SEVEN. Natural Pregnancy
At the bottom end of the stone steps, Riley found an oval study surrounded by very tall bookshelves. All the bookshelves were full of the books she loved so much. Riley almost squealed with joy to run around the bookshelves and find the books she liked to read. But Logan's loud growl reminded her of the fact that she hadn't come to Logan's study to read a book.
"You can read the books you like later. Now, let's finish our business first."
"I didn't think you were a nerd."
"Everyone has to read at least one book before he becomes a successful person. Sit down."
Riley couldn't help but sweep her eyes around the whole place. Logan's study was unique. Surrounded by giant bookshelves and hundreds of books with the alluring smell of old paper. Back when she was still in school, the library was her favorite place. Even though it sounded cliché, she liked it. Riley liked to be between the past and the future. Books could always teach her about the past and future which were not easy to predict.
"Are we going to have a contract?"
Riley noticed the movement of Logan's hand while he was making some scribbles on a paper. He seemed to be writing down the key points of their agreement.
"Let's go over some of the key points and my lawyer will make a legal version."
"You're a businessman, right?"
"I told you before," Logan replied nonchalantly. He was busy writing some important things on paper and didn't notice Riley's frown.
"Wren said you've been hospitalized before. Why did you get shot? What business are you actually in?"
"Remind me to stuff Wren's fckng mouth with my shoe. What did he tell you?"
Logan didn't like other people knowing his weaknesses. The shooting incident tarnished his powerful image. People started to know his weak points. He managed to silence journalists from writing anything about him. But still, the shooting was the most embarrassing thing he had ever experienced.
"You'll be mad at Wren if I tell you what Wren has told me."
"Forget it. The incident has passed. There won't be anything like that again. You're safe."
"I hope so," Riley muttered sadly.
Logan's growl snapped Riley out of her thoughts. She reflexively looked at Logan, and he locked her eyes with his dark eyeballs.
"The first point, you will be the mother of my child with the guarantee that you will get full protection from me and all the facilities you need during your pregnancy. The second point, you have to eat all the food that has been prepared for you."
"What if I don't like the food?"
"You have to eat it because all your food has been adjusted to the nutritional needs of my baby-to-be. Do you have any allergies to certain foods?"
"I can't eat spicy food."
"I'll take notes."
"I don't like eggplant, avocado, papaya and steamed fish. It's too fishy."
Riley's face contorted, as if she was going to throw up at the thought of eating the steamed fish.
"Well, dear princess, most of your food is steamed fish. Omega three in fish is good for my baby's brain development. You can't skip steamed fish, but I'll make sure you don't get avocado, eggplant and papaya in your daily foods."
"Oh believe me, that's disgusting. Have you ever eaten steamed fish?"
"Several times a month. Not too bad. Whatever it is, you should include steamed fish on your menu, Riley."
Riley pursed her lips pouting. She couldn't imagine eating steamed fish during her pregnancy days. Ughh... she couldn't even imagine her stomach suddenly bulging and filled with a baby without ever being touched by a man.
Oh God!
Riley started to regret why she used to be so innocent and sweet. She strictly followed her mother's rules. She always tried to be a good girl to her parents. She refused to date several men who openly liked her because her mother told her to. Her mother said she couldn't date until she graduated from high school. And now, she regretted all the good things she had done for her mother because her mother kicked her out of the house and all her sacrifices had been in vain. She lost her youth and lost her family's love.
"Is there anything else you'd like to add to our agreement?"
"Nope," she shook her head slowly. But suddenly she had a question she wanted to ask Logan.
"What job will I get after I give birth to your baby? I haven't even graduated from high school yet. My mother told me to drop out of school when I was in my last year of high school. My parents don't have the money to pay for my expensive school."
Logan thought for a moment. He thought Riley was a smart girl. Too bad, she couldn't finish school.
"You can take homeschooling to get a high school diploma. I'll try to get you back to school as soon as possible. Is there anything else you want?"
Riley's eyes lit up with happiness. Logan kept his promise to provide the best facilities while she was carrying his baby. This might not be such a bad job to start with.
"I'll let you know if I need anything. By the way, thank you very much for the homeschooling. I really want to finish high school and get a diploma."
"I will let the mother of my child get a good education. My son must be smart like you."
Riley's face reddened. The first time she got a compliment from a guy that she was a smart girl.
"Well, thanks. It's good to hear someone compliment me."
Ignoring Riley's beaming face at his compliment, Logan put the pen on the table and got up from his seat.
"Let me show you your room. Wren just texted me that you should rest more to reduce the risk of miscarriage."
"Will all those agreements fail if I miscarry?"
The corners of Logan's lips twitched into a smirk.
"Oh no, of course not. I've already spent quite a bit of money on your treatment and that very complicated fertilization procedure." Logan's brows bent in displeasure.
"So? What will happen then? Are you going to repeat the procedure at the hospital?"
"No. That's waste of money and time. I bought you an apartment anyway. So, I have to make the most of you."
Riley's chest rumbled with anger.
"Sorry. I don't understand what you mean."
The grin on Logan's face alerted her. She was afraid of what Logan would say.
"Natural pregnancy. I don't have to waste money on procedures I don't like. Besides, I get to play with your body."
Riley's breath hitched. Her whole body trembled with fear at the thought of Logan's words, which was like a nightmare to her.
"So make sure you don't miscarry if you don't want me to fck you."