Chapter 10

I am currently thirteen weeks pregnant now, and this month hasn't been the best for me.

I started a part-time job as a waitress at a small restaurant where I work after class and picked up an evening shift as a cleaner to save money for my future.

It has been difficult since everyone knows about my pregnancy. Rumors about how I got pregnant have been flying. Everything has been thrown around, but the biggest one is that I had a one-night stand and Chance took me in because he loves me enough to take care of another man's child.

Now everyone says I’m a cheating, gold-digging whore, but I pay no attention to those rumors. Instead, I focus on achieving my goals.

Chance and I are basically not friends. We’re more like roommates. He is a little bit more open but at the same time closed off. He acts a bit cold to everyone, which is very confusing and nerve-racking.

I have yet to hear anything from my mum or Sylvia but from the newspapers, my mum just launched a fashion show in Paris while my dad just signed a new contract.

It seems like life is great for them, and I am happy about their success.

"Okay, class is over," my professor’s voice rings out, bringing an end to my thoughts.

I can't believe I was lost in thought once again.

“Can you lend me your notes, please?" I ask a girl sitting beside me.

Since I dozed off, I didn't get a word of the professor’s lecture. The girl appraised me with her brown eyes. Her short black hair rested on her shoulders and her beautiful face scowled at me.

"I don't give pregnant jokes my notes," she says in a disgusted voice before leaving.

A single tear runs down my cheek. I wipe it away and push my throbbing feelings down. I have spent many days learning to push any emotion away and chose to express only happiness.

I leave the lecture hall and walk to the bus station to get to the restaurant I work in.

No one knows about the job except Emma because I don't want to surprise anyone else. This baby brought a change in the way I would normally behave in a good and bad way.

I reach the restaurant in no time since it’s only about ten minutes away from the college.

"How are you and the baby doing?" Summer asks immediately when she sees me entering through the staff door.

The restaurant is a little place that gets really busy during lunchtime. It is not a widely known place, but it is popular with the locals.

Summer is in her senior year of high school. She’s working part-time to save for college, and we get along pretty well. She’s a fun intelligent young woman who is free at heart. Sometimes she’s dramatic, which reminds me of Sylvia, but she’s always determined.

"Fine. Has our shift started?" I ask. I place my bag on the counter and walk towards her.

She smiled brightly. Her honey-brown hair was pulled up into a bun and she looked good in her blue jeans and a black crop top with a black jacket. She had a whole bad girl style going.

"No, I came a bit early. I missed you so much," she says, placing her hand on my baby bump.

"I was here yesterday," I say, laughing. So dramatic. "Where is Shane, by the way?"

Shane graduated from college last year in business management and took over the restaurant from his dad. He has been doing a great job with the restaurant.

It was a bit difficult convincing him to give me this job since he believes my pregnancy won't let me work properly, but he has been a great friend and huge support for me. He’s practically like a brother now.

"He is in the kitchen," she says, pointing to the door leading to the kitchen.

"Okay, I will be right back," I say.

I found him having a word with one of the chefs while the kitchen was in a rush to complete orders.

When he’s done with the chef, I walk over. "It seems today is a busy day," I say with a smile.

"Yeah, but it’s what we do for the money.” He takes off his apron and puts it on the desk before running his hand through his brown hair.

We both laugh.

"And if you want your salary, you better start working," he says, clapping his hands together with a smirk.

"Yeah, I better do that," I say.

I pick up an apron and some napkins before rushing out to the front counter where I begin my shift.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Bye, Shiloh," Summer calls as I walk to the bus station. I have a couple of free hours before I go over to the shop for my second job.

I arrive at the house, and I am so exhausted after my hectic day. My phone vibrates in my bag, and I see a message from Chance: I am having a guest today so prepare something nice.

I frown.

"Seriously?" I grumble under my breath.

"What’s going on?" I glance up to see Louis coming out from the kitchen with an apple in his hand.

"Nothing. Just thinking of the best way to run away and be forgotten forever," I say nonchalantly and study his reaction.

"You’re joking, right?" he asks seriously with a raised eyebrow.

"No, I am not. You can ask Emma over there," I say, pointing at Emma who is being lazy. Her hair is pulled up into a high ponytail and she’s wearing a loose T-shirt with brown boyfriend jeans. "She knows about all my deepest secrets," I whisper.

"Ask me what?" she asks warily.

Louis looks confused.

"I am just sharing my many ideas of escaping," I say, hiding my smirk behind a serious face.

Louis has always been so clueless, which makes him an easy target for pranks. But when it comes to money, he is very prudent.

Emma nearly chokes on her water as she bursts into laughter. "You know she’s pulling your leg, right?" she says.

He looked hurt but amused.

“Come on, I was only joking," I say softly as my eyes sparkle with laughter.

He grins widely. "I will get you back for this," he says smirking. Oh, what have I gotten myself into?

I stare at him with wide eyes deciding it’s best to run from here.

I go to my room to freshen up and change into red skinny jeans, which I now struggle to button up, and a black dress shirt.

I walk back to the kitchen to start prepping a meal.

I walk in to find Louis, Damien, and Emma laughing hard.

"What’s going on, guys?" I ask, checking the fridge for any ingredients I can use.

I decide to prepare a meat pizza since it doesn't take too long.

"Nothing," Damien says between laughter. Emma playfully hits him on the shoulder.

I raise an eyebrow at them before shaking my head. "You guys are crazy," I say returning my attention back to the task at hand. "Do you by any chance know anything about the guest Chance is bringing home?" I ask curiously.

The room went silent, so I turned to look at them. Louis looked a bit pale, and Damien avoided my eyes as if I would burn through his skin.

"Is there anything I need to know?" I ask suspiciously. I look at Emma, who looks clueless.

"What’s going on?" Emma asks. Her eyes flick between Damien and Louis cautiously.

Damien and Louis share a mysterious look, making me more pessimistic.

"Hello? I’m waiting here," I say, waving my hands in the air.

Damien clears his throat nervously.

"What I can say is, please don't take what’s about to happen to heart," he says softly. “It’s just a business deal for him and it's not about love."

"Can you be more specific?" I say angrily.

"He is having a business deal with his supposed guest," Louis says a hint of hostility lacing his voice.

"Why are you guys hiding something?" Emma says, sounding unimpressed with their attitudes.

"You’ll both we know when he gets here," Damien retorts, putting an end to the conversation.

I push my uneasy feelings to the back of my mind and focus on preparing the meal.

Emma joins me. When we’re done, I relax in the kitchen until I hear the door open.

Chance walks into the dining room where Damien, Louis, and Emma are sitting. His hand is locked together with a blue-eyed blonde woman who looks like a model. She smiles warmly at everyone, enhancing her beautiful face. But what I really care about is how close they are to each other. It makes me feel uneasy.

He leads her to the table and pulls a chair out for her. He’s acting all gentlemanly as he sits beside her.

"Why is she here?" Emma asks bluntly, staring at her.

Chance glares at her. "She is my fiancée," he declares openly.

His words ring in my ears, making my heart thunder. My body feels numb and in a state of shock.