Chapter 19

Ana was sitting in the office and editing the article on Jack Knight. She was convinced it was going to receive a lot of positive reactions. One, it was Jack Knight. Which straight female didn't fantasize a little about him, and which gay boy didn't drool a little?

Two, she was convinced she had asked the right questions. Ana knew she was good at what she did. She was passionate about it. It was what she was meant to do her whole life. She had no doubt about that.

She turned her gaze on the clock and saw that it was already five pm. She packed her things slowly and out whatever was necessary in her bag. She picked it up and went out of the office.

Ana didn't spare anyone a look. She didn't want or need drama right now. She knew that Tasha had an eye out for her and she was going to try and avoid that source of negativity at all costs.

She left the office quickly and headed towards her small car. It was quite old since she had bought it in her first year in college. But it was still functional and it had not let her down.

Ana took advantage of the drive to think. Her part of the city was not too populated so she could a calm drive back home. That was one of the things that had convinced her to take the apartment she was living in.

She had not yet permitted herself to think of the date or whatever with Jack. It had been so strange. It was like she was taken back to that first night they met.

There was so much chemistry between them. Ana had tried to pretend it was not so. But she could not deny it. She was attracted to him. That much was obvious.

But she was at a loss. It was not because she was attracted to him that he was automatically a good father. Could she entrust this secret to him? Well, it was not really a secret. But it was a responsibility. Was he going to be up for it?

Ana was susceptible sometimes. And she knew that if he rejected her baby or didn't believe that she was pregnant for him, she would be hurt. And it would affect her a lot. So for now, she didn't want to think of that.

Finally, Ana reached home. The door was not locked and she already knew who was in. She walked in and confirmed her guess.

Landon was right there, sitting on the couch, watching some show Ana had no interest in. Ana did not say a word. Walked to the kitchen and took out a chocolate bar from the pantry, then walked back to the living room and plopped herself next to Landon.

She sighed then waited. Ana peeped at Landon through the corner of her eye and noticed he was still concentrating on his show. She sighed again, making it more dramatic. When she peeped at him again, he was still engrossed with his stupid snow.

Ana huffed and crossed her arms over her already growing tummy. She wanted attention. She needed it. And the stupid Landon was not giving her any.

All of a sudden, he burst into laughter. When she turned to see why he was laughing, she met his eyes. He was staring straight at her.

"You're too predictable, Ana," he said, chuckling.

Ana pouted and turned her head away from him. So he was pretending that he didn't hear her. Was it because she was frustrating? Annoying? What was it?

"Why did you keep ignoring me?" Ana asked then without waiting for a response to her question, continued, "Landon, I know we're friends. But if I'm annoying or you're getting bored of me, just tell me. I don't want you to feel–"

"Stop," was all Landon said, interrupting her. "Stop putting yourself down. I am not bored of you. Could never be. And you're the most amazing person I know. Even when you're being stupid, like now."

Ana smiled then hid her face in her hands. All Landon could see was her chest heaving. He took her gently into his arms and let her cry.

"I don't even know why I'm crying," she said, sniffing a little.

"It's alright babe," Landon answered, then kissed her hair.

Ana laughed a bit, then wiggled out of Landon's arms. Of late, she didn't know why, but she had been uncomfortable being in certain positions with him. She felt like doing that was wrong. She didn't know why.

"So have you told him yet?" Landon asked with an uncomfortable feeling in his throat. It almost hurt him to ask the question.

"Told who what?" Ana asked, opening her chocolate bar and taking a bite out of it. Without answering her question, Landon seized the bar from her and took a bite out of it. "Hey!"

Landon chuckled and ruffled Ana's hair. "Have you told Jack about the baby?"

"Oh." Ana was uncharacteristically quiet. She finished her chocolate bar and twisted the wrapper. Then opened her mouth and said, "I don't know Landon. I'm scared"

"What are you scared of?" Landon asked.

"I'm scared that he does not believe me. Or even if he does believe me, he rejects me and my baby," she explained and Landon had to control himself so as not to burst into a fit of anger.

He had caught her slip. She had said reject her and the baby. It meant that she thought she had a chance with him. And it hurt.

All of a sudden, Ana's phone rang. It was not Veronica, her mother's ringtone, so neither of them knew who it could be. They looked at each other then Ana walked to her bag and removed the phone.

It was an unknown number. She answered tentatively. "Hello?" Ana said, swallowed to wet her dry throat.

"Ana," she heard and she automatically knew who it was at the other side of the line

Landon mouthed who is it. Ana was a bit reluctant but she answered still. She mouthed Jackback and didn't miss the way Landon's expression went sour.

"What do you want?" Ana asked, a bit harshly.

"Is that any way to talk to your project?" Jack asked with a teasing note in his voice. Ana smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Don't roll your eyes," he said.

"How did you know I rolled them?" Ana asked and sat on the nearest chair she could find, which was the loveseat.

"Your muscles were so loud." It took Ana a minute to realize that Jack was trying to be funny. And when she did, she burst out into laughter.

Landon was pretending to be so engrossed in his show. But he was keeping an ear on the whole conversation. From Ana's answers, he could easily deduce whatever Jack had said.

They talked for longer then came the part Landon was most interested in.

"Yes."

"Yeah."

"Jack!"

Those were all Ana's responses and they kind of annoyed Landon.

"Yeah, I'd love to. Seven pm right?" Ana asked and Landon's ears twitched. He watched Ana smile and asked himself why he wasn't the one putting it there.

All of a sudden, he stood up and left the apartment, making sure to bang the door behind him.