Baby Steps

Ch. 4 Tom POV

Tom

Eighteen Months Later

The limo pulls up to the entrance of the red carpet. My palms are sweaty as I look out the window. Crowds on both sides of the street lined the sidewalk. My heart beat erratically as we came to a stop.

As I wait for the green light to exit the car, a hand with long red nails clamps my thigh. Turning my head towards Ashley I give her a small smile. Ashley Clearwater, an up and coming actress, and I are set to make our red carpet debut as a couple. We've been linked together for quite some time but nothing has ever been confirmed. Until now.

Truthfully, I never wanted to be linked to her but our managers felt we could help each other in our field. Being linked to me will give her more opportunities in the industry and I'll appear to have a stable life. Too many articles came out after the release of Thor from various ex girlfriends. All claiming I would never settle down. Ashley was supposed to help with my image. But just being near her made me sick. I didn't want Ashley. I wanted Willa.

Willa, who I haven't stopped thinking about since that night in my hotel room. How has a year already passed since then? I regret walking out the way I did. I regret a lot of things I did back then but I never regretted Willa.

I tried finding her on social media but it seems as if she took everything of hers down. Not even a crumb left to indicate where she went.

Once the green light is given I exit the car first, stepping out and waiving towards the fans along the streets. Turning my  body slightly to hold out my hand, Ashley firmly grasped my hand. The fans' screams grow louder once they realize I brought a date to the premiere. We walk hand in hand toward the red carpet, highly aware of the numerous cameras pointed our way.  We pose together looking happy and in love. But we're far from it. I need this relationship to end already. As if sensing my discomfort, Ashley places a kiss on my cheek as the camera flashes burst in excitement.

After what felt like an eternity, I broke free from Ashley to do solo interviews on the red carpet. But of course, I'm asked about her and if we're an item. I do what I was instructed to do and keep my answers vague. Looking towards the entrance of the theater I spot a familiar figure near the door. But something is different. I'm so enamored with who I've just spotted that I'm taken off guard when Ashley decides to join me during my last interview.

Quickly glancing towards my publicist I give her a look to know that I'm not happy about this and she needs to fix it pronto. Ashley does most of the talking, of course. Anything to get her face on the screen. Fighting back against rolling my eyes anytime  Ashley laughs like a banshee, I finally get pulled away.

We take group photos before finally heading inside. All the while I'm looking for that familiar figure I saw earlier. Heading straight for the bar I ordered a whiskey neat. Ashley has thankfully left me alone as she tries to network with the big execs that are here tonight. When the bartender places my drink on a cocktail napkin in front of me I pick it up and slam back the entire glass of whisky. Setting the glass tumbler down with a little more force than I intended to, I ask for another glass of whiskey. There is no way I will get through this night without a little buzz.

When the lights begin to flicker, singling the start of the show I take one last gulp of my whisky, straighten my tie, and head towards the double doors. It's only then do I finally see her.

She's standing near the back of the theater. Her phone clutched to her as she naws on her bottom lip. Her golden brown hair cascades down into beautiful waves. She's wearing a black lace dress with dark green sequins woven in on certain parts. I can't help but smile at the Loki themed dress. Before I even realize what I'm doing I'm walking towards her. Stopping just short to hear her end of the conversation.

"Well what's his fever? Is it high? Does Talia have a fever too?" Willa asks.

My brows pinch in confusion. Who is she talking about and who is Talia?

"Take them to the hospital. I'll meet you there." Willa rushes the last part out before ending the call. She finally turns my way and stops once she sees me.

God, she's even more beautiful than I remembered. Her emerald eyes shine before she closes them, shakes her head, and turns the other way. I follow closely behind her as she weaves in and out of the people who are trying to find their seats.

"Willa, wait!" I shout but she only quickes her pace. Lucky for me my legs are twice as long as her and I'm able to reach her, grabbing her elbows to stop her from racing away.

"Let go of me, Tom." Willa grits her teeth.

"Willa, darling. What's the matter?"

She huffs before yanking her elbow away. "As if you care." She turns again and practically starts running for the doors.

But that doesn't stop me.

"Willa Emerson!" My voice is loud and hard enough for people still lingering outside to glance my way. But I don't care.

She turns on her heels, fury seeping out of her.

"I said it once and I'll say it again. Leave. Me. Alone!"

"No!" I yell. "Not until you tell me what's wrong!"

Willa's eyes well with tears as she shakes her head. "It's not of your concern, Tom. You didn't care before so don't pretend to care now. Just leave me and my babies alone."

Confusion clouds my head. Did she just say babies? When did that happen? Does that mean she's married? Dating someone else?

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

But Willa is already gone. I catch a glimpse of her entering a black town car before it drives away.

Maggie, my publicist, comes up behind me as I continue to stare in the direction the car just went. Every fiber of my being is telling me to follow Willa. But before I can even take a step Maggie places her hand on my shoulder.

"Just leave it be, Tom." She whispers.

Those words alone are like a bucket of ice water being thrown at me. Whipping around, I face her with a hard expression. "What the fuck is that supposed to mean, Maggie?"

"It's exactly what it sounds like." She squares her shoulders as she looks up at me.

"Maggie, if you don't tell me what the hell is going on in the next 3 seconds then your ass is fired!" I roar. My face is burning with rage.

"I have worked too hard for some money hungry slut take advantage of you. I did what needed to be done." She snarled.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I grab her shoulders, "TELL ME WHAT YOU'VE DONE!!"

"That woman was going to take everything we've worked so hard for and ruin it all with some fake pregnancy!" Shoving my hands off her she thrusts a finger in my face. "I did what needed to be done to ensure your image stayed intact."

My heart falls to my stomach as I take a step back. The reality of what Maggie did sinking into the pits of my stomach.

"You're telling me that Willa had my baby?" Disbelief coats my mind.

"Babies." Maggie corrects. "Apparently, she had twins. One boy and one girl."

Suddenly I'm seeing red all over again.

"And how do you know this?" I clench my teeth together to keep from yelling every profanity I know at her.

Maggie sighs, "she called and texted your phone. She stopped after I finally responded as you. Then she sent one last message telling you the babies were born. Finally, I blocked her after that."

My pulse races as I let everything sink in. The way Maggie said everything was nonchalant, like it was no big deal.

Fuck. This is a fucking mess.

"You're fired."

I don't wait for her response as I head toward the street stopping a taxi as it drives by. I don't know where I'm going but all I know is I need to find Willia.