Chapter 18: Chapter 18

**Annabelle**

My face scrummed in confusion, shock, and a little anger. If my calculations are correct and the baby did belong to Fallon, it meant they had sex together barely a month after I left, his message rang in my ears.

"I love you……"

I scoffed as I remembered how he sent the text message apologizing, declaring his never ending love for me. He didn’t seem to mind screwing my best friend weeks after I left. Ava rinsed her face glancing at me.

You’re Pregnant?" I asked again, my tone a little firmer.

"Yes Annabelle, I’m a married woman in case you forgot." She gulped, she was trying to sound plain but her voice was weary.

"I get it, you’re married to Fallon, and I also know that the ceremony took place two weeks ago. Let say you got pregnant on the wedding night….."

I trailed off cringing at the thought of Fallon and Ava having sex before continuing.

"Your signs should start showing about three weeks later or at least a month later, plus you already had a pregnancy test done and you don’t seem surprised by puking so either this is all just one big coincidence or you got pregnant before you married Fallon.

The look on her face told me it was the latter. I was shocked, perplexed and more than a little angry. I scoffed and kept my gaze on her.

"The child’s Fallon?"

It was a stupid question as she indirectly confirmed it minutes ago but I still wanted to hear her say it, just for clarification.

"Yes, the child belongs to my husband, Fallon."

Her voice came out firm, she caressed her tummy and I gulped.

"Well then, I hope you’re happy in your marriage life, I’m truly sorry about her things ended between us. I hope you can forgive me one day, I’ll get out of your hair now. Goodbye Ava."

I sighed loudly, spun around and departed still in shock. At least things make more sense now, they had sex together, she got pregnant and the fact that she’s a superstar means her reputation must come first.

It would create a huge scandal if the press got wind of her one night stand, that’s if it was a one night stand. After all, Ava all said she loved him.

Stephanie was the only thing standing in their way but not anymore. I dialed my driver’s number and walked of out the house. He arrived minutes later and I ordered for him to take me home.

Today was filled with surprises. I didn’t want any more, I just want to head home, get a good night rest and begin construction tomorrow. However, the nagging question remains.

"Will I be able to avoid Fallon for long?"

I exhaled deciding it would be a question for another day.

**Fallon**

I waited patiently for my assistant to barge in and hand me her number and if possibly, her home address. I wanted it done today. The ringing of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts, I checked the ID and Ava was calling, it was strange since she hardly calls me at work. I answered the call immediately.

**Annabelle’s back.**She stated the moment I did. I sighed.

**I know.** I responded.

**You do?** Her voice came out more than a statement than a question.

**Yeah, she bought a land I wanted.**

**She did!** Annabelle exclaimed probably as shocked as I was.

**She just left minutes ago.**

"Seriously" I sprung up giving her my full attention.

**Yeah, but Fallon, she knows about the pregnancy.** My heart pounded in my chest.

**How..** I trailed off running my hands through my hair.

**I got the urge to puke and she saw the test, Fallon what if she says something.**

**She won’t, I promised you that no one would find out before we got married, your reputation is intact, and you don’t have to worry. She heaved a sigh of relief, I did same only I was’t relief in fact I was even more worried.**

Just then, my assistant walked in. He had a file in my hands and with the look on his face, good news would definitely follow.

**I have to go now Ava, I’ll be gone soon." I said in a low tone.**

** I love you.**

She says making me sigh.

** Love you too. I responded before hanging up.**

"Give me some good news." I said, he smiles before handing me the file and walks away. I opened it and it contained everything I needed, her bank records showed she just purchased a house. I stopped everything I was doing, ordered the driver to get my car ready but I wanted to go alone.

"I’m coming." I stared at the picture we took in college before taking a deep breath.

I pulled over at the house the information directed me to. I have to admit, it's a big step up from her former life style. She's clearly been busy these past months.

I got out of the car silently praying all goes well. I mean what's the worse thing that could happen. I walked to the porch and waited for a few seconds.

I mean I don't even know what to say when she eventually opens the door, what if she asks why I'm here.

"The land..." I thought snapping my fingers.

"I'll tell her I'm here for the land." I mumbled lowly and rang the doorbell.

Now that's she's rich,I expect a maid or a buttler to open the door. She can obviously afford one or ten.

"Yes...." I heard her soft voice say as she opened the door.

"I guess she's not a maid person." I thought staring at her. She was obviously surprised I was there. Like I said, what's the worse thing that could happen.

She laid eyes on me for a few seconds and slammed the door shut, I heard the lock click from the inside.

"Go away." She said firmly and I heard her retreating steps.

"Slamming the door on my face. That's the worse thing that could happen."

I muttered under my breath.

**

Eighteen

**Annabelle**

From the window in my room, I peaked outside and he was still there. Two fucking hours, he hasn't moved. Same spot, same position.

I got home and took a shower laying in my room and watching a movie. I ordered a pizza and when the doorbell rang, I thought it was the delivery guy. Imagine my shock when it turned out to be Fallon.

The nerve of him. I did the next best thing, I shut the door on him just the way I had shut him out of my life four months ago.

After the first hour, I figured he would leave but he didn't. He just stood there and now two hours have passed and he's still there.

I contemplated on going there and making him leave but that might give him the idea that I care which I don't.

I came back to fulfil my dream, build up the plaza I've always wanted and be successful. Afterwards, I'll make sure to get a little revenge on Fallon but my goals come first.

He's married and expecting a child from his wife so why won't he leave me the hell alone.

****

I'm barely hanging on a thread. It's almost 9 pm which means it's been five freaking hours and he hasn't moved.

"Don't go, Annabelle. You don't care." I muttered to myself, ate a little and went to bed. I switched off the lights and laid there forcing my eyelids shut.

****

My eyes snapped open towards the clock on my table. It's 11 pm, I yawned tiredly and put on my flops.

"There's no way he's still there. No way." I convinced myself but yo satisfy my curiosity, I moved towards the window and peaked. He left.

I didn't know if I should feel elated or disappointed that he left. I shook my head lightly and wanted to go back to bed when I heard a soft knock. I froze and waited thinking I was hearing things but it came again.

Someone was at my door. I placed a robe over my thin nightie and went to the living room to check it out. The knocks came at intervals, I could feel the tiredness of whoever was out there.

Deciding to forget all the terrible consequences my next action might have, I gently reached for the door handle. Unlocking it, I carefully pulled it over.

"Anabelle..." He whispered standing there in the cold night, shaking and quivering down to his boots.

"P-please l-let me in..." He shuddered as he blew cold air. I held the door tightly trying to slam It in his face. He doesn't deserve my empathy. He doesn't.

"Please...." He whispered, his voice was barely audible and if we weren't so close I wouldn't be able to hear him.

"Why are you here. Go home to your wife." I spat out shivering lightly.

"Please...." He practically begged, his legs were wobbly and I shut my eyes. The pain I was feeling right now didn't make sense. I didn't want to feel pity for this man in front of me. I didn't want to yet I did. I pressed my eyes in a thin line to make it go away, it just doubled. I gave in after a few seconds.

"Hot coffee. Then you're out." I stated sternly and he practically dashed inside. I locked the door beckoning him to seat on my couch.

It only took a few minutes to brew the coffee pouring it into a glass cup and handed it over to him.

"Here you go."

"T-Thanks." He mumbled incoherently.

"Drink it and get out." My voice came out cold and blank just like I wanted. He took once glance at me and his eyes trailed on my bed.

"You're different Annabelle." He says dropping the coffee, his voice is a little hoarse but better than before.

"Well, I'm glad you noticed. You can sleep on the couch, first thing tomorrow you get out." I commanded and turned to leave.

"Annabelle, I'm sorry."

"Wow, your new anthem. Thanks, Fallon but it doesn't mean anything to me. The next time you try this shit, I will let you die out there. You can dare me and see."

Without another word, I went to my room and tried to sleep. I ended up rolling on my bed in the early hours of the morning. My mind kept drifting towards Fallon and Ava. They were expecting a baby, they had a happy life.

I'm the one who struggled to make it. I did uncanny things, I sold my body yet I'm the one with bad luck. I strived to get here so why won't things go smoothly for me? Why do I have to constantly suffer? Why can't I just be happy?

I had no idea when hot tears trailed down my cheeks to my neck, I hadn't cried in four months and just a few hours with him I'm shedding tears.

**He's the cause of my pain, I just want to be happy. For once, I just want to be happy even if it's for a little while.**

I kept repeating those words until I finally fell into a deep slumber.

****

Dried up tears were visible on my cheeks when I got up. Coupled with the fact I had developed a splitting headache. I reached for some pain killers and went to check on my not so guest.

He sprawled on the couch visibly uncomfortable. I took a few moments to check out his features. He didn't change one bit, he just developed that's all. I averted my eyes and proceeded to make breakfast for myself.

The second I was done, I went back and stirred him in his sleep to wake him up.

"Mmmm." He moaned slightly still sleepy.

"You need to go now, Fallon," I said in a stern tone, he finally got up and stared at me.

"Now," I added and he gulped.

"Thanks, Anna."

"Just go, Fallon. For both our sakes, please don't come back." His eyes twitched lightly, he sighed before bowing his head.

His phone started ringing, from the corner of my eyes I noticed more than four dozen missed calls from Ava.

** Hey... **He said rubbing his eyelids.

**Hey, slow down. I'm confused.** My eyes widened at his tone.

**Ava, slow down and talk to me.** He waited for a few seconds and then he gazes landed me.

"How could you?" He said making me gobsmacked.

"How could I what?"

"The whole country is talking about how superstar Ava Max couldn't keep her legs closed. The fucking country knows she's pregnant Annabelle, how could you!" He fired.

"I didn't do it." I retorted and he scoffed.

"Like hell, you didn't. You were the only one who knew if you didn't do it then who did huh."

"I don't know Fallon. You and your wife can fix your problems but I didn't rat anyone out."

"Get out Fallon. Don't ever come back, I mean it." His eyes twinkled and I think I saw belief in them. Who cares.

Looking dejected, he turned around walked out of my house and shut the door. The minute he left, I fell on the couch my thoughts spiralling.

********