Contractual Obligations: Closing The Deal *B2*

Chapter 17

ೋღ♥ღೋChapter 17 ೋღ♥ღೋ

Michael couldn't get a good night of sleep. As they inched closer to production in their own plant, he had trouble making peace with their decision to move ahead using a toxic chemical. There was just no way he could agree to it, even if it meant his backer would roar loudly and flap his wings at him. He had to stand his ground and fight back for what he believed in. If he couldn't' do it right, he wouldn't do it at all. It was a difficult decision, but when it came down to it, he was going to be a father. He wanted to have his integrity intact and not start their lives on a lie.

It didn't go well. Marcus was all over him, tearing him a new one. How dare he threaten this change at the last minute, when he willingly agreed? Does he realize how much this will set them back with time and money? Michael stood his ground. Marcus either agrees with him, or he'd find another investor and break their deal, threatening to expose the want to use the toxic chemical.

Marcus growled, "You ungrateful prick. You're going to blackmail me after I saved your ass and gave you the chance at building your own company?"

Michael didn't flinch. "I can't do it, Marcus. I won't follow my father's path of lies."

Marcus shook his head and seethed, staring at the man before him. "Fine, but when we're earning profit, you'll pay me back every freaking penny it cost above and beyond to do it this way."

Michael agreed. It would hurt him financially in the beginning, but he'd have kept his morals intact. He had to do it the right way. There was no going back on that decision.

Relief washed through Natalie when he told her what he'd done. It was one less thing to worry about. She was proud of him, standing up to get his voice heard, and even prouder than he got Marcus to agree. At seven months pregnant, she just didn't have the energy for the craziness of his business right now, so if things went smoothly, it was better for all of them.

It was hard to believe how much time had passed. There was no hiding the fact she was pregnant. She seemed to have popped somewhere between six and seven months, and felt like a house. Natalie could hardly believe she still had more time to go. With a slight waddle, she walked to the mirror to look at her changing body. Her fingers ran across her belly, and she stared at her puffy breasts. She felt rounder than she'd ever felt in her life.

She knew her belly button might push out at some point, but it hadn't yet. Though fascinated by the changes, she worried her body wouldn't go back to what it once was. Grabbing a bottle of cocoa butter from the dresser, she slathered her belly, dreading the stretch marks that might mark her soon. Holy cow, Michael married a model, but what would he end up with? She wished she didn't focus on her appearance so much, but it was such an important part of her life before Michael.

Natalie finally found the nerve to tell her parents they'd be grandparents. Her mother was horrified she hadn't told her sooner. When Natalie admitted why, they had a good heart to heart talk. For the first time in ages she felt like her mom was on her side. It was nice to not feel judged for a change, and to know that while her choices wouldn't have been their own for her life's path, they were happy she'd found someone she cared about and would love to be a part of their grandchild's life.

Her brother was surprised to hear the news, but rolled seamlessly into endless parenting tips, telling her she'd be fine. He passed the phone to her sister-in-law, who went through her labor stories all over again. Natalie almost wished she'd shared the news sooner.

On hearing the labor stories, Natalie cringed. She most definitively wanted an epidural, anything to help with the pain. Truth be told, she was terrified. She had no idea how she'd get through it, but told herself other women do it every day. The closer it got, the edgier she felt. She still had time. She was torn between wanting to hold off and wanting to get it over with. Only, she didn't get to decide on the actual date. It amazed her how different her life had become.

Her modeling days felt so long ago. She almost forgot what it felt like to be in front of the camera. So what if she did catalog shots more than magazine ad; it still made her money and she got to experience the modeling world a bit. Okay, so it wasn't quite what she came to New York for. She wanted those magazine ads, but other than Fusendyner Retro's offer, she'd never had the opportunity. She was in holiday catalogs, department store catalogs, and spent the other part of her time serving appetizers at open houses for disgustingly expensive homes. People would hire a group of sexy women to play the part of server, so the wealthy people were surrounded by beautiful people as they scouted the new homes.

Usually it was the women who wandered through them, deciding whether it was worth their husband's time to check out the home. It was a weird thing to watch the women who were married to these men that could afford homes like that. Would that have been her if Bowman Industries didn't crash? Is that what she actually wanted in the past, to be one of those women? She wrinkled her nose, realizing how shallow it seemed. Life had changed a lot this last year, and what she wanted today was something completely different than she wanted a year ago.

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Authors Noteeeee...

I'm thrilled to say that I have no idea wether Michael is a good or bad guy... strange creature?

Overall, hope you all loved the chapter :)

Do you guys feel that if you never told your parents you were having a child that it would depress you? Make you feel like you've got no one to look towards? I know I would 😔

I have a new addiction!

Ready for it! *Drum roll!*

The TV show ARROW!! This has honestly consumed most of my life right now

I'm already watching season 2!!

IF YOU HAVENT YET SEEN OR HAVE A SCOOBY OF WTF IM TALKING ABOUT THEN GO DROP SOMETHING HARD ON THE FLOOR AND GO WATCH!!

You will not EVER regret that choice I can reassure you :D

Any who...

Oh oh!  I also had happen to drop in at lidl... God that guy is so beau-ti-full! 😘😍😍 lol that was just my moment 😉

Hope you all have a great day! Stay safe, love you all xx

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