His Ruthless Revenge (A Dark Bully Romance)

Chapter Thirty Four

I still feel nauseous the next day and can't face going into work with Miranda. Finn has barely spoken to me since our disastrous meal the night before and I don't have the energy to try and talk to him again either.
I end up phoning in sick which is something I've never done before. I feel guilty about it but Monday's are always pretty quiet and I know Miranda and Faye will be able to cope without me. Faye is someone I recently hired but have complete faith in so know they'll be able to manage by themselves for the day.
I'm still lounging around in bed by eleven but eventually drag myself out of it and force myself to take a shower and brush my teeth. I feel somewhat better afterwards but my stomach is still a little queasy. Maybe my period is due or something? I pause for a moment as I try and figure out when that will be, reaching for my phone so I can scroll through my calendar.
Shit. My period was due yesterday which means I'm a day late. I realise there might be plenty of reasons why but that doesn't stop my mind from racing. I wonder if I've taken all my contraceptive pills correctly and reach for the packet that's kept by my bed.

There's two left.

That means I missed a couple. Shit, shit, shit! How could I be so bloody stupid?! My head was clearly all over the place over the weekend and I stupidly forgot to take them.
The fact that my period is late is frightening and my fear makes me realise how foolish I was for thinking I was actually ready to have a baby. It was stupid of me to mention it to Finn and wish I hadn't said anything at all now.
We're nowhere near ready to be parents and the fact that we've failed to communicate with one another since Chase appeared is a huge red flag that proves our relationship is hardly on solid ground right now.
Deciding to solve the matter once and for all, I head straight to the pharmacy. I won't be able to settle until I know for sure and need to take a test. I quickly tug a hairbrush through my hair and tie it in a ponytail, throwing on some clothes before I leave the house. The sooner I take the test, the sooner I can stop fretting over it.

I head straight to the nearest pharmacy as quick as I can, hoping I don't bump into anyone I know while I'm out. I realise I should have waited for Finn to get home so we could take the test together but honestly can't wait until then.

I need to know.

I grab three different pregnancy tests and shove them in a carrier bag; keeping my head down as I pay for them and leave the pharmacy. My head is still down as I make my exit, accidentally colliding with someone on my way out.
"Sorry!" I apologise hastily.
"April?" Chase demands brusquely, a bewildered expression on his face.
For goodness sake, why on earth does he have to be here right now? Of all the people I could have bumped into... why the hell does it have to be him?
"What are you doing here?" I retort sharply, clutching my bag tightly. "Are you following me?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I live just over there." He replies smoothly, pointing towards an apartment complex over the road.
"I had no idea." I say truthfully, anxious to get away from him and avoid another confrontation between us.
"You sure about that? You haven't been following me, have you?" He teases me playfully, smiling mischievously.
"Of course not." I snap abruptly, failing to take it as a joke.
"I'm just playing with you." He concedes calmly, realising I'm in no mood to play around.
"I-I have to get going anyway." I stammer helplessly, trying to get past him so I can head home.
"Wait." He implores me, reaching out to stop me from leaving. "I just want to apologise for last night. If I said or did anything that made you feel uncomfortable."
"You didn't." I blurt out eagerly, desperate to bring an end to our conversation. "But I really have to go."
I somehow manage to squeeze past him but accidentally drop the bag I've been holding onto. He bends down to pick it up before I can stop him and hands it back to me.
"Here you go."
"Thanks." I mumble awkwardly, realising one of my pregnancy tests fell out in the process. "See you later."
I have no choice and decide to leave it behind, hoping he doesn't spot it as I walk away from him.
"April, wait! You dropped something." He calls after me, a look of astonishment on his face as he realises what it is he's holding.
"Look, I didn't want you to see that." I tell him truthfully, snatching it out of his hand.
"You're pregnant?" He whispers, still staring at the test as my hands begin to tremble.
"No! I mean... I don't know yet." I reply quietly, stumbling over my words.
"But you think you might be?"
"There's a chance." I answer simply, sighing deeply.
"Right. Ok. Erm... how do you feel about that?" He inquires gently.
"Nervous. Scared. Terrified." I admit truthfully, raking my fingers through my hair. "I have no idea how I feel."
"And what does Finn say about it?"
"He doesn't know yet."
"You mean you haven't told him?"
"There might not be anything to tell and I want to make sure first." I explain calmly, moistening my lips as my mind races with possibilities.
"You... can always come back to my place if you don't want to take it by yourself?" He suggests kindly, staring at me intently.
"I really can't do that."
"Why not?"
"There's Finn to consider as well as Miranda. What if they found out about it?"
"I won't tell if you won't." He assures me, encouraging me to trust him. "Come on."
He walks ahead and I somehow find myself following him, chastising myself for being so weak and foolish.