95
HAYLEY’S P.O.V
Jake and I had settled in a comforting routine and I had to admit that it was wonderful getting to wake up next to him every morning.
He was the perfect partner even though we both had no idea what we were doing. A few night, I had woken up to find him reading a pregnancy book but I never commented on it. He doted on me, making sure I ate and rested all the time. It was cute and I secretly loved it but there was the elephant in the room.
We were yet to do an ultrasound.
It wasn’t due to lack of time. If it were up to Jake, we would have done it the minute he found out but I just couldn’t. I knew I was pregnant, I knew nothing would change that and yet, I didn’t want it to be real just yet. For the past week, I shut down every discussion surrounding the doctor’s appointment and avoided it as much as possible.
It was Friday and I was already dreading the idea of being forced to interact with people I didn’t like and couldn’t stand. I was tired of the team building exercises and I knew everyone else was too.
Before I could stop myself, I found myself walking into my dad’s office. “Haven’t you tortured us enough?”
His brows rose. “I haven’t even done anything.”
“The Friday meetups, call it off, please. Everyone is sick and tired of it and it isn’t helping.”
He pursed his lips. “Is this a request as my employee or my daughter.”
I made my way over to him until I was standing in front of his desk. “Your daughter. I hate it, we all do, I think we’ve done enough. I’m exhausted. I have been throwing up all day and I cannot fathom going out and seeing anyone today.”
His eyes softened as worry took over his features. “Are you okay? Do you want me to call-”
“No, don’t call anyone. Just call the thing off.”
He sighed. He was silent for a full minute.
I knew he would call it off. I rarely made requests at work, and I rarely ever used my position as his daughter unless it was absolutely necessary. Maybe I over exaggerated the nausea thing but I was sick all day. I barely even left my office.
“I’ll call it off.”
“Finally,” I mumbled but he stopped me.
“I have one condition though,” he leaned back in his chair. “Go for your doctor’s appointment, Hayley.”
My spine straightened and I crossed my arms over my chest. “Did Jake tell you?”
“He didn’t have to tell me anything. You are my daughter and I know you. If you had done you’re appointment by now, you would have sent me pictures. Do it and you never have to do another team building exercise for as long as you are live.”
I frowned. “That’s blackmail.”
“It’s called settling, Hayley. What do you say?”
I thought about it for a moment before nodding. “Fine, I’ll go for the appointment tomorrow.”
“Today,” he scribbled something on a piece of paper and slid it over to me. “I took the liberty of setting one up for you.”
I stared at the note then back at him. “How did you know I was going to come here for you to make the deal?”
“I didn’t. I was thinking up an offer when you came. It’s a good thing you did,” he grinned. “The appointment is in two hours. I suggest you go tell Jake about it before he gets into a meeting.”
I rolled my eyes but took the note off the desk. “Thank you.”
“You’re going to be a good mum, Hayley.”
I allowed his words settle in my chest like a warm blanket before finally leaving his office.
I left the office without another word to anyone.
I wasn’t sure if dad had asked Nick to wait for me or if he just knew and was already waiting by my car. He was still the only one who knew about the baby, I hadn’t even told Kate or Carmine. I knew Jake hadn’t because if he had, they would have called to congratulate me on it.
“You look a little green. I can pull over if you’re sick but I don’t think you want to throw up in your-”
“Shut up and drive,” I mumbled but all he did was laugh.
“I’m just saying. Would you like some water?”
“I’m fine, Nick,” I groaned. “Will everyone stop doting? Jake already sent me like fifty messages.”
“He’s just worried. We all are,” he paused before adding. “I typically wouldn’t care but he threatened my balls if anything was to happen to you. I’m just looking out for myself.”
His voice held mirth and humor, something I didn’t even realize I needed until I heard it.
“He’s just looking out for you,” Nick continued. “You’re carrying his baby after all.”
“Why don’t you roll down the windows and scream it for the entire city to hear,” I drawled, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
To his credit, he didn’t even seem pissed, he just rolled his eyes and scoffed. “I wish I could attribute this to you being pregnant but you’re just a bitch.”
“And you’re an ass, now drive.”
He left after dropping me off at Jake’s office, presumably to take the car home. Before meeting Nick, there was no one I would have trusted with my car. It was my number one prized possession.
As I got to his office, I met Cheyenne.
She was his secretary and yet a part of me always seemed to forget that she worked here and I would meet her. To her credit, this time, she didn’t say anything rude, she just gave me a withering look over her nose.
“He’s in a meeting,” she said simply. “You can wait for him in his office until he’s done or do you want me to tell him that you’re here.”
She added the last part with a sneer, her voice dripping with disdain.
“I’m good with waiting,” I walked past her and headed straight for the glass doors. She made another sound under her throat, one I doubted she wanted me to hear and I stopped. “What did I ever do to you?”
“Excuse me?”
“You don’t like me. That’s normal because a lot of people don’t like me but I’ve never done anything to you so what’s your reason? Is it because I’m dating him.”
“No.”
“You’re cute when you lie,” I turned to face her. “Is it because of who I am?”
“No.”
“Then why?”
“What do you have that I don’t?” she asked finally. “I have been working here for over two years now. I have been the best fucking assistant and he wouldn’t even give me the time of day but you walked in and he looked ready to drop to the ground and kiss the very floor you walk on. Why you and not me?”
For a long moment, I just stared at her because I had no idea how to answer the question. I had no idea why he chose me. We both wanted him and it was obvious we had both tried to win him over.
“It can’t be your age because we’re the same age,” she continued. “Is it because you’re rich and I’m not?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s not a good enough answer.”
“It’s what I have. I’m not going to stand here and argue with you about why my boyfriend didn’t choose you.”
She scoffed. “How rich. I could have sold the story about the both of you, you know? You weren’t very discreet about your affair.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because I actually like working here.”
“Then consider it a favor from me that you get to keep working here,” I gave her a small smile. “Don’t ever try to have that kind of conversation with me again. We are not friends. Do we understand each other?”
Her cheeks flushed and she nodded. “Yes.”
It looked like there was more she wanted to say but thankfully, she kept it to herself.
“If he isn’t out of the meeting in the next half hour, tell him that I’m here.”
I didn’t wait to get a confirmation from her before walking into Jake’s office. I let out a sigh as the familiarity washed over me and the scent of his cologne filled the air.
His jacket lay behind his chair and before I could stop myself, I grabbed it, wrapping it around myself as I lowered my body into his chair in an attempt to keep his scent near me. His office was as perfectly arranged as usual and I couldn’t help but think of the encounters we had here.
I tried to busy myself, snooped through his stuff and even swiped aimlessly on my phone all in an attempt to keep myself busy but I was exhausted and his chair was fucking comfortable. Before I even knew what happened, I was out like a fucking light.