The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 75

Two Months Later

The gym was crowded with former classmates as they mingled around a sea of large, round tables. Balloons and streamers in the school colors: black and green made it festive despite the bleachers pressed flat against the wall and the basketball hoops raised toward the ceiling. Everyone wore name tags so the other attendees would recognize them but honestly Regina would rather forget. She still didn't know how she got talked into attending. Between her sister and Marcus it was hard enough saying no but then they enlisted the kids. So now she was there wearing a dark blue dress with a temporary nametag stuck to it sipping watered-down punch. At the very least the kids were having a good time. Regina looked over to the nearby table where Savannah and the boys were eating their sandwiches, chips and vegetables. Regina wasn't certain who they booked for catering as their alma mater she thought they should have asked Renata. Then again...

Her gaze drifted across the gym as an obnoxiously shrill laugh erupted from an animated group near the stage. She rolled her eyes at the popular crowd. The more things changed the more they stayed the same it seemed.

"Carrot?" Renata asked as she returned to her sister's side with a small plate of vegetables.

Regina wrinkled her nose and shook her head.

"It is rather bland, all they have is ranch dressing," another voice said as a man joined them.

Regina snorted back a laugh. Ian was not a tall man standing only equal in height to the sisters. In heels they were several inches taller. He didn't seem to mind as he slipped an arm around Renata. They pecked each other's lips with a kiss before she ran a hand through his wavy brown hair.

Regina smirked at their chaste shows of affection. Ian and Renata met late one night when the sisters stopped at his family's small diner for a quick bite. Just as Renata had a passion for food and Mexican culture, lan had the same love for his Puerto Rican heritage. It was a match made in heaven and Regina was often jealous of their love...well, used to be jealous.

"Vanilla and mayonnaise," Regina agreed earning a chuckle from her sister at the old joke.

"I told you this would be fun," Renata said.

"You and I have very difficult ideas of fun," Regina shook her head.

When they first arrived there had been more than a few stares and she couldn't escape the whispers and snickers. It seemed she was always the b**t of some joke. Everyone stared at her and the kids like they had two heads. Regina could only imagine the rumors circulating along with the speculation about who the children's fathers were.

Regina glanced toward the door. Marcus had offered to park the car and Gabriella chose to stay with him while the other kids followed her inside. Even though everything seemed to be settling Gabriella continued to cling to her father as if she was afraid to wake up and discover it had all been a dream. Regina worried she was being too compulsive but Marcus said not to worry as he doted on his little princess.

When he came down from the office to meet them for Gabriella's appointment he had earned them quite a few stares. Regina expected that but oddly enough Bernice merely smiled and almost looked relieved.

Regina didn't relax until the test results came in. Gabriella's heart looked normal though Bernice warned she still might need surgery later but for now they would continue with her medication and monitor her. It was a huge relief and Regina broke down in tears hugging Gabriella afraid she would wake up from a dream.

She had gone back to the Masque only once to tell Mary she would no longer be performing there. Though she expected more of a fight Mary merely smiled saying, "I knew you were too good for this place. Good luck and give them hell."

Regina sighed. She'd gone to a few auditions since but it seemed the same old story even with Sarah giving her good references. Marcus offered to help but she didn't want to get a part simply because she was with him. "Well, if it isn't Regina Torres."

Regina stirred from her thoughts to glare at the brunette in front of her: Harper. She wore a short, cocktail dress accentuating her breasts though she would look trashy in anything. Some things never changed. But what caught Regina's attention and made her stiffen was the man escorting her.

Noah. It had to be Noah.

Regina gritted her teeth as she glared at him. The man who changed the course of her life in one fell swoop then abandoned her...her and Savannah on a whim. He turned his back and never showed a moment of remorse.

He was as handsome as ever in a boyish way. His blonde hair had darkened but his face was as smooth and clean as ever. Noah still had an athletic build but he walked with a slight limp and it took a moment for her to recall he tore his ACL his freshman year ending his career before it began. She remembered the night she heard the news Renata snuck in two cans of beer from the neighbors so they could toast it properly in the backyard wary of their father replaceing out. It was probably the only time she truly enjoyed a drink.

"Look honey, you remember our dear Regina," Harper smiled.

"Hello Harper," Regina was impressed she sounded so calm.

"We're engaged!" Harper announced unprompted.

She thrust her hand forward to show off her ring. The diamond was so large it was practically falling off her finger and was as tasteless as the person wearing it. Regina was relieved to note she felt nothing.

"And we're expecting!" Harper gushed while Noah blushed. "Any luck replaceing the father of your...brood?"

Harper glanced toward the table with a sneer but Regina refused to be baited. Noah shuffled uncomfortably his gaze also drifting to the table and the daughter he refused to acknowledge. She had grown into a pretty, little lady.

"Oh, I caught your play the other night...oh wait, that wasn't you, was it?" Harper laughed. "How is the acting career going?"

Regina took a deep breath struggling with the desire to yank the woman's hair out.

"Harper! Harper!"

They turned to see a blonde rushing toward them. Regina didn't recognize her but vaguely recalled she tagged along with Harper's little group. Harper glanced at the other upset her fund was interrupted.

"You'll never believe who I saw!" the blonde said unaware of the others' annoyance.

"Well? Who was it?"

"Marcus Avery!" she squealed. "He's only one of New York's most eligible bachelors. He is so handsome."

"Are you sure? Why would he be here?"

"I don't know. I saw him going into the bathroom."

"Mommy! Mommy!" Gabriella suddenly called. "We found you!"

Regina turned spying the pair she had been waiting for. Marcus smiled wrapping an arm around her and kissing her without a thought to their audience. Gabriella giggled clinging to her father's shoulder. He refused to put her down with such a large crowd. "Where have you two been? Did you get lost?" Regina asked.

"Nah, we just had to make a pit stop," Marcus chuckled kissing Gabriella's temple. "Why don't you go over to your sister?"

He set the little one on her feet and watched as she happily skipped over to the table where Savannah and the boys sat. Marcus tugged Regina closer. The moment he kissed her he had sensed her tension.

"So who are you friends?" Marcus asked lazily glancing at the others who had looks of shock, envy and confusion on their faces.

"Just some old classmates," Regina said almost smiling at Harper's look of disbelief. "Marcus this is Harper and Noah."

"Noah," Marcus's attention immediately settled on the other man offering his hand. Noah hesitated before shaking it wincing as Marcus squeezed his hand painfully.