CHAPTER 043

CHAPTER 043
IVY’S POV

The day was finally here. My fingers itched to text Dominic, but I remembered he had told me his schedule would be a bit tight this morning.

“Grrrr!” my tummy rumbled like a thunderstorm. My appetite had been voracious for a couple of weeks now and it gets worse every day. I held my hand over my tummy with a smile, leaning towards my belly. “Can you go a moment without drumming for food in there?” I muttered to my baby bump.

I got off the bed, casually strolling towards the door. I opened it and darted to the right side of the hallway but saw no one, My brows furrowed. “Where are the guards?” I whispered almost inaudibly before turning to the left. “There you are!” my chest collapsed with relief.

Unaware of my presence, Armani, one of my security details, sat with his earplugs on, engrossed in his phone. “Good morning, Armani,” I poked his shoulder.

Startled a bit, he rose from his seat, standing at attention, his arms straightened by his side.

“Good morning Ma'am!” He greeted me with a firm tone. “You are meant to be getting some rest ma.”

“Rest? I could swear I'd have a bedsore if I went back to lay down. My body yearns for some activity,” I blurted out with a long face. I didn't wear the look for long before switching to the reason I stepped out.

“Ummm…I was wondering if I could get some rice and chicken soup. Extra spicy though. I'm so farmished I could eat a sea elephant in one sitting,” I squealed. “I don't mind going to get it myself. I won't be long I promise.”

“Alright ma'am but I can't let you step out without security. The other boys are yet to get here from Mr. Braun's office and…”

I couldn't tell if it was me or my hormones, but I literally went from zero to a hundred. “Are you suggesting I wait for them to arrive before I have my breakfast? What part of ‘I'm farmished’ don't you understand?” I spat.

“I'm sorry ma'am,” he gave a slight nod. “I'd go get it myself. There should be a restaurant a couple of blocks down the street.” My mind collapsed in relief. “But, you'd have to promise me, you won't leave the confines of your room.”

“Fine,” I held my hands up. “But please, make it snappy,” I said, my voice toning down to a more polite tone. I was about to walk out when it hit me that I had been a little harsh on him. I turned back and he was still there, just to make sure I got back into my room.

“I…ummm, I want to apologize for raising my voice at you. I promise it's not me,” I forced a grin, trying to convince him I was being honest. “Pregnancy sucks sometimes,” I shrugged.

The stiffness on his face softened instantly. “It's fine Ma'am,” he smiled, adjusting his earplugs.

I got back into my room and decided to take a quick shower while I waited for him. After my shower, I threw on a free sundress Dominic got me on one of his visits, combing out my tangled hair.

While I got dressed, a sharp movement jabbed my tummy from within, catching me off guard. The intensity of it was almost shocking, and I couldn't help but suck in a breath.

“What the hell was that?” I looked back, ensuring the blinds were covered before rolling my dress up. I examined my tummy carefully, not breaking a stare when I caught the tiny movement again.

“Huh!” I scoffed, grinning in total disbelief. “Was that you kicking?” my brows shot up in surprise. My laughter came in a short gasp of shock as I gently rubbed against my belly. I waited for a moment, hoping it would reoccur but it didn't. I dropped my dress, hurrying over to my phone on the bed.

I could have called a doctor to come take a look at me, but I feared it would ruin my possibility of leaving today so I surfed the internet instead, trying to get an answer. My cheeks puffed up the moment I realized my baby was just doing an occasional stretch.

While I glanced through my phone, the door opened. I didn't look up to see who it was. Perhaps it was Armani and my breakfast I thought.

“Please drop it by the cabinet,” I pointed, not lifting my head.

I didn't get a response. It was then I lifted my head to see a lady shutting the door behind her. She turned towards me with a smile on her face.

“Hello, Miss Ivy,” she waved at me, walking into my room.

I set my phone aside, standing on my feet in defense. She wasn't dressed in the nurse’s uniform, neither was she dressed like a janitor nor had a white coat on like the doctor. And how did she know my name? My brows knitted together.

“Who are you?” I queried, observing her every move. My senses spiked.

“I'm sorry if I startled you Ma'am. My name is Jessica. I am the Chief Welfare officer at Braun's group of companies. I was sent by my boss to come pick you up. ”

My body loosened up instantly at the mention of that name. A small smile escaped my lips before I could realize it. He sent someone to come get me like he promised. Butterflies fluttered in my belly.

“I’m so sorry, please come on in,” I gestured, pulling her closer to my bed to have a seat. “Forgive my manners, I just didn't wrap my head around it very quickly. I promise I'm not always like this,” I apologized.

“Haha,” Jessica chuckled. You don't need to apologize. I understand you perfectly. As much as I want to sit around and have a chat with you, I guess we'd have to do it some other time. I need to get you to your new apartment and get back to the office, Ma'am.”

She continued smiling, very unsuspecting. There was nothing left to pack because I was already ready.

“Uhmm…how about Armani and my breakfast? I had asked him to get me something to eat.” It was this point I blamed myself for not being attentive to the tiniest shift in expression.

I noticed her pull back a bit after I mentioned his name but I was too excited to act on it. She hastened me to pack my belongings up.

“Can I at least see the doctor before I leave?” I queried, zipping up my hand luggage.

“I don't think that would be necessary Ma'am,” she responded, already picking up my bag for me as we exited the room. “This way,” she pointed towards the right.

Something about the way she hurried me felt off, but since Dominic had informed me earlier about the possibility of sending someone to come get me, I brushed it off, following her lead.

She didn't take the front door. Instead, we passed through the emergency exit. “Um…I thought the reception was that other way, ” I said, slowing my steps.

Jessica looked over her shoulder with a smile. “Oh, we’re using the back door. It’s part of security. The vehicle is parked behind the building,” she said, easing my tension.

The back door reeked of waste from the hospital. I managed to make it through till we got to a tinted black Chevrolet car.

“After you,” she said with a smile, holding the door for me to enter.

I got in and strapped my seatbelt across my chest. She got in, strapped herself in, automatically locked the door and turned on the ignition, zooming off.

We didn't discuss much as we drove. I spent time admiring the amazing view. Tall buildings, colorful signposts and billboards. It was indeed fascinating but my excitement began to drop when we drove more than an hour and thirty minutes.

“Uh Jessica?… how far is it exactly?” I asked, checking the time on my phone but she didn’t respond.

“Jessica?” I called again. No response still.

Her eyes remained fixed on the road ahead. We had left town into a lonely road surrounded by trees. My heart began to pound in my ears. Dominic wouldn't want me in someplace like this.

I reached into my purse, pulling out my phone again this time, it was to call for help.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t think of doing anything stupid,” Jessica said suddenly, her voice was as cold as ice, sending chills through me.

It was then it dawned on me that I have been kidnapped. I reached for the door but it was locked.

Turning back to Jessica, she already had a gun in her hand, pointed at me.

I gasped in shock, colliding with the door with my eyes wide open. “What are you doing?” My voice shook. She kept her eyes on me and on the road at the same time.

“Pass me your phone, now!” She commanded in an icy tone that jolted my heart.

I knew better than to argue. My finger trembled with the phone in my hand. I was about to hand it over when it fell off my hand to the floor mat.

I immediately bent over to pick it when she slammed the brakes, launching me headfirst against the dashboard.

“Ah!” I groaned in pain, rubbing my forehead when my finger smeared something moist on my forehead. I took a look at what it was. Blood! I gashed my face.

Not moved by my bleeding forehead, she pulled over, picked up my phone with the gun still pointed at me, then unlocked the door.”

“Gently open the door and step out!” She ordered.

“What do you want from me?” I sobbed, fear clawing my chest.

Unfazed, she yelled again.

“I said, step the fuck out of the vehicle!” She thundered.