Chapter 55

Chapter 55
\-ZOEY ASHFORD-

I paced to and fro in my room, chewing my nails while feeling a bit nervous. Not exactly nervous but annoyed.

I didn't have a problem when Mariah suggested inviting Wes and Chase over.. Now that they are both here, I feel this is not right.

I'm not ready to meet with them.

Mariah walked into my room and I turned to face her immediately.

"They are waiting, Zoey.."

"Tell them to leaving. I don't want to meet with any of them"

"Why? We both agreed, remember?"

"I know. But I can't meet with them. Seeing their faces reminds me so much of everything they have caused me and also the condition I'm in right now"

"Were you forced by either of them?" She asked.

Now, that's the worst case where I get to take all the blame. I wasn't forced.. not with Chase or Wes. I was in my right state of mind when it all happened.

"You don't have to answer because your silence already says it all. I need you to trust me in this, Zoey... You let me want to make this decision for you. So, why don't we go out and get this over and done with?"

"What exactly are you planning, Mariah?"

"You will find out once we go out. Come, we don't want to keep them waiting for so long"

She held my hand and we both left the room.

I kept my eyes to my direction and not to any of them.

I don't want to look at them. Not while I'm moving towards the sofa.

However, I could feel their eyes on me.. Like they're both staring right through me.

After settling on the couch, I finally looked at them and just like I expected, they were both staring.

I kept a straight face while Wes kept smiling at me. I didn't reciprocate the smile.. I didn't have the will to.

What on earth is he smiling at?

As for Chase, he kept a straight face... void of any emotions.

Just like Wes, I can easily tell he's pleased to see me, I can't say the same thing for Chase.

I mentally scoffed.. such an arrogant, lying jerk.

"Now that everyone is here, why don't we get straight to the point?" Mariah began, clearing her throat noisily.

"How are you doing, Zoey?" Wes chipped in.

I rolled my eyes, leaned back on the couch and fixed my gaze on the ceiling without responding to him. I just need Mariah to get done with this so I can go back to having my rest.

There was a stunned silence because of what just happened. Mariah cleared her throat again, turning all attention to herself again.

"Everyone, focus on me.. Let's not deviate. So, we have a difficult situation on the ground and as Zoey's best friend, I'm allowed to make decisions for her..."

She paused for a few seconds, stood up and went to get an envelope from the shelf and returned back.

"Zoey is pregnant and you two claim to be the father of her child. This is quite unfortunate because the paternity of the child cannot be detected now until it is born. And you two know that it's impossible to have two fathers for a child, right?"

"The baby is mine. I don't need a DNA test or whatever... I just know it's mine" Wes said, his voice was laced with so much confidence like he's over a hundred percent certain.

"How are you so sure the baby is yours?" Mariah asked.

"Because.. I.."

For a split second, I hoped he wouldn't say it and think of how embarrassing it's going to be for me.

But he crushed my hope when he gave the response I dreaded the most.

"I deflowered her.." He said plainly.. like it means nothing to him.

I shut my eyes... balling my fists tightly.

How dare he say it so openly in front of everyone? How dare he make me feel so ashamed of myself?

As if deflowering someone is something to be proud of. I guess he's so proud of it

"That doesn't count, Wes. The fact that you were her first doesn't mean that the child is yours. We can't just accept your claims based on mere assumptions"

"But..." He wanted to argue further. Probably lay out more facts.

I won't be surprised if he begins to explain how well he penetrated, how he broke my hymen and how he must have released everything in me with a drop spilling out.

But Mariah cuts him off, going back to the reason why she invited them over.

"Like I said earlier, Zoey being pregnant has put us in a difficult situation. And you both heard what the doctor said... She needs as much love, care and support as she could need.."

She pulled out some papers from the envelope, gave one to Wes and then the other to Chase.

I have no idea what's written in the paper but I want to believe she's about to do the right thing and not something I'll regret.

All this time, Chase never uttered a single word. He just sat there like a statue.

I wonder what could be going on in that head of his.

Perhaps, he isn't pleased to be here. Or maybe he doesn't want to see me.

Who cares?.. I care less about what he thinks of this whole situation right now.

"You two have to take responsibility for the pregnancy. You two have to care, love and support her during this pregnancy stage. Being pregnant isn't an easy journey and she requires you both to be by her side throughout the whole process.."

My eyes widened after listening to what she had to say..

They both have to take responsibility?... Love, care and support me?

What sort of agreement is this? Is this what she meant by having a plan or wanting to speak with them? How can she do something like this without consulting me first?

So I can get deceived or carried away again like I did the first time?

Hell no. This is totally outrageous.

"I refuse to do this!" I sprang up angrily.

"Zoey?.. What's wrong?"

"I refuse to what you are doing, Mariah... I don't need anyone to take care of me. I can do that myself. I don't need them to care for my baby and I.. Take back everything you have said and ask them to leave"

"Zoey.."

"I'm damn serious, Mariah"

I walked past her, to my room.. ignoring her as she called out after me.