Two can play

Two can play
(Dean)

The room falls silent, Ethan's words hanging in the air. I just stilled, letting his words sink in.

I don't know but the thought of seeing Bella with Calvin, losing her to him, the fear of it, it makes my stomach twist, it leaves my heart feeling empty.

But then, I'm still confused about a whole lot of things.

My mind's a jumbled mess.

I look at Ethan, my expression softens completely. "You remember the little boy from the mall, the twins?" I ask, holding Ethan's gaze.

He shrugs. "Yeah, I do. What about them?" He asked, eyebrows raised.

I swallow hard. "Bella's their birth Mom," I say, my voice strained.

Ethan tilts his head, his eyes wide open. "Huh?" He exclaims, his eyes darting on me, he has a look of disbelief registered on his face. "Bella has kids?"

I nod. "Yeah, she does," I reply, the words as simple as it sounds, feels so heavy in my mouth. "I'm just so—- confused," My shoulders slumps.

Ethan narrows his eyes at me, studying my expression carefully and then he says in a stutter. "You think—," he trails off, taking a deep breath. "You think there's a chance they're yours?" He gives me a skeptical look.

I exhale deeply, my confliction shinning through my eyes, I run a hand through my hair, unsure. "I don't know man. It's hard not to think so. And as far as I can work out, the twins couldn't have been more than four years old, the stakes are high." My nerves are a little short when I say this.

If those kids are mine then something isn't right, because the day those pictures were delivered to my office, the source had mentioned the pills and sure enough, it was right there in the drawer.

I shift uncomfortably on my chair. If it turns out they're mine, then how come Bella got pregnant?

Something isn't adding up.

I shake my head slightly, as if trying to get the confusion out of my head.

Ethan goes silent, he looks just as confused as I am. And then, he straightens up. "This is a lot to take in honestly," he said with a gentle tone. "But then again, if they're yours. What about the pills you found in the drawer?"

I sigh. "That's the nerve-wracking part, Ethan. It's all confusing. I just can't assume anything without being sure of it,"

"Right. No assumptions yet, you need to confront this," he narrows his eyes on me. "A softer approach would do the work. Don't go throwing accusations around," he cautioned, his tone serious yet calm.

I nod. The weight of what lies ahead settles over me but then, It's becoming more and more clear in my head what I need to do.

Ethan relaxes a bit. "So, how did you find out she was out with Calvin last night?" He gives me a knowing look, his eyes widens. "Wait, are you back to stalking her now? Didn't you say you wouldn't bother her again?" Ethan shakes his head.

I shake my head. "No I wasn't stalking her," I say, my jaw tightens as I remember Eric's little game. "Eric sent me a photo, it just got to me,"

Ethan frowns. "That jerk!" He spat, his voice sharp. "That was an intentional act," Ethan says firmly.

I nod. "Clearly, it was. I know that now," I say. "Thankfully my PR team was able to hold things down—,"

My phone buzzes on the table, cutting me off. I take a look and it's Ashley again.

I frown. Really?

I pause, composing myself. I'd figured out how to handle Ashley, especially after Arthur confirmed my suspicion that she's been the one following me.

I don't why, but I don't trust her, not after I discovered she's not what she portrays herself to be.

Arthur and Ethan thinks she has something up her sleeves, otherwise why'd she be following me, acting all creepy?

I better pick up and know what this is about.

I take my phone, and answered, holding Ethan's gaze while at it.

"Dean, finally," her voice wafted into my ears.

"Why you been blowing up my phone?" I ask, my voice tight, not ready to entertain small talks.

"I saw the news," she replies, skipping right past my question. "Why can't you see that she's bad for you?"

My anger boils over. "If this is why you called, I'm sorry I'd have to hang up now," I say in a stern tone.

"No, no. Please don't," her words comes out in a rush.

I go silent from my end.

I hear her take a deep breath. "It's fine. If you want out, if it's what you really want, then I'm willing to back off. I just don't want us being enemies, can we at least meet and talk and I promise I'll never bother you again," she says, her voice dripping of fake sincerity.

I don't believe that. Not a chance.

I look at Ethan, and he has a smirk.

And well, we have a plan in hand.

I clear my throat, deciding that two can play this game. "Fine. When and where do we meet to talk?" I ask, keeping my voice low but firm.

Her voice comes off in an unmistaken excitement and as expected she mentioned. "Your house," she mutters. "This weekend preferably,"

I smirk. "Fine, see you then," I disconnect the call.

Looking back at Ethan, he shrugs, a smirk still in place. "You sure you're up for this?" He asks.

I nod, a knowing glint shining through my eyes. "I am."