?PHOENIX?
I was lost in my thoughts, consumed by the weight of Mrs. Dante’s ultimatum. How on earth was I going to retrieve the jewelry? Darcy had probably already sold it by now. Panic coursed through me-I couldn’t afford to go to jail, and I definitely couldn’t risk losing my payments.
If Rome found out about my past, he’d be furious. The thought of him discovering that the person carrying his baby was a thief filled me with dread. My life had been finally looking up, and now this.
“Phoenix,” Rome’s voice snapped me out of my reverie, and I looked up to find him staring at me with annoyance.
“He was asking if you eat fruits more often,” Rome explained.
“Yeah, I do,” I replied, attempting to appear as normal as possible.
“Good, the baby is very healthy,” the doctor reassured, prompting Rome to sigh in relief.
“Yeah, I have a question,” Rome interjected, redirecting the doctor’s attention.
“Is it healthy for the baby to have ice cream all the time?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but inwardly groan-I had suspected as much.
“Most women crave ice cream during pregnancy, and it’s perfectly healthy in moderation. However, too much can be harmful due to the sugar content,” the doctor explained, causing Rome to glance at me.
“What?” I feigned innocence.
“She eats a lot of ice cream,” Rome revealed, earning a smile from the doctor.
“The baby wants it, not me!” I protested.
“Ah, pregnancy cravings can be quite powerful and difficult to resist,” the doctor empathized.
“So, the baby really wants it?” Rome asked, seeking confirmation.
“Yes,” Dr. Phil affirmed. Rome looked at me and then back at the doctor.
“I thought she was just deceiving me,” he admitted, his expression a mix of surprise and amusement.
Rome’s admission about his suspicion lightened the tense air between us. It was a small relief in the midst of my turmoil. But as we left the doctor’s office, I couldn’t shake the weight of Mrs. Dante’s ultimatum.
The drive home was silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts. When we arrived, Rome turned to me with a serious expression.
“Phoenix, we need to talk,” he said, his voice grave.
My heart pounded in my chest. What if his mom told him about it already? Was this it? Was he going to confront me about the stolen jewelry?
“I know things between us haven’t been easy,” he began, and I felt a surge of guilt.
“But I want to make it clear that I’m committed to supporting you through this pregnancy, no matter what, And I know you are matured enough to be careful in anything you are doing because you don’t really act matured though..”
Relief flooded through me, but it was quickly replaced by a fresh wave of anxiety. I knew in any good that he is saying he must say something bad.
“I appreciate that, Rome,” I replied, forcing a smile. “And I want you to know that I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me even though you are proud, I will try my best to keep up with you”
He nodded, his expression softening momentarily before hardening again.
“You’re going to be difficult to deal with,” he grumbled before stepping out of the car. As he walked around to open the door for me, I couldn’t help but laugh at my own childishness.
“Thank you, Mr. Grumpy,” I teased, acknowledging his chivalrous gesture.
“Just take care of yourself,” he reminded me as he held the door open.
“Bye,” I replied, closing the door behind me.
—
Once inside, I reached for my phone and quickly dialed Fiona’s number. She answered after just two rings, her concern evident in her voice.
“I’m in big trouble,” I admitted.
“What happened?” she inquired, her tone full of worry.
“Do you remember that necklace I stole?” I asked, prompting a hum of acknowledgment from Fiona.
“Well, turns out the woman I stole it from is the mother of Rome,” I explained, feeling a knot form in my stomach.
“Oh no,” Fiona gasped, understanding the gravity of the situation.
“She recognized me and gave me two months to return the necklace, or else I’ll end up in jail and lose any chance of payment,” I confessed, feeling the weight of the consequences bearing down on me.
“I don’t even know what to do. Darcy probably already sold the necklace,” I lamented, sinking onto the bed.
“But what if she can retrieve it for you?” Fiona suggested optimistically.
“Even if she can, she won’t hand it over without demanding a hefty sum,” I replied, my mind racing with the bleak possibilities.
“How much do you have to spare?” Fiona inquired, offering a glimmer of hope.
“I have about 70k dollars that Rome gave me the other day, but I’ve been holding onto it,” I revealed.
“That might be enough, at least for a partial payment,” Fiona reasoned, trying to find a solution amidst the chaos.
“I’ll call Darcy,” I decided with a heavy sigh, dreading the conversation that lay ahead.
“Okay, call me afterward and let me know how it goes,” Fiona instructed, her voice filled with concern and support.
~~
Darcy almost answered immediately, perhaps assuming I wanted to return to work for her.
“Darcy,” I called, trying to keep my nerves steady.
“Yes?” she replied, her sassy tone still intact.
“Can we meet and talk?” I asked, my voice betraying my anxiety.
“About?” she probed.
“It concerns a significant sum of money,” I explained tentatively.
“Fine, meet me by 8 p. m.,” she agreed curtly before abruptly ending the call.
—
As 7 p. m. approached, I dressed anxiously, my mind racing with fears of what awaited me. What if she had already sold the necklace? The thought made my stomach churn with dread.
“What do you want? Don’t tell me you’re here to beg for your job back,” Darcy snapped as I approached her.
“That’s not it,” I assured her, noting the disappointment flicker in her eyes.
“Then what?” she demanded, her impatience palpable.
“It’s about the necklace I stole,” I confessed, steeling myself for her reaction.
“Be specific,” she commanded.
“The last necklace I stole for you, the expensive one,” I clarified, hoping she’d understand.
“So what about it?” she asked, her interest piqued.
“I need it back,” I admitted, bracing for her laughter.
She burst into laughter, causing my heart to sink. But then she composed herself and looked at me seriously.
“It’s gone,” she declared, and though I had expected it, the confirmation still felt like a blow.
“But I know how you can retrieve it,” she added, immediately catching my attention.
“How? Tell me!” I urged, desperation creeping into my voice.
“The information isn’t free, though,” she warned with a sly grin.
“How much?” I asked, determined not to let this opportunity slip away.
“10k,” she stated, expecting me to balk at the price.
“Fine,” I agreed, surprising her with my quick acquiescence.
“Payment before service,” she insisted.
“No, half now, and double the payment when I get it back,” I countered, eager to seal the deal.
“Wow, what’s your new job?” she inquired, a smirk playing on her lips.
“That’s none of your concern,” I retorted, refusing to be drawn into further conversation.
“Whatever,” she muttered dismissively.
I handed over half the payment immediately, my determination to retrieve the necklace outweighing any doubts or reservations I had.
“Okay, there’s one place that…” she began, launching into her plan.
~~
ROME
Rome pulled into his residence, only to be taken aback by the sight of a figure standing in front of his home. He couldn’t hide his surprise when he realized it was Jess waiting for him.
“Hi,” she greeted him warmly as soon as she spotted him.
“Hey,” Rome responded, still trying to process her unexpected presence at his house.
“So… um… I didn’t get a chance to take your number the other day,” Jess said, flashing him a smile. Rome couldn’t help but wonder how she had managed to find his address and show up unannounced.
“Oh, yeah,” she continued before he could voice his question. “I’ve been talking to your mother, and she gave me your house address.”
Rome’s confusion lifted slightly as Jess explained, though he still found himself wondering about the logistics of her arrival.
“Your mom actually brought me here,” she clarified, sensing the lingering awkwardness in the air.
“Oh, okay. Come in,” Rome said, gesturing for her to follow him into his house.
TBC