Chapter 1

Amara’s POV:

I paced around in the bathroom. Since it was small, I did way too many laps as I waited for the minutes to pass. By the time I heard my timer go off, I was a little dizzy, shaky, and most definitely nervous. I took a deep breath, staring at myself in the mirror as I picked up the stick.

Two lines…No, no, no. How could I have let this happen? I picked up the second stick, hoping the result would contradict the first one—only it didn’t. They both had two dark lines each, telling me that I was indeed pregnant.

I couldn’t be pregnant, not now. I was only 21, and I had just barely finished my two-year course at culinary school. Not to mention, the father was a one-night stand. I had to tell my mother. I unlocked the door after disposing of the tests and walked out to the living room where I saw her last. It wasn’t like I could keep it a secret. I still lived with her and paid my share of the bills.

“Ma, I have to tell you something.” I walked up to her and stood near the couch, arms crossed as I looked at her.

“Hmm?” she hummed, looking up from her phone.

“I’m pregnant,” I announced calmly.

“What? That’s wonderful! You will take Micah back at last, then!” She practically jumped up, her phone long forgotten as she reached out to hug me. I would never get why she liked Micah so much.

“No, it’s not his child. I don’t want that cheating piece of—”

“What do you mean it’s not his?!” She unwrapped her arms from around me and glared at me. She placed her hands on her hips aggressively.

“I had sex with someone else,” I mumbled, slightly ashamed I didn’t know the man.

“I don’t care; tell him it’s his. His parents will make him marry you,” Mother said with a devious smirk as if I’d follow through with her plans. Again, I didn’t get her Micah obsession. Surely, money couldn’t make someone that crazy.

“What the hell is wrong with you? Can’t you see I don’t want to be with him?” I asked, frowning and shaking my head, already walking to my room, knowing where this would lead. The last time a conversation like this happened, she kicked me out for a few days.

“I will not have you here as some sort of slut. You’re ruining my reputation!” she yelled at me, pushing my door open hard. The doorknob hit the mirror behind it, cracking it. I had already pulled out my bags and started filling them up. The good thing was I had a trip already planned, so some things were packed. The bad news was I might have to cancel that trip for financial reasons.

“Your reputation is already ruined. Aren’t you the army wife who slept around while Daddy was doing his tours?” I said without thinking, throwing clothes into the huge suitcase.

“That’s it! You dare disrespect me in my house? I want you out!” she screamed at me, storming out and slamming the door behind her.

“You kick me out now, and I’ll never come back,” I warned as I stepped out of my room. I knew this was a possibility, but I had hoped she’d handle things differently. “Sorry for what I said.”

“I don’t care. Like I said, I don’t want to be seen with some girl who opens her legs for anyone,” she shouted, still stomping away on the tiled floor. I already paid more than half of the bills; I might as well move away. But I couldn’t afford a place all by myself. I let out a frustrated sigh and picked up my phone to call Nicole.

“Hey, girl,” she answered, luckily for me.

“Nic, hey.”

“Everything okay?” she asked worriedly.

“I, uh, got kicked out,” I told her, still packing up my things.

“Say no more. You can come over, or should I come get you?”

“It’s fine. I’m packing up then coming to you,” I answered, letting out a soft sigh.

“I’ll be waiting. Hey, I love you,” Nicole replied, making me smile a little. God, I loved that girl. She was the best of friends. Always had my back no matter what.

“I love you too. Thank you so much,” I said hastily and ended the call.

I finished packing up and left the house. I couldn’t see Mom anywhere. Not that I wanted to say goodbye, so maybe this was for the best. At least now, I wouldn’t have to hear about how great Micah was daily.

~~~

“Wait, what? You’re pregnant, and she kicked you out again?” Nicole exclaimed, her dark brows furrowed. “Give me the full story, man!”

“Okay, okay, so I announced my pregnancy, and she got excited, saying now I’d take Micah back, but I told her no. The child isn’t his, and I don’t even want him back, not after what happened.” I sat down on the cheap couch, the cushion barely sinking as I sat down.

“Oh, honey, no.” She shook her head. Obviously, she didn’t like Micah.

“I don’t see why she wants me to be with him so badly. All he does is lie and cheat—constantly.” I sighed, leaning back. I grabbed a fiery red pillow and played with it.

“I’m sorry for Dana’s behavior. I am,” she apologized for her sister’s behavior.

“It’s okay, Nic.”

“You know, I just got a raise, and from what I’ve heard, you pay your mother for rent. We could rent an apartment together,” Nicole suggested, taking me by surprise. I thought I’d be on her couch for a week until I found a place for myself.

“Really? I mean, you’d want to live with a child?” I asked to make sure she was really up for this.

“Do I get to be the godmother?” she asked with a cheeky smile.

“I can make that happen.” I chuckled, glad this part of my life was figured out. I just hoped we could be good roommates.

“One question,” she mumbled, to which I nodded, indicating for her to ask.

“Are you sure it’s not Micah’s?” Nicole asked, biting down on her lip.

“God, yes. We were on a break,” I explained, knowing more explanation would be needed.

“How did all of this happen then?”

“Let’s go back seven weeks.” I smiled.

***

I got a call from Mrs. Serra saying she had a job for me. I was still working as a server, but I was sure I was working up to becoming more at the company. Either way, these people were hired for rich parties, so we all made good money. Mrs. Serra texted to let me know the dress code was silver and black. Right after I finished applying crimson nail polish, I went to take a shower and started getting ready. I picked out my little black dress along with some silver heels. I loved heels, but only for short periods of time. Unfortunately, this job required me to wear them for hours, so I had no say there. After applying some leave-in conditioner to my hair, I put it up in a high ponytail and let a few of my dark curls frame my face perfectly.

It was almost a normal workday until midway through the night when I received a Snapchat. I had one last drink to bring over, a Blue Lagoon, so I figured I could open it up. The moment I opened it, I saw Dana’s video of her and Micah. I knew he had cheated before, and lied too, but he promised he’d changed, and, being the fool I was, I believed him. I should’ve seen this coming, yet I found myself wanting to rush to the bathroom and let it all out.

I hastily turned around, unaware there was a man behind me, and I ended up spilling the drink on him.

“Sir…I’m so, so sorry. I…let me help you clean this up.” I started to panic as I put the glass on a table close by. “The bathroom’s right here. Do you mind?”

He just shrugged and followed me. I was surprised he wasn’t screaming his head off. This was an Armani suit. Working for these people, you learn the brands a lot faster than you’d think. He closed the bathroom door. The drink had fallen near his abdomen. Micah and Dana were long forgotten by now. I was busy trying to save my job. One complaint and I could kiss these events goodbye.

“You should watch where you’re going,” he spoke up while I took a cloth and wet it. I dabbed at his shirt, hoping to remove the slightly blue color from his white, overpriced dress shirt.

“I was unaware of my surroundings, sir.” I looked up into his emerald eyes. I let go of the cloth, and I unconsciously ran my hand over the damp spot and felt his muscles under my fingertips. “I’ll make sure to look out better next time, sir.” I cleared my throat and stepped away to search for the hairdryer and plugged it in.

“Quit calling me sir,” he said after I finished using the hairdryer.

“What’s your name, then?” I asked as I stepped away to put the dryer back. I turned back to the man and looked up at him, watching as he took a step closer to me. My eyes were focused on the man, looking at every little detail of his face: how chiseled his jawline was with a perfect five o’clock shadow, his dark curls gelled to the back, and, not to mention, his dark eyes that stared straight into my soul.

“Zavi will do. Do you prefer being called beautiful, or do you have another name?” he answered, moving his large hand over my smaller one that was still on his abdomen.

“As much as I like being praised, Amy’s the name,” I answered without thinking. I was hypnotized by his beauty and eloquence but smart enough not to give him my real name.

“You like being praised?” he asked in a slightly teasing tone. I snapped out of whatever trance I was in and pulled my hand away.

“I—uh. Well, I have to go now. I’m sure I’m needed at other tables. Sorry for this again,” I spoke awkwardly, realizing what I was doing.

“We’re not finished yet, darling.” He gently took my hand in his and pulled me back. He looked down at me, staring deep into my eyes. “Answer the question, Amy,” he said, his finger smoothly tracing over my jawline.

“I-I…yes,” I answered, getting lost in his eyes. Man, he was beautiful and so smooth—unlike Micah. “Everything okay?” I asked when he kept staring at me.

“Just admiring the beauty in front of me.” He winked, his finger now tracing down my neck, sending shivers down my spine. I knew where this could lead, and deep down, I needed and wanted this. Part of me wanted to do this to get back at Micah. It was wrong, but I had to.

“Yeah? Is staring all you’re planning on doing?” I moved my own hands up his chest, settling them on his shoulders.

“With your permission, I’ll be doing more.” He chuckled, lifting me effortlessly and placing me on the counter. Zavi stood between my legs, arms on my waist as he looked at me, leaning close to my neck, but he made no contact as he waited for my answer.

“Permission granted,” I answered, and without a second wasted, I felt his lips on my neck, pressing soft kisses as he trailed his way to my lips. His large hands now spread warmth across my thighs as he slid his hands up. I moved my hands to the buttons of his shirt and started undoing them as we continued to kiss. He pulled me closer to him, making me moan as the kiss deepened.

~~~

“That’s the night I hooked up with some guy named Zavi and got pregnant. Protection slipped my mind, honestly,” I mumbled, looking down at my nails as I picked at them.

“Man, was it good at least? You having a one-night stand? Never thought I’d see it!” she said, wiggling her eyebrow a little too much, which made me throw a pillow at her.

“I won’t lie. He is the best I’ve had, and I know he’s only the third person, but he made me feel things my boyfriend of two years couldn’t make me feel. As for me doing it, I know it isn’t me, but I wanted revenge so bad—or I just wanted to forget about Micah, and I did. Hell, I haven't even called or texted him since that night,” I answered truthfully.

“If it makes you feel any better, Dana and I don’t talk.” She patted my shoulder.

“It’s fine. The only worry I have is this little thing in me.” I sighed.

“Don’t you want to find the father? Maybe the Serras can give you the list of people so you can find that Zavi,” Nicole suggested, but I just shook my head.

“Oh no, sweetie, the last thing I need is them firing me for sleeping with their clients, and Zavi didn’t sign up for this.”