I couldn’t help but laugh incredulously at Jess’s audacious declaration. Was she seriously suggesting she wanted to move in for real? The absurdity of it all was almost comical.
“Rome, This is your child, why don’t you care about her at all?” she asked, her voice tinged with fake tears.
What a drama queen.
“I do care about her a lot, but you need to know that you and I are not together,” Rome replied calmly, his words bringing a smile to my face.
“Then why did you allow her to stay with you when the baby turned four months?” Jess spat venomously.
Aww, crybaby.
“Jess, I think we should talk about this when you’re not crying,” Rome suggested, his hands leaving mine.
“What? You expect me not to cry? You are stressing me and the baby out!” Jess cried even harder.
Now this is getting out of hand. What the heck is wrong with her?
I could see Rome swallowing hard, his expression troubled as he struggled to maintain his composure.
“You shouldn’t be crying for the sake of the baby,” Rome cautioned, but Jess ignored his words, continuing to sob uncontrollably.
“Damn,” Rome muttered under his breath, casting a glance in my direction before reluctantly approaching Jess.
And guess what? He hugged her.
I knew this was exactly what that Bitch wanted. She got it because Rome is too naive to realize that she just wanted to get under my skin.
And why the hell were they still hugging? Her gaze met mine, and she smiled. Ugh, what a manipulative move!
I rolled my eyes in frustration and stormed back to my room. I was seething with anger towards Rome. Why on earth would he hug her? Was that their way of resolving things? And would he have been okay if I hugged another guy?
Fine, if that’s how it’s going to be, then I can hug whoever I want too.
Lord, why am I even letting this bother me?
I entered the bathroom and swiftly undressed, craving the solace of a refreshing bath to distract myself from the chaos outside.
I filled the tub with warm water, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I submerged myself. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, trying to clear my mind.
I couldn’t help but wonder what those two were up to now.
But who cares, right?
Or maybe I do care…
Yes, I definitely do.
Suddenly, I heard the door creak open, causing me to snap my eyes open and find Rome standing at the entrance of the spacious bathroom.
“Hi,” he murmured, a hesitant smile on his lips. But when he saw that I wasn’t reciprocating the gesture, his smile faltered.
“Phoenix,” he called softly, taking a step closer, but I simply closed my eyes again, focusing on the calming sensation of the water enveloping me.
“She’s gone,” he announced, his tone echoing in the silence that followed. I chose to remain silent, opting not to engage in what was quickly becoming a tense situation.
“Can I join you, though?” he asked, his fingers already working on the buttons of his shirt, a hint of anticipation in his voice.
“No,” I replied firmly, the word carrying the weight of my resolve. “If you get in, I’m getting out.”
Rome’s expression shifted, surprise flickering across his features before a smirk curved his lips, a subtle defiance glinting in his eyes.
“Damn, girl,” he said, his voice laced with a hint of amusement as he bit his lip.
What the heck is wrong with him? I wondered, frustration bubbling beneath the surface as I struggled to comprehend his reaction.
“What?” I demanded, rolling my eyes in annoyance, my patience wearing thin.
“I like it when you get jealous; you’re so hot,” he remarked casually, as if he were commenting on the weather.
Wait, he thinks this is some sort of joke? The realization dawned on me, fueling the fire of my irritation.
“Keep liking it, but don’t come any closer to me, or else,” I threatened, my voice dripping with a mixture of warning and defiance, a desperate attempt to regain control of the situation.
“Or else what?” he challenged, his movements deliberate as he edged closer, a playful glint in his eyes as he leaned in, closing the distance between us.
Or else what exactly?! My mind raced, searching for a suitable response to his brazen defiance, but I found myself at a loss for words, the intensity of the moment rendering me speechless.
“I’ll cut off your dick,” I blurted out impulsively, my threat more of a reflexive reaction than a carefully calculated strategy, but instead of being taken aback, he burst into laughter, his amusement echoing off the tiled walls.
“Let’s see you try,” he retorted, his gaze shifting to his semi-hard member, a mischievous twinkle dancing in his eyes.
This guy is unbelievable. Seriously? I was in serious mode, and this guy is getting turned on by it?
“This isn’t funny,” I asserted, my tone serious and eyes locked onto Rome’s.
Rome’s expression softened for a moment before a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “No, it’s not,” he admitted, his gaze lingering on me. “But I can make it more entertaining for both of us,” he added, attempting to reach out and touch me, but I swiftly deflected his hand with a sharp slap.
“I’m not joking right now,” I insisted, frustration evident in my voice. “And why don’t you go and give your baby mama more hugs?” I spat, the bitterness of jealousy seeping into my words.
Rome’s demeanor shifted, his features tightening with contemplation as he processed my accusation.
“You don’t have to get all worked up about it,” he finally responded, his tone gentle yet firm. “It was just a hug, and she’s pregnant with my child. I want her to know that someone cares for her during her pregnancy,” he explained, his eyes pleading for understanding.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes in exasperation before standing up from the water, the droplets cascading down my body as I reached for a towel. With deliberate movements, I wrapped it around myself, feeling a mixture of irritation and vulnerability.
As I made my way into the room, Rome trailed behind me, his presence looming. Ignoring his proximity, I retrieved my nightwear from the dresser, the fabric cool against my skin as I slipped it on.
“Phoenix,” he called out softly, his voice tinged with uncertainty, as if unsure of how to bridge the growing chasm between us.
“I am tired and I need to sleep,” I said, my voice carrying the weight of exhaustion.
“Okay, but you have to eat,” he replied softly, concern etched in his features.
“I’m not hungry,” I insisted, my tone resolute, and he fell silent, respecting my decision.
“I know you don’t want to talk to me right now, but you should think about the baby and your wellbeing too,” he said, his words tinged with sincerity, but I chose to ignore him, retreating to lay on the bed, seeking solace in the darkness.
“I’m sorry,” he finally said, his voice heavy with remorse as he settled beside me.
“I need to sleep, Rome,” I reiterated, my fatigue palpable.
“Come on, Phoenix, I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have hugged her at all, but you…” he trailed off, his frustration evident.
“I am sorry, but can you at least eat, please?” he pleaded, his eyes searching mine for a glimmer of understanding.
“I promise I’ve learned my lesson. I won’t hug any woman that isn’t you, I swear,” Rome vowed, his sincerity ringing true in his words as he sighed deeply.
I glanced at him, his remorseful expression tugging at my heartstrings, prompting me to sit up straight.
“What’s for dinner?” I asked, a small spark of curiosity igniting within me, and his face immediately brightened, relief flooding his features.
~~
“I promised myself that I would never ever hug anybody apart from her. I can’t even give you a bro hug anymore,” Rome confessed to Neo, who chuckled in response.
“I guess both sisters are drama queens,” Neo remarked, still laughing at the situation.
“So… What’s up with you and Beatrix?” Rome inquired, shifting the conversation.
“Oh, we’re just talking right now, but very soon I’m going to ask her to be my girlfriend. Not now though, because I’m not sure she would even agree,” Neo replied hesitantly.
“If I were Beatrix, I would have dumped your ass,” Rome joked, his laughter filling the room as Neo joined in.
“You? Bro, you’re the lover boy? I don’t think anybody can actually love a girl the way you do. Bro, how do you do that?” Neo asked, still amused by the banter.
“Well, it’s easy. Just think about her all the time. Darn, all I can think about right now is how hot Phoenix looked when she was jealous,” Rome confessed, his tone playful.
“Okay, I’ll take daily lessons from you, and please stop telling those,” Neo chuckled, teasing Rome as they shared a moment of camaraderie.
~~
Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick.
“Time is running. It’s just a matter of time before my plan is executed,” she murmured to herself, her eyes fixed on the clock ticking away the moments.
I glanced at the man standing before her, his expression unreadable as he awaited her instructions.
“Doctor Jeff, give me all the updates when it’s time,” she said, her voice firm and unwavering, and the doctor nodded in response, understanding the gravity of the situation.
It’s just a matter of time. And then all her worries will be gone.
TBC