Chapter 74: WILL YOU SLEEP WITH ME?

This can't be; there has to be a mistake somewhere. I can't be pregnant; this is not the right time. What was I thinking when I was having unprotected sex with that monster?

My mum is going to be so disappointed. I felt my world crumbling as I began to feel dizzy. My legs couldn't keep me standing as I slumped to my knees.

“Miss, are you okay?” 

“No, this can't be my result. You know what? Let's redo this test. I am willing to pay any amount. I'm sure you misplaced my results with someone else's.” I said this to the nurse, who handed me the result.

“I'm sorry, miss, but the doctor specifically told me to hand that result over to you. He said you should meet him at his office if you have any questions. Now, if you would excuse me,

She left; she actually just walked away when I was panicking. I managed to get myself back on my feet and found my way to the doctor’s office. I walked in and threw the results at his desk.

“What the heck is this!?” I asked him.

“Miss Anna, that should be the result of your test.” He simply replied as he continued typing on his computer.

“I want to redo this test; this can't be my result,” I said, shaking my head continuously in disbelief.

“I'm sorry, Miss Anna, but that is what your test results say. I will suggest you visit another hospital if you think otherwise.” That was all he said before he went back to typing on his computer.

I took the results from this desk and stormed off. I don't need to panic; this is just a nightmare I can wake up from.

Alda's POV

I stood in front of the mirror, admiring the beautiful outfit Xender got me. I love it. I wonder how he got to know my size.

I love how the dress curved around my body, bringing out my shape and curves.

“You look beautiful.” Xender said. He was all dressed up and looking handsome.

“Thank you,” I said to him, trying to hide my flushed cheeks. I just can't control my emotions around him. There has been this tension between us since today, and I kind of like it. When I noticed that his suit matched my dress, I couldn't help smiling.

I walked up to him and adjusted his tie before brushing my hands against his suit jacket. He looks all handsome and hot in his suit.

I shook my head, trying to snap myself out of my own thoughts. I looked up at him, and he smiled at me. I couldn't get myself to look away. I'm not supposed to be having this feeling at a critical time like this.

Do I even deserve him? I don't think I deserve him. He took me by surprise when he pressed a kiss against my forehead. I felt my heart beating so fast that it sounded like a drum to my ears.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked.

“Nothing; I'm just glad I have you by my side at a time like this.” I replied to him with a smile.

“I'm glad you let me stay by your side. Now let's go make this night a success for Elara, Emily, and Charles.

He held my hand in his as we both headed downstairs. The living room was already packed with people. I held onto Xender’s hand tightly, not wanting to let go.

“Let's go greet your parents.” 

“But they are still quite busy with their guests.”

“Maybe you should go help them with that; after all, you are the first son.”

“But I don't want to leave you alone.”

“I will be fine; just go.”

“Don't go too far, okay?”

“Okay, I won't.” I watched him leave before I set off to find Emily. I need to at least see her and her baby.

After much time of walking around for a while looking for Emily, I decided to wait for her to show up.

“You and Xender are wearing matching outfits?” Siofra asked, making me jump in surprise.

“You need to stop sneaking up on me; it's creepy.” I complained.

“What can I say? It's becoming a habit." Siofra said, shrugging her shoulders.

“Any updates about Seth? I haven't seen him so far.”

“He should be between the clouds, but can you really handle him on your own? If you ask me, I will say you tag along with Xender; I don't trust that guy one bit.”

"Relax, Siofra; there is no way he can hurt me here; we are in a party with lots of people enjoying themselves; what can he do here?” I felt like Siofra was worrying too much.

“I'm just being careful; remember, I told you he already did a background check on you, so that makes it more reason for you to be careful?”

“I will,” I replied to her, trying to walk past her, but she grabbed my hand, stopping me. I looked up at her with questioning eyes.

“Speak of the devil,” Siofra said, looking tensed like she saw something. I turned in the direction she was looking and saw Seth approaching me.

“Hello, miss?” Seth said as he approached me. He had a very annoying smile on his face; one could tell how fake those smiles are.

“Kate, call me Kate,” I replied, giving him the same fake smile, just that I didn't make mine obvious.

“I'm sorry about what happened the other day. We didn't get to introduce ourselves properly.”

“It's okay; I already know who you are,” I replied.

“Even though, I still want to greet you properly.” He said. He took my hand and pressed a kiss against it. It took every strength in me not to slap him hard on the face.

I felt disgusted; I thought I was going to throw up. I felt sick in the pit of my stomach, but I retained my smile. I am not about to give him more reason to be suspicious about me.

“If you would excuse me, I really need to use the restroom.”

"Sure.” I turned my back on him and took a deep breath before heading straight to the restroom upstairs. 

I went straight to the sink and turned the tap on. I started washing my hands, especially the spot his lips touched. I kept washing and scratching my hand until it turned a shade of red.

"Alda, stop; you are hurting yourself,” Siofra said as she took my hands in hers.

“I wanted so much to slap him or pour the wine down his head.” I wasn't going to cry, but the tears kept threatening to fall.

“I know, and we will get there, but now we need to lay low.” I looked up at Siofra, then back to my hands.

“I can't believe I once loved that monster; now all I want to do is see him punished for what he has done.

“I know, but we can't rush things or we will be exposed. We need to head back to the sitting room; the party will be starting soon,” Siofra said as she tied a piece of cloth to my hand to cover up my bruised skin.

“Thank you, Siofra; I'm glad I had you at a time like this.”

“Me too; I'm glad we have each other. Now let's get back to the party.”

Xender's POV

Once my parents closed the entrance door, I knew that our guests were all here. I excused myself and went in search of Alda, but bumped into Mr. Sebastian instead.

“Mr. Armstrong, it's really an honour to be here.” He was smiling so widely. I really cannot stand him these days. Just like Alda said, we need to rip off the mask Mr. Sebastian is wearing. We need to show the world that he is nothing but a monster.

“Then you should be thanking my parents; they are the ones who invited you as the new businessman.”

“I still want to thank you; I know you put up a word or two for me.”

“I didn't; they invited you because they wanted to.” I told him, smiling at him, but it was a forced smile.

“If you would excuse me, I need to go find my fiancee.” I said to him and turned to leave, but what he said next made me freeze at the spot.

“Are you enjoying messing around with my wife?” I felt my anger boiling up; my hands turned into fists as I tried to hold it back. I turned, facing him, before I laughed so hard.

“What a joke! I had no idea you were this funny, Mr. Sebastian. I thought your wife was dead; may her soul rest in peace, but don't you know it is not proper to talk ill of the dead?” I said to him and watched as his expression changed.

The teasing smile that was once plastered all over his face disappeared and was replaced with a frown.

“Why don't we toast to your family?” He asked and handed me a glass of wine he took from a waiter. I took the glass of wine from him. He smirked as he hit his glass slightly against mine.

“It's not yet time to toast about my family, but I'm guessing we should toast to us working together.” I said, and the reaction I got from him had me smiling even more.

"So, what changed your mind?” He asked, looking suspiciously at me.

“Nothing much, but I do have a condition.” I said to him, taking a sip of my wine.

“Name your price,” he demanded.

“My fiancee is a model and a fashion designer. I want her to be the face of our brand and our designer as well.” I looked him in the eyes, waiting for him to disagree, but instead he approved everything.

“Wait, that's the condition?” He asked, giggling.

“Yes, any problem with that?”

“Not at all, Mr. Armstrong, so when do we start our project?”

“Next week, and also don't forget that you said I get to have sixty percent while my fiancee gets ten percent.”

“I don't remember saying I would offer any share to your fiancee.”

“Well, I'm guessing you will have to add it up then. Thanks for the wine, but I really have to go. Call me when you are ready.” I turned and left in search of Alda.

The party went quietly, with my dad bragging about how beautiful his granddaughter is. All through the party, I noticed that Alda was quiet; she mostly looked lost in her own little world.

It was already getting late, so the guests started leaving one after the other. Alda had her head placed on my shoulders with her eyes closed. I could tell she wasn't sleeping, but I just love having her close.

I stared at her troubled face and felt sad. I wish I could take all her burdens away. 

“Alda, let's go up; it's already late and the party is coming to an end.” I whispered to her. Her eyes came open as she stared at me. Just this evening, when I told her that she looked beautiful in her outfit, she smiled, but her eyes held this sadness I can't define.

And just like now, she still had that same sadness in her eyes. She smiled at me as I took her hand and led her upstairs. It was only then that I noticed the piece of cloth tied to her hand.

“What happened? Did you get injured?” I asked her, holding onto her injured hand, but she pushed her hands away from mine and hid her injured hand behind her back.

“I'm fine; it's just a little cut.”

“But we still need to treat it; let me grab the first aid kit. I will be right back.” I wanted to leave, but she grabbed onto my hand, stopping me.

“It doesn't need first aid, and besides, I have already applied an ointment to it.” I knew I had to let it slide, so I did.

I took her to a guest room not too far away from my room, as we both stood in front of the room staring at each other.

It's like we didn't want to say goodnight to each other. I walked up to her and pressed a kiss on her forehead.

"Goodnight, Alda. I will see you tomorrow morning.”

“Good night, Xender,” she replied to me as she started heading inside. Just when she was about to close the door, I stopped her. I don't want to sleep in my bed if she is not there.

“Will you sleep with me?” I asked her before I could realise what I said.