"What are you making?" I ask Harry in a singsong. Looks like he's in a happy mood since he's whistling to some song I don't know as he dances while cooking.
"Chicken carbonara" He says turning to me in a playful and perfect spin. His mood is so cheerful. Wow!
"You're so happy. What happened?" I ask as I take a glass and fill it with water.
"Why? Can't I be happy too?" He asks with fake shock. I roll my eyes. "Spill H. You made me so curious."
"What do you think?" I think of Amelia and my eyes widen suddenly. "She said yes?" Obviously she did. Harry had been so worried that Amelia wouldn't want to date him. But with the look they both had, I was sure she was hoping to. I hug Harry tightly to congratulate him. It's been two weeks since I was introduced to her and since Harry seems so happy, I'm happy. At least he's got something going on for him. Not that I don't want it to.
Sydney Kings has tried coming to see me at my workplace twice but every time I've dodged him. I asked Lilith, the lobby secretary who used to inform me when Mr Keels would arrive, to now inform me when Sydney arrives. I use the stairs and go to a floor lower than where I work from pretending to see how everything is going on until Bill tells me he's gone.
Childish? I know. But I would rather play the cat and mouse game than come face to face with him. I'm not a coward. Not in the slightest. It's just that I'm not ready to meet him. I know I have to eventually since we will be business partners as soon as I take over the company. It's just so hard to meet someone who for an unknown reason makes your heart start racing so fast and doing so many weird stuffs (trust me I know I might have the slightest crush on him but I'm still in denial.).
"Bella?" I heard Harry's voice in a distance. "Hmm?" I look up at him. His concerned face is a big contrast to the cheery one making me frown a bit. "What's wrong?" I ask him.
"You've been zoning out lately and It's worrying me. Is there anything bothering you B?"
Oh, right. I never told him about what Sydney confessed and truth be told, I feel so bad for not telling him but he's been so happy lately. I don't want to be a kill joy.
"I'll tell you some other time, okay?" He only nods and I pick my purse up. "Save some chicken for me. I'll be back in a few hours." I shout. I am going to see mum in the clinic. I take out my car keys from my purse but when I raise my head my eyes go wide with shock.
"Sydney. What are you doing here?" It's not the first time to see him casually dressed. At the hospital he had some joggers and a wife beater but this time round he has some dark jeans and a black t-shirt and a leather jacket. He looked so masculine and... hot. On second thought, this is not Sydney. But his face though... Twins?
"Get in we need to talk. I'll drop you off where you're heading to." Definitely Sydney. I roll my eyes at him.
"You're so controlling and a jerk. Who are you to order me around? I thought we talked about this. And the last time something like this happened which was two weeks ago, it ended so badly." I place my hands on my hips and glare at him. It was the day he told me about his stupid plan.
I turn to where my car is and before I open the door, his hand takes mine gently. Surprise. I look up at him. "Please." My eyes widen at this. He said please? I think about his confession and how I lied to him. I also remember Bianca. I have to go see mum.
"I really need to get somewhere. I really can't be late. Can we meet somewhere after?" I'll be back from the clinic at four and maybe I could meet up with him. I need to tell him the truth before it's too late. Too late for what?
"I can deal with that. As long as you don't stand me up." I look at him in shock. What? Looks like he sees my expression.
"You hide when I come to see you at the office. You don't pick up my calls and don't reply to my Emails. Just making sure this is not an escape plan." Oh! I stare at the ground slightly embarrassed. After agreeing on meeting at a less flashy place, Sydney finally leaves. Talking to that man is so hard.
********
I park my car at Bob's Restaurant which is only ten blocks from my house. Spending time with my mum has been therapeutic and so refreshing. I fill so recharged. I can't let Sydney ruin this feeling.
Sydney arrives five minutes later in the same clothes and I'm thankful even though he still stands out but this is better. I take a sip of my cold water as he sits.
"Do you want to order something Mr Kings?" I ask in a sarcastic sweet voice. His face holds no expression but his eyes are cold.
"I've dealt with so many people Isabella Styles. After all, I'm a very successful businessman and nothing, I mean nothing can get passed me. Is there anything you want to tell me?" He never used this voice around me and I thank God I went to the washrooms when I arrived. God knows what would have happened.
He knows. The look he's giving me tells me so. Or is he testing me?
"When you planned all this, did you stop to think that maybe I wouldn't want anything from you regardless of the situation?" His facial expressions doesn't change. "Did you think that maybe I would have been one of those independent women who don't want help?" I take a gulp of water. Maybe I should ask for some more.
"I came to tell you at the hospital but I learnt you have a pregnant fiancé!" It kinda hurt but I don't tell him that. "I've seen families break and the aftermath isn't so good and I wouldn't want to do that to your fiancé." I say in a voice with no emotions.
"So what? You'd keep my own baby away from me?" Sydney sneers.
"Who gave you the right to make me a surrogate? You only want the baby for business purposes right? Go take Bianca's." He can't take my baby away from me. I'm its mother.
"You already lost a baby. You're not prepared for this. Just give it to me once it's born. Bianca and I will nature it and you won't have to worry about it." I took in all he said but I suddenly stood.
"Who told you that I lost a baby?" How does he know this? He knows that I'm already a bad mother? He's going to take it. No. It's my baby. I can't stay away from my baby. I feel so thirsty all of a sudden.
"I'm Sydney Kings. I have my ways and everything goes my way. Nobody fools me Isabella." He says my name with disgust.
The same anxiety feeling comes and I'm trapped once again I try to fight and eventually I'm tired. I let go to the peaceful feeling only hearing a voice whispering my name.