51 Welcome

Julie's POV

I looked at my back to find Mrs Martinez. I recalled her telling me that she is a doctor. But the mere thought that she can tell Matteo about my whereabouts had my breath stop.

"When did you return from the US?" She asked and I looked here and there.

"I…yesterday?" I said not knowing what else to answer.

"Oh, girl. You are so huge. What are you expecting?" Thinking she just bought my lie I tried to loosen up too. If not I could tell she would alert Matteo.

"A girl."

"How lovely?" She swooned and before she could continue someone called for her attention and she excused herself.

I went to see Veronica and told her how I made a call to David. I wanted to tell her how I met Mrs Martinez but I avoided it. The nurse asked me to fill a prescription from the pharmacy and I left. I was standing near the pharmacy when I saw Mrs Martinez walking beside a nurse. She didn't look at me and passed me. I too stood indifferent. On my way back, my feet got static as I heard,

"I think Mr Lucca is back in Italy...Why?...I just met his wife here in the hospital. Everything's alright?" I could tell that it was Mrs Martinez's voice. I walked backed to find her with her back to me. It was me she was talking about I couldn't help. "Why you want to know?" She said and my heartbeat quickened.

"Yes, she was pregnant. I told you she was expecting that gala party too. Didn't I?"

"Now, you are sounding suspicious, honey. Tell me what it is about? Hello? Hello?" And, before she could turn I walked away.

I knew he will come to know about me. And, I might not be lucky this time. They can check I was here with Veronica. And, with Veronica's whereabouts, they can reach me. I went to Veronica to find David already sitting beside her.

They looked at me and David's eyes fell on my belly. He got up and walked to me to receive the packet. "You should take a rest. I am here now but thanks."

"David…" I barely whispered but he was back to Veronica. I didn't want to sound rude as they are going through a tough time too. I bid my farewell and went back to the university taking a taxi.

What if Mr Martinez is in contact with Matteo? No matter how much I tried to sleep I couldn't. For the third time, I get to my window to see if someone was having his eyes on me.

Listening to Mrs Martinez it was clear that her husband was asking probing questions about me. There was no doubt that Matteo already knows that I am here.

It was one in the night when Veronica came back. I walked to her to give her support. She had her friend standing with her. After making sure that she was settled in her bed I started. "What happened?"

"Nothing, I ran into a motorbike. But…thank god it wasn't coming fast." She answered and I asked,

"You need anything." She was looking at her cellphone. "Yea, please pass me a book I can't sleep right now." I smiled and got to take the book before starting.

"Someone saw me today." She looked at me with wide eyes.

"What does it mean? Someone who can tell Matteo?" Her voice got louder at the end.

"Yea…and, I am very certain that he already knows that I am living here."

"What are you talking about? How can you be sure? Tell me everything." I walked to her to make her calm before starting.

"I met Mrs Martinez today. She is a doctor…also the first lady of Italy." Her brows shot up but I continued, "I tried to act naturally...you see...and I guess she didn't suspect anything but then I overheard her talking to her husband who seemed to be asking pressing questions about me. She too asked her husband why he was asking about me… he certainly knows that I am not with Matteo. And,…he will tell him because they…have…"

"That motherfucker…" She hissed before stating. "...But you only needed time until the baby is around. I am sure it is past making an abortion. Maybe it's time that you fuck him up. Go to the court, ask for a divorce and don't forget the alimony…" I placed a hand on my belly. Even my baby girl was going restless. Even the thought of seeing him was enough to make me shiver. He must be very angry and murderous but before I could tell Veronica she added,

"…Also, if he tries to get the matters solved in person. Tell him that you will speak against him in the court…about all of his spooky businesses. I am sure they will find something with your statement?" She said making me recall how gross his games could be.

"No, no, no, no,…Veronica. If he knows that where I am? I am sure I am being eyed. And,…he…he will never let me a…lawyer..." I was shivering at this point. Not able to make any words. "...He knows very powerful people," I said literally trembling at the thought. I can expect him to even kill my baby.

"To be honest, I think…you…and,…David is overdoing it." I wonder what she meant.

"…Look, don't take me wrong. But I don't think he will follow you. At this stage, he might have forgotten about you. And,…about someone having eyes on you…trust me. I am sure they can't be this super fast. So,…relax. And, even if he comes tomorrow knocking at our door. You can easily call the police."

"You…you really think that I am stupid to not go out of this university?" I was surprised.

"But please don't get mad. You are doing fine." She tried to assure.

"I…you don't know him. I know I am not safe here." I said looking at the clock.

"What you want to do? You know…I will always support you. But please report him. For God's sake."

"I…I don't want to see him until I don't give birth." I said and she shrugged her shoulders. "But prepare yourself. One day…you might have to run into him." She said and I huffed.

"I have to leave from here," I said making her shout.

"Are you for real? You are doing fine. Where you will go?" She asked and I got up from her bed. "Anywhere but not…here."

I did all of this for my baby. There was no way I could let him catch me now. When…I am so close to hold her in my arms and give her a life where she will be saved from her father. Even the thought that Matteo can harm my baby was enough to…to make me want to murder. But right now the safe way was to leave from here. I started getting my stuff out and hear Veronica say, "You were serious? Oh my God, I need to call David."

"No,…" I stopped her.

"You know the rule. Never talk about me on the phone." I said and she froze.

"You can't do this. You are…you are my responsibility. He trusted me with you. I need to know where you will go." I kept on packing and once I was finished with the dresses I caught the small bag I had prepared to welcome my baby.

"It's better if you don't know where I am leaving to," I whispered and she gasped.

"Give me a break, girl. I can't let you go out without knowing you have a proper place. You…you...you can go to…US. Yea…that's where you belong. And, please…go to your family. What's the point of hiding if he has already found you? Last time you escaped because he wasn't ready for the blow. But if now he knows where you are…he will reach you no matter what." I looked at her and rested my knees on the floor. I felt helpless.

"I…I don't have the money to buy the ticket. I…"

"I…can give you the money. It will be better if you got your friends' help. There will be someone to support you. Also, he has more connections in Italy. Not…in the US...duh" I stared at her for a few seconds before shaking my head in no.

"I can't do that. I can't take this money."

"Seriously, Julie? Don't do this right now. Only think about Ava." She said and I feel like my heart will explode. I didn't want my little girl to suffer. And, Veronica was right. I don't have anything in my mind except planning to get far from here. And, in this condition, I should get whatever help coming my way.

It was eleven in the morning and I had to wait for one more hour until my flight. There were other families there. A middle-aged man was trying to make his toddler calm.

I was so mad at myself. It was all because of me that my baby will have to keep hiding. I know Matteo loves his money. I am sure he doesn't want a kid to share the claim on anything he had been hoarding. I didn't want my little girl Ava to suffer like this. She was innocent and only wanted to live.

And, I was absolutely pissed at Mr Lucca for trapping me here in this marriage. I don't know about others but my baby was literally everything for me. I didn't have any known blood relations besides her. And, she needed me as much as I wanted her. I tried to calm myself thinking that life is the greatest gift that I am trying to give her. And, once she is a little older…she will understand better.

The announcement for our flight was made. I got up but forgot to pick my purse and tried to bend when a girl in her teens helped me pick it up. I smiled thinking the world is full of kind people. I will have other people along my way.

I tried to keep this smile intact. I needed to be happy and relaxed if I wanted my baby girl to stay healthy. Though Veronica asked me to contact my family there, I knew I couldn't do this. Contacting them means making Matteo's work easier and making even more people suffer. I only wanted to give birth in peace. I didn't want to deal with Matteo ever. For me, my baby's life was enough.

I waited at the gate and wonder why there was no one. Maybe I was more concerned to get here on time. I looked at my belly and boarded the plane. The hostess smiled and showed me the way. Instead of taking me to the economy, she took me to the business class. "My ticket…" I tried to say but she cut me off.

"No, take the seat here. You are pregnant. Get this special treatment." I narrowed my eyes wondering what it could be about. I looked around and there was no one except one man who was reading some magazine. I took the seat and looked out of the window but heard the announcement to get our seatbelts fastened.

Already? The plane was literally empty.

I wonder what's wrong and got my seatbelts but then sense something in the air. The plane was already taking off but all I could recall was this scent. It smelled like his closet.

My heart started thumping wildly against my chest and my throat got dry. He is here. He had caught me. I tried to open my seatbelt with my trembling hands, but sensing a close presence, I jumped looking up.

He effortlessly took the seat beside me and read the magazine but one could sense how pissed he was. His hard jaw could tell he would kill at any moment. He had changed a lot with his beard and hair but all I could see was the end. I gasped when he looked at me. His eyes were quick to fell on my belly but then travelled back to me.

"Matt..." I almost sobbed.

"Won't you welcome me…" He rested his head on the headset before gritting the words. "…my wife."

This will be the end of Billionaire's wife.

The book Billionaire's Ex-wife will follow soon. I know even the name of the book tells a lot but no it doesn't and it will not be without Matteo.

Please stay tuned to my blogs.