Chapter 8

I gave Ulie my penthouse address. This is the safest place to talk. I need to be careful, especially now that my pregnancy is the hottest issue now. The media are eager to get some scoop.

If the media found out about my meeting with Ulie, they will surely assume that he is the father of my child. Though it's true, I want to keep it a secret as long as I could.

Everything is a mess. I was planning to go to the US, but because of the LHI project, that plan of mine has slipped my mind.

I initially plan to stay in the US until I gave birth to my twins so that it will not be an issue.

When I’m done giving birth, I will go back to the Philippines and let the media assume that my twins are adopted, though I won’t confirm nor deny their assumption. I will just let them be. My plan was perfect, but I wasn’t able to execute it because of the LHI project.

Now I'm starting to regret why did I choose Ulie. Now things got more complicated. I should have just picked another guy instead of him. But can you blame me? He was so hot that night.

I heard my doorbell, and I guess he's here already.

When I open the door, Ulie’s serious face welcomed me.

I told him to come in and guide me in my living room. I gave him a coffee.

I am feeling so nervous right now. This was not included in my plan. I honestly don’t know what to do now.

"Now talk." He said in an authoritative tone.

I swallowed hard. Why is he so serious?

I went out of my sofa, trying to calm myself. I face him, and then I pointed at my belly.

“Well, you see...” I just said.

He clenched his jaw then he nodded.

"That's mine." It wasn't a question.

"How can you be so sure?"

I saw him smirk. "It’s crystal clear, baby."

"Why? Because I was a virgin at that time? How sure are you that after we did it, I did not do it with the other guy?" I asked him. I was still trying to make a reason to deny his assumption.

The truth is, I gave up the thought of denying it. I asked him here to tell him the truth. But I said to him that to tease him. I just wanted to see his reaction.

"I'm sure you did not. And I'm sure that you plan all this. In short, you take advantage of me.”

My eyes widen in disbelief. "What did you say? I take advantage of you?! Excuse me!"

He chuckled.

I glared at him. He is making fun of me. I was nervous about nothing. He seems not serious about this.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He said in a serious tone now.

Is he bipolar?

"Why would I? I mean, yes, you are right, I plan all this. But I want to keep the child for myself."

"Why?" He asked with pure curiosity.

I rolled my eyes.

"Because I only wanted a child. Husband or a father of my child is not included. That's why I chose to have a one-night stand. But you keep on showing up! You messed up with my plan!" Then I gave an exasperated sighed.

He raised his hands. "Hey, easy there! Please don't blame me. Blame fate because they kept on bringing us together."

"Fate your ass!" I said, then I pouted my lips.

He shook his head, and then he went to me.

This guy acts like we are close. He looks like he didn’t take my situation seriously. He is still playful.

"But we have a problem."

My forehead creased. "Problem? What do you mean?"

"I have a fiancé. It was an arranged marriage." He confessed.

I felt relieved. I considered that as good news for me. However, I was not that surprised when he told me that. Knowing their family status, arranged marriage is a regular thing.

"Really?" I can’t hide the joy from my voice.

"You look happy with my news?" He hissed.

I close my mouth and stop myself from smiling. Is it too obvious that I was so happy with his news?

Why will I not be happy? Having a fiancé means he doesn’t want to get involved with my twins because it might ruin his engagement. And I am more than grateful to keep his secret about my twins.

“Of course not. But I am willing to help you to keep this secret. I don’t have any plan to tell you nor anyone that you are the father of my child. So don't worry, you can marry her, and I'll assure you she won't know about the baby." I said, assuring him.

He then gave a cold glared.

“Who told you that I want you to keep secret about me being the father of your child?”

My eyes widen. “What do you mean by that?”

His face went near mine.

“Do you think that I will choose other girls than my child?”

I averted my gaze, and I suddenly felt uncomfortable.

If he just wanted to say that, why does he need to approach me like that? In few more inches, his lips will be touching mine.

“So, what’s your plan?” I asked him instead.

He straightened himself and became serious again.

"I will tell my parents about the baby. And I will cancel the wedding." He said.

I was shocked by his plan. "What did you say?!"

He faced me again and went near my face. He did this thing again. He’s making me uncomfortable.

"Of course they should know about our baby. Our child will be Escarrer’s first grandchild. I’m very sure that they will understand why I wanted to cancel the wedding.” He said in a whisper.

I moved back to give us some space.

“What if they want us to get married instead?” I asked, quite worried.

I don’t want to get married! That is not part of my plan! Everything is in chaos now! Wrong choice of man, Ellie!

“You don’t want to marry me?”

“Of course, I don’t want to marry you! Ulie, what I wanted is a child and not a husband.” I said in a panic mode.

“You don’t have a choice. You take advantage of me, and you need to take responsibility for what you did to me.”

My jaw dropped. Is he real right now? “What are you saying that I take advantage of you? Are you insane?!”

"Of course I am. It's true! You seduce me to get you pregnant. It's just right that you take responsibility for what you did!"

"The hell Ulie are you serious?! As if that was your first time to have a one-night stand! I was the virgin that night and not you!”

"But it was my first time to do that without protection!" He insisted

"Still! I don't want to marry you! I want this child for myself!" I said with finality.

"I'm sorry, Penelope, but you can’t have that child by yourself because I also have the right as the child's father." He said in a serious tone.

I felt so weak. The situation is getting worse.

"But I don't want to marry you," I said almost in a whisper.

He went to me to comfort me.

"Well, it's up to you. I'm willing to marry you for the child, but I won't force you if you don't want to."

I looked at him. "What about your parents?"

He smirks. “Well, that's your problem. You need to convince them if you don't want to marry me. But I am telling you right now that you will have a hard time convincing them. They will not allow me to run from my responsibility with our child.”

I heaved a sigh.