Indebted

Chapter fifteen

After a long shower and a few tears I made my way to the living room and found Jose on the couch with his laptop looking somewhat agitated. Smelling coffee I made my way to the kitchen filling a large cup knowing it was a bad idea, I would be up all night then I joined him on the sofa.

"I am sorry about tonight." rubbing his shoulders lightly after all the trouble he had gone through to prepare dinner I could have least been on time.

"It's okay, that came for you while you were in the shower." pointing at the box on the end table.

I set my mug down opening it, it was my laptop and cellphone and a personal note from Nickolai
Part 6
Thinking of you. I will do nothing to make you cry or hurt those that you love Emily you have my word sworn in blood. Sleep well my love.

I re-read the note a couple of times feeling at ease yet somewhat annoyed at the blood covering the edge of the card he didn't have to go too such lengths for me. There was no denying that I was in trouble where Nickolai was concern. I fancy him and the way I felt in his arms and I love the way he responded when I touched him back even though we don't agree most of the times.

"How is mama?" feeling kind of guilty that I had not gone to check on my own mother since I left her at the nursing home.
Part 6
"Stop worrying Emily. I went to check on her today before and after work she is doing great and she knows that you love her."

"Thanks" simling lightly wishing I could keep up a strong facade until after the wedding.

"Were you crying again?" Jose closing down his laptop facing me, slipping his hands into mines, his hair a mess smoothing it down.

"What do you mean?" I tried to hide my tears from him but he could always see through me.

"If you don't want to marry the asshole just don't. He can't force you too despite what is written on the contract."

"I know"

But a part of me wants to marry him, to be his wife, the mother of his children and his submissive looking down at the card.

"Then what's wrong?" squeezing my hand lightly

"I am just worried about Alley she is pregnant for Umberto."

He released my hand in shock"What! Seriously. Who is Umberto?"

"Nickolai's brother" sipping on my now luke warm coffee.

He was about to answer when the door bell rang and Alley rushed in smiling brightly waving her hands in the air flashing long ruby red fingernails, flopping her body next to mines on the sofa.

"Guess what everybody I am pregnant" hugging me tightly, my body stiffening tucking the card in my pajama pocket.

"I guess we are having a double wedding." soldiering on when we said nothing still in shock and my mouth drop open.
Part 6
Double wedding, how about a wedding and a funeral.

"I am happy for you" not wanting to discouraged her even though I should

"But do you know that he is expected to marry another Alley?"

"Who told you that?" scowling rubbing her hand over her non existant bump under her plum blouse.

"Nickolai" setting my empty coffee cup on the table.

"Nickolai needs to mind his own damn business. He may be the boss of Florida and the mid west but he is not in charge of Umberto." tossing her handbag on the single chair disgusted.

Florida and mid west I didn't know his operations was so vast.

Alley got up abruptly and went into the kitchen returning with a bottle of carbernet sauvigon and three glasses
Part 6
"We have reasons to celebrate." handing us each a glass.