Damian yawned as he woke up from his sleep. It was another beautiful day, and he quickly adjusting to life back in Los Angeles. He turned to the bedside table, picked up his phone and switched it on before getting out of the bed. He walked into ensuite and took a shower before going downstairs.
“Good morning sir. The meal is set on the dining table.” his domestic maid announced as soon as he saw him walk down the stairs. He nodded at her, going towards the dining room. He took a seat at the end of the table and uncovered his plate.
“Soon, it’ll be me and Karen on this dining table.” he thought to himself before digging into his meal.
He had spent over a week since his return to Los Angeles, and those days have been very busy ones for him. He had to clear up some documents. He wasn’t working yet. He had saved enough money to take care of him for the next ten years without having to lift a muscle. He had made a smooth transition too from the organization in New York.
His phone beeped, and he looked at it before picking it up. It was a text message from an unsaved number. His face distorted into a frown as he stared at it’s content. Since his arrival in the city, he was yet to meet with Karen. It was a deliberate act by himself. He wanted to prepare himself enough.
Jack parked his car in the parking lot of En Magazine and stepped out. He was gracefully dressed in a well tailored black suit, blue shirt and a tie. He walked briskly to the front huge door of the administrative building, pushed it open and walked in. Side chatters arose in the hall as the workers inside sighted him. Most of the female staffs stared at him adoringly while some stared lustfully. He turned a blind eye to their stares as he continued walking before he was intercepted by Karen’s Secretary.
“Welcome sir” she bowed, unable to look him in face. He had an intimidating appearance. He nodded at her as she took his briefcase and led him to the elevator. He took the elevator to the floor where Karen’s office was located before she took her turn in using it.
The secretary walked into her office to inform her of his arrival, and few minutes later, she returned and led him inside. She bowed respectfully at them and walked out, shutting the door.
Jack stood in his position, staring at her and she returned the stare. The both of them remained silent for over a minute before she finally offered him a seat.
“You are welcome, Mr Antonio. Have a seat.” she stated professionally and he took the seat in front of her, crossing his leg.
“Thank you.” He took the time to check her out closely. She was dressed in a tight gown that hugged her body and almost protruding stomach. Her hair was made to fall to her shoulders, making her round face stand out. “You’re beautiful.” the words slipped out from his mouth, increasing the tension in the room. She fiddled nervously with her pen, breathing in to calm her raging nerves.
“Do you need coffee or tea?” She offered, her own way if easing the brewing tension.
“Coffee would be better.” She rang the telecom on her table and ordered for two cups of coffee.
“How have you been?” he asked in concern.
“I’m fine as you can see” she replied. It was a lie! She wasn’t fine in any way.
“You don’t look fine to me.” he replied and shrugged, making her stare at him with a frown on her face.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, there – ” a knock sounded on the door and he stopped. They both turned and stared at the intruder to came to deliver their cups of coffee.
“Thank you.” Karen muttered lowly to her as she dropped the coffee on the table. She bowed silently at them and walked out. He picked up his cup and took a sip before dropping it.
“You were saying?” She urged him to continue. She was really eager to hear what he was about to say before the interruption. A smile found it’s way to his face as he noticed her curiosity.
“Very curious, aren’t we?” he raised an eyebrow and she forced herself not to smile at the gesture. “Let’s drink coffee together.” he added, taking another sip. She took a sip from her glass, eyeing him impatiently, waiting for him to continue.
“I mean the eye bags under your eyes. Your make up don’t do the perfect job of concealing them, and your face looks a little bit lean.” he stated his observation and she froze. Her cup of coffee hanged mid air, few inches away from her mouth as she stared at him. Was she now and open book? How could he read her so perfectly?!
He noticed the many questions in her eyes and offered her a smile. “Don’t tell me you’ve been crying” she remained silent, still staring at him before she broke the stare and dropped the glass on the table.
“I’m fine.” She affirmed and he shrugged, not believing her one bit.
“I don’t believe you, and I respect your decision not to tell.” he responded and she forced him a smile, grateful for the fact that he didn’t push the issue. She didn’t know any way she could have convinced him that she was fine if he decided to have pushed the issue.
“I found out you left” he started and she groaned internally. She was not ready to discuss it with him. “Why did you leave and where did you go to? He asked. “I checked everywhere I could for you.”
“I went on a break to clear my head, as you can see, I’m pregnant.” She sneered at him. “And where I went to is personal.”
He nodded at her in understanding. “I’m just glad that you’re back and safe.”
“Yeah” if only he knew why she came back, and it had nothing to do with it, but it wasn’t important for him to know. They remained in silence, sipping their coffee. She knew they next question he was going to throw at her and she was bracing herself up for it.
“Did you give thought to my request?” the question she was expecting finally came.
“Yes, and my decision is that – ” She paused and stared at him. She could notice the tension building up in him and somehow, it made her feel satisfied, that she could put a man like him out of ease. He remained silent while waiting for her to speak again. “My decision is that I will give you access you the child as her father and she she’s given birth to. You can still come around and check up on the pregnancy, but, we’re not getting back together.”
A smile spread across facial features as she finished speaking. He almost jumped up, screaming in delight, but he controlled himself. “Thank you very much, Karen. You don’t know how much this means to me”
She returned the smile shyly, nodding at him. She suddenly felt nervous again.
“You said “her.” Is it a girl?”
“Not yet confirmed, but my want to girl.” her reply made his smile broaden.
“What if I want a boy?” he raised an eyebrow, making him look very handsome.
“Then you have to get another woman pregnant” She replied with a smirk.
“Or, I could get you pregnant again.” her face flushed in embarrassment as she bent her head shyly.
“You just made my day. You don’t know how happy you just made me.” he stated, getting up from his seat. She got up from her seat too, and they stared at each other. “I guess I’ll see you later” he extended his hand for a handshake and she took it.
She stared at his back as he walked out of the office before heaving a sigh of relief and falling into her seat. Finally, she made her decision. She just hope that it wouldn’t come back to hurt her. A ghost of a smile remained on her face as he went on with her work.
Jack sat relaxed in his sitting room. His legs was placed on a table while he read through a magazine. The sound of the doorbell sounded and raised his head from the book. He pressed the key in his hand and the door beeped, opening up. Harry pushed the door opened as he stepped in.
“Broo! You’re here” Jack’s suprise were laced in his words.
“Ya” Jack was quick to notice his bad mood. His voice was low and he didn’t look too good.
“What is wrong. You don’t look too good. ” Jack queried and he sighed a “I’m fine”
“Is this what I think it is?” his nose flared in rising anger. “Did she leave?” he asked and Harry remained silent. He got his answer from Harry’s silence as a deep scowl appeared on his face.
“That bitch!” he growled.
“She isn’t a bitch.” Harry countered.
“The fuck! She is a bitch” he screamed and his friend stared at him in anger.
“I told you this would happen, didn’t I. I told you this wasn’t love.”
“Says someone who doesn’t know what love is.” Harry gritted, his anger reaching its peak.
“Atleast I didn’t get played by some fucking bitch.” Harry’s fist connected with Jack’s perfectly in a punch as Harry grabbed his collar tightly, punching him in the face again.
“Don’t you dare say shit about her again.” Harry warned, facing off with him.