by Rye Hart
She was just there.
My mom stepped to my side and whispered into my ear, “Malcolm, it's important. Please, have a seat.”
With the sigh of a suffering man, I took one of the chairs off to the side, sitting as far away from Danielle as I could. She had to turn herself almost completely around to even see me. Dad and Mom sat back down as well, and it was my mother who started the conversation.
“Danielle has some news for you, Malcolm,” she said. “She's been trying to meet with you for some time but says you haven't been responding to her messages.”
I glared at Danielle. “Did you really have to get my parents involved?”
She turned to look at me. “Malcolm, there was no other choice,” she said. “You need to hear this.”
“What do I need to hear? About how sorry you are, how it was all a mistake?” I spat. “Because I've heard it already, Danielle. I've heard it and it's not going to change anything. We're through, and there's nothing you can say that will change that.”
“I'm pregnant, Malcolm.”
My heart very nearly stopped dead in my chest. Literally. With knots tightening in my belly and groin, I gripped the arms of the chair, digging my nails into the fabric.
“What did you say?” I asked.
Danielle stood up, straightening her skirt before she walked toward me. Then she knelt down beside the chair, her hands-on mine.
“I said, I'm pregnant,” she looked at me earnestly. “And it's yours.”
I looked her in the eye, my mind spinning with thought and feeling. “H - how can you be sure it's mine? I mean, I obviously wasn't –”
I bit back my words and looked over at my parents, to see if this came as a surprise to either of them. It hadn't. They watched, carefully, but neither one looked shocked to hear the news. Danielle had already told them, but did she mention the fact cheated on me? Or her night with Adam?
Knowing she'd gotten around a little bit cast doubt, at least in my mind, that the child she was carrying was actually mind.
“Because you're the only man I've been with,” she said finally.
“Do you really expect me to believe that?” I asked, gaping at her. “You spent the night with my half-brother and came over here the next day to rub it in my face.”
“I didn't spend the night with him. Ask him yourself,” she said. “We met up that morning. I texted him and asked him if I could come along with him because I'd wanted to see you.”
“Which perfectly explains why you were kissing him.” My entire body tensed up. “Because nothing says I'm sorry like sticking your tongue into my brother's mouth with me watching.
She was pregnant. The words hit me hard. Sure, it might not be my child, but it might be. It could be.
“I only did that to make you jealous,” she said as tears welled in her eyes. “It was stupid of me, and I acted like a child – but it was the pregnancy hormones are making me act crazy. I realize that now.”
“How far along are you?”
“Three, almost four months now,” she said. “Which would put the time of conception right around your birthday. Do you remember that night, Malcolm?”
I did. How could I forget? We'd spent the night on the yacht, making love out on the Pacific Ocean with the moon shining down on us. Back when we were happy, back when I loved her. It had felt like an eternity ago though, and so much had changed.
“And what about Tyler?” I asked. “The mystery man you've been texting for months now.”
“We've never met, Malcolm. I swear to you, it was all online and through text. He's in New York City,” she said. “And that was stupid. I have no defense for it. You were just working so much, and I felt neglected. It was selfish of me, but I've never slept with anyone besides you. I swear it.”
She sobbed, resting her head in my lap. I stared over at my parents, not sure if this was something we should discuss in front of them or not. I had no words to say, and I still wasn't sure I trusted her.
Danielle continued, “I love you, Malcolm,” she said. “I want us to be a family. Like we were always meant to be.”
Problem was, I didn't love her. Not anymore. Even if what she'd said was true, she'd had an emotional affair. She fell for another man. She'd talked about their futures together, about her leaving me – with some of my money – and setting up a life together with him.
Whether she actually fucked him or not was immaterial at that point – she'd formed an emotional connection with him. A strong one too, judging by her text messages.
I wanted to stand up, to leave the room and be alone for a while. I needed time to think and process it all. But, her head weighed heavy on my lap and my parents were watching me closely. They were waiting for me to respond. “I just don't know if I can believe you, Danielle,” I said at last.
“When the baby is born, if you have any doubt, you can get a paternity test,” she said, wiping her eyes and looking up at me. “And I know it'll be yours, Malcolm. Because I know I haven't been with anyone else but you.”
If she was lying, it would be one hell of a performance. I was numb, completely numb. My stomach was in knots. This should have been a happy time, a moment of celebration. Instead of popping the champagne though, I felt nothing. Absolutely nothing.
I looked over at my mother helplessly, but it was my dad who spoke up first.
“Malcolm, I think you need to listen to her,” he said. “If she's willing to prove paternity, why would she lie? It's a lie that would be easily disproved.”
I didn't have an answer to that. Not unless she figured I wouldn't actually go through with a paternity test.
Dad continued. “And, since this is your child, you'd automatically qualify for your inheritance,” he said. “And you could get started on raising your family.”
Danielle looked up at me, her eyes sparkling. “We could be a family, Malcolm,” she said brightly. “You, me, and our baby. Just like we always talked about. Dreamed about.”
I looked down and saw the hope in her eyes. She thought she was going to get what she wanted – me. Or rather, my money. Deep down, I knew that was what this was all about. Danielle's way of slithering in and claiming a slice of the pie for herself. I couldn't prove it yet, but I knew it down to my very bones.
“No,” I said.
“No, what, son?” Dad asked.
“No, we can't be a family,” I said. “If this is my baby – and that's a big if – I will step up and be a father, but that does not mean you and I will be together, Danielle. Our relationship is over, and I can never trust you again. Not after what you did.”
Dad spoke up. “Son, don't you think you're being a bit harsh?” he said. “People make mistakes.”
“Sure, of course you'd say that. You're the king of mistakes when it comes to relationships, aren't you, Dad?” I growled.
It was cruel, and a cheap, petty shot – especially with my mother right beside him. But, of all the people to be giving me advice on the situation, or how I should be feeling about and treating somebody who'd broken my trust by cheating on me – even if it was only an emotional affair – he was the last person I wanted to hear from.
I expected to see pain wash over my mother's face, but when my eyes fell on her, she smiled at me. A small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes fully, but at least it was something.
“I don't have to listen to this,” Dad said, standing up with Mom's help. “If you think being with someone means never making mistakes, you're wrong, son.”
I looked at mom when I said, “Maybe you and I just have different standards, Dad, because I know it's possible to avoid cheating,” I said. “Mom's managed to do it all these years, hasn't she?”
Danielle had lifted her head off my lap, and that gave me a chance to stand up. I wanted to be as far away from her as physically possible. She stood up with me though and reached for my hands.
“Malcolm, we can fix this,” she said softly.
“No, Danielle, we can't,” I said st
ernly. I walked toward the door, but before I left, I turned back and added, “I will expect proof the child is mine. Don't think I'll forget or that you're getting out of things that easily. If the baby is mine, I will be the best damn father I can be. But, I will never, ever be with you again.”
I left just as my father slammed the door to his office, shutting us out. I admired the hell out of my dad for his work ethic and the fact that he'd built such a successful company from the ground up. But, when it came to relationship advice, I would sooner take it from Greg, then him.
At least with Greg, you knew what to expect. He was a pig and he knew it. Dad would never show his true colors or admit that he was wrong. For that reason alone, I knew we'd never see eye-to-eye when it came to Danielle and what she'd done.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CASEY
Staying at Raya's came with a lot of advantages. I had a television with cable, a laptop with internet, and privacy to walk around naked if I wanted to. Things most people take for granted, I was sure. Not having a job, however, was stressful. Sure, I had money coming, but only if I had the child. At the very least, that was months away.
I hadn't really thought about what I'd do for money in the meantime. I'd planned to ask Malcolm for some cash, upfront, if I got a positive pregnancy result. So far, no luck, but it was too early.
The gas bill was due at our place, and I'd talked to my mom about it. She didn't have the cash for both that and groceries this week. Which left me in a bind.
Finally, I gave in and texted Malcolm.
Hey, can we talk?
I followed it up with another text.
Still too early for results, so it's not that.
I didn't want to get his hopes up, after all.
I waited, munching on some carrots Raya had left in the fridge. She told me to help myself to all the food in the house. Most of it was fruits and veggies that would go bad before she got back into town anyway. My phone chimed with an incoming text. He'd responded remarkably fast.
Of course. Want to come by the office this afternoon?
I still needed to shower and get ready, especially since I'd be showing up at his office in the middle of a workday with actual people around. I looked through my pile of clothes, unsatisfied with anything I had. Mainly because the only nice outfit was one he'd seen me in not once, but twice already – and the dress from the day at the hotel was still dirty.
I went into Raya's closet instead, and dug around for a bit and growled, a little frustrated. Her wardrobe consisted mostly of maxi-skirts, tank tops, and flowery, hippie dresses. But, then I remembered that she'd worked as a receptionist for a bit. There had to be something business-like in her wardrobe. I dug around and toward the very back of her closet, I found a black, sleeveless dress. With the right heels and my hair and makeup done nicely, I thought it would work well. I didn't want to embarrass myself in the corporate environment, and sure, I guess I wanted Malcolm to find me attractive too. Was that a crime? My stomach was in knots, which at first I thought could be morning sickness, but then realized it was just a case of nerves. This was going to be the first time we'd seen each other since we'd slept together, and part of me was still reeling from that experience. When I thought about the way he looked at me, the way he'd made me feel,I walked on air.
It was dangerous and foolish, of course, but, no matter how hard I tried to make myself not like him or see him as nothing but a business partner, I couldn't do it. I couldn't stop the rush of emotion he made me feel any more than I could hold back the rising tide.
I'd just have to suffer the consequences, I supposed.
The bus ride over to his office felt like it took forever, but once I was standing in front of the building again, I felt a nervous flutter batter my insides. I considered turning around and going back to Raya's.
“No, Casey. You got this,” I whispered to myself.
Asking for money had never been my strong suit. I hated asking for help. Loathed it. This was different, though. I just needed an advance on what he was going to pay me anyway, once I had his child. I'd need money while I was pregnant and carrying his baby, right? It seemed perfectly normal, and besides, it wasn't like I was asking for everything up front.
Still, I hated having to ask at all.
When I walked into Crane Enterprises this time, there was a receptionist at the front desk, rather than a bored security guard. She smiled pleasantly up at me when I stood in front of her.
“Welcome to Crane Enterprises,” she said cheerfully.
“Thank you,” I said.
Since it was during business hours, there were no questions about why I was there. The receptionist looked me over, but otherwise, she let me be. Which was nice. Maybe the outfit was working for me after all.
I walked past her and pressed the button for the elevator. When the doors opened, a crowd of people stepped off, chatting wildly and ignoring me completely. I blended in so well they didn't even realize I didn't belong there. Brownie points for me.
I slipped into the elevator and pressed the button for the fifteenth floor, straight to the top. This time, we wouldn't be meeting in a conference room, but rather his office. I'd get to see where Malcolm Crane worked and controlled the empire. When the doors chimed and slid open, I stepped into the hallway beyond and found myself looking at another desk with a pretty brunette behind it. The name plate said her name was Alyssa Matthews, and she was the Executive Assistant. I assumed that meant she was Malcolm's assistant, so I stepped up to the desk.
“Hi there,” I said. “Malcolm Crane is expecting me.”
“Sure thing,” she said with a smile. “What's your name?”
“Casey Melville,” I said.
“One second, Miss Melville,” she said.
This was so much easier than the first time I'd stopped by. What a difference being there during business hours made. Alyssa got on the phone, and I heard her talking in a low voice. When she'd hung up, she looked at me and smiled.
“Mr. Crane will see you know,” she said. “Here, follow me,” she said.
She stood up and guided me down a hallway and to a corner office. Of course Malcolm would have a nice, corner office on the top floor. I'd have been surprised by anything less. Alyssa knocked on the door, and Malcolm's voice called out from behind it.
“Come in.”
She opened the door for me and motioned for me to go inside. It felt so formal and businesslike – which made me sure I stood out like a sore thumb. Alyssa closed the door behind me, and I stared at Malcolm Crane, future CEO of Crane Enterprises, behind his large wooden desk. He was a gorgeous man in a business suit that hugged his sculpted body in all the right places.
Malcolm stood up and walked across the room toward me, his blue eyes full of concern.
“Casey, is everything okay?”
He took my hands in his, which was disappointing since part of me had hoped for a kiss or even a hug. But, I guessed that a handshake would have to do. We were at his office, during business hours after all, and he had a reputation to uphold.
“Yes, everything is fine,” I said. “I was actually just hoping I could ask you a favor?”
“Of course,” he said, leaning up against his desk.
There were two chairs in front of him, and he motioned for me to have a seat. I sat down, crossing my legs at the ankles and smoothed the dress down, my heart fluttering wildly as I tried to work up the nerve to ask my favor of him.
“Are you sure you're okay, Casey?” he asked.
I looked up, and there was concern etched upon his face. His eyes studied me carefully, and I felt a flutter of hope in my chest. Maybe he really did care. The windows behind him overlooked Los Angeles, and I found myself staring out that way as opposed to looking at him.
Because looking at him was dangerous. Confusing. When I looked at him, my body reacted strangely. I remembered the way he'd made me feel when we'd had sex and I'd turned into a quivering pile of goo, amazing sensations I'd never
felt before coursing through my body.
“Yes, I swear, I'm fine, Malcolm,” I said.
I licked my lips, not wanting to come right out and ask for the money. Not straight away. It felt wrong to be so demanding. And besides, I enjoyed his company and wanted to know how things were going in his world. So, instead of coming right out and asking for a handout, I took another tack.
“It's been a few days since we – you know -- and I wanted to see how you've been.” I said.
He tilted his head to the side, and he grinned at me, his baby blues sparkling like the Caribbean Sea. I felt my insides turning to liquid from just that one stare.
“I've been good,” he said. “I've been wondering about you too. I'm glad you stopped by.”
“You are?” I choked.
“I am,” he said, chuckling. “Why are you so surprised?”
“It's just the nature of our relationship – or rather, our business relationship – Ack, can I start that sentence over, please?”
I placed my head in my hands, wanting to crawl into a hole and disappear and maybe one day, come back as someone who could actually talk coherently. If it wasn't a snarky comment or scathing reply, I just couldn't seem to get it out around him.
Something touched my hand, and it took me a moment to realize it was Malcolm. He was pulling my hand away from my face. I looked up and saw him standing above me now, taking my hands in his. A small smile touched my lips and I let him pull me up from my seat. He was laughing, clearly amused by something I'd done.
“Casey, you need to relax more,” he said. “Chill out a bit.”
“Relax. Chill out a bit,” I said. “Alright, I'll get right on that.”
I noticed he was still holding my hands in his, and he was standing incredibly close to me now. We were inches apart, and I felt his breath against my cheek. He smelled musky and clean, and I fought the urge to bury my face into his neck to breathe him in. Everything about him was just so damn sexy and did things to me that I couldn't explain or deny.