Chapter 150 Oh baby
I want to go out, get some fresh air, maybe jog in Central Park, but I know as soon as I do that, reporters will probably start following me around.
I do the next best thing, since it's spring and my favourite season at that. I invite Simon over who is also in hiding, and we order from our favourite Chinese place and eat on my parents' rooftop terrace.
"So you've been good?" I ask him, twirling my orange chicken with my chopsticks. "You still mad at me?"
He rolls his eyes playfully. "Girl, I could never be mad at you. Plus, your family has been so good to me, I don't even know how I would've navigated this whole situation if it wasn't for you guys."
He's had protection ever since what Ben did to him, and I asked T.J. to extend it until things are less intense.
"You're my friend." I shrug. "And that's why what I'm going to ask you next, may be very fucked up, but I'm hoping you would say yes."
He puts his container down on the table. "Do I need alcohol for this?"
"Maybe?" I slide the envelope over to him that was there since he arrived. "Inside that envelope is an NDA that I'm asking you to sign."
"An NDA?" He asks incredulously. "Why the hell would you want me to sign one? I mean, the whole world already knows about Ben."
"Because there are some things I want to share with you, but I can't if you don't sign it." I inhale deeply. "You can choose not to sign it, of course, because what friend would ask that, right?"
"Don't you trust me?" He asks, hurt flashing through his eyes.
"It's not that, Simon." I shake my head, knowing that it might have hurt him to ask this. "But because of who I am, people would want to take advantage of that. You've probably noticed I don't make friends, because I can't trust anyone outside of my family."
His eyes drop to the white envelope. "So you're asking me to be your friend?"
"To be my family." I pick the envelope up and retrieve the document inside. "By doing that, you agree that whatever you see or hear in my house and around my family, stays with you."
I hold the pen out for him, and there's a sheen to his eyes when he takes it.
"Girl, I'd be your family without a damn paper to prove it." He takes the pen and signs all the places I point out to him. "You honestly only had to say hey, I've got some secrets."
I hold his hand for a beat before taking the document and putting it safely back in the envelope.
"You have no idea how much I appreciate this."
He smiles and holds the place over his heart. "Oh my god! I'm part of the clan now!"
"You've been part of the clan." I smile. "This document is just a precaution."
"Well, I hope you have something juicy to tell me, because I've been bored out of my mind!" He says dramatically. "Do you know how many people are calling me for interviews? Where do they even get my number! I might take a page out of your book and change it."
"What about things at the company?"
He shrugs. "I don't like the new creative director, and she seems to hate me too. Right now it's just a job, but like I told you last time, I might have to start sending my feelers out to other companies."
"Have you heard anything about Gregory?"
If Ben was alive, he could've at least sued him for what he did. If he's smart, he could even sue me.
"As silent as the night in the Bible." Simon resumes eating. "What about you? Ben is gone now, you can come back. It's not Gregory, but at least you'll be dancing."
"I can't come back yet, maybe after a year or so."
"A year!" Simon's eyes nearly bug out of his head. "Girl, that time a twenty-one-year old may come and wow everyone and leave you in the dust. Another year could kill your career."
I know he's right, but what else am I supposed to do right now?
"I don't have much choice."
"What do you mean? That company loves you, they're probably already just waiting for you with open arms."
"It's not good timing. I'm already starting to show, and it's not going to be long before I won't be able to train as before."
Simon's chopsticks halt midair, and he looks at me suspiciously. "Girl, what the fuck are you talking about?"
"I'm pregnant, Simon."
His mouth drops open comically, and its not every day that one sees Simon speechless. His eyes go from my face to my stomach, as if he can see straight through the baggy black tee I'm wearing.
"What.The.Fuck!"
I throw my head back and laugh. "Your reaction is the best."
"Who the fuck is the father!" The poor chopsticks drops to the patio table. "Is it that guy you were hooking up with when we were on the Asian your?"
"It's him."
"How did you get knocked up?" He looks at me like I'm stupid, which I was at the time.
"It happened just after your ordeal with Ben, and I realised he did the same to me." I take in a deep breath, the way I felt trying to resurface. "I was in a really, really bad mental state, and I forgot to take the pill."
"And you fucked mystery guy and boom, baby on the way." Simon shakes his head in disbelief. "I don't know if I should be happy for you, or crying."
"You can be happy. I'm happy." I touch my lower stomach where my baby is swimming around. "Everything in me just wants to protect this baby from the cruel world out there, you know?"
"If you're happy, I'm happy. I'll even learn how to change a diaper for you." He grabs my hand from across the table. "Just come back to ballet, okay. The world needs to see your talent, I would hate for you to throw that away like so many other dancers have done."
I squeeze his hand in gratitude. "Thanks, and I am coming back. Luckily the father and I both have enough money to hire help if we need it."
"So mystery man is loaded."
"You actually know who it is."
He squints his eyes, trying to figure out who it may be, because I've never been seen with anyone else apart from Ben and Armando in the restaurant once.
"Were you having a secret affair with another dancer?"
"No, but I have been having a secret affair." I can't help but smile, knowing his reaction will be epic.
"Is it a silver fox? A famous CEO perhaps?"
"No, he's young and hot."
"T.J!" He exclaims, shocked.
"No. Eeuw, he's like my brother." I pull my face at the thought. "But I have been fucking Ben's brother. For months now."
I certainly didn't expect him to throw his head back and laugh.