CHAPTER NINE

Marie It's been about 4 months since Lucas found out I was pregnant, and he was so happy that I didn’t want to tell him that there was a possibility that this child was not his. And as for the Jameson-Italia drama, I have completely forgotten about it.

Lucas has made it a duty for him to spoil me rotten, not that I mind. If he keeps up like this, I just might give him that tribe he’s asking for, just so I can keep getting pampered.

I told Ashley about the pregnancy and I have to say, she seemed more excited than I was about the baby. We decided we don’t want to know the sex, we’d rather be surprised. And it was in that spirit that I had invited Ashley to dinner with a very strict warning to not make Lucas Mad.

Lucas was the one preparing dinner of course.

At exactly 7 sharp, the doorbell rang, and upon opening the door, I came face to face with Ashley...and Jameson.

I looked askance at Ashley but she wouldn’t meet my gaze.

“What are you doing here?”

“Ashley invited me, of course.”

“Why would she invite you?”

“Because we’re friends?”

I looked at Ashley and she still wouldn’t look at me.

“Ashley, what is going on here?”

“Marie, I’ve known James for some time now. You got the job based on our friendship. And I also know about Italy.”

James?

They even have pet names for each other.

"And Ash here was so kind to tell me that you were pregnant...with a child that could be mine."

“What?!”

This time the voice came from behind me. I turned back to see Lucas and let me put it this way- he wasn’t too happy with the situation.

“Did you sleep with him in Italy?”

My voice stuck in my throat, I didn’t know what to tell him but I knew there was no use denying it. Those two devils behind me wouldn’t let me get away with it. And besides, it was time for the truth. Before I could speak up, Ashley did.

“Yes she did, you bozo! And do you know why? because you're a dickhead who can't satisfy his wife in bed. And now Marie can be free from you and be with a real man like Jameson!!!"

What the fuck was wrong with Ashley?!

“What the fuck Ashley?! I don’t ever remember giving you the details of my sex life”

“You deserve better Marie, I had this all planned out. Now you don’t have to cry anymore. Jameson will take very good care of you. Right, Jameson?"

Jameson stupidly nodded his head and looked at me.

“What did you do Ashley?”

“Well...I’m not exactly proud of what I did but it was in your best interest. I planned everything, the trip to Italy, the sex and you get the job. I just wanted you to be with someone who can love you better..."

“Lucas loves me better! Lucas loves me the best!!”

I looked at Jameson, he looked like the devil to me right now, if not worse.

“And as for you Mister, this baby in my womb isn’t yours. I fucked my husband numerous times and your measly sperm cannot counter that...and Ashley, I wish I never met you!”

I slammed the door in their faces. Now I understood why she was so happy about the baby, all the while she thought it was Jameson’s. I knew there was a possibility of this child been his but I wasn’t about to let that thought cloud my reasoning or judgment.

Lucas was no longer in the living room, he wasn’t in the kitchen or anywhere on the ground floor. I eventually found him in our room sitting on the bed with his back against the headboard and his face buried in his hands. I sat on the bed as close to him as I could and placed my hands on his shoulders.

"Luke...I swear it's not what it is..."

“Then what is it?”

“I...I don’t know. A mistake...”

“The child you’re carrying, is it mine?”

I opened my mouth and closed, like a goddamn fish. If I said yes, he’ll most likely stay with me but if he eventually he discovers the child isn’t his, he’ll never forgive me. Also, if I said no now, Lucas will distance himself from me and if the child turns out to be his, it might be too late to mend our relationship.

"I'm not sure, we had unprotected sex multiple times the days before I left. It's very likely the baby is yours.”

Lucas looked at me then and I noticed that he had tears in his eyes. My Luke never cries, he didn't even shed a tear when his papa was first diagnosed with cancer and he sure as hell didn't cry when the old man died.

“Sweetheart, I’m sorry...it was a big mistake. We were both drunk and I didn’t know what I was doing and...”

"It's okay, I guess you can say we’re even now.”

And with that, he stood up and made his way to the closet and came out with a duffel bag.

“Where are you going?”

“I just need some time away. I should be back in a week or maybe more. I promise I'd be coming to check on you almost every day. I love you so much Marie, I just need to process things”

He came over to my side of the bed and kissed me. I wanted that kiss to last forever, I just wanted something to hold on to. I knew I had to let him go just as I had to leave when I had thought Jana was carrying Lucas’ kid. But I didn’t like it, not one bit.