She carefully wiped the tears away, not wanting to ruin her make-up. Once her eyes were dry enough she walked toward the door, meeting Emma’s gaze.
“Yeah?” She asked, her voice soft because she was afraid if she spoke louder it would break and give Emma another reason to question her.
Emma took her appearance in, looking suspicious of her. The woman’s eyes softened, a gentle smile spread across her face, “Need another minute?” Emma asked her quietly.
“I’m fine.” Rachel smiled, “So what’s up?” She forced herself to sound cheerful and upbeat.
There was no need for others around her to feel the need to coddle her. She’d figure it out on her own. She promised herself she’d be more independent and a lot stronger. This was the kind of situation which demanded of her to be those things. With her head raised high, she walked out of the kitchen, meeting Ryan’s gaze as she approached the counter. There were not many people around, just those who were getting some work done on their laptop while sipping coffee. Everyone around them was engrossed in their own world which made it a lot easier to deal with Ryan when she felt like she was falling apart.
“Morning, Rachel.” Ryan narrowed his eyes at her, “What happened?” He asked, not even bothering with small talk as he observed her closely, “Did you get hurt?”
She could tell it had a deeper meaning, he saw right through her. She had to force herself to stay smiling while shrugging off the feeling of needing to be held by someone right now. She grabbed a paper cup and started on his order like nothing even happened.
“Nothing to worry about, I’m fine.” She assured him.
“You don’t look fine to me.” His voice firm and unyielding, “Just tell me what happened, it will make things easier for the both of us.”
She sighed, knowing damn well Ryan wasn’t leaving Emma’s Haven until she answered him truthfully. He was one stubborn man, from experience she knew it would be a long and tiring battle if she tried to fight it. So she gave in, making things easier for the both of them.
“Ethan is ignoring me.”
“He is?”
Ryan couldn’t hide his surprise, he probably figured Ethan would jump at the chance of talking to her. She thought the same, but he definitely walked all over her pride.
“Yes, he is.” Rachel clarified for the both of them, “There is something urgent I need to talk to him about. I made that very clear-” Her voice broke when she spilled everything to Ryan of all people, “Yet he still won’t answer me. Not even one lousy text.”
“Then go see him.”
She wiped away the tears and met Ryan’s gaze, “Excuse me?”
He reached over the counter and brushed the wetness underneath her eye away with a gentle touch which felt like it was barely there.
“Go to Hunter and Starr and meet him there, he won’t be able to ignore you at the office. It’s unprofessional and you’ll catch him off guard. Then you tell him the urgent news.”
It felt to her like he knew what she referred to as urgent news. She couldn’t stop the blush from creeping up her cheeks. Ryan’s lips twitched, his eyes trailing to the paper cup which she abandoned behind her.
“Now can I get my usual order?” He asked her, changing the subject which she knew he did on purpose to help her get over the sensitive topic.
“Coming right up.” She told him cheerfully, going back to her almost regular self. The anxiousness she felt about cornering Ethan at his office building was simmering inside her. It was there, but she managed to contain it by focusing on everything else besides her own thoughts.
***
Rachel stared at the intimidating tall building, her blood running cold at the mere thought of demanding of the receptionist to let her through so she could talk to Ethan Hunter. They’d think she lost her mind, some weird stalker girl who wanted to meet one of the big bosses. She knew this was her only option though. Ethan had the right to know about the pregnancy since he wasn’t answering his calls or texts she took matters into her own hands. Hopefully, Ryan was right about the man not wanting to lose face and giving her time to speak with him when she cornered him at his office.
Straightening her shoulders she moved forward, walking through those glass doors and heading straight for the surprised looking receptionist. The blonde forced a polite smile on her face and greeted her cheerfully.
“Good afternoon, how may I help you?”
Rachel cleared her throat, “I’d like to meet Ethan Hunter.”
The woman nodded, “Do you have an appointment with Mr. Hunter. Can I have your name?”
“I don’t have an appointment. My name is Rachel King, I’m sure Ethan will verify things. Could you just check in with his office? It’s urgent.”
“Miss King was it?” The blonde looked confused.
“Yes, Rachel King.” She confirmed.
The woman spoke with several people before she focused back on her, “I’m sorry but Mr. Hunter can’t clear his schedule to meet with you.”
Rachel clenched her fist trying to contain her anger and tears. He dared to refuse meeting her even when she came to talk to him in person. That was the last thing she expected of him. When she met the blonde’s gaze she could tell the woman was getting uncomfortable with her presence.
“I’d like to ask you to please leave the building quietly.” The woman told her with a polite smile.
Rachel held up a finger, telling the woman to be quiet without using her words. She was too angry to even force a smile on her face. She dialed Gabriel’s number and unleashed her anger upon him since he was the one who convinced her Ethan wanted to know about this. That it was the right thing to do.
“Rachel?”
“Shut up Gabriel Starr.” She smiled at the woman whose eyes widened to the size of those anime girls which was almost comical, “I’ve tried very hard to meet up with your friend this week and time after time he ignored my calls and texts. Now he even refused to meet me in person. I’ve done my part and now you’re going to do yours. I’ll be waiting at home for you then we’re going to have a serious talk about this whole situation. Let me remind you that you have no right to decline to whatever I’m going to demand of you because you’re the reason why I feel like dying right now.” She took a deep breath and stalked out of the building, “Don’t be late.” She ended the call and called over a cab, trying hard to calm herself down as she made her way to Gabriel and Valerie’s apartment. Things were changing and even though she made those decisions in anger she wouldn’t regret it.