Chapter 46: Chapter 46

I stood looking out the window and holding my stomach.

Pregnant. I'm pregnant.

It's been 2 days since I left the hospital and my phone has been itching to Nick and tell him that we're expecting a baby. I was staying at Mel's house since Harry kept showing up and trying to talk to me. I had blocked him and cut off all ties with him. I wanted nothing to do with him.

But these two days had me thinking. I had already started to love the life growing inside of me. The thought of abortion appalled me.

"How could you ask me that Tammy? I would never abort my child." I scolded her holding my stomach. She had asked me a few hours after the doctor had left. I was already so sure of keeping it.

"I'm just asking Ari. I just want to know your thoughts on this. I had no idea you were going at it like dogs though." She teased and I blushed. Looking back, we had never ever used protection. And I had never thought of the possibility of getting pregnant. What was wrong with me?

You were blinded by love.

Was he like that with all his girlfriends? What if he has a disease? Oh my God!

Stop thinking. He's clean. I read through is medical records and he does tests all the time.

I remembered. I have to tell him. I don't know how but I have to tell him. "Hey can I borrow your phone ?" I yelled at Mel who was in the living room

probably working on her laptop.She took a few days off work so she could stay with me. She's the best.

"Yeah. It's charging by my night stand." She yelled back and I walked to her room next to the guest room I was staying in. I grabbed my phone and copied the number and dialed.

"Hello?" Zoey answered on the other line and I suddenly scared to talk to her.

"I-it's me Zoey." I muttered and waited. The line was suddenly silent and I thought she had hung up on me.

" Hey Ari. How are you doing?" She asked nicely and I smiled.

"I'm okay. Listen, I know I'm the last person you want to talk to right now but I really need to talk to you. Please , I won't take much of your time."

"Fine. But don't expect me to be on my best behavior! I'm still mad at you. Meet at the café next to Nick's office."

"Thank you. You won't regret! I promise! See you there."

"Hmm." She said and hung up. I dressed up quickly and took a cab to the cafe. I took a seat next to the window and waited while drinking a glass of orange juice.

"Sorry I'm late. Stuck in traffic." After a long while , Zoey took a seat opposite me. Traffic for 3 hours? Wow!

"It's alright. It took a while for them to take my order anyway."

" That was totally intentional But you deserve it. I'm sorry though, it's mean." She said and I smiled at her. I wasn't mad, I understand her protecting her brother.

"I just invited you to apologize once again. I knew you wouldn't pick up my phone

call so I called through Mel's phone."

"You're right. You already know me well." She said nodding and looking at the menu.

"Um..well.." I started but I was already sweating. Do I tell her that I'm pregnant?

Or what?

"I want to explain the whole situation. If you let me." I told her after a minute. The waiter came and took her order and then she looked at me again. She was wearing a white shirt and black jeans paired with a black leather jacket.

"I don't need an explanation. My brother does." She told me and I

nodded.

"Yes but he won't listen to me. And he has the right to be upset but I just want to explain where I'm coming from. And maybe he'll listen to you."

"Fine. Tell me."

"Thank you. Well.. I did it for my sister. Just as angry as you are about your brother , it shows you would do anything for him. I would do same. I did same. Tammy is my only family. She's all I have. And when she had an accident several months ago, Harry promised to have her thrown in jail. He said he would take away our house, everything we had. And we didn't even have so much. It was a lot of money he claimed she 'stole' from him when she was his PA. But I know my sister didn't do it. She would never. But he never believed her. So I went to intercede for her. So that he would give us more time to pay off this debt. All her salary wasn't up to half of what we had to pay him. He gave me no option." I said feeling the tears about to fall down.

"There's always another option Ari."

"You're saying that because you were not in my shoes. My parent's house is the only thing we have left of them. And some of Tamara's salary was going to pay the mortgage. And he threatened to take the house away. Tamara was an invalid, but he said "she'd recover in jail." . How could I let that happen to my sister?" I told her and I could feel her understanding although she didn't say anything.

Tough.

"So you jumped at the chance to score my rich brother huh?" She said raising her brows and I frowned.

"Believe it or not, I had no idea who your brother was, or about your family. I found out only when I met him."

"Seriously?" She asked looking as shocked as ever and I laughed. Nick had the same reaction. I can't believe how similar they are.

"Yes. I had no idea who he was. When Harry told me I had to 'seduce' him, I said no initially and asked for something else. But he was persistent saying 'he likes brunettes' especially when they wear white because Cami liked wearing white." I said

rolling my eyes and she continued listening to me while eating and drinking coffee. "He said if I made him fall in love with me and break his heart, he would forget

about the debt. But he got more devious as the days went by. He told me to get information about the company. Asking me to sabotage him. But I would never. I promise you, I didn't do anything that would ruin his company. I know that he worked so hard for it. But I fell in love too. It's so hard not to. Because he's the best thing that's ever happened to me." She nodded as if she understood me.

"I tried telling Nick a hundred times but I got so scared. I've seen him when he's angry and I didn't know what to expect. But that day at Harry's house, I told him I didn't care if he took it all away. And that's when Nick came in."

"I get it. And I'm sorry for judging you easily. I guess you had your reasons. You need to tell Nick but it's going to be so difficult. Alyssa's hoarding him." She said looking apologetic.

"Yeah. Alyssa. S-she's p-pregnant right?" I asked sadly hoping it was a joke. That she was just pulling my legs.

"Yeah. I went out to get some stuff and when I came back , she was there. I had no idea she spent the night. When she told me she was pregnant, of course I didn't believe the bitch. So I took her to a clinic to be sure. She really is." She told me apologetically and I felt my heart breaking into a million pieces.

I'm pregnant too!

I wanted to scream.

"I want to talk to Nick but she took me off the visitor's list. He didn't want o listen the last time but it's worth the try." I whispered feeling dizzy for a second.

"Hmm. Are you okay? You look sick." She asked holding my and I squeezed it in agreement.

"Not my best self but I'm okay. Thank you."

"Alright. Let's go together. I'll give you time and I'll ask the driver to drop you home when you're done. I won't be there though, mom wants to go shopping with me. Luckily Alyssa isn't home, so we better go before she comes." She said rolling his eyes. I wonder what his parents think of me now.

"D-do they know?" I asked and she nodded. "Everyone knows. Mom wasn't happy and dad was disappointed. But I'm sure they'd understand when they know the whole story."

"H-hopefully.."

"C'mon let's go."

About 30 minutes later, we pulled up to Nick's house.

"Thank you so much. I'm sorry I lied to you again. So sorry." I hugged her and she hugged me back.

"No problem . It's a valid reason. I hope you two get back together ! He's

miserable without you. I can't make him stop drinking no matter how hard I tried. And I missed you these days." She said squeezing me and I smiled with a tear rolling down my cheek.

"I'm so emotional lately , don't mind me!" I laughed and she just smiled. I got out of the car and she drove off the property. I knocked and rung the bell but nobody answered. Where's Maria? Or any of the other maids? I thought to myself.

I was about to knock again when the door opened to reveal a girl with brown hair. She was wearing a turtle neck with jeans and short boots 🥾.Her red lipstick stood out completely. She looked very familiar.

Who is she?

"Can I help you?" She asked with a small smile and I could hear a hint of an Australian accent. She looked at me like she knew me and I felt weird about her.

"Um, yeah.. is Nick home?" I asked her and she raised a brow at me, opening the door wider so I could come in. Why the hell do i feel weird about her? Who is she?

And what is she doing here?

"He's in his office. I can show you the way if you want." She said as as she shut the door behind me and smiled.

Why is she fucking smiling??? I was getting annoyed.

"I know the way , thank you." I told her and we got into a staring contest with her still with a smile that looked as smug as ever. She was a bit taller than me with her perfume invading my nostrils making me nauseous.

She smells like shit. "I'll be in the kitch—"

"I'm sorry who are you?" We spoke at the same time and I could already feel I was not going to like the answer.

"We haven't met before but I've heard a lot about you. I'm Camilla." She said holding her hand out to give me a handshake.

Camilla?? Like Camilla Camilla ? The initial heart breaker?

I could feel the sting in my heart. First Alyssa and now Camilla ? He sure loves his old toys.

"I see you're very shocked. Nice to meet you too I guess." She said laughing lightly and retracting her hand that I didn't greet back. I was rooted fo my spot like a tree.She's very beautiful. I could see how Nick would look with someone like her.

I turned away from her and walked straight into Nick's office. He was drinking a bottle of water and looking out the window. He still looked the same but a little better.

"I told you I don't ever want to see your face." He spoke without turning. He still felt my presence.

"I understand why. Because it's been less than a week and you've already replaced me with 2 different women. And I've been crying like a sick bitch over you when it's been so easy for you." I spat bitterly and he walked over to me angrily.

"Easy? You think it's been fucking easy?? I can't sleep, I can't eat. All I think about is you. Despite you almost fucking my childhood Brest friend! I'm still thinking of when it was still good. You think it's fucking easy?" He yelled and I could feel the heat emanating from his body. It made me feel warm.

"Then why don't you give me a chance to explain myself ? Please just let me tell you everything. We can go back to when things were good. Please Nick. I love you." I begged hugging him and crying but he stepped out of my hold.

"Don't fucking lie to me again. I fell for it once and never again. Don't come close to me. I can't be near you and not want to touch you. So leave me the fuck alone!" He yelled raking his hands through his hair and I stood defeated.

"So which one is it? Are you back with Camilla or Alyssa? Every girl is fawning over you huh." I told him bitterly feeling nauseous.

"It's not your fucking business. I could be with both and you shouldn't care. You lost me already. Stop acting like you loved me."

"I really do Nick. Please believe—" I started when the door swung open to reveal Cami with a bottle of pills in her hands. She ignored me and walked over to Nick and gave him another bottle of water and the pills.

"This should help with the headache and the hangover." She said touching his hair while he swallowed the pills with water. I wanted to punch her.

"We were having a conversation here. So please excuse us." I said in a tight voice trying to hold my anger in.

"Sounded more like an argument to me." She said smiling smugly and it took everything in me not to pull her from touching Nick and out of this house.

"That's none of your business. Leave us now." I told her angrily.

"Nick here has had too much to drink and you're arguing is making it worse for his head. And he needs his head to run the company that you almost sabotaged."

"You fucking told her!" I looked at Nick and he took her hands off him and walked over to his seat.

"Listen. I didn't come here to have a fight with this thief. So please, tell her to leave Nick so we can talk like adults. Please." I said pleading with Nick although my hands were itching to slap her.

"Don't go calling me names girl. I have a few colorful names for you too." She said walking to me and not missing eye contact.

"Oh I'm not calling you any names. I know you're the bitch that got me in this whole mess but I should be thankful for that because I got to meet Nick because of you. But I know you stole the money from Harry's office and pinned it on my poor sister. I guess that made you live lavish in Australia yeah? You back for more pornstar??" I told her and her eyes widened and she almost slapped me but I held her hand.

"You little bitch!" She started and I pushed her away.

"Both of you, just fucking stop !" I heard the authoritative voice speak. "You're both giving me a fucking migraine so shut the hell up." I felt like a student being given detention.

She looked at me and walked over to Nick and sat on his lap. On his lap!

"Please don't do this Nick. Just hear me out." I begged him not caring whether she was listening or not. I was angry and jealous and I couldn't hold my tears any more. He was purposely making me jealous with her. He looked uncomfortable but he stuck to it because he wanted to hurt me. I knew him so well.

"Please listen to me Nick and I'll leave right after. Please. If you don't want anything to do with me , I'll let you be. But I have something important to tell you." I told him and he pinched the bridge of his nose. Cami was looking smug on his lap and he looked like he was about to give in when she placed her lips on his.

She kissed him. He just sat there looking into my eyes. As if saying " feel what I felt." He didn't look like he enjoyed it or his eyes would have been closed. If anything, he looked displeased. But he did close his eyes and I felt it. I closed mine letting the tears fall. When she pulled away, he pulled her closer to him and the tears fell more.

"Message loud and clear." I said and watched the smile on her face. "I wish you knew." I said and took off the necklace he gave me and placed it on his table . I looked one last time and ran out of the house. I didn't stop one minute and hailed a cab back home. I booked a flight online to California while the tears were pouring like rain.

I entered our house and grabbed a suitcase and started packing all the clothes I could. I grabbed my passport and any essential information. I left all the cards Nick had given me. Anything that belonged to him, I left it. I threw the phone Harry got me and I went to my piggy bank and took all the money I had been saving since I was 6. Hopefully it'll be enough for a few days.

"What are you doing? Where are you going?" Tammy asked looking confused.

"I can't stay here Tammy. I'm leaving. I already booked a flight to California. It's too much. I'll take care of my baby alone. I can do it."

"Woah woah. Calm down. You haven't thought about this. Please just sit down." She said as I tried zipping my suitcase.

"Just drive me to the airport. Tammy please. Please I need to do this." I begged her crying up.

"No. Let's talk."

"I can't fucking talk!" I yelled crying. "I can't do this Tamara. It's too much. He's moved on. He doesn't care anymore. He doesn't want me and I can't force him. But I can't watch it too. So please just let me go." I told her sobbing and she nodded.

"Alright. Give me a second to pack and I'll go with you."

"No. I need to be alone. You have a good job. You're happy. Stay. I'll come back when I recover." I told her and she hugged me.

"Fine. Let's go." She said and carried my suitcase and called an Uber. About 30 minutes later, we were at the airport.

"Sure I can't make you change your mind?" She begged and I told her no.

"I'm sorry for putting you in this mess. I love you so much." She hugged me and I sobbed harder.

"I love you too sis. Bye." I told her heading to my terminal so I didn't have to prolong the goodbyes.

"Be safe Ari." "You too!"

I held my stomach as I headed towards the terminal. It's you and me against the world baby.

********

Love y'all! Awww poor Ari!

But Nick?????

What do y'all think of Camilla?( however her name is spelled)

Comment your thoughts pleaseeeeeee!!💕💕💕 Xoxo

Unedited! Bye😘😘