Ethan and April were seated in his car, parked in front of the Lontoc home, as he tried to pacify her.
“My father is throwing a fit, I just need you to stay in the penthouse for a bit while we sort things out.”
April wasn’t having it. “You expect me to stay alone in the penthouse?” She fumed, “I think it’s best I get rid of this baby while it’s still at a tender age. If you are already ditching me so early in this pregnancy then what’s to say that I won’t end up like my stupid sister?!”
Ethan’s heart broke at her words. “Baby, please stop saying that. You know I love you, I can never do that to you. I just need you to exercise a bit of patience.”
“Till when?! I have had enough of waiting for you, Ethan! Is it a crime for me to love you? Do you know the amount of hate and shame that I have faced because I chose to make you a father? When will you man up and take responsibility for me?”
April’s voice broke as she cried, holding her stomach delicately. “I was willing to do anything to have you. I even betrayed my sister because I love you. But you can’t even stand up to your father for me!”
“You let your mother do the job you are supposed to do, and now you want me to leave? I can’t take this anymore, Ethan.”
“Honey..”
April raised her hand, stopping him from speaking. “You have to make a decision.” She met his eyes. “It’s me and your child or your family.”
“You can’t say that, honey. You know-”
“Tell me, Ethan! Speak already so I know what to do with my miserable life.” She sobbed. “I can’t believe you did this to me.”
“You know I will always choose you and our child.” Ethan shook, attempting to hold her hand. “When you decided to have my child, you became my family. You know that.”
“Then prove it.” She sniffed, finally making eye contact with him. “Prove that you truly love me and choose me.”
“I already did.” Ethan raked his hair in frustration. “You will become my wife, April. The mother of my children. I already made my intentions clear.”
“I know. But your father is against it. And I don’t know how long it would take to convince him to accept me.” She said in a stern voice. “I can’t have this child outside wedlock.”
“Then what do we do?” Ethan looked genuinely confused.
April smiled within her, happy that she was finally making headway. “Let’s get married.” She said. “Let’s get married at the courthouse.” She looked at the time, “We can get it done today if we move now.”
“What?” Ethan’s eyes widened. “You mean right now?”
A frown marred her face, “You don’t want to?”
“Baby..”
“Just drive. Take me to the darned penthouse and leave me alone.”
“Baby, please-”
“I don’t want to hear it, Ethan! goddammit just drive!”
Unable to speak and scared at the woman’s reaction. Ethan started the car, feeling a lot worse than when they started the conversation.
How the hell did he get into such a problem? Why was his father hell-bent on destroying his life? The drive to his secret penthouse where they had been carrying out their affairs was quiet and riddled with tension.
By the time they arrived at the hotel, April stepped out first – walking into the hotel without as much as a glance back. Ethan tapped his feet impatiently as he waited for it to be socially normal and acceptable to walk into the hotel without suspicion.
As a married man, he had always been cautious with his appearances. And although he was divorced, it hadn’t been made public yet. This meant people could misunderstand if he walked in casually with another woman other than his ex-wife.
After waiting ample time, he stepped out of his car with his shades in place. Rushing towards the elevator as he made his way to the penthouse.
Upon reaching the floor, he didn’t bother to knock and straight up pulled out his keycard, swiping the doors open. As soon as the door opened, the sight in front of him made his heart plummet to the abyss of his stomach.
“April!” He yelled and rushed towards April who held a pill in her hand with a glass of water.
Ethan took the water from her hand, sending it splattering on the floor and threw away the pills in her hands.
“Give it to me!” April struggled against his hold. “Give it to me and let me get this over with, Ethan!”
“How can you do this to me?” Ethan said in a heartbroken voice. “How can you even try to harm our child?!”
“You don’t want me, Ethan.” She cried, relaxing in his hold. “If you did then you would have followed me to the courthouse. You would have made me your wife.”
April knew that if Ethan saw her take the pills, he would be distraught and be more willing to do her bidding. When she saw the look on his face, she felt giddy inside, knowing it was only a matter of time before he heeded to her.
“Why are you saying this? I already divorced June. I met with your mother and we are planning the wedding.” He held her close. “Why don’t you believe my words? Why are you doing this to us?”
“If you are going to marry me anyway then what’s wrong with signing the marriage certificate earlier?” She said in a small tone. “I know you love me, and I love you too. We can sign the marriage and wait for the wedding to take place. I just need you to assure me that this is happening.”
April’s tone was like that of a child, cutting Ethan’s heart in pieces as he felt stuck. If he didn’t do this, his child would be harmed, and if he did, his mother might not take it lightly. His mother had always wanted to be a part of his decisions. Even at the office.
He felt April’s soft palm intertwine with his and his walls cracked.
“I am yet to formally put my divorce out there. If we got married now, it would raise suspicions. You know I am yet to fully assume the CEO position at LT. My father would never hand over his shares to me if I didn’t do his bidding.”
“He doesn’t have to know.” She said with a palm on his face. “No one needs to know. It would be between us. I could make plans for us to sign the papers without getting to the courthouse. I just need to know you are on board baby.”
“I need to know you want this as much as I do.” She cooed.
Ethan stepped closer to her, holding her tightly by the waist as he came undone. “You know I do.”
That brought a smile to April’s face and the sight of it brought joy into the heart of Ethan. “I’ll get everything prepared. You don’t need to move a limb. Your efficient wife will handle everything for you.” She declared and Ethan smiled against her lips.
“I love you.”
That was all he needed to hear before covering her lips in an intense kiss. In the next minutes, they were tearing their clothes apart with a need to be closer than ever.
That night, April gave him a run for his money, satisfying him in bed until he slept off in exhaustion. When April was sure he was knocked out, she stepped out of bed to make a call.
“He agreed.” She said to her mother who smiled from her end. “Send in the papers and I will have it signed by daybreak.”
“I knew you could do it.” Her mother praised her. “This way, no one can take you out of that house. They wouldn’t know what hit them.”