Part 35

Part 35
A/N: sorry for the late upadte I was sick from past two days but anyways enjoy the update!

/Edwards POV/



I was incredibly frustrated with the waiting game. It had been three days since I last talked with Aria. Aria needed time to give me her decision about Aiden. Anxiety gripped at my chest by merely thinking about it. It could go either way and there were a lot of things that could go wrong.






I had to talk with Sara but she was still on her trip. And overall everything was keeping me on edge. My parents were worried about my sudden disappearance and weird behaviour. Even though I wanted to tell them about the kind of situation I was trapped in I couldn't. What if Aria changed her mind?






Just the thought was enough to send shivers down my spine. All these years I had never imagined that something like this could happen. How could Aria hide my own son from me? It made me furious that I missed out all those important milestones of his life. His first giggle, his first footsteps and his first birthday. Thinking more about it sparked my irritating. No one thought that it would be a good idea to inform me- the father of the child. It was ridiculous.






Unable to hold back my anger I suddenly dialled Francesca. She was involved in this and had maintained contact with Aria all these years. Apparently already chose sides so it was hopeless but I had to try.





The evening sun-kissed the ground and the clouds were dark greys. If felt like they were resembling my inner thoughts. As the cold breeze flowing through the thing sliver space of the glass window I shuddered. Walking further I shut it down and slumped on the nearby seat, holding my phone against my ear.






The ringing continued but there was no response from the other side. I tugged on my locks in frustration releasing that the hair was almost touching my nose. I needed a trim.






"Hello?" Francesca's soft voice interrupted my voice. I sighed, nerves fluttering in my stomach.





"Hello Francesca"




There was silence from another side for few seconds before she cleared her throat, "Edward? What a surprise!"




I awkwardly chuckled and hummed not knowing what to say. We clearly had our fair share of fights but all these past years it was sort of strain between us. She clearly had different priories and always seemed too busy to talk.






"How are you?"




I licked my lips, "I'm fine. So are you busy right now?"





"No...is everything alright?"




"Yes. No. I mean I just wanted to talk"




She exhaled sharply from the other side, "Okay?"





"You knew about Aiden, right?" I asked directly without beating around the bush. Silence followed and I could already imagine Francesca chewing on her lips. It's what she does when she's nervous.





"Aiden?" Her voice cracked before she continued, "What are you talking about?"





"Francesa" I firmly called out her name to which she sighed.




"Who told you?" She questioned



"Does it matter?"



"Yes"




"I found out and then asked Aria."



"And she told you the truth?" Francesa demanded, her voice high pitched




"Yes. Now, why didn't you tell me?"




"Because-" She paused




And my eyes clenched shut, in anger "Yeah?"




"I promised her. When she called me all those years ago and cried about how you left her I had no choice. She was devastated and you were obviously having time of your life Edward" She raised her voice





"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you but I gave my word to her"




I sharply inhaled and my head lolled back on the couch. A wince slipped out of my mouth as I remembered all those days of drinking and partying up late that few of them even made headlines. My parents were scared that I was going to end up being an alcoholic. The awful things I had done and the way Sara was impacted by my issues and had to deal with the media. Those years were chaotic.





"Edward? Are you there?"



I jolted back to the reality at her hesitant voice and nodded my head. Then I realised that she couldn't see me.





"Yes sorry"




"It's alright. I am really sorry again. You need to understand the kind of situation I was in"





I did but I still couldn't muster up enough courage to forget about it and talk to her.






"It's alright...I'll talk to you later"





"Don't be like that" She whispered weakly




"Francesca please I'll call you later. Alright?!"




She made a pitiful sound and hummed, "Okay I'll be waiting"




I hung up the phone and threw it on the couch nearby making it bounce at the impact. The walls of the bedroom floor felt like they were suffocating me and I couldn't break free. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes trying not to think about how it would feel the have Aiden and Aria by my side.


Sara called as soon as I woke up the next morning. Her voice sounded frantic and excited as she was directly taking a cab to my house. Not exactly something I wanted but I remembered Aria's words. I needed to talk with Sara anyways so I agreed.





Taking a quick shower I picked my blazer and ran down the stairs when I heard the keys jiggling. I held my breath as the door dramatically opened and Sara entered inside with her huge travelling bag.





"Good morning babe" She squeaked walking forward, a huge smile plastered on her face.





"Morning" I muttered as she wrapped her arms around my frame. Anyone who didn't know us well would buy the act of us being in love. It was not at all the case. Sara knew that I had no feelings whatsoever for her, I mean she had to.






"Why so grumpy?" She questioned moving apart




I pressed my lips together trying not to roll my eyes at her question. She always does that whenever she's back from her trip and I should be used to it by now.





"I need to talk to you"




Sara narrowed her eyes, "Sounds serious"




"It is"



"Do I have to sit down for it?" She teased



Taking a deep breath I pinned my eyes on her, "Did you know about Aria before I told you?"




Her face fell quicker than lighting. She wrapped her arms around herself protectively and tilted her head up, "What are you talking about?"





"Sara I'm asking did you know about Aria Alexander before I told you? Did she call my office and leave messages for me?"





Sara nervously chuckled, brushing her thick hair behind her ear. She was clearly hiding something judging by the way she was tensed all of a sudden.






"How would I know? I'm not your assistant anymore" She feigned innocence





I clenched my jaw, "I'm talking five years ago Sara. Did she call?"




She huffed, "You used to get dozens of calls daily how am I supposed to remember?"





I rubbed my forehead at her tone. How could I not figure it out earlier? She was lying to me all these years and I let her. What kind of person does that?





"I know that but not every day someone calls for me to tell that they are pregnant. Do they?" I raised my voice to which she flinched.





"Aria was pregnant?" She blinked her eyes, her lips parted





"Stop playing dumb Sara. It doesn't suit you" I gritted my teeth as she was nervously fidgeting with her thumb.






"Edward really-"




I cut her off with a glare, my heart pounding in my chest "You are not getting away this time"




She sighed and threw her arms angrily in the air, her nose flared, "Fine"




"So?" I patiently waited for her to tell the truth. There was complete silence in the room except for the ticking of the clock. I could hear her breathing along with my own rushed breathing.





"I hid the truth from you"




I stuttered, "Why?"



She stood up, her eyes determined and red with anger. As she stomped her way towards me I could feel the anger radiating off her body. Her cheeks were flushed red.





"Because of you" She poked at my chest, standing feet away from me. Her vein was throbbing with anger and I gulped the lump formed in my throat at those words. How was I responsible?




"Me?"




She jerkily nodded her head, "Yes you. I was so fucking in love with you the moment I started working for you. You paid no attention to me and instead slept with me whenever you felt like. Do you know how that feels?"





Tears escaped from her eyes but she blinked back and took a deep breath. My chest clenched at those words and I couldn't say anything to that. It was obvious that she had feelings for me and I felt wanted and important. I enjoyed it knowing that most of them were falling on my feet.






"Even though I knew that it was purely pleasure for you I stayed back. I kept hoping that you will return my feelings but what do I get? Nothing. We were together for two fucking years Edward and yet it took you two weeks to fall in love with that bitch you met on vacation"





My chest tightened and it felt like I couldn't breathe. Love? I did love Aria. Didn't I? Maybe that was the only reason she affected me more than anyone. It was supposed to be a fling but it never was. The moment I let her walk out of the room I should have realised that it was not normal to feel that level of emptiness. It was not normal to feel like someone took away your ability to breathe.






Sara was still staring at me, waiting for me to answer.





"So you hid the news from me? The existence of my child?"




She nodded her head, "I was angry and heartbroken. And when she called I couldn't just hold it anymore. I deleted all the emails and messages she sent and hoped that she'll never come back"





Anger coursed through my veins at her truth. Aria was right about her. It just felt surreal hearing those words from her mouth.





"How could you?" I whispered into thin air.




She opened her mouth to explain but I shook my head. I couldn't hear any more of her words. They felt empty and hollow.





"You need to leave"




"Edward please-" She tried to come forward and wrap her arms but I staggered back. Her touch made me feel vile.





"I can't even look at you right now-"




"You don't mean that" She sniffled, shaking her head.




"I do. Please don't try to contact me anymore"




Her voice was shrill as she tugged at my sleeve, "I'm your fiancee"





"I'm not sure about that"