Inked

by Mia Ford

  I shake my head hard. “Dad, you can’t control me. You can’t involve yourself in this. It’s my life. I don’t give a shit what high society thinks. I never have. I’m living my life for myself. Me, Lexi, and my baby…”

  “Do you hear yourself? You sound ridiculous.”

  “I don’t care how I sound to you. You hate me no matter what I do, so I may as well be happy.”

  I fold my arms across my chest and stare at him, but he isn’t backing down. I know that he won’t, he isn’t that sort of a person. But now I have something more powerful to fight for than he does. I have my life.

  “I will give you money,” he finally announces. “Ten million, of your own to do what you want with.”

  “What?” I gasp in shock. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

  “You want to start your own business, don’t you? I’m sure you mentioned that at some point.” I don’t know if he did or if he’s been spying on me, but I’m too stunned to ask this. “So, you need the money for that. Really make something of yourself. You could do it, I know that of you.”

  “What’s the catch?” I reply wearily. “There’s a catch, isn’t there?”

  “Well, if you’re going to make something of your life, then you will need a suitable wife, won’t you? If you want a company of your own, then you will need to start pleasing high society. I know that this might not be something you want to hear, but I’m afraid that’s the way life is. Women like Lexi don’t fit into it.”

  A rage bubbles through me. He’s offering me my dream, but at a cost.

  “And what about my baby, huh? Am I supposed to just abandon my child?”

  “You’ll have plenty of money to provide. I don’t see what the issue is.”

  “What about being there? Actually raising my child? What about that?”

  Dad smirks. “Son, that isn’t really a man’s job, is it? Do you remember me being around a lot when you were young? No, of course not. Because I was working, earning a living for you. Making sure that you had the best of the best. You can do the same for your kid with this money.”

  I slam my hands down on the desk and rise to my feet. “You’re an asshole, Dad. I can’t believe that you would even suggest this. I love Lexi, I want to be there for her and my child. I don’t want to be like you.”

  “I gave you the choice. It’s up to you if you don’t want to take it.”

  “And what will happen if I don’t take it? Huh? Is that it for me and you?”

  “Oh no.” His face twists into a smile. “Nothing changes. Everything will stay as it is.”

  He’s lying, I know he is. He will have a plan for me if I don’t play his little game, but even that isn’t enough to scare me straight. I can take whatever is coming to me. Let him do what he wants. I am sure I will win.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Lexi

  The tears are already streaming down my face before I enter the room and I see Jane sitting up in her bed. It’s almost like she’s expecting me. I thought that I would have to wait because she’d be busy with her treatment but thank goodness, I don’t. I’m not sure much longer I would be able to wait for her.

  “Lexi.” She starts weeping the moment she sees me too. “Thank God you came. I wasn’t sure you would.”

  “Of course I would. I’ve wanted to see you for a long time. I’ve missed you.”

  I race to her bedside and hug her tight, trying not to blanche at how thin she has become. I can feel the bones in her back which really can’t be good… but I don’t want to start this reunion by worrying about her treatment. As far as I know, this could be completely normal. Just what’s to be expected.

  “I’m so sorry that I blocked you away for so long,” Jane sobbed. “I thought that it was for the best.”

  “I know, I know, I understand. You didn’t want me here much, but I want to be here with you.”

  “I want you here too, Lexi. I absolutely love you, you’re the best sister ever.”

  We hug and cry for a little while longer, just glad to be holding onto each other at last. I knew that I missed Jane, but I had no idea how damn much. My sister is all I have left.

  “We can’t cry all day,” Jane giggles through the tears. “Let’s try and… I don’t know, change the subject.”

  I nod and take a seat, but the tears keep on rolling. At least it’s happy crying for a change.

  “I hear you met Isaac,” I finally say to bring the subject to something else. “How was that?”

  “Oh wow, he’s amazing! I really like him for you. I know that he might not be your usual type, but I think that’s a good thing. Your usual type wasn’t exactly working out for you, was it?”

  “No, I suppose not.” I can’t keep the smile from my face. “But it’s still a bit crazy.”

  “Yeah, but crazy in a good way. He seems to make you really happy. And you do the same for him.” She looks up at me through her eye lashes. “I don’t know if he’s told you, but he said to me that he loves you.”

  “Yeah, he told me last night actually, for the very first time… can you believe it?” I wink. “Talk about getting a life, huh? I went and got one that no one expected. A boyfriend who’s also my boss.”

  “He’s hot though, and I bet it’s rich… but I know that isn’t what you’re looking for.”

  “I don’t care if he has money or not. I just like him.” I wrap my arms around myself and grin. “I love him.”

  Jane sits up a little straighter. “Is that what you wanted to tell me? I’m sorry I didn’t respond…”

  “No, I know. I get it. You had your own thing going on… but no, that wasn’t what I was going to tell you.”

  “So, what was it? Was it something more exciting than you falling in love with a good man?”

  I nod and bite down on my bottom lip. The news actually wants to explode from me. “Yes, it is. I’m actually… I’m having a baby.” At first, I freak out, suddenly realizing this might not be good news to her…

  “You are?” Her face explodes into a smile. “Oh, my goodness, that is incredible news. That’s wonderful. You are going to be the best mom in the whole world. Your baby is freaking lucky and I’m…”

  Her hands clap to her mouth and I can see the happiness shining behind her gaze which just makes me feel even better about it all. The fact that both Jane and Isaac are so over the moon is everything.

  “My baby is lucky to have you as an auntie too. He or she is going to adore you.”

  I half expect her to scream or something with happiness, but her expression falls, and she looks sad for just a moment. I can practically see what’s going through her mind, she doesn’t believe she will be alive to ever get to meet my baby. My whole chest tightens at the idea. I never even thought of it that way. That Jane might not be around to meet my child. I almost completely succumb to panic at the prospect.

  “Jane, is there something you need to tell me?” I gasp out. “Is the treatment not going well?”

  She averts her gaze, which gives me a moment to study her face. Really study it, and she doesn’t look great. I’ve become used to seeing Jane look unwell, but she is way worse now. It’s hard to keep convincing myself that this is just a side effect of the treatment and it means things are going well.

  “I don’t think I’m exactly where I need to be,” she admits. “But they haven’t said to give up or anything.”

  She really doesn’t sound too positive which makes all of me sink. I can’t lose Jane now. I can’t face this world without her, I can’t cope having a baby with her nowhere around me. This has to work.

  “So, you’re going to keep having it?” I ask in a thick tone of voice.

  “Yes, I am. I won’t give up now… unless the financial strain is too much for you.”

  “No, no, not at all.” I shake my head hard. “It’s fine, I just… I want you to be okay.”

  She takes my hand and looks at me. The haunting expression in her eyes is too much for me, I can’t handle
it, I need a moment away from her to just get a grip on all of this emotion.

  “Actually, speaking of money, I need to go and check that the payments are okay…”

  Jane calls something after me, but I don’t hear it. I stagger out of the room and into the hallway where I can crumble and fall apart. I can’t even imagine it though, even now. A world without Jane seems impossible. I don’t know how I will live. To give me something to do before I collapse, I race to the finance department to do what I said I was going to. I might as well, just so I’m not lying to Jane.

  I ask the woman at the desk about the payment plan, trying to get the words out through the thick ball of emotion. If she thinks that I’m insane, she doesn’t say so. I suppose she must be used to it here.

  “Oh, the full amount has been covered,” she tells me, sounding as shocked as I feel. The stunned silence stops the tears from flowing quite as much. “For the rest of the treatment. From an anonymous benefactor.”

  “Anonymous benefactor, what does that mean? Someone just paid it off…”

  As I say those words, it hits me. It’s completely obvious who has done this…. Isaac. He’s done it to take the financial strain off of me so I can focus on our baby. So, I don’t have to be stressed.

  “Okay, well thank you.” I nod and back away. “I guess that’s it then.”

  She parts her lips, about to say something else to me, but I can’t listen to it. I need to leave, to get back to Jane. I probably shouldn’t have run out on her like I did, that isn’t the best way for us to reconnect. But as I go, I pull out my cell phone and I fire off a message to Isaac. I need to thank him.

  Lexi: I can’t believe you paid off Jane’s treatment and didn’t tell me!! Xx

  Isaac: It might not have been me. As far as I know, no name was left behind… xxx

  Lexi: I know! No one else would do anything as sweet as that xx

  Isaac: I hope it’s helped… even just a little bit. I also hope things are going well with Jane xx

  I don’t want to focus on the negative, on the fact that the treatment may or may not be working. I can’t make too many assumptions on that anyway, because there’s no guarantee that I’m right.

  Lexi: Absolutely amazing. It’s so good to be back with her again. Thank you xx

  Isaac: I was just the messenger, it wasn’t my work. But I’m so glad that it’s going well. You two need each other. Did you tell her our exciting news? I’m dying to know what she said about it. Xx

  My heart flutters with a deep thrill. I adore how much he’s into us having this baby. It’s perfect.

  Lexi: She is so happy for us! I haven’t seen her that happy in a very long time! Xx

  Isaac: That’s awesome. I wish I could have been there for you too… I don’t want to be here xx

  Lexi: How is work going? I will be back soon to organize you xx

  It takes him a couple of moments to reply, which I have chalked up to him being busy, or I will lose my mind. I know that I don’t have to pay for the treatment anymore, but I still need the money for our baby. I hope that I have a job still… especially if we don’t know what’s going to happen with Isaac’s future. He could choose to go out on his own at any moment which will be a financial strain.

  Isaac: It’s work… I’m looking forward to you coming back. I need you here, you know? xx

  Oh, thank goodness for that! I breathe deep and smile as I message back.

  Lexi: I’ll let you get on, I know you must be busy. I will see you later on. Love you xx

  Isaac: I’m looking forward to it already. I love you too xxx

  Just in good time too, because I’m back at Jane’s room and I have a lot of making up to do.

  “I’m so sorry, Jane, I didn’t mean to take that long, I just had a lot to sort out…”

  “It’s okay, I thought there might be a long line or something. Is everything alright.”

  She looks like she might have been crying, but no longer in a happy way. I didn’t mean to leave her like that. It’s so frustrating, I don’t mean to keep letting Jane down, but it keeps happening again and again.

  “Yeah, everything is good…” I decide to just tell her. Why not? At least then she won’t need to keep worrying about the money and me. “Actually, it turns out that Isaac has paid off the rest of your treatment.”

  “He has?” Her eyes light up in surprise. “Wow, he really is a good guy, isn’t he?”

  “He sure is. A good choice for my baby daddy.” I touch my belly and grin. “Don’t you think?”

  “That’s so true. I might not know him well, although I hope I will, I need you to bring him here more often now, so I can check that he’s good enough for you, he seems like a good choice.”

  “I will bring him here. Let you properly vet him. I need your approval.”

  She laughs and we finally get into chatting about nothing in particular which is so much easier. It doesn’t leave the back of my mind that she isn’t good though. I will have to speak to her doctor at some point to get the real story because I’m certain that Jane is playing it down to try and prevent me from worrying.

  This treatment needs to work. It has to make Jane better again. She deserves to be out of here.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Isaac

  It looks good as I see Lexi back at her desk where she belongs. It might have been a couple of weeks, but I’m still getting used to having her bright, glowing presence around here once more. It makes me realize just how dull it’s been without her. The lights have finally been switched on, and the color is back.

  “I have all this paperwork filed at last.” She leans in the door frame and smiles. “Now I’m going to get onto your phone messages. I can’t believe how long you have been ignoring them for!”

  I shrug. “Didn’t I tell you? I can’t cope without you. I have been a real mess.”

  “Yeah, I can see that.” She rolls her eyes and giggles. “Luckily. I’m back now.”

  I peer behind her shoulder to see a couple of the other girls whispering, but Lexi doesn’t seem bothered, so I won’t stand up and fire them, as much as I want to. She has a strength like nothing I have seen before. With everything on her shoulders, she shouldn’t have to deal with this shit as well.

  “Do you need to leave early today?” I ask instead. “What time are you going to see Jane?”

  “Not early. She’s in treatment until late today. I was actually hoping that you would come with me.”

  “Oh yeah? Jane wants to grill me some more?” We both laugh. “Yes, that sounds good to me.”

  I love Lexi’s little family; her sister is amazing. I don’t know the ins and outs of what’s going on with her in the hospital, but she certainly hasn’t lost any spunk with what’s going on. She still gives me shit. I’m glad. I like it. We have a good relationship and I really think that she does approve of me.

  “Then I will take you out to dinner afterwards. I think we could use a date.”

  “A date, huh?” She winks playfully. “I like that idea. It’s been crazy recently, hasn’t it?”

  Our relationship is going from strength to strength, getting better every single day. I can’t see a baby bump anywhere yet, but I can see a change in her. She’s softening, becoming more motherly, growing. I hope that I am too. Maturing slowly as I become a father. God, I can’t wait for that. It’s going to be amazing. I keep thinking about it, all the time. It’s an image that sends me flying high with happiness.

  My love for her grows every day as well. Lexi is really everything that I want and need, but that I didn’t know about. I never would have expected that we’d fall in love, but here we are… having everything.

  Well… almost everything. There are still some areas we need to work…

  “So, Lexi,” I start in the tone of voice that she just knows will lead to the same conversation that we’ve been having. “When are you going to move in with me? I keep asking and not getting anywhere…”

  “Will you stop i
t? We can’t move too quickly by me living with you. I already told you.”

  “Move too quickly? Lexi, I know that I love you and I want to be with you forever. Plus, we’re having a baby. How can we move faster than we are? Plus, you’re at my place all the time…”

  “But being at your place a lot, and living with you, are two different things.”

  “I know… living with me will be so much better, easier too. You won’t need to keep going home and getting stuff because it will already be at mine. See, it’s just more straight forward, isn’t it?”

  “Ah, I see, so you’re thinking practically… I get it now.”

  I toss my head back and laugh. “Yes, that’s it. See, you get me. I’m all about the practicality.”

  “I’ve already told you that I might. Just let me think about it, okay?”

  “I’m letting you think about it, I just know that this can only go one way. I love your little apartment and I know that you do too…” She makes a noise like this might not be the truth. “But you will need space. Babies take up a lot of room and you need that. My place is too big for just one person…”

  She laughs and flicks her hair over her shoulder. “I guess that is a worry for the future…”

  “Just not too far into the future, because you’ll be too big to move then.”

  “How rude!” she exclaims with a little giggle. “Luckily, I’m not going to get offended.”

  “Good, because I will probably be making a lot more jokes like that before the hormones fully kick in.”

  “Ah.” She nods. “Because I’ll be too crazy for you to handle then. That’s really brave!”

  I hold my hands up in a surrendering gesture. “Hey, Jane warned me of how nuts you can be.”

  “Tut.” She shakes her head. “I’m going to leave you now so you can be rude alone.”