Marriage by Bargain - Book 2

Chapter Twelve

Naia

I quickly returned the phone to my babysitter after which I was escorted to the study where he would be waiting for me. It had taken me days to badger him to let me call my friends, I finally wore him down today, but of course my kidnapper had to decide to come today at the exact time I was on the phone, awfully convenient if you ask me. I still couldn't decide how to feel about this whole situation especially since I was well acquainted with my captor, I mean on one hand I knew he wouldn't hurt me but on the other he had never gone to such extreme lengths to get my attention before. I suppose the most dominant emotion I was battling at the moment was anxiety, I was beyond anxious to find out what this was about as well dreading what it could mean for me. Not to mention how this would affect Zandre, especially now. At that thought I was brought to focus on the news I hadn't gotten to share with Zandre. This would be the answer to all he'd been fighting me to get for the past couple months. My mind drifted to the fact that I had told him I loved him in a rush and didn't even give him time to respond. I mentally slapped my palm against my forehead, that definitely wasn't the way I had planned to tell him. I guess you could say being kidnapped and held captive had put a lot of things into perspective for me. Life was way too short and unpredictable to waste it holding petty grudges, and the one I had against Zandre was more than petty. I mean yes he had played a part in deceiving me but it was all in order to reach the end goal we both wanted. It hardly made sense to punish him when I was also made to suffer with each denial. I promised myself that as soon as I got home I would put this all to rest. We had too much to live for now, I thought as my hand unconsciously moved over my flat stomach in a protective gesture.

Our baby, I couldn't help but smile at the thought.

The sickness I experienced at the start of this ordeal was not only my body reacting to the effects of the drug but also trying to alert me of a foreign presence, our baby. I was shocked to find out that I was pregnant and extremely relieved when the doctor assured me that the chloroform hadn't harmed my baby. The precious little bundle that Zandre and I made together in a night filled with passion and carelessly overstepped boundaries. I couldn't wait to tell him! Mostly to warn him not to get attached to the idea of naming him or her because I may or may not have given up those rights to Lia on her wedding day. It would also do well to let him know we wouldn't be naming the second one either since I may or may not have lost that right to Kim in a game of monopoly one very disastrous night. I knew that no amount of bribing or begging would get those two to give up those rights. He'd probably make me literally sign over the right to naming any children we had thereafter so I wouldn't bargain with them when I was in a tough situation. I didn't have a single doubt about the fact that Zandre would be ecstatic about becoming a father, he after all had spent the past few weeks trying to trap me into being with him.

My happy thoughts were cut short when I heard the distinctive sound of the front door opening and closing along with voices heatedly discussing some matter in the foyer. I tensed when I heard his voice above the rest, it may have been years since I last heard it but there was no way that I would ever forget it. His every tone, inflection and expression was forever etched into the deepest recesses of my mind. As they drew closer to the door I shifted nervously in my seat and froze when I heard Zandre's name clearly mentioned. My heart was racing as I realized my worst fears had become a reality. His sudden attention was born from the fact that I had a serious relationship going with Zandre even if I hadn't been willing to admit it. My previous boyfriends hadn't sparked any interest because those men were weak and wouldn't be hard to get rid of if things got serious, which he did from time to time if he felt things went on for too long. Zandre was different though, he was wealthy, well known, powerful and more importantly if they came to blows he would be able to fight back. He wouldn't crumble under a direct attack, so he sent his lackeys directly after the weakest link, me. Suddenly everything clicked into place, Zandre was right about the fire at my apartment being a warning but it was for me not him. It was careless of me to drop my guard the way I had or I would have realized sooner that he was serious about interfering in my life. It was foolish of me to feel I would be safe, that I'd be able to lead my life the way I wanted with who I wanted. The only option I would have had to avoid this was to leave Zandre, which I had never genuinely tried to do.

A cloud of hopelessness fell over me as I acknowledged that even if I had noticed there wouldn't have been much I could do as I had been falling for Zandre since the day I stopped him from ruining Lia and Damian's wedding. Hopelessness was replaced by dread when I thought of the implications my pregnancy would have, he wouldn't take it well at all. My mind was racing as I started wondering if he knew, it wouldn't be surprising if the doctor had told him.

A ball of nervousness settled in my stomach as the lock turned and the door was pushed open. It took everything I had to plaster a smile on my face despite the emotions roiling within me. I couldn't help the breathless, nervous yet warm and happy feeling I got as I met his deep brown eyes for the first time in twelve years.

"Xanaia, mi hija, I'm so happy to see you!" He exclaimed as he crossed the room and gathered me into his arms, reflexively I relaxed into his familiar embrace.

Maybe it would be different this time, maybe he would listen to reason, just maybe....

All I could do at this point was hope because if it came down to me having to make a choice between him and Zandre he wouldn't like my decision and I was terrified of how he would retaliate. Regardless I decided to focus on this reunion and save the worrying for later. I tentatively wrapped my arms around his wide frame and returned his hug.

"I'm happy to see you too daddy."