Mine? Yours.

Chapter 8

She really called me, that woman has called me and arranged a meeting with me. What in the world was she thinking? I was shocked to hear her French accent through the speaker. She sounded very official, not giving away much of what this was really about. She only told me she was flying to New York tomorrow and the address where I should meet her.

I lost count of how many phone calls I have missed from Logan. I didn't even read his texts, even Finn and Collin tried contacting me. I couldn't speak to any of them right now. As soon as I arrived home I went straight to Jess, he opened the doors of his apartment to me and I rushed into his arms, hiding myself from the world in his hug. He didn't dare asking any questions, the poor guy was terrified by my look of utter desperation and need for some peace. He stroke my hair slowly and took me inside.

I spent the rest of the day on his couch, he cuddled me up with blankets and gave me warm coffee and ordered all of my favorites. After setting everything up for me he sat on the coffee table in front of me and gave me a serious look. „What is going on with you Rory?" He asked me, slightly concerned but also irritated by me. I shook my head, the last thing I wanted to do now was to talk about this. He understood, thank God he understood. Jess nodded and stood up to grab his remote, he sat on the other half of his big grey couch and we watched „Full House", the most comforting series of all time.

„Rory, you know I will be there for the two of you." He said after a while, his voice warm and calming, he placed his hand on my leg and rubbed it lightly, pulling the blanket so it covered my feet completely. I took a good look at him, his stare was reassuring, removing any doubt and fear that I had having this baby. I nodded and continued watching the movie. Soon after I fell asleep and at the time, Jess was typing his newest book on his laptop.

The next morning I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and a note saying „I had to run to a meeting, there is food in the fridge, please eat. J" I smiled at the little sticky note on the mug. I stood up and made my way home where I showered and changed for my lunch date with Odette.

I got there 10 minutes earlier and I already saw her, I didn't want to make it seem as if I knew who she was or what she looked like. I wanted to walk pass her, straight into the restaurant, but she called out „Miss Gilmore?" With the most obnoxious accent known to men. I turned around and gave her a warm smile. „I'm Odette Chateau, shall we?" She offered me a hand shake, a weak and sloppy one, like I'm holding a fishtail. She lead the way, giving me plenty opportunities to roll my eyes without her noticing. We sat down at a table for two, I guess nothing is more private than a room full of people that do not care that you're here.

Sitting across from her gave me a chance to take a good look at her. My goodness, what were the french eating to make their skin this healthy and glowing. „I want to get right to it." She started, right after we ordered our drinks. She pulled something out of her Chanel bag. She started writing on it and handed it to me. A check for one million dollars. I took a good glance at it, and completely confused I looked at her, her voice was completely firm and steady. „I know you are pregnant Rory." She looked down, she was a very graceful person. How did she find out? I wasn't even showing as much and Logan wouldn't tell anyone without asking me, I'm sure of that. „But you must understand, Logan is everything to me." Was she trying to buy me off? What did she want from me? „What is this about?" I waved the check. „You must understand Rory, he is all that I have left." She kept on rambling. „You have your journalist job, I heard you're a writer, you have a baby on the way, all that I have is him." She quickly removed that one tear away.

„I'm not taking your money." I said, angrily. „Please take it, just take the money and let me have him, I'm not stupid, I can very well see the power you have over him." She said and our drinks arrived. „He loves you Rory and I love him, there is no putting it gently, you need to step back, I will do anything, just tell me whag you want." I took a deep breath and answered her „It was never my attention to cause any trouble between you two." She quickly interrupted me „I know you didn't do that to hurt me, you don't even know what you do just by calling him late at night, yes, I don't sleep like a bear." She let out a little giggle, her teeth were incredibly white, I have seen several aspects of her that Logan could like, and we have just spent 20 minutes together. „Take the money Rory, I do believe you need the money with the baby on the way."  I slided her the check back „I don't need it." I said but before she could interrupt me I continued „I will stay away." I promised, to which she smiled and nodded. Soon she stood up „I'm sure it is the best for the both of us if we don't see each other again. Thank you for your time Rory, I can see why Logan would choose you over anything." You could tell how happy and satisfied she was with the outcome of our conversation. I nodded and quickly, she was out of the restaurant.

I knew Jess worked in the neighbourhood so I called him up to see If he had the time to meet me there. He was sitting next to me and we ordered food. He talked about his newest book proposal and I pretended to listen. Truth to be told I was much more interested in what made Odette come all this way to try to buy me away from Logan, I ran away from him, he never told her about me before, what changed?

I saw him calling again, and this time I have decided to take his call. I stood up, told Jess I will only take a minute, he nodded and continued with his meal. I answered my phone as soon as I was outside. He sounded incredibly surprised to hear my voice, I instantly noticed that he has been drinking. „Ace, finally." He let out a deep, long breath. I wanted to make this as quick as possible. „Please Logan, hear me out." He then kept on begging me for some time to speak but I continued „I don't want you to call me again." I felt his shock since he was very quiet „Rory, please don't do this, please." My whole body started to shake, I felt tears come down my cheeks, I quickly removed them and continued „Logan, don't call me again." He begged to jump in and speak but I didn't let him.

„If you love me, you will let me be, I'm in love with someone else." I said and the line went completely silent, I hung up on him and put my phone away. Never have my own words hurt me this way, but I knew, this was the only right thing to do for everyone. My hands felt cold and shaky. I wasn't actually allowed to feel this way, all of it was my decision, but, nevertheless, it sting like an open wound.

Don't tell me I was unfair to him, I knew that. I knew he only wanted to be the father that he never had and that wasn't a crime, but he deserved a decent life, away from me and everything that choosing me brings. He really was the guy I just couldn't quit, no matter how hard I tried, but this was a good shot at straightening things up and finally doing what was the best for... most of us.

I calmed myself down for a minute and returned back to Jess, faking a big smile for him. „So, what are we having for desert?" he looked up at me and and smiled. "What is wrong? What was that call? You seem upset?" He asked me, concerned. "Just took care of some business." I said and took the menu, ignoring the look on his face that showed me that he didn't believe me one bit.