Marriage by Bargain - Book 2

Chapter Sixteen

Naia

The drive to the café was beyond nerve wrecking. I couldn't decide if I were more excited or afraid, not to mention unbelievably guilty about the trouble Berto would be in if I managed to escape. Granted, I knew Daddy wouldn't kill him, or at least I hoped he wouldn't. He was his favorite nephew after all. I couldn't focus too much on Berto's fate or I'd talk myself out of doing what I had to do. Instead I tried to think about finally going back home to my friends and my family. Yes, that was a good thought, Zandre and I were a family, we were already growing as is. I found my hand unconsciously drifting to my still flat stomach as I thought about how this precious little bud would add to our family, not to mention Lia, the babies, Kim and Damian by extension. My mind proceeded to wander off into the near future, conjuring images of what our baby would look like or if we would give him or her siblings and definitely how many. Personally seven was my favorite number, though I doubted Zandre would be on board with that. Seven was a lot to have in terms of babies, but trying wouldn't kill me, I was use to big families. I made a mental note to myself to start dropping hints as soon as possible, that way he wouldn't be too surprised when I came right out with it. I was so caught up in my plotting and scheming that I didn't realize we had arrived until Berto was holding my door open and calling my name.

"Sorry," I said, still distracted as I was now subtly canvassing the outside of the café for signs of my friends.

I saw none so I willed my feet to move casually into the café alongside Berto. Once we were inside I did the same thing, desperately hoping to see one of the girls. I was about to give up when I noticed a redhead sitting at a back booth devouring whatever dish was in front of her.

Kim! I thought excitedly, if she was here then Lia had to be too.

I needed to get away from Berto so I could try and find her without Kim seeing me and causing a scene. Although if push came to shove then causing a scene would be my back up plan. I started to deliberately shift from foot to foot and fidget.

"Are you okay?" Berto asked, he said looking at me worriedly.

"Yes, no, argh! I have to pee but I don't wanna go and leave such a crucial life decision in your hands!" I said through clenched teeth as I bounced around.

As I predicted his manly macho pride caused him to take offense.

"It's just food, and I've been feeding you and your weird cravings for days now, so I think I can handle this without supervision," he said with a scowl.

I looked up at him with skepticism purposely trying to push his buttons and fortunately for me he totally fell for it.

"Just go," he said with a huff, his ego was clearly suffering from my blatant show of doubt.

I tried to contain my excitement as I scurried off to the bathroom. I flung the door open and ran head on into someone that had been about to leave.

"Oomf!" We both exclaimed as we landed hard on our asses.

I found myself staring at the shocked face of the one person in the whole wide world I was happiest to see right now.

"Naia!" My best friend screeched, prompting me to quickly tackle her and cover her mouth so she wouldn't blow my plan.

She hugged me tightly, fussing over me while alternately cursing me out for getting kidnapped, as if I was the one who got up and said to myself, "Hmmm, I think I'll get kidnapped today".

"Okay, okay shut up! You and Kim need to get me out of here without my cousin noticing," I told her quickly as I got up and pulled her up too.

"Right! Okay- wait your cousin?!" She whisper yelled.