The Object of His Obsession (The Alexanders Book 4) by Tina Martin Page A

will be a drink bar. Non-alcoholic of
course.”
    Rena nodded. “I was
thinking...I know there will only be a handful of kids, but I think
we should make a kiddie table for the children,” Rena suggested. “I
think that will make them feel special.”
    “That’s a good idea,
Rena.”
    “What about the gift table?
Where do we want to put that?”
    “Hmm...” Padma said,
thinking, but her thought process was interrupted by her ringing
cell phone. “You think on that,” she told Rena. “I have to take
this call. Be right back.”
    Padma stepped out onto the
deck and said, “Hello, Beatrice. How are you?”
    “I’m okay, Mrs. Padma. How
‘bout yourself?”
    “I’m okay. How’s that son
of mine?”
    “That’s the reason for my
call, Padma. I’m a lil’ worried ‘bout Dilvan.”
    You ain’t the only one
worried about Dilvan . “What has you
worried, Beatrice? You don’t need to be stressing yourself out over
there, hun.”
    “I know, but Dilvan has
been trying really hard to be a better man. I see it. But he
continues to struggle with Gabrielle and I just don’t want to see
him throw all of his hard work down the drain.”
    “What makes you think he’s
struggling with Gabrielle?”
    “’ Cause
he said something that didn’t sit well with me at dinner last
night. Now, Mrs. Padma, you know I don’t like being caught up in no
mess.”
    “Yes, I know.”
    “But I couldn’t keep this
to myself. First off, he seems to be a lil’ upset that he didn’t
get an invite to the baby shower, and I’m thinking to myself...why
would this man want an invite to a baby shower, knowing full well
he ain’t got no business there.”
    Padma sighed. “Oh,
Beatrice, you have got to be kidding me.”
    “I wish I was,
Padma.”
    “Is he there
now?”
    “Sho is... got his self
shut up real nice and snug in that there office of his. That’s
where he spends most of his days. Personally, I don’t know how he
can stand it.”
    Padma threaded her fingers
through her hair. “Well, he’s definitely not getting an invite to
the baby shower. I’m like you...I don’t even understand why he
would want to come.”
    “Well—”
    “What is it,
Beatrice?”
    “I think I might have an
idea why he wants to come.”
    “And that is...”
    “He tried to tell me
that...” Beatrice struggled to say the words. “He tried to tell me
that the baby could be his.”
    Padma put her hand over
her heart and felt like her feet were about to come out from
underneath her. Suddenly, she could feel the earth spinning and she
was so dizzy, she had to walk over to a patio table to catch her
balance. Lalita had mentioned that Dilvan had possibly drugged
Gabrielle and now Beatrice was telling her what Dilvan had admitted
to over dinner – that Gabrielle’s baby could be his. Padma knew she
had to try and dispel any inkling that this may be true. Colin
didn’t want this getting out prematurely.
    “Ms. Bea, don’t put much
stock in what Dilvan says. He’ll say anything to get Gabrielle
back, obviously.”
    “Yeah, you’re right about
that, Padma. I’m confused ‘bout all of this.”
    “I am too, Beatrice, so for
now, let’s keep this quiet. I’ll be over there Sunday evening and
we can all sit down and talk about this.”
    “Okay, Padma. I’ll see you
at the baby shower then.”
    “Alright. Talk to you
soon.”
    Padma inhaled deeply and
squeezed the phone in the fist that she’d balled up. How could she
plan a baby shower amidst so much controversy; knowing that the
baby could he Dilvan’s. Things weren’t right and once again, it was
Dilvan’s fault.
    She wanted to put the baby
shower on hold until she could get matters settled with Dilvan, but
caterers had already been called. The jazz band was booked. Tyson’s
parents were in town and Gabrielle’s family was due tomorrow.
Invites were sent out a month and a half ago. Over fifty people had
R.S.V.P.’d with yes . The party had to go on. Dilvan wouldn’t take the