I found myself looking through her closet, the books lining her shelves, the pictures on her walls. She was definitely an educated woman who had sophisticated tastes. Then I found myself in her master bathroom. I don’t know what I was looking for or if I was really looking for anything. I simply felt like I was getting to know her by the layout of her apartment. That was until a bright blue box caught my eye.
Reaching down to the garbage can, I pulled up the box. Clearblue Easy Digital Ovulation Test.
What the…?
Dropping the box back into the garbage can, I saw the discarded white sticks. I turned and pulled open the cabinets in her bathroom. Another full box of the same tests and two different types of digital pregnancy tests sat on the shelves.
Why would she…she's on the pill. I’ve seen her take the pill in the mornings at my place. I don’t…what if they weren't real pills?
Then it struck me like a bolt of lightning.
Was she trying to get pregnant on purpose so that she was the easy choice? Didn’t she realize that I would..? Fuck! Why would this upset me? This is what I want right? I need a child and if she’s willing…but then why would she have already planned on getting pregnant before…I mean, it had only been like two months. Had she started this plan before we even met?
In that moment, I realized trusting her would be impossible and I was once again fucked. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I could suck it up and just go along with Natalia. But how can I be sure of her intentions now? I couldn’t.
I quickly left her bathroom and exited her apartment. I needed air and I needed it now. My head was filled with a thick fog of disappointment, regret and disgust. I was almost to the elevator when I heard the doors open and her voice. I quickly moved down another hallway, hoping that she hadn’t seen me.
"I’m doing the best I can—" "I know that it’s—" "Father, will you please—" "I don’t care what Uncle—"
I stood against the wall like a coward, listening to her conversation as she walked towards her apartment.
"Yes Father. Of course I'm still taking them," she sounded extremely annoyed. "I tested, it was negative," she sounded tired and defeated.
I couldn’t take it. Anger filled me and my fists clenched at my sides. Emerging from the hallway, I headed toward Natalia with purpose.
"Good evening, Natalia."
She spun quickly, a look of surprise and panic filled her eyes. I smirked knowingly.
She held up a finger and spoke into her phone quickly.
"I’ll have to call you back," she paused. "Uh huh, that sounds perfect." Then she hung up and seemed to pull her mask back on. "Aidan, what are you doing here?" she smiled and reached to hug me. I pulled back and her eyes widened.
"I came to surprise you. I arrived home early and wanted to discuss some things with you. Shall we?" I motioned for her to continue opening her apartment door.
Turning the key and the door knob, she led me into her apartment. When she caught sight of the flowers I heard her inhale sharply.
"Oh yes, I was already here earlier."
She turned.
"Aidan, what is—?"
"Tsk, tsk, Natalia. Don't you think I should be asking you what is going on?" I crossed my arms over my chest.
She looked confused but still panicked.
"Or should I be more specific?" I watched her take one slow step backwards. "How long before we even met had you planned all of this?" I tilted my head in curiosity.
"I-I’m not sure what you are implying," she stuttered out.
"I’m not a fool, so please do not treat me as one," I growled. "Was this your father’s plan or your uncle’s?" I asked through clenched teeth.
"A-Aidan…" then she broke down, "it wasn’t my plan. I didn’t intend—"
"So you are, indeed, not pregnant then?" I raised an eyebrow. She shook her head. I snorted.
"Well that’s too bad. That's the only way I would’ve stuck around. However, that’s good for me because now I can walk away from this without any regret." I turned for the door.
"Aidan, please—"
"Thanks for the *, Nat." Keeping my anger in check, I gently shut the door behind me.
Once in my car, the anger seeped back in. I sped off toward my apartment ignoring the calls from Natalia as I broke every speed limit along the way. Once in my apartment, I left Devlin a voicemail to cancel and destroy all documents involving Natalia. I grabbed the full bottle of bourbon, a glass and threw myself onto a lounge chair on my balcony. I let the cold October air whip against my face as the bourbon warmed my throat.
What the fuck am I going to do? I am completely fucked! I could always go back to that fucking traitorous bitch but, if Gideon was involved, I couldn’t risk it. I was basically ready to just pick up any woman and marry her. It was the only choice I had left.
~
Two days passed and I hadn’t left my apartment. I was racking my brain, trying to figure out what I was going to do. When James showed up, I shouldn’t have been surprised; I had been ignoring all phone calls.
"You look like shit," he laughed out. I grimaced. "What the hell happened to you?"
I told James about Natalia. He was just as pissed off.
"Those evil bastards, do they think this is a game?"
"Well apparently Grandfather liked to play with people’s lives too," I snapped.