Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Lucas
I sat behind my desk and tried to figure out what the hell was wrong with the coding.
My team had been working on the last half for the past six weeks, and nothing.
They couldn’t figure it out either. I was in a multi-million-dollar contract, and our deadline was approaching.
The stress I was under was real. I’d barely slept and didn’t have time to think about anything but this project.
My father was up my ass about it, and no matter how many times I told him I was working on it, it wasn’t enough.
How could this even be possible? I was good, potentially the best, and I couldn’t see where the error was.
I only hired the best people, and they couldn’t figure it out either.
As much as I wanted my team to start from scratch, I couldn’t ask them.
We’d already been working on it for the last six months, and the other work they had suffered because of it.
So, I decided to take it on all by myself.
I was in a foul mood when I stepped out of my office and told my secretary, Laurel, that I was leaving for the day and didn’t want to be disturbed at home. At least at my penthouse, there wouldn’t be any distractions, and I could get a head start.
I arrived home at one o’clock and had already put six hours into it. At seven o’clock, the doorman called and told me someone was there to see me.
“Who is it, Russell?” I asked.
“It’s Jenna Larson, sir.”
Jenna? What the hell was she doing here? I asked myself in confusion. I hadn’t seen or spoken to her since our night together. I needed a small break anyway, so I told him to send her up.
I waited at the elevator for her, and when it arrived and the doors opened, she stood there gripping two extra-large suitcases.
“Jenna, what’s going on?” I asked in confusion.
“I need a place to stay temporarily, and you’re my only option,” she spoke as she wheeled her suitcases past me.
“What? What the hell are you talking about? Listen, Jenna. It’s good to see you and everything, but this is a really bad time. I have a lot going?—”
“And so do I!” she snapped at me.
“Okay. Let’s both calm down, and you can tell me what’s happening with you. But I’m on limited time. I’m working on a very special project, and I have to get back to it.”
I walked over to the bar and poured us each a scotch. Her being here and trying to move in was the last damn thing I needed right now.
“Here.” I held the glass out to her.
“No thanks.” She put her hand up, and I gave her a strange look. “I’m pregnant, Lucas. I’m pregnant with your baby.”
I stood there in shock as I felt the color drain from my face, and the glass of scotch I held hit the ground.
“Ha! Same reaction I had.” She grabbed hold of my arm and led me over to the couch. “I know you’re in shock. Just give it some time, and it will wear off. I’ll clean that mess up.”
I swallowed hard as a million little things raced through my mind. She was joking. She had to be. The thing was, she picked the wrong fucking night to pull this shit on me.
“You know what, Jenna? I appreciate a good joke every now and again, but this is not a good time.”
“Joke?” She looked up at me as she wiped up the scotch from the floor. “You think this is a joke? I’m pregnant, Lucas.”
“That’s impossible! I know the condom broke, but you said you were on the pill!” I shouted.
“Yeah. I was on the pill and maybe messed up the daily doses. Who the hell knows!”
“How do I know the baby is really mine? For all I know, you could have slept with other guys right after me.”
“Are you serious right now?”
“Yes. I’m dead serious. We slept together, I’m very wealthy, and you see it as your opportunity to pin it on me for some quick rich scheme.”
Jenna
I stared blankly at him because I was in a state of shock at his words.
“You think I want any of your money?”
“Why else would you come here and tell me this?”
“Because you’re this baby’s father. I want nothing from you, Lucas. I don’t even want you to be a part of the kid’s life. I only came here because I need a place to stay for a few days until I can figure things out.”
“And what happened to your apartment?”
“I had to leave because they’re being turned into condos, and I didn’t have the money they wanted to buy it. According to them, if you don’t buy, then get out.”
“Surely you have money saved. Why wouldn’t you go to a hotel? Better yet, what about that best friend of yours?”
“You know what?” I got up from the floor and threw the scotch-soaked paper towel in the garbage.
“I’m sorry that I bothered you with this.
And shame on me for giving you enough credit for thinking that you were a semi-decent human being that I could count on for a few days.
I won’t bother you again.” I grabbed my purse and my bags and rolled them to the elevator.
As soon as the doors opened, I stepped inside and frantically pressed the button to the lobby.
I was so angry that I couldn’t see straight. How dare he!
“Are you okay, Miss Larson?” Russell asked.
“No. I’m not. But I will be, Russell. Thank you for asking.”
“May I help you with your bags?”
“No. I’ve got it.” I gave him a fragile smile.
“JENNA, WAIT!” I heard Lucas yell.
“Leave me alone, Lucas. You said what you had to, and I’m leaving. You’ll never hear from me again. That I can promise you.”
By this time, the people in the lobby and the workers were staring at us as I exited through the doors.
“Just stop, for fuck’s sake.” He grabbed my arm, causing a scene on the street. “Come back up to the penthouse. You can stay tonight, but I can’t discuss anything. I have this project I’m working on, and I must complete it.”
I stared into his deep brown eyes.
“I’d rather sleep on a bench in Central Park than stay in your penthouse.”
“Well, too bad. You’re not sleeping on a bench in Central Park.” He grabbed one of my suitcases and headed back into the building.
“Give me my suitcase back!” I ran after him, tripped over the threshold of the lobby doors, and fell.
“Oh my gosh, Miss Larson.” Russell ran over to me.
“Are you okay?” Lucas dashed over and knelt next to me.
“Besides being completely humiliated? I’m fine.” But I wasn’t so sure about that.
Lucas grabbed a hold of my hand and tried to help me up. When I put pressure on my right foot, I screamed and fell back down.
“Let me take a look,” Lucas said as he lifted my pant leg and removed my shoe. “Shit. You need to go to the hospital. It may be broken.”
“Broken? Oh, hell no. I’ll be fine. Just take me upstairs. Please. I just need ice.”
“Jenna. You fell, and you said you’re pregnant. You’re going to the hospital.”
“Fine. Russell will put me in a cab. You go back up to your project.”
“No. I’m going with you. Just stay here. I’ll be right back.”
“Like I can go anywhere.” I rolled my eyes.
“I’m so sorry, Miss Larson,” Russell spoke sympathetically.
“Thank you, Russell. You’re a good man. Unlike some.”
While Lucas was gone, his driver, Thaddeus, walked into the building.
“Miss Larson, I’m here to help you to the car. It’s best that I carry you.”
“Yeah. No, Thaddeus. I’m humiliated enough. Bend down.” I gestured with my hand.
He did as I asked, and I hooked my arm around him. As he helped me up, I made sure not to put any weight on my foot at all. The pain was unbearable.
“Okay. Let’s go,” Lucas said as he tried to wrap his arm around my waist from the other side.
“Don’t touch me!” I pushed him away.
“It’s okay, sir. I’ve got her,” Thaddeus spoke.
He helped me into the car, and it took every ounce of strength I had not to burst into tears. I was so angry and scared, and not because of my foot. I could have cared less about that. I was scared for the baby. What if it got hurt when I fell? The most horrific scenes were playing in my mind.
“Are you?—”
“Don’t talk to me, Lucas.” I put my hand up.
He let out a long sigh and turned his head to look out the window.
When we reached the entrance to the Emergency Room, Lucas climbed out and grabbed a wheelchair while Thaddeus helped me out of the car and into it. Lucas wheeled me inside, where a security guard immediately stopped us.
“How can we help you?” he asked.
“She fell, and it looks like she may have broken her foot,” Lucas said. “She’s also pregnant.”
“Follow me.”
We followed him to the desk, where a nurse who was about my age quickly took down my information.
“You say you’re pregnant?”
“Yes.”
“How far along are you?” she asked.
“About seven weeks now.”
“Okay. Let’s get you back into a room and make sure the baby is okay. Are you the baby’s father?” She looked at Lucas, and he hesitated to answer.
“He’s having a hard time accepting it,” I told the nurse, and she shot him a look.
“If you don’t want him back there, we’ll make him stay in the waiting room.”
“I’m going back with you, Jenna. If you want to cause a scene, I’m ready.”
I rolled my eyes at him.
“It’s fine. He can come back with me.”
We were immediately taken to a room, and I was instructed to change into a gown.
“What do I need this for?” I asked.
“The doctor will want to do an ultrasound to check the baby. Then we’ll go from there.”
“What about her foot?” Lucas asked. “Look at it. You can clearly see something isn’t right.”
“We will deal with that after we check the baby. Let me help you change into the gown,” the nurse spoke.
“I can help her,” Lucas said as he took a step forward.
“You can wait outside.” I pointed towards the door.
The nurse let out a tiny laugh.
“Boyfriend?” she asked as she helped me remove my pants.
“One-night stand.” I smiled.
“Ah, I see. He didn’t harm you, did he?”
“No. I tripped walking into his apartment building.”
“He’s really hot.”
“Yeah. It’s about the only thing he has going for him.”
She laughed as she helped me lay down in the bed and put an ice pack over my foot.
“I think I love you.” She grinned. “The doctor will be right in. Hang tight.” She squeezed my hand.