12. Secrets Revealed
Chapter twelve
Secrets Revealed
E llie
The rest of the week is a blur. Work is non-stop, meetings dragging on, deadlines creeping up faster than I can handle. Alexander and I barely have time to breathe, let alone have a proper conversation. Every time I glance over at him, he’s deep in his laptop or on the phone, barking orders, negotiating deals, completely consumed by work.
And honestly, so am I.
We’ve been putting in late hours all week, burning the midnight oil, but there were a couple of nights—two, to be exact—when we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. Even with the exhaustion, something about being in his office late at night, just the two of us, makes it impossible to focus on anything but how badly I want him.
The first time, it was almost an accident. I was sitting on his couch, half-asleep, when he came over, tilted my chin up, and kissed me. The next thing I knew, he was pushing me against his desk, his hands under my skirt, his mouth everywhere, and I was completely lost in him. The second time, well, we didn’t even pretend to focus on work. He locked the office door, kissed me hard, and fucked me right there, both of us barely able to keep quiet, knowing the cleaning staff could walk by at any moment. It was fast, dirty, and exactly what we needed to release the tension from the week.
Now, it’s Friday. One in the morning, and we’re both dead on our feet. I’m so sleepy I can barely keep my eyes open, slumped against his office couch with my shoes off, curled up under a blanket he got for me. He’s sitting at his desk, typing something out, his tie loosened, his hair a mess from running his hands through it all day. We’re both exhausted, and the only thing keeping me awake is the sound of his voice every once in a while, making sure I’m still conscious.
“I wish we could go to Nancy’s,” he says suddenly, his voice pulling me out of my half-asleep state.
I yawn, rubbing my eyes and sitting up a little. “Maybe we can go Monday?”
He glances over at me, his lips curving into a small smile. “Monday, huh?”
“Yeah,” I mumble, pulling the blanket tighter around me. “I’ll even let you buy me pancakes.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “Alright. Monday it is.”
I smile sleepily, watching him as he goes back to typing, the soft clack of his keyboard filling the quiet room. My mind drifts a bit, but something’s been nagging at me for a while now, and I finally decide to ask.
“How did it go with Vanessa?” I ask quietly, my voice breaking the silence.
He looks up, surprised. “When I returned the watch?”
I nod, suddenly nervous.
“I didn’t meet with her,” he says casually, leaning back in his chair. “I sent my driver to drop it off and told Lena not to sign for any more gifts from Vanessa.”
I blink, processing his words. “So, you haven’t spoken to her at all?”
“Nope.” He leans forward, resting his elbows on his desk. “And I don’t plan to.”
Relief floods through me, but something else has been bothering me too. “You know… I don’t think Lena likes me very much.”
Alexander frowns slightly, tilting his head. “Lena?”
“Yeah,” I say, biting my lip. “She’s always… I don’t know, giving me looks. Acting cold.”
He leans back again, sighing. “Lena’s harmless. She’s been my assistant for a long time, and yeah, she gets a little protective, but she doesn’t mean anything by it.”
I nod, but I’m still not entirely convinced. Protective or not, Lena’s attitude is hard to ignore. Before I can dwell on it too much, Alexander looks at me, a question in his eyes.
“Do you want your own office?” he asks, his tone casual but the offer heavy.
I blink, surprised. “No, I’m okay.”
“You sure? I can arrange it.”
“I’m fine where I am,” I insist, giving him a small smile. “Really.”
He nods, his eyes softening. “Okay, baby.”
The way he says “baby” sends a warm shiver through me, and for a moment, I forget about the exhaustion. He leans forward, his tone shifting slightly as he asks, “Did the texter ever reach out again?”
I shake my head. “Nope. Nothing since that first time.”
“Good,” he says, his voice firm. “But you have to promise me you’ll tell me if they do, alright?”
“I promise,” I say softly, and he seems satisfied with that.
He leans back, stretching his arms over his head, his shirt pulling tight over his chest. “Next week,” he says, “I was thinking we could go to the Riviera together. Scout for more details on the project.”
I raise an eyebrow, the idea of getting out of the office and heading to the French Riviera making me sit up a little straighter. “Really?”
“Yeah,” he says with a smirk. “You better pack some swimsuits.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Oh, so it’s that kind of scouting trip, huh?”
He grins, leaning forward again. “You know how I like to mix business with pleasure.”
I roll my eyes, but I can’t help but smile. Even after a long, brutal week like this, he still manages to make me feel light, happy. I glance at the clock, realizing just how late it is.
“We should probably call it a night,” I say, yawning again.
He stands up, walking over to me, and pulls me into his arms. His lips brush against my forehead, and I close my eyes, sinking into his warmth for just a moment longer. “Monday, Nancy’s. Don’t forget.”
“I won’t,” I mumble, already half-asleep in his embrace.
“Good,” he whispers, his lips brushing against my ear. “Now, let’s get you home.”
And as much as I want to stay here, wrapped up in him, the thought of collapsing into my own bed is too tempting to resist.
****
Jenna’s face fills my screen, her grin stretching from ear to ear. “Girl, you’re glowing. Who’s the reason?”
I roll my eyes, sinking deeper into my couch. “Alexander,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual, but I can’t hide the smile tugging at my lips. “Things have been... good.”
“Good?” she asks, her eyebrow arching. “Just good? Come on, Ellie. Spill.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Okay, fine. Really good. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, but it’s been crazy busy at work.”
Jenna gives me a knowing look, crossing her arms. “Busy in the office or busy in the bedroom?”
Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I can’t help but laugh. “Both.”
“I knew it!” she squeals, clapping her hands. “Look at you, living your best life.”
I shake my head, still grinning. “It’s not all sunshine, though. I barely slept this weekend. We were supposed to hang out, but he’s been working nonstop.”
Jenna’s smile softens, and she leans closer to her screen. “Well, you better keep that glow going because I’m coming to the city next week, and we’re having dinner. No excuses.”
“I can’t wait,” I say, genuinely excited to see her. “It’s been too long since we had a proper catch-up.”
“Exactly,” Jenna says. “So, what’s the plan for the rest of your weekend? Big plans with Mr. CEO?”
I sigh, sinking back into the couch. “Actually, no. I’m planning on sleeping in. I need to recharge.”
“Girl, same,” Jenna laughs. “But if I were you, I’d be finding ways to keep that man busy outside the office.”
I smirk at her, rolling my eyes again. “Goodnight, Jenna.”
“Goodnight, babe. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
After hanging up, I toss my phone aside and stare at the ceiling for a few moments, my mind swirling. The idea of lounging around all weekend sounds appealing, but by Sunday afternoon, I’m already restless.
I grab my phone and call Alexander. It rings... and rings... and then clicks off.
He hangs up.
A few seconds later, I get a text.
Alexander: I’m working.
I chew on my bottom lip, feeling a little irritated, but decide to brush it off. Maybe he’s just swamped. I scroll through my photos, and before I know it, I’m snapping a picture of myself in just my bra. I stare at the image for a moment, debating, before sending it off with the message:
Me: Wish you were here.
I wait, my heart racing a little, expecting a response. Instead, I just get a heart on the picture. No words. No call back. Just… a heart.
It shouldn’t bother me, but it does. I try calling him again later, just before bed, but it goes straight to voicemail.
I toss and turn all night, my mind running wild with possibilities. Is he upset? Did I do something? I try to convince myself that it’s all in my head, but the restless feeling doesn’t leave.
By the time Monday morning rolls around, I’m cranky and exhausted. I assume it’s just the usual hormonal storm since my period is irregular and I tend to feel off during this time. I’m making tea when my phone buzzes, and I see it’s a call from my GP’s office.
“Hello?” I answer, balancing the phone between my shoulder and ear as I pour hot water into my mug.
“Hi, Ellie. This is Dr. Harper’s office. Just following up—have you had a chance to look at the emails we sent last week?” the receptionist asks, her tone brisk but polite.
I blink, confused. “Emails?”
“Yes, we sent three emails last week regarding your overdue check-up and IUD appointment.”
My heart skips a beat. I haven’t seen anything because of the damn computer issues at work. “Oh, right. I had some tech problems, so I must’ve missed them. What’s this about the IUD?”
“You’re overdue for your check-up, especially to check your IUD placement. Can you come in this week?”
I glance at the clock. I have work, but… if I’m spending the evening with Alexander, and things might get… intimate, I better handle this now. “Yeah, I can make it. Actually, can we do that today?”
“Great. See you at nine.”
After hanging up, I shoot a quick text to Alexander.
Me: Hey, I’ll be a little late this morning. I have a doctor’s appointment. Will be in right after.
A few minutes later, my phone buzzes.
Alexander: Okay, baby. See you later.
I exhale a sigh of relief. Maybe he’s just been caught up in work, and that’s why he’s been distant. That’s got to be it. I push away the unease that’s been sitting in my chest since Sunday and focus on getting ready.
At least now, everything feels a little more normal.
****
Sitting in the doctor’s office, I’m fidgeting with the edge of my coat, tapping my foot nervously against the linoleum floor. I shouldn’t be nervous—it’s just a check-up. Routine. But something in my gut has been off all morning, and I can’t shake it. I stare blankly at the posters on the wall, trying to distract myself from the uneasy feeling settling in my stomach.
“Ellie?” The nurse’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I stand, following her into the exam room.
Dr. Harper comes in a few moments later, smiling warmly as she reviews my chart. “Good to see you, Ellie. How are we feeling today?”
I shrug, trying to play it cool. “I’m okay, just... here for my check-up.”
She nods, flipping through her notes. “Right, your IUD check-up. But I want to run a quick blood test first. Some things I need to rule out.”
I nod, letting her do what she needs to. It’s not until she returns with the results that everything shifts.
“Ellie,” she begins, her tone suddenly more serious, “I need to let you know… you’re pregnant.”
I freeze. Everything stops. Pregnant? No. That can’t be right.
“Pregnant?” I manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper. “But… I have an IUD.”
Dr. Harper gives me a sympathetic look. “It’s rare, but it does happen. Based on your hormone levels, I’d estimate you’re about two weeks along.”
Two weeks. I feel like the air’s been sucked out of the room. The world spins around me as the words sink in. Pregnant. I’m pregnant.
And Alexander… oh God. How will he react? We’ve only just started getting serious. We haven’t even defined what we are. And now, this? What if he doesn’t want this? What if it ruins everything?
I can barely keep my mind together as I stumble out of the office. My hands are trembling as I text him that I’ll be late for work, keeping the doctor’s visit vague.
Me: Hey, running late this morning. Doctor’s appointment took longer than expected. See you later?
Alexander: Okay baby, see you later.
The “baby” in his reply calms me for a second, but only for a second. The anxiety rushes back, and by the time I make it to the office, my nerves are shot. I try to keep it together as I walk in, but every step feels heavier than the last.
I walk past Lena’s desk, and something feels… off. “Where’s Alexander?” I ask, hoping he’s there, so I can at least try to act normal.
Lena doesn’t even look up from her computer. “He said he had to deal with something important. He’s not coming in.”
My stomach twists. “Something important?”
She shrugs, her tone detached, like she doesn’t care. “Yeah, he mentioned an emergency.”
I try to focus, get back to work, but my mind is spinning, going over every possible scenario of what this emergency could be. I’m so caught up in my thoughts that when Logan shows up at the office, his presence hits me like a slap to the face.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Ellie Sanders,” Logan says, his tone annoyingly flirtatious as he walks over to Lena’s desk. “Where’s Mr. Blackwood?”
Lena barely looks at him, continuing to type. “He’s not available.”
Logan arches a brow, glancing between us. “Not available, huh? I’ll have to track him down later then.”
And then Lena looks right at me—dead in the eye—and says the words that send my world crashing down around me. “Apparently, there was some sort of emergency with his girlfriend, Vanessa, so he’s not coming in.”
Girlfriend? Vanessa? I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. The words echo in my head as I stand there, frozen. I stare at Lena, trying to understand what she just said.
Logan smirks and shrugs. “Well, that explains it. I’ll catch him later.” He waves and strolls out, leaving a trail of tension behind him.
I barely register him leaving before I turn to Lena, my voice trembling. “What… what are you talking about?”
Lena doesn’t even bother to look up. “Look, girl, I work for Alexander, not you. So don’t expect me to tell you anything.” Her tone is cold, almost cruel, and it feels like a slap to the face.
I don’t say another word. My mind is racing, my heart pounding in my chest as panic sets in. Vanessa. Emergency. I feel like I’m going to be sick. Was this why he was being so weird all weekend? Was he with her ? Is that why he didn’t answer my calls?
I stumble into the bathroom, locking the door behind me as my stomach churns. The anxiety, the stress, the confusion—it all hits at once, and I barely make it to the toilet before I’m throwing up.
I wipe my mouth, tears stinging my eyes as I sit on the cold bathroom floor, my mind racing with a thousand questions and no answers. I’m pregnant. I’m pregnant, and now… what the hell is happening with Alexander and Vanessa?
I try to breathe, but the panic is too much. Everything feels like it’s spiraling out of control, and I have no idea how to stop it.