Chapter 14

Did I say Hana was going to agree with me? Oh, I was so wrong.

Hana was currently staring at me with a look of incomprehension her face.

“I don’t understand. Why don’t you want to move in with him?”

I looked at my best friend incredulously. Was she seriously asking me that question? I was not supposed to explain this to her. She was the one who was even supposed to tell me how much of a bad idea it was.

“Are you serious right now, Hana? You’re seriously asking me why I don’t want to move in with him.” I was hurt. I was not supposed to explain this, especially not to Hana.

“Ava, he wants to take of you and the baby. And who knows? You guys may end up as more than just co-parents.”

“Okay,” I said. I was not ready to argue with her. It seemed like she had leagued up with Logan to make me mad. I was in a delicate condition and no matter how much I didn’t want to consider myself as fragile, my pregnancy required me to avoid situations that would make me get angry.

Hana burst out into laughter. I looked at her, confused.

“Wait, so you seriously thought I was going to agree with that man? I mean, I am very confused, not about you moving in with him though. You’ve explained the entire situation to me, and you’ve made it seem like you absolutely detest this man.”

“I do,” I said quietly.

“That did not stop you from kissing him.”

I had no justifications. I looked away from Hana then stared back in her direction. I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t explain whatever had happened between Logan and I. it was a spur of the moment kind of thing. And I wasn’t exactly sure I regretted it…

“That kiss…it is not something I thought I would ever do. Look, babe, I can’t lie to you. Logan is very attractive. That’s the reason I am pregnant in the first place. He’s not someone I would ever have anything to do with though. He is so bossy, and I hate how he wants everything to go his way. It’s impossible. I am not his puppet. I am the mother of his kid and I have the right to make just as many decisions as he does when it comes to this kid. I just hate how…ugh. I hate how he’s making me think about him right now.”

Hana was silent. Weird, Hana always had something to say.

She was staring at me with a pensive look on her face. I swallowed. I hated feeling like my best friend was judging me. And I blamed Logan for that. Why the hell had he kissed me? And why was that kiss affecting me more than it was supposed to? Why was I thinking of how soft his lips were and how perfectly molded we were to each other? Why couldn’t I stop thinking about the electric feeling that coursed through my body when he put his hand on the small of my back?

“Are you even listening to me?” Hana asked and I shook, getting out of my reverie.

I knew that my embarrassment was evident on my face. How had I gotten so lost in thought about Logan of all people? I needed him out of my head. I needed him to stop torturing my brain. I needed whatever was happening to just end.

“I’m sorry,” I said, clearing throat and looking away from Hana for a bit. “Keep going.”

She stared at me weirdly, then shook her head. I hung my head a little in shame and started listening to her.

“Okay babes, what I was saying is, I don’t know this man. But I think you should consider moving in with him. It is clear that he is rich and influential. That is probably why he has that beefy dude following you everywhere you go. I don’t know why I feel this way but maybe just consider it.”

I felt betrayed, I couldn’t lie. Hana was my best friend. She was supposed to be on my side. She wasn’t supposed to be taking Logan’s side. It sounded so petty and childish, but I meant it. I had good reasons for refusing to move in with Logan. And it seemed Hana didn’t want to consider them. And it was making me sad.

“Okay,” was all I said in a small voice.

“I am just saying think about it. After we’ve made our research about him of course. You need constant attention and unfortunately I cannot give that to you.”

I rolled my eyes. “I am not an invalid. How do you think I’ve been coping on the days you’re not here? That excuse cannot even stand right now.”

Hana chuckled. I wasn’t in on whatever little joke she had so I was annoyed by that laugh. I hated how condescending it sounded. It was one thing to think you were right and it was another thing to make me feel like I was dumb because I didn’t agree with you.

“You know I hate that,” I said quietly.

“Sorry,” Hana replied. Then she continued, “Look babes, I’m not trying to make you look or sound stupid or anything. But the thing is, pregnancy at some point is going to tire you out, even if you don’t want it to. It is going to stress you out, get you tired, and require you to get assistance from others, even if you don’t like it. That is the only reason why I am even asking you to consider moving in with this man. After we’ve done sufficient research on him of course. I would never push you into the lion’s den, my love”

I nodded slowly. I mean, what could I even say in that moment? No matter how much I wanted to disagree, I knew Hana was right. Staying alone, especially when I got to the advanced stages of this pregnancy was going to be extremely difficult. I was aware of it. I just thought she would always be there when I called her. Her talking like this made me realize how selfish I sounded. I had no desire to be that burdensome friend, that one that took advantage of her friend in every way she could.

“Okay. I will think about it,” I said finally, when it was clear that Hana was waiting for me to give her a verbal response.

“I hope you’re not just saying that.”

“I’m not,” I said shortly then I sighed. There was no point taking my irritation out on Hana. She was simply trying to help. It wasn’t because she was making sense that I had to be short with her. “I’m sorry babe. I’m just really stressed and the last thing I want is to move in with that big brute of a man or comply with whatever he wants.”

Hana let out a small chuckle. “I knew that was it. Your main problem is agreeing with this man. Babe, think about the baby before putting your pride in front of any sensible decision you’re about to make.”

“Yes ma’am,” I said sarcastically with a small roll of my eyes. I hated how well she knew me. Hana burst into laughter, and I could not help the small smile that started playing around my lips. I loved this girl.

***

I looked around with a deadpan expression on my face. I had accepted to check the mansion out and for once, it was Logan and not Bear who had picked me up. The ride to the mansion was filled with so much tension. I couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss we had shared. And I couldn’t help but feel stupid about the fact that I was thinking of the kiss. He had probably already forgotten it and me being the inexperienced virgin I was, I had inked everything on my mind. It was unfair and I hated it.

I didn’t want to think about Logan. I was supposed to dislike him! And the whole thinking about a kiss that happened days ago was truly not the best way to go about that. I sighed and he looked at me with a peculiar look on his face. I pretended not to be aware of his eyes on me and continued my scrutiny of the entryway. I could not deny that it was beautiful.

The mansion grounds were big and well kept. It was appealing but I still couldn’t bring myself to be truly excited about living here. Logan took my coat from me in silence, and we advanced towards the living room. I was shocked I had not seen any other person roaming around. But I swallowed my words as soon as we got to the living room. Sitting there was Logan’s brother, Roman, I think he had presented himself as.

The broad smile that appeared on his face as soon as he spotted me was clearly fake and provocative and just like the other time, I was not going to give him any satisfactory response. I knew my face was expressionless, but it didn’t stop the madman from approaching Logan and I. if I was being honest, I would take Logan any time, any day over his brother.

“Why, if it isn’t my little sister-in-law,” he drawled.

I rolled my eyes and turned to his brother. “Can you tell your brother to, please, cut the crap?”

I was tired and my emotions were all over the place. The last thing I needed was this chirpy person getting on my nerves. I wouldn’t be able to bear it.

“Why don’t you tell me yourself?” Roman asked, laughing.

“Cut the shit, Roman,” Logan said. For once, he was useful, because the last thing Roman did was chuckle, then lift his hands in surrender.

“Am I going to be subjected to your brother if I end up living here?” I asked. One motive for me to refuse.

“You’re going to be subjected to a lot more,” Logan said cryptically.

I wondered what he meant by that but the look on his face told me that I was not going to get any concrete response from him. And with this man, I was learning to choose my battles. I think I was doing good so far. Nobody could fault me for my behavior so far. Right?