MATILDA’S POV.
I pulled Tessy into a hug the moment she stepped in. “So good to see you again, I’ve missed you.” I confessed.
Tessy blushed. “Never thought I’d hear you admit that so willingly,” she teased.
I grinned. “Come on in.”
“Thank you,” Tessy replied, stepping into my office and started looking around. “This is my first time coming to your place of work, and I must say, you’ve done exceptionally well for yourself.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the compliment. “Now, I’m flattered,” I said. “Come in and have your seat.”
Before I could say more, my phone buzzed with an incoming call. I glanced down and saw Arlan’s name flashing across the screen. A wave of annoyance hit me.
Tessy noticed my reaction. “Everything okay?” she asked.
I didn’t even answer her; I just ended the call with a swipe of my finger. “Arlan,” I muttered under my breath. “He’s got some nerve.”
“Maybe you should hear him out?” Tessy suggested gently. “He is the father of your child after all.”
I shook my head sharply. “No. I’ve made myself clear. He’s not welcome anywhere around me unless he agrees to my terms.”
Before Tessy could respond, the door swung open, and Arlan walked in without knocking. He paused, staring at us for a moment.
“Matilda,” he began, “why are you not picking my calls and ignoring my messages.”
“I do as I pleases the same way you do as you pleases.” I retorted. “And you let in without my permission?”
“Matilda!” Tessy called me gently but I was having none of it.
“Tessy, you either stick to my side or stay out of this. I don’t want to set my eyes on him.” I snapped.
“I wasn’t expecting to find you in such good company.” Arlan said, acknowledging Tessy’s presence.
Tessy smiled back, unfazed by my deadly stares. “The pleasure is mine, Arlan. It’s been a while.”
Arlan nodded. “You’re right about that.”
I crossed my arms, irritation bubbling inside me. “What do you want, Arlan? I’ve told you, unless you agree to my terms, you stay out of my way.”
Arlan’s eyes shifted from Tessy back to me, studying me like he was trying to read a book. “I just wanted to check on you,” he said, his voice calm. “And I was wondering if your body hurts.”
I froze. The question hit me harder than I expected. I felt a tightness in my chest and tried to ignore the way his words made me feel. I quickly covered it up with a snappy response.
“What do you care?” I shot back. “You’ve got no right to ask me anything anymore.”
“I think I should give the two of you some space.” Tessy said but I stopped her.
“If anyone is leaving, then, it should be him.” I retorted pointing at Arlan. “You should leave.” I said sternly.
Arlan pleaded with me with his eyes, but I didn’t budge. “I just wanted to ask when your next doctor’s appointment is,” he said, his voice low. “I want to come with you.”
I blinked, thrown by the unexpected request. “What? Why?”
His eyes didn’t leave mine. “Because I care, Matilda. I care about what happens to you and the baby.”
I recoiled, my chest tightening. “You have no right to care,” I snapped, my voice sharp. “You’re the last person who gets to show up now.”
Tessy stood up, stepping between us with a hand on my arm. “Matilda, let him talk.”
I threw her a quick look but didn’t argue. “Fine,” I said, crossing my arms. “But make it quick, Arlan and don’t try to make things difficult for me by painting me a bad person especially in the presence of my friend.”
He took a small step closer, his voice softening. “I’m not trying to make things difficult, I just… I want to be there. For you and the baby.”
I shook my head, fighting the rush of emotions creeping in. “I don’t need you here if you’re not staying.”
“You’re right,” he said quietly. “You don’t need me. But I want to be there, Matilda. I don’t want you to face this alone.”
I felt my defenses crumble a little, but I held them in place. “I’m fine,” I said, forcing the words out. “I’ll go by myself. And I don’t need your pity.”
He stayed quiet for a long moment, looking at me like he was trying to read my mind. Finally, he sighed, his voice soft. “I’m not here to pity you. I’m just… asking if I can come. That’s it.”
I looked away, struggling with everything I wanted to say but couldn’t.
Arlan waited for a response, but I had nothing to give. Silence stretched between us, heavy and uncomfortable.
Finally, Tessy broke it. “Arlan, can you give me a moment with Matilda?” She asked. “I call you in shortly.”
Arlan nodded. “Of course.” And with that, he excused himself.
“Now that we are alone, can I be honest with you?” She asked.
“Go on as long as you’re on my side.” I said with a note of warning.
“I’m always in your side, Matilda.” She smiled at me. “Maybe you should think about it, Matilda,” she said gently. “Letting him come to the doctor’s appointment with you. Besides bonding with the child could be good for the both of you. Who knows?”
I exhaled sharply, turning to her. “You have a point, Tessy, but you don’t know him. Arlan heart is hardened and his mind is made up, he is softening right now because he just want to be close to the child.”
Tessy shifted uncomfortably, then spoke again. “Matilda, what’s the harm in letting him come? You’re not agreeing to anything more than that.”
I threw my hands up. “Why are you both ganging up on me? This is my life. My child.”
“And his child,” Tessy said firmly, her voice unwavering. “You’re wrong in your decision, you shouldn’t shut him out completely.”
I stared at her, my chest heaving. The room felt too small, too suffocating. “What about me?”
“You will be fine.” Tessy replied. “You won’t be alone after all.”
“You have a way with words and I just can’t say no.” I said after thinking briefly. I picked the landline beside me and dialed the reception. “Send Arlan in.”
And within seconds, he was right in front of me. I watched him mouthed a simple ‘thank you’ to Tessy who in turn mouthed a ‘you’re welcome’.
“You two seems to forget, I’m right here in the room with you.” I told them drawing a chuckle from the both of them.
Finally, I turned to Arlan. “Fine. I’ll think about it and let you know but I’m not promising anything.”
“Matilda!” Tessy called out.
“Fine, I’ll text you and let you know.”
He nodded, relief flashing in his eyes. “Thank you. That’s all I’m asking.”
“Don’t thank me,” I snapped. “I haven’t decided yet.”
Arlan took a step back, his hands raised in surrender. “I’ll wait for your message,” he said, glancing briefly at Tessy. “It was nice seeing you again, I appreciate your help.”
Tessy smiled politely. “Take care, Arlan.”
As soon as he was out of the door, I sank into my chair, exhaling deeply. Tessy sat across from me, her expression softer now.
“Why are you being so hard on him?” she asked, her voice gentle but probing.
I rubbed my temples. “Because it’s not as simple as you think and I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing. You don’t even know how angry I feel right now.”
Tessy leaned forward, her eyes kind. “Matilda, stop making things difficult for yourself. Holding onto this anger… it’s only going to hurt you in the long run. And maybe the baby, too.”
Her words hit me harder than I expected. I looked away, my throat tightening. “I don’t know if I can trust him.”
“You don’t have to trust him completely right away,” she said softly. “But you can give him a chance to prove himself. If he fails, then that’s on him.”
I didn’t respond, my mind racing. Tessy reached across the table, squeezing my hand.
I nodded slowly, my chest heavy with emotions I wasn’t ready to face. “You win, I’ll text him my next appointment with the doctor.” I murmured.
Tessy smiled. “That is it, girl!” She clapped her hands together. “You’re doing the right thing, Matilda. Trust me.”
“I hope so.”