The Neighbor

Chapter 22

Arden's POV

I laid staring at the ceiling. Nightfall had approached and my mind was occupied by one thought. Well, two. 

I was going to be a father, and her. 

She was carrying my child. This changed everything. My mother understood why I had to see her, why I needed her to confirm my suspicions. I stared at the ceiling as my mind was racing. I couldn't sleep. I needed to figure out how to reach her. 

I felt my phone buzzing as I looked down. Was I dreaming? I flung straight up from my bed and looked at the picture on the phone. 

'Elodie :)'  lit across the screen.

She was calling me? She was calling me! 

I hit answer as fast as I could, putting my ear to the phone as I stood up. 

"Elodie!? Is this really you?" 

My heart was beating a mile a minute as I paced my bedroom floor. 

"Arden?" 

Her voice filled my ears. She seemed scared, upset, I knew I could explain everything to her. 

"Oh my god, Elodie. I have been trying to get in contact with you for months! I can explain everything, please if you would just hear me out, I-" 

"I know. I wanna hear your side. I want to try and understand why you showed up at her funeral, and why you hurt me." 

Fuck. I never intended to hurt her. 

"Baby, that wasn't me, you know that! I- I would never, ever hurt you. I swear. They are under control now, pl- please, I want to explain everything to you, I need to. I have to. If you would just listen to me-" 

"Arden, listen to me." 

I froze in place as my heart beat was quickening. Her voice was so soothing. 

"Of course! Baby, what- what is it?" 

"I need to- I- I want to see you." 

I jumped up in excitement as my insides screamed with joy. Calm. Be calm.

"Yes! I- ahem. Yeah- yes- Where? Tonight? Can you come here? I can come get you?" 

"Can you come to my hotel? They're keeping me locked up like an animal. There is a back entrance you can sneak in through so the guards won't see you. I don't feel safe here anymore."

I fucking knew it! I knew it! She was trying to get a hold of me this whole time. It was all a misunderstanding.

"Yes, of course baby! Anything. I can leave right now, where are you?" 

"I don't know the name of the hotel, or where I am." 

"That doesn't matter! I will track your phone, hang on!" 

I swiped out of the call as I looked at her location.

"Got it baby, I love you so much! I promise you, I promise you, we will talk everything through, and then this stupid court case can be thrown out the window, and we can go back to our life. You're having my baby- our baby Elodie! I can't believe it! Tell me everything, is it a girl or boy? Wait, don't tell me I wanna hear it from you in person, is the baby healthy? Wait-" 

"Arden I can't talk for long, I hear security outside, they're gonna take my phone and turn it off. Will I see you soon? They change shifts at 6:00pm. That gives you 30 minutes to get here, is that enough?" 

"I'll make it enough. I love you Elodie, I am coming. Coming to save you. I promise baby. I love you!" 

"I- I love- you- you too baby. See you soon?"