I think you are mistaken

EPISODE SEVEN

Theme: I think you are mistaken.

OUTSIDE THE STUDIO

Ace Clark stepped out of the studio, his eyes surveyed the environment trying to see if Ivy was nearby but he found nothing. He started the walk down the block with the hope of finding her around but he got nothing. Ace went around to make a turn at the end of the block and continued to walked down the silent street. Then he saw her few miles away just right in front of a laundry house. Ivy’s back view was against him as a he was talking to an old lady and a tiny hands was wrapped around her waist.

Ace began to walk toward her in a haste, deciding to clear up his curiosity and promising himself that if Ivy truly wasn't Bethany then he would forget everything about her and move on with Camilla. She was in a deep conversation with old Vanessa, sometimes she would laugh other times she would just toy with her son’s curls as she listened to the old lady talk about how Leroy was disturbing her to bring him over to the studio.

“Mom, can I get a milk shake please? I read my books at Ma’am Vanessa’s home!” Leroy requested.

“You can have anything you want son, as a matter of fact we will all go out to have lunch.” Ivy said.

“Yes! You are the best mom!” Leroy said with excitement in his tone.

Soon Ace Clark got to where Ivy stood with the old lady and her son.

“Ivy?” He called her name causing Ivy to freeze on a spot as she turned to face him after she heard her name.

Ace heard her catch her breath and he felt his own breath hitch in his chest when their gaze locked. He started to say something but was diverted by a young voice.

“Mom, can I get a milk shake please before having lunch?” Leroy requested again.

Ivy’s expression appeared stricken because Ace Clark was standing right in front of her but then she waved it off and turned her attention back to her son. And for a second Brian couldn't figure out what was wrong but he looked down at the boy, his hair gleaming under the sun and soon Ace’s world caved in.

And all of a sudden he felt his jaw slacken and his eyes widened as thousands of different questions and thoughts exploded in his head. As he looked at Leroy, he told himself that it couldn't be - it was impossible that Bethany had his child. But the words and possibilities circled in his brain, particularly in effectual mantra. And even as he was talking to himself internally he was trying to convince himself that he was wrong, that he was making a mistake by walking up to Ivy Rivera.

This lively boy was his son and he didn't know his name. The realization was a blow and shock and sorrow warred within him. It made him shake and almost brought him to his knees, his child had existed in his world without him knowing. His child had grown for years without him knowing.

The possibility that the little boy was his son was so obvious because one look at Leroy, one would know that he look just like his father.

Old Vanessa smile dropped when she looked from Ace Clark to Leroy and then Ivy. A phone beeped and Ivy realized that it was her cellphone. She grabbed Leroy’s hand and moved a bit away from Ace and Old Vanessa before reaching into her handbag to pick the call. It was Arthur Young.

“Hello Ivy.” He said.

“Hi Arthur, how are you doing?” She asked.

“I am good, and what about you? Are you home now?” Arthur asked.

“No not yet...” she mumbled.

“Well I called to let you know that I already transferred the pictures to you. So you can always edit them when you get home.” He said.

“Alright, I will let you know once I am done editing the pictures.” Ivy replied.

“Alright, take good care of yourself and don’t forget to give me a call at night concerning my cousin’s engagement party.” Arthur reminded her.

“Oh sure..I will give you a call.” She answered before disconnecting the call.

She felt the urge to keep on walking with her son just to get away from Ace Clark, the stranger she had slept without knowing his identity. Ivy kicked against the thought, deciding that she wouldn’t walk away like a coward. Instead she would rather stay and act like she doesn’t know Ace Clark so she could get him off her back. There was no way she was letting Ace Clark near her son.

“Good afternoon ma’am.” Ace Clark greeted the old lady.

“Oh good afternoon, I am Vanessa.” She shook hands with Ace Clark.

“It is nice to meet you and I am Ace Clark.” He said.

Old Vanessa furrowed her eyebrows. “Perhaps are you the sole owner of Clark corporations?” Old Vanessa asked.

“Yes ma’am.” Ace replied.

Old Vanessa eyes widened in sheer surprise. Who doesn’t know Ace Clark? Although Old Vanessa knew him by name and not by appearance. At home she used almost all Clark’s Corporations canned products.

Ivy and Leroy walked back to Ace Clark and old Vanessa.

“It is so nice to meet you, Mr Ace.” A bright smile beamed on her face.

Old Vanessa’s phone beeped too and she opened her bag to take her phone. It was a message from her son and it reads. “I am in town mom, let us meet up to have lunch. I miss you so much.”

Ace Clark kept looking from Ivy to Leroy without knowing what to say. Old Vanessa then turned to face Ivy.

“Miss Ivy, I just received a text from my son, he is in town and so he wants to see me.” She said.

Ivy shook her head. “Ma’am Vanessa I understand and thank you very much for watching Leroy.” She thanked her.

“I will go ahead now..Bye Leroy.” She kissed him softly on his cheeks.

“Bye ma'am Vanessa.” He waved as she walked away.

“Is that his name? Leroy?” He asked.

No response came from Ivy.

“Bethany? Why didn't you search for me and tell me you had my child?” Ace questioned.

A frown grazed Ivy’s face at his words but realizing that she planned to pretend not to know this man made her smile serenely.

“Mr Ace, I am so sorry but I think you are mistaken. I am not Bethany, but I am Ivy.” Ivy said in a calm tone though she was boiling angrily within her.

“Don’t try to hide or pretend that you don’t know me. I know you are Bethany.” He breathed out and forced himself to relax.

Ivy and Ace engaged in an intense stare contest before she spoke up. “No milkshake and lunch anymore.” She announced to her son. “We will get that some other time.” She continued to talk to the boy. “We need to get back home because your tutor will be home soon.” She completed her sentence breaking off the stern with Ace Clark.

Leroy rolled his eyes. “Mom today is Saturday and have you forgotten miss Kim said she won't be coming around to tutor me until next week. She is out of town to visit her mom who is sick.” Leroy reminded his mom the words of his private tutor.

He was also quick to realize that his mom wanted to get away from this man as soon as possible plus he could also tell the resemblance he shared with this stranger.

“Leroy-“ She tried to call him but he interrupted her.

“Who are you?” Leroy asked as he faced Ace Clark.

Ace had no idea where to begin to answer the boy's question and so he kept quiet looking down at the little boy who was waiting for a response from him.

“Baby, I just met him a while ago and I worked with him on a photoshoot.” Ivy answered.

“Sir, what is your-“

Ivy interrupted her son this time when he tried to ask for Ace’s name. “Son, can you imagine one of your super hero coming down here to give you a milk shake?” She asked in an uneasy tone trying to change Leroy’s mind against finding out about this man standing in front of them.

“Oh mom! that will be cool..I would love too see all the superheroes in my comic books!” Leroy exclaimed in excitement.

“Then let us go ahead and read more of your new super hero comic books, it would be fun right?” She asked.

“I don’t have the new collections yet.” Leroy pouted trying to remind his mom that she had promised to get him one.

“Alright...I will place an order for the new collections online.” She said.

“Thank you mom! Would you read it to me?” Leroy asked.

“Yes but if you promise to do the dishes.” Ivy replied.

Leroy stood at an attention, stamped his left feet on ground and threw his mom a salute. “Copied mom!” He sounded like a soldier.

Ivy replied by giving him a salute and they both laughed. “Now we can go home right?” She asked.

“Yes mom.” He answered.

Ace Clark couldn’t help but smile at the little boy’s drama with his mom.

Ivy smile faded when she turned to look at Ace. “Please excuse us.” She held her son's hand and begin to walk away.

Damn this child is mine! Ace Clark said within. He was sure of it! Ace concluded that he wasn’t going to let them go just like that without having a chance with his son.

“Wait up Ivy!” He called at her but she didn't stop.

“Ivy please wait, we need to talk.” He said.

Ivy continued walking as she held on to Leroy’s hand roughly with a plan to get to her car and then zoom off without talking to Ace Clark.

“Ivy...” Ace Clark called behind her enough for everyone passing to hear.

Some of the passerby knew him and they were surprised to see him. Ace Clark doesn't care if they stop to stare and they can say all they want. Ace Clark doesn't care about their opinion when he is watching his child walk away from him.