah it should be. That young lady is making a name for herself internationally" he snorted. Then he changed the subject.

I couldn't push for any more information. It would only bring more curiosity that I did not need.

"Would you excuse me for a moment." I stepped outside to make a phone call. The person I needed picked up on the third ring. I waved off pleasantries and went straight to the point.

Look into Diane Reyes"

My luck was turning up now. And I walked back into the room.