Haze | Demi Lovato

13

Demi

"Goodbye, Mike. Thank you for everything."

"You're welcome." Mike hugged me tightly. "I hope I never have to see you with luggage again, Demi. It's all gonna work out."

"I hope so." I breathed, and stepped back, smiling and squinting into the sunlight as Max walked up to the front stoop.

"Hey boss."

"Hey, Max. Thank you for picking me up."

"No problem." He gave me a hug then took the handle of my suitcase. "Ready to go?"

I took a deep breath. "Ready."

I hugged Mike again, then walked out to the car, slipping into the smooth leather seat.

"So, you glad to be out?" Max asked, handing me my wallet and phone.

"It's bittersweet." I murmured. "Now I have to face the music."

Max nodded, turning on the radio as he pulled out of the driveway. I stared out of the window, noticing the small changes on the drive home that had occurred in my absence. New billboards were up, showing Miley's latest Album and the new movies coming out. I sighed heavily and picked at my nails, I wasn't sure if I could continue to make music if Wilmer didn't forgive me. He was my muse and without him the music that usually flowed through my veins was still and silent.

It took about half an hour, but eventually Max pulled through the gated community where Wilmer and I lived. I automatically curled tighter into myself, my body protecting itself from the pain it knew it was about to be in.

"Home sweet home." Max murmured, once he stopped the engine in front of my house. I took a deep breath and got out, taking my suitcase from Max.

"Don't worry about it. Thank you... for everything."

"Don't worry about it." He gave me a hug, then got in the car and drove off as I walked up the steps to the house that hadn't felt like home in a long time.

I pushed open the door and swallowed hard, stepping into the foyer. The house was silent. I took off my jacket, and then my shoes, leaving my luggage by the door as I walked through the empty downstairs. I knew where he was, and sighed heavily, rubbing my stomach absentmindedly. I didn't want to fight with him. I didn't want to see the look of disgust that had become a permanent expression on his face.

But, I had to face it at some point.

I padded barefoot up the stairs, and paused outside of his office, peeking my head in and freezing when I saw him sitting behind his desk. I didn't speak for a few moments, drinking in the sight of him. He'd grown out his hair a bit, but he was clean shaven, which was my favorite on him.

"Wilmer?"

He stopped writing and after a few moments, looked up at me. "Demi."

I bit my lip, feeling the anxiety gnaw at me. "Hi."

Wilmer swallowed hard and his brow furrowed for a moment. "Dinner's at six."

My breath caught at the lack of emotion in his tone.

Nothing had changed.

He still hated me, it still disgusted him to look at me. How naive I was to think two months away could make him love me again. I looked down at my stomach, could nine? Or seven, for that matter. Could the news of a baby growing inside of me evoke the feelings I was craving inside of him?

I doubted it.

"Okay. I'll see you then."

He didn't respond, and I walked away quickly, grabbing my phone and a set of keys as I rushed out of the door, already dialing the number I knew well from my days of fertility appointments.