Hotter Than Sin - Eve Montelibano

Chapter 23

MY HEART LURCHED WHEN he entered the kitchen.

"Brandon! You just came in time for Anita's super-tortilla!" Rem greeted him happily. "Hey, guys."

I gave Brandon a small nod, making my facial expression blank.

He stood beside me at the breakfast table.

I smelled his cologne. I instinctively inhaled his woody scent. I didn't know but he smelled extra good today.

"Have a seat, Brandon. I'm just heating it up in the oven," Rem said.

He sat down on the chair beside me.

"How are you today?" he asked.

"Good. Thanks." But I wanted to flee.

After what happened the other night... He'd held me afterwards. We didn't talk anymore. But he'd held me until I'd fallen asleep. And it was the most peaceful sleep I'd had in a long time.

When I woke up, he was gone, and the pain rose up again. It came alive again. He resurrected it by touching me.

No. It was me who had awakened it by touching him.

I couldn't even hate him for it anymore. I hated myself more. I was so pathetic. One touch and I was on fire...I lost my mind. I couldn't stop touching him.

It was another mistake. God, this thing with Brandon was a vicious cycle that I needed to sever for good!

"Alright, here it goes!"

Rem put a plate of smoking spicy beef tortilla in front of me.

The stench of it invaded my nostril and I recoiled.

"Eww, what is that smell!" I gasped as it went to my head like poison.

My stomach heaved. I ran to the sink and puked my guts out.

I felt Brandon's hand rubbing my back as I heaved until my throat hurt.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

I tried to stand up straight but lost my balance.

Brandon caught me, but I was losing focus, my vision, blurring.

Then it all went black.

"Nothing is wrong with her. She's just pregnant."

I gasped and pressed my hand to my stomach.

"Doctor, are you sure?" Brandon asked the doctor, shock on his face.

"Positive. About two months or so along."

Brandon looked at me questioningly. I evaded his eyes.

Pregnant?! I'm pregnant!

"Well, Miss Yokohama, you can be discharged today. You'll be fine. I'll recommend a great obstetrician for you. By the way, who's the father?" the doctor asked.

Rem and Brandon looked at each other. Then they both looked at me.

I must have swallowed my tongue.

"Him," Rem pointed to Brandon.

The doctor smiled at Brandon. "Alright, Mr...?"

"Grieco. Brandon Grieco."

"Mr. Grieco, you can join her when you visit the obstetrician for her first pre-natal check-up. It's best that the father knows everything that's going on with the baby and the mother from the start. Have a good day."

The doctor left the hospital suite.

"Rish?" Brandon's voice intruded into my frantic thoughts.

I raised my eyes at him. He was waiting for my confirmation.