An Unforeseen Turn of Events

Chapter Eighteen

Ryan rushed to Buddy's office, nearly swerving into another car on the way over. Buddy promised him on the phone he had definitive information.

Drawing on his natural optimism and feeling that all would be resolved to his benefit, Ryan convinced himself that Christine had another relationship and that is how she got pregnant with twins. Women can be very vengeful and she must have been on the rebound, he concluded. She probably hooked up with another guy shortly after she left him and that was how she got pregnant.

He ignored the fact that he remembered Christine wanted to stay a virgin until marriage.

These kids have nothing to do with me, he kept telling himself, as if repeating this mantra enough times would make it so.

He took a deep breath before entering Buddy's office, attempting to stir up his confidence that this matter would be resolved. Upon entering the office, he saw a blush form on the secretary's face. She broke into a smile and her eyes sparkled when he approached her desk. She looked so young and naïve with her skirt down to her ankles and long curly hair pulled back into a massive ponytail that for a moment despite his worries, he couldn't help smiling back.

I've never seen a woman blushing so innocently before, Ryan mused. She looks like she belongs in a museum.

"Hello," the secretary managed to say. Her cheeks were so red that he knew she had difficulty getting the words out. "Please take a seat. Mr. Catalano will be right with you."

"Thank you," Ryan said politely, taking the seat farthest away from her, fearing if her red cheeks got any redder, she may hyperventilate.

Slowly, reluctantly, she picked up the phone. She fumbled finding the right button to press as if she were doing it for the first time, the whole time smiling and suppressing giggles in Ryan's direction.

"Mr. Catalano, Mr. Monti is here to see you," she chirped.

"Good, good, Shana. I'm coming right out," he responded.

Ryan ignored Shana's disappointed face as she put the phone back—his thoughts returned to the emergency at hand. He was praying that the good fortune he had had his whole life would only continue. That Christine had those children on the rebound and they had nothing to do with him.

The somber expression on Buddy's face told him differently.

"Good morning, Mr. Monti. Please come this way."

Ryan noticed Buddy's fingers were fidgeting and he was rocking on his heels.

Not a good sign.

Shana must have also noticed the tension. She immediately began typing on her computer keyboard, not looking up, her blush disappearing.

Ryan's legs stiffened as he stood up, wondering if this was the proverbial moment of truth.

"Please, have a seat," Buddy said as he ushered him in.

Following Buddy into his office, Ryan sank into the chair he sat in yesterday.

After taking a deep breath, Buddy stared at Ryan and said, "Mr. Monti, we need to discreetly test your DNA with a doctor friend of mine, all in confidentiality of course. This must be the beginning point before searching for those kids."

Ryan closed his eyes. It was his turn to take a deep breath. He gripped the handles on the leather chair, trying to cling to the belief that those children were not his. His good luck would hold. He attempted to banish the thought they could be his.

I'm going to come through this, he kept telling himself. I've always been careful. My luck is going to hold.

"So there's still a chance that I'm not the father," Ryan said.