Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sebastian
On the way to Chloe’s, I had Eli stop at the florist, where I picked up a dozen gerbera daisies in multiple colors. There was much celebrating to do tonight because I had just signed a deal that made my company millions of dollars. I wanted to take her out to celebrate, but she insisted on cooking me dinner, which was fine. Just being with her was celebratory enough.
When I stepped into her apartment, she greeted me with a hug and a passionate kiss, congratulating me on the deal.
“Sebastian, you brought me daisies.” She smiled. “But I should be giving you something.”
Following her into the kitchen, I said, “Trust me, baby, you will give me something after dinner.” I winked.
She seemed to be in an exceptional mood. Don’t get me wrong, she was always in a good mood, but tonight, she seemed different. Opening the bottle of wine that was sitting on the counter, I poured some into two glasses and set them on the table. Halfway through dinner, I excused myself to the bathroom.
While I was standing there taking a piss, my eyes happened to glance down at the small trashcan that sat next to the toilet. Reaching down, I pulled out the white stick that displayed a positive sign, and my heart started racing out of control. Sweat formed on my forehead, and I found it difficult to catch my breath. Pulling the box out of the trash, I read the words EPT. Shock overtook my body as my hands started to shake. Throwing the box and the stick back in the trash, I shut the lid to the toilet and sat down, cupping my face in my hands. Chloe was pregnant, and I didn’t know what to do. Was I happy about it? Hell no. I didn’t want kids. Not now, not ever. How the fuck did this happen? Chloe was on the pill. Did she do this on purpose? All kinds of crazy thoughts went through my head. Standing up, I took in a deep breath, grabbed my phone from my pocket, and calmly walked back to the table.
“I’m sorry, Chloe, but I have to go.”
“What? Why? What’s wrong?” she asked as she stood up.
“I just got a call from Damien. He needs me to come to the office about the deal. I’m sorry.”
“Okay. Will you be coming back?”
“Probably not. I don’t know how long this is going to take, and it could go really late. I’ll text you later.” I kissed her head and bolted out the door.
Walking down the street, I called Eli.
“Yes, Sebastian?”
“Come get me. I’m around the block from Chloe’s apartment.”
“What? Why?”
“Just hurry up, Eli.” I ended the call.
As I stood with my back up against the wall of Pizzapopolous, dazed and confused, I heard someone call my name.
“Sebastian?” Connor smiled.
“Hey, Connor. Ellery.”
“What are you doing just standing here like this?”
“Waiting for Eli.”
“Where’s Chloe?” Ellery asked.
“She’s at home. We were in the middle of eating dinner when I got a call from Damien. I have to go into the office,” I spoke nervously.
“Ah. I hate those kinds of calls.” Connor smiled. “Well, good seeing you, my friend. Let’s have dinner one night, the four of us.”
“Sure.” I gave him a nod. “You two have a good night.”
Finally, Eli pulled up, and I wasted no time climbing into the backseat.
“What’s going on? Are you not feeling well? You look kind of pale.”
“I don’t know.” I stared straight ahead.
“Sebastian, what’s wrong? Did you and Chloe have a fight?”
A fight. If only it were that simple. Taking in a deep breath, I looked at Eli.
“Chloe’s pregnant.”
His eyes instantly darted to the rearview mirror.
“What?”
“I was going to the bathroom, and I found the pregnancy test in the trash. It was positive.”
“So she didn’t tell you?”
“No. She didn’t get a chance. As soon as I saw it, I made up an excuse that Damien called and needed me at the office.”
“You just ran out on her like that?”
“I had to get out of there, Eli.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t even been able to tell her that I love her, let alone be a father to a kid.”
“Be careful, Sebastian.” He slowly shook his head.
“Careful is what I thought we were being. For fuck’s sake, she’s on the pill. How the fuck did this happen?”
“I’m not surprised with the way you two fuck like rabbits. Maybe she missed one or something. I’ve heard of it happening—people getting pregnant while on birth control.”
“I can’t be something I’m not. I swear if she did this on purpose…”
“Oh, come on, Sebastian. Chloe would never do something like that.”
“I don’t know.”
Eli pulled up to my building and followed me up to the penthouse. Pouring us a drink, I spoke, “I think I need to get out of town for a while and clear my head. I need to figure things out.”
“And what are you going to tell Chloe?”
“That I have an emergency business meeting.”
“Lies are not good, Sebastian. They always come back to bite you in the ass. You need to let her tell you that she’s pregnant, and the two of you need to talk about it.”
“I can’t. I’m in shock and need to leave town for a while.” I threw back my drink, pulled out my phone, and dialed my pilot.
“Hello, Mr. Bennett.”
“Make sure the plane is ready tomorrow morning. I’m going to Seattle. I’ll be at the airport at eight a.m.”
“Sure thing, Mr. Bennett.”
Finishing the last sip of my drink, I set my glass down on the bar.
“Be here tomorrow at seven o’clock,” I spoke to Eli.
“I don’t think you’re doing the right thing.”
“I don’t care what you think!” I shouted. “I need to clear my head.”
He put his hands up. “It’s your life, Sebastian. It always has been. I’ll see you in the morning.” He walked out with an attitude.
I waited a couple of hours before I sent Chloe a text message.
“Hi. Listen, I need to fly out tomorrow morning for an emergency meeting in Seattle. I’ll be gone at least a week, maybe a little longer.”
“Oh. Okay. I’ll miss you. I wanted to tell you something tonight, but it can wait until you get back.”
“Okay. I’ll be in touch.”
“I love you, Sebastian.”
My heart sank as I read her last text message. I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. I grabbed the suitcase from my closet and began to pack. Once I was finished, I called Damien.
“What’s up?” he answered.
“I’m heading to Seattle tomorrow, and I’ll be gone at least a week, if not longer. You are to oversee the company. This stays between us, Damien.”
“Why are you going to Seattle?”
“I just am and don’t want to be bothered while I’m there unless it’s serious.”
“Okay. Is Chloe going with you?”
“No. I’m going alone and don’t want to discuss it further. Just do as I ask.”
“Okay, Sebastian, but I will admit you have me a little worried.”
“There’s nothing to worry about. I’ll be in touch.” I ended the call before he had a chance to say anything.