Chapter 62: Chapter 62

Two weeks later,Phoebe actually opened the boutique. She was able to get money off her other lovers and it was a big venture. She had made contacts all over Europe to get her the choicest materials and the latest fashions.

She did not want to star small. She knew that the success of her venture depended on how big the venture and diverse her goods were. Because of the calibre of clientele she was after. With her cusmetics business. It was an instant hit.

At least this was one good thing that had come from the encounter with Richard.

The memory of that day was like a nightmare she never wanted to remember. She still had apprehensions about Richard but after two long weeks and her busy schedule, she did not think much about him or the threat he posted too often.

She was busy making money and getting more clients and enjoying herself. She did not feel now the need to force Jason into marrying her but it had been her goal for so long that she decided she must still give it a try.

She had also noticed that Rebecca his ex wife was now working closely with him. She seemed to be working on a business deal with him. Their closeness did not disturb her like it used to.

Her opportunity came one day when Phoebe collapsed in her inner office after attending a client that was hard to please. It had been an exerting experience.

Her sales girl who had come to tell her about another client they were finding difficult to handle, saw her sprawled on the floor and called for help.

After checking on her, the doctor that had been summoned certified her pregnant.

Phoebe could not believe bot. How had it happened? And how was she to know who the father was?

But she did t need to think for too long when she was told how old the baby was.

' Congratulations. You are three weeks pregnant', the doctor had informed her when they were alone.

She knew that Romeo was responsible. She had become careless with her contraceptive since meeting with him and had not really been with her other lovers. She could not tell the reason for the life of her, except that she enjoyed his company quite a lot and his being poor did not faze her in any way.

'No one else must know this'. She whispered fiercely to the doctor.

'Of course. There is doctor - patient confidentiality. The news is yours to disperse as you do deem fit', the doctor smiled in understanding.

Phoebe smiled as well, in appreciation.

After the doctor left, Phoebe thought hard about what to do

She had previously planned to fake her pregnancy and tell Jason that he was responsible and convince him that when she found out, she decided to keep her distance but that she reconsidered that he had a right to know about his baby.

Of he ask her how she was sure it was his,she knew the answer to give him as well.

Now she didn't need to fake her pregnancy. It was real

The hitch was that it was not Jason's and she had to devise a means to make him accept it as his and do the right thing by her.

She felt her heart skip a beat be ause it would mean not seeing Romeo anymore and denying him his right to his child but Phoebe didn't think he would mind. She was actually sparing him the responsibility of being a dad because she was sure he was not ready yet to shoulder that particular responsibility.

She was enjoying her new business and if she could have spared herself this pregnancy then she would have but since it had already happened, she was going to use it to her advantage.

She was still contemplating this when Romeo stepped into the shop and her office and pulled her into his arms.

'What are you doing here?' she asked shocked that he may have overheard something. She didn't want him to know anything until she had finalized her plans and put it in motion.

'What's wrong?'

'You know that I have asked you not to come to this place. You can go anywhere you please and wait for me in the house of you please but you are not permitted to come here'.

'Is that so? And why is that? You enjoy my company both in and out of bed and yet you seem to be ashamed of me? You would rather not be seen with me? If you feel so strongly about it, why don't you call it quits with me? According to you, you really do not have a steady relationship and as far as I know,you really do not. Then what the heck?'

'That may be so, but you also know that I am planning on pinning Jason down and if he finds me with the likes of you, then my plans would be ruined. I thought that we spoke about this and had an understanding'.She said in her most reasonable tone.

Romeo was really hurt but was damned if he was going to let her know just how much her words had hurt him.

The past week, his feelings for her had increased. They had drawn closer to each other and he had started to habour the thought that maybe,just maybe she had forgotten all about Jason and would concentrate on having a serious relationship with him that could lead to anywhere. but he had been wrong to hope that she would forget about her obsession to become the lady of the manor and concentrate on love.

Yes,love. He didn't know if what he felt for her was love but he knew that he felt really strongly for her.

He had wanted to kiss her thoroughly because he had missed her terribly and it had been just a few hours since they had last been in bed together but her utterance had ruined his mood. His hands fell off her.

'You still have your cap set on Jason? Someone who does not feel anything for you? You would rather died trying to get him to make a commitment to you be it against his will or not, than find real love elsewhere? Is money really that important to you?'

he asked and could not mask the pain in his voice.

Phoebe heard it and was scared. She was not ready for another Richard because she felt that was what it would be. She was done with that episode in her life. Right now, she wanted to use the men for her ends and not allow herself to be used.

To discourage him and put herself right on track, she revealed what she had not wanted him to know at least not yet.

'It is not really the money. You see, I am carrying his child!' she blurted.

Romeo looked at her as though he had been struck by thunder. He could feel his hopes dashing.

'What did you say?' he whispered.

'I am pregnant with his child', she said softly.

Now that she had said it, she realised that there was no turning back.