Splattered paint.

Splattered paint.

Ross and I pick a Saturday to decorate the baby room. It's something that we have both been putting off for a while but we decide that it's best to do it together.

And we already browsed a few ideas of how the nursery should look especially with the beautiful white cribs. All we have to do now is paint it and then go shopping for baby stuff and items to use to decorate.

After a long time opening presents we get from our baby shower, I'm very convinced that rich people like spending money on really expensive gifts that have no real value.

I remember the last time I went to a work baby shower about five years ago. I packaged some diapers and blankets and the woman looked ecstatic just seeing the extra diapers.

But overall I get some pretty great gifts from a few people. Ross's grandparents out did everyone else by getting me a vintage Aston Martin silver cross twin pram.

It is luxury on wheels and it is the most fabulous stroller that I have ever seen.

Mr Dunham on the other hand got us twin Versace strollers. Chic and pretty and white.

The rests were baby shower baskets which had colourful onesies and blankets. A few baskets contained baby toiletries and pacifiers. We got some books, some pretty expensive baby shoes from popular brands like Burberry.

We also had insanely weird gifts like mop onesies, baby wipes warmer which is insanely funny, something called a weeblock, infant bath robes, a tiny hundred percent fur jacket which made me cringe and the most horrifying which was a life-like baby doll.

It's from Carly and although Kathy swore that she means it as a creative and unique gift I just can't fathom why she would give me a fake doll baby that looks extremely real when I am having two very real babies.
Not to mention the fact that it is ugly and creepy at the same time.

We even got Suommo's doll bottle. A baby's bottle that looks like it is literally made of gold in the weirdest shape ever. One of the directors on the Board presented it to us. I should have known that he was up to something when he wrapped it up in a weird sticky gold paper. He was so excited to give us the present and called us later to know if we liked what he got the babies.
Apparently it costs about twenty thousand dollars and I personally think that's a ridiculous amount of money to spend on a bottle but he claimed to have gotten a huge discount on it.

Alexander and Viola will never go near that weird bottle with the diamond encrusted nipple, it doesn't even look like it can function like a real bottle will. I try to be a little more enthusiastic as we thank him.

It mildly reminds me of a Russian doll with its shape and it's heavier than a normal bottle is.

Even though we receive more gifts than we expect and bargain for, there is still a very long list of baby things we should buy and I manage to make a list and divide them in order of necessity and importance. There are simply some things that we have to get done right away.

"I got the paint rollers!" Ross shouts from the top of the stairs.

"I'll be there in a minute!"

I tie my hair into a tight bun at the top of my head and put a scarf over it, I don't want paint getting into my hair.

I exchange my sandals for fluffy slippers and start walking towards the stairs.

I am already dressed ready for the job as I wear denim dungarees with an elastic waist to accommodate my large belly and a plain white T shirt in it.

Ross comes back with the buckets of paints he wanted. We decide that we're painting the room grey, white with little splashes of soft colours here and there.

I am going to paint a tree or something when I get there, I hope it looks pretty, if not, Ross is going to get a real painter.

"Are you ready to do this?" He asks as he passes me a paint roller dressed in a set of matching dungarees. I suggested that we should get matching dungarees so we can take photos and make a collage of our time together.

"You don't look like you've painted anything before in your entire life" I taunt Ross as he gets the paint brushes ready and sets the tarp.

The dungarees look very hot on him. It stretches over his butt in a very appealing way and I thank God for the perfection that is Ross Hamilton.

I mean, this hunk of a man is all mine.

"Well, I can learn. I think it's pretty easy. You don't look like you've painted anything before."

I bust into a chuckle and tell Ross about when I bought my new apartment and found out it was painted in a ugly mustard yellow and sick green colour, I had it repainted myself right away.

We both start off well, with Ross playing rock music in the background. For a CEO, his taste in music is definitely wild. It's a confusing and amusing blend of RnB, Jazz, Rock and Pop music. Ross likes cheesy pop songs too.

Anyways we both dance and sing along to the music from Disturbed or The Sinking toilets, I don't remember the band name but it has a weird funky name.

"So, about the apartment..." Ross asks as he puts off the music.

I'm dipping the paint brush into a can of white paint to paint a tree on the side of the wall with grey that is already drying. I took a few art classes when I was young so let's pray my art skills don't fail me now.

"I told the Realtor that I'd get back to her on Monday. I need some time to finalise my decision"

Ross gives me a pleading look.

"Just move in with me. Please."

"Ross, don't start. I already told the family that I was buying their house, I can't go back on my word now."

"Elenora! You know you don't have to do this"

He moves closer to me and frowns, his face is splattered with little bits of grey paint. I don't know how he got so much paint on himself but Ross is a horrible painter. I keep redoing everything he's painting to make it look smoother.

"You can sleep in my room. Please" he begs as he tries to give me puppy dog eyes.

Oh no!

He's trying so hard I bust into a fit of laughter.

I've only been in Ross's room a few times, his room is his sanctuary, his private heaven that nobody enters. It's dark and broody and utterly inviting. He's invited me over more than a few times but I always decline, I feel like it's a big deal if he's deciding to share such an intimate private space to me. It's like he's handing me a piece of his heart.

"I can't go back on the offer I made on the house. It feels wrong"

"Okay Okay. What if I buy the house for you? You can move in here but you'll buy the house and resell it later. Or give it to Grandma Marcella."

I'm positive that Grandma Marcella will reject a house far from the her poker friends. Really.

"Why do you want to buy the house for me? I can't accept that."

"Don't be like that! Think of it as a push gift."

I raise my eyebrows at Ross.

When I think of a push gift like celebrities have, I think of 14 karat diamond rings.

Not a house you'll end up selling later.

"If that's your idea of a push gift, you need to seriously start thinking of other ideas."

"Okay. It's not a push gift, but let me buy it for you. And you can move here. What do you think?"

I pause for a while to think, honestly I don't really need to buy the apartment, I just feel really bad on going back on my word. Living in two different places with the babies will definitely be stressful and also mean we have to buy double stuff. I have actually reconsidered moving in with Ross a few times, but I'm scared that it will mean that we're actually and really married. I don't want to be stuck in an illusion.

Now, I'm more than ready to take the leap. After all isn't love a leap of faith?

"Okay. I'll move in with you. About the apartment, I'm still undecided, I'll let you know what I think later."

Ross gathers me into a hug with his paint rollers still in his hands and I squirm but still feel comforted with the scent of him mixed with the heavy smell of paint.

"Thank you baby" he kisses my forehead and lets me go after rubbing my tummy.

"I'll be back. Need to take a short break. Maybe get a drink." I tell Ross and he nods.

"I'll join you in about thirty minutes!"

"Okay!" I call back.

I'm down the stairs and and heading to the kitchen when I spot Guzman playing a game on one of my gaming consoles.

He has recently become a permanent fixture in my life and with his smouldering looks and heavy body next to me, I've grown to like.

I'm fixing a drink myself since Ross doesn't like his house to be overridden with housekeepers and his chef all the time.

He likes his privacy, so they only come a few hours a day on weekdays and in the morning and evening during weekends. They're so discrete I rarely see them around, even when I was living in the house, I rarely ran into them. Except for the chef who cooks dinner mostly.

I take a glass of berry blast and decide to fix Ross, Guzman and I a sandwich.
Maybe I'll beat Guzman at a game before I go back to painting. I've been so busy with work and all that I've rarely had time for videogames.

My phone rings and it turns out to be Nick. I put it against my ear quickly after pressing answer.

"Nick! I've been trying to reach you for weeks!"

"Yea, I know. I'm so sorry, I was in a bad place, I had to clear my head."

"Well, are you okay now? I really missed you. I know you were trying to look out for me and protect me but Ross and I are happy with each other, and you're my closest friend. I really want you to respect that."

"I know. I understand that now. I'd like to apologise in person"

He says shakily. His voice sounds quick and fervent, I think he must really be sad or in a bad place or whatever is going on with him.

"Nick, I'm not home right now. If you set a date and all we can see each other next week maybe"

"I know. I was at your house. I figured you're at Ross's. I'm right in front of his house."

What? I quickly try and look outside the window.

"Can you come out please? Please? Don't let anyone know, just let me see you real quickly."

"Okay. I'm coming out now, why don't you let me invite you in?"

"No no no! Don't worry. I don't want Ross or anybody else knowing I was here. Ross and I aren't on the best of terms. I just want to apologise really quickly, I need to see you now."

"Okay. Calm down. I'm on my way" I say as I walk out of the kitchen.

Back in the living room, Guzman looks up as I walk towards the door.

"Where are you going Mrs Elenora?"

Guzman asks and I shrug.

"I'm taking a very short walk. I'll be back shortly, don't worry."

Guzman makes a move to stand up.

"Mrs Elenora, I have to come with you."

I raise my hands to stop him.

"Guzman, I'm a grown woman. I'm perfectly capable of walking around my neighbourhood alone."

"I'm just taking a five minutes walk. I'll be back soon. If I'm not back in ten minutes you can come out and look for me. Deal?"

Guzman looks conflicted as he frowns. He looks upstairs as if he's about to run to Ross for answers but finally he caves in.

"Ten minutes Mrs Elenora" he grunts as he returns back to his game after peeking at his watch.


Outside Ross's house, Nick is in his car waving right across the street.

He stays in the car as I get in and he crushes me into a hug.

He looks tired. There are large eye bags under his eyes and he looks unruly and unkempt.

"Nick, why do you look like this? You look stressed out."

Nick shrugs.

"Oh it's just work related. Mind if I drive around a little bit?" He asks and I look back at the house and bite my lip.

I promised Guzman that I'd be back in ten minutes.

"Just around the neighbourhood. Five minutes okay?"

"Sure. I just really need to talk to you. And clear my head."

Nick starts the engine and we start driving.

Even though he's claiming that we should talk, he seems pretty quiet and jittery. Three minutes pass and Nick is silent. I decide to give him time so he can clear his thoughts.

He holds my hand closely to him.

"Elenora, you know I love you so much..." He starts and I nod my head.

"I know Nick."

"I only want the best for you..."

"Oh Nick, I know that"


I suddenly notice that Nick is moving out of our neighbourhood.

"Nick, head back into the neighbourhood, I don't want us to drive around too long."

I say studying my paint splattered dungarees and hands.

I look like a mess in my clothes.

"Why don't we get a drink or something?" He asks as he refuses to listen to me.

"No Nick. I'm not properly dressed for that, take me back home now!"

"Stop being so difficult Elenora!"

He snaps and I jerk back surprised.

Why is he being like this?

What the hell is going on?

"Nick turn this car around now. Please"

"Please!" I add firmly as Nick turns towards the highway.

Nick doesn't reply, I only hear the click of the car being locked and the windows going up. And Nick surprisingly increases his speed.

Fear sets in me as his eyes harden.

He slowly and gradually reaches for his pocket.

And the most horrifying thing happens.

Nick pulls out a gun.

And I can feel my heart slowly leaping out of my chest.

Because now I'm slowly realising that my best friend has just betrayed me.