10 9

Inaudible chatter and the subtle sound of cutlery scraping and hitting plates filled the large dinning hall. The table Nick had chosen was a bit hidden from the others. He sat relaxed in his chair, assessing her while she looked at the menu. He couldn't help thinking about how she fired that woman. She doesn't take mistakes lightly, clearly. He could also understand her reason. He smiled; she called him dangerous. The ice cold flame in her. He found out something new every time he met her. He'll have to be careful. Yet, poor Trish. Was that her name? "You didn't have to fire her you know."

Lucille put down the menu. Tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "If you feel that bad, you can hire her."

He chuckled. He wasn't going to do that. "My place could use a bit more cleaning."

"He tells jokes." She pointed out. "And laughs."

He smiled. "Yes well, I prefer to leave the joking around to the CEO."

"You mean your father?"

"Same thing." The waiter came. Ready to take their orders. "Umm... The lady will have the ch-"

"No." She stopped him. Both of them looked at her. "Please don't do that." Did she just force herself to be polite? She looked at the waiter and smiled, then at Nick. "Don't ever do that."

He nodded. "I'm sorry." She looked away. He could tell something else was wrong. She wasn't hiding it. Maybe she didn't want to be here. He did show up unannounced after all.

Lucille sighed heavily. Her left hand stroking her right on her lap. If this was someone else, she could be a bit like herself. She'd left her parents' place because she was tired of pretending. However, the thoughts that followed her there didn't stop once she left. If she were with Geegee or one of the girls, then a short laugh would have been enough to make her forget... just for a moment. Unfortunately, this really didn't. But it was better than nothing. She sighed again. All she has to do is keep convincing herself more than she's been doing. But none of her self advices had worked. Why would they start now? "Flying." She said, once she'd given the waiter her order and he'd left. "You fly planes." She corrected. Changing the subject before he could ask her any questions.

"Yeah, I learned when I was seventeen."

She nodded. "That must have been fun."

"Yes it is. I suppose you can say I fly the skies, sail the seas and drive on land." She nodded. Partially impressed. "I suppose driving doesn't sound as impressive as flying planes and-" He cleared his throat. This isn't working. "I'm sorry that I took the news the way I did. And that I thought you only wanted my money. I'm sorry for everything. What I said about you and my dad and-"

"That's quite the introduction." She commented. Silence fell over them. "You didn't plan for this and neither did I. That night I-"

"You ran off before we could talk."

"I panicked. It wasn't supposed to happen. We weren't supposed to happen. At all."

"But it did."

"But it did." She forced the lump down. Begged it to stay down. "And I ran." Embarrassed everyone - but they don't see it that way. She closed her eyes.

Should they be talking? Something is most definitely wrong. "Are you okay?"

"Yes." She nodded. Stupid emotions. "Yes I am."

"Look. I wasn't the best substitute boss to you." He would have reached for her hands if they were on the table. "But I'll be with you through this-" promises... "I'll try to be whereever you need me to be. Check ups, hair duty when you're puking. I've never done that before but I'll try." Not a smile from her, instead she looked down. "Just tell me and I'll try to be there."

"I can't make you do that."

"No, you're not making me do anything I don't want to." Why is he insisting? "This is my child too and it's just as much my responsibility as it is yours. When I can clear my schedule, I would. Just let me know and I'll be there."

Lucille nodded, forehead creased. "Excuse me." She got up. Taking in a deep breath to steady herself, she headed for the restroom.

"I can't believe you didn't tell us Luce." Tabby declared. "I just can't believe it."

"I'm sorry guys. I'm still trying to wrap my head around it."

Geegee frowned. Only thinking about the look on Lucille's face while she told them the story. She didn't see anything. Nina would have to explain herself.

Doris shrieked. "I can't believe it! I'm going to be godmother right? Cause I have to be godmother."

"Doris!"

"Shush Tabby. Who cares if we're just finding out now? We get to go shopping for baby stuff and new clothes for her." She shrieked again. "It'll be so much... much fun."

"I was going to say, I'm godmother. Right Luce?" Lucille smiled at Tabby. "At the very least, I get to pick the name."

Geegee laughed. "Couldn't you guys be a little more patient? She doesn't know if it's a boy or a girl yet and she isn't showing,"

"My paychecks have to go somewhere."

Doris gasped. Tabby's statement gave her an idea. "We can have a little model baby. I can't be it's manager."

"You want to manage me and a baby?" Tabby faked shock.

"She wants to turn your baby into her toy Luce. Doris is not godmother martial."

Lucille chuckled, shaking her head. She let herself sink into the swimming pool drowning out their excitement for a moment. While also drowning out her bell ringing thoughts as well. Can't they see it? Perhaps she should be acting with Nina. She looked up. Through the water, she could see them carrying on the conversation without her. At the very least, everyone who needed to know now knows she's pregnant.

"This Nick person. Is he hot?" Doris asked Geegee.

"Oh! He better be." Tabby warned.

Geegee scoffed. "He is. He's her boss' son... former boss anyway."

"Wait." Tabby smiled broadly. "Really? Her boss' son?"

"Isn't that... you spoke of him once right?" Doris asked.

"I did more than speak of him. You met him.... well, saw him is more like it. Remember that night at the bar with the guys?"

"What bar and what guys?" Tabby asked, confused.

"When..." Geegee explained. Both girls looked stunned as she told them. Neither one of them noticed when Lucille came up for air. She pulled her wet hair back and got out of the pool. In need of a drink.

"But we didn't see him up close." Tabby pointed out.

"He's gorgeous. Trust me." Geegee assured them.

"You have a thing for him don't you?" Doris accused Geegee.

"No. I just think he's gorgeous."

"She's emphasising too much. I don't believe her." Doris said to Tabby.

"We need to see him for ourselves."

Lucille walked into the kitchen, Nancy was about to hang up the receiver when she entered. "Hi." Lucille smiled. Moving to the fridge. Too bad she can't have wine with the girls.

"Hey." Nancy waved. A question on her mind. "Pregnant huh?"

"Mmhmm."

"I didn't know you have a boyfriend."

"I don't." It would be better if he were. "He's not my boyfriend. Or my friend." Lucille chuckled. Taking a sip of apple juice.

"Congratulations." Lucille nodded a thank you. "So, who's godmother?"

"You're free to join in on the queue of candidates."

"What?" Both girls laughed. "I'll avoid that. Thanks. But I get to plan the baby shower."

"Ohhh! That'll be great. Good thing too. No one's asked about it."

"Lucky me." Nancy smiled. "Let me know when we're going baby shopping."

"Baby shopping?" Lucille raised her eyebrows.

"Shopping for baby stuff. You know what I mean."

Lucille laughed. "You can join that queue too."

"I am definitely there." She rocked back and forth on her heels. "How did daddy to be take it?"

She draped her arm over Nancy's shoulder. "He's coming to terms with it. He says he'll be supportive." They strolled back to the others. Passing Lucille's wet footprint from her walk to the kitchen.

"That's great."

"Yeah." Lucille hissed, they were close to the pool. "I have to clean this up." She was referring to the wet footprints.

"You don't have to do it now."

"I know that. I'm just thinking out loud. Did I tell you I fired the maid?"

"You fired the maid?" Geegee asked. Interupting Doris.

"You had a maid?" The other three chorused in shock.

"You?" Tabby asked, chuclking. "You had a maid?"

"Madison said she'd need help now that she's carrying." Geegee explained.

"Which I do." Lucille pointed out,

"Nina and I spent a whole day making sure who we hired met her standards. And you fired her?"

"Don't look so hurt yet Geegee." Geegee huffed. Too late. "She let a stranger into the house."

"Really? Oh my goodness." Her hurt vanished.

"How come?" Nancy asked, getting into the warm pool next to Doris.

"I don't even know." Nina would understand. Geegee too if she explained it better. But not the others. "I was furious. The worst part; she let him in and then she left."

"What?!" All chorused, the word hung tight with worry.

"Do you know who this person is?"

Considering all the definitions on the word know, she decided to go with an answer that's not technically a lie. "No. I didn't. Still don't." She knows Nick. But then again, she doesn't.

"I am so sorry Luce." Geegee said.

"No worries. I'm fine now. I'm just going to need a new house keeper."

"Is that how you got that injury?" Doris questioned. All eyes fell on her bandaged lower right arm.

"No." She took a sip of her juice, shaking her head. "Tin can."

Nina let herself fall on her bed. Sighing as she listened to Geegee complain about not seeing it. "But Doris and Tabby did?"

"Yes."

"They did got to high school with us."

"Yeah. They told me about her second time."

Nina laughed. Remembering Lucille's story about her second time. "That look was nothing compared to this one."

"They said that too."

"Don't feel left out Geegee. You saw it, you just didn't notice. It's in her eyes."

Geegee sighed. "Her eyes."

"Don't fret Geegee. It doesn't matter if it was great. He's an ass."

"He said he'll be supportive."

"It doesn't change all the things he said." She switched the phone to her other ear.

"He apologised to her Nina. You don't have to be so head strong." Nina scoffed. "Did Luce tell you she fired Tricia?"

"Yeah. Because of Nick."

"Nick?"

Legs folded up to her knees and her head bending over them, Lucille found herself in the corner of her bedroom. On a chair placed by the edge. She always found herself there. The same thoughts still on her mind. It's been weeks but still. It's all supposed to be better but still, why is she looking for it to be the other way. She wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her sweat shirt. She wasn't even crying, but she was choking on it. These thoughts didn't flood her like this when she was staying in uncle Richie's house. But they were there. At least she had cleaning to keep her mind off of it. But like a leaking roof, it started to drip slowly and soon the whole roof caved in and now she's soaking in her thoughts and for the life of her, she can't get dry. Her door bell rang.

Shocked by the unexpected visit. "Mrs-" She had to clear her throat. "Mrs. Atkins."

"Hello Lucille. Good evening."

She looked outside. What's going on? A grey sedan with a driver inside it. "What are you doing here?"

"I know this is Umm... unexpected. We tried to call. We did call but you didn't pick up." Everything felt wrong with Lucille. She could see it. Different from the girl who looked so gorgeous at that party with her parents or the other ones. Or the sweet girl who dropped papers off for her husband. "What is wrong dear? You don't look alright. Is-"

"What do you want Mrs. Atkins?"

She drew back. Not expecting that. "Please call me Renee." Lucille folded her arms, just looking at her. She might as well. Renee chose to ignore the question. "I want you to come and spend the night at my house. I would love to-"

"No."

Bryan was right. He'll probably laugh at her if he knew Lucille rejected her offer. "It's just for a night Lucille."

"Please Mrs. Atkins." A chance to forget her thoughts and she was refusing. "I do not want to and neither am I in the mood."

"What is it? What is wrong?"

"Please Mrs. Atkins."

"Call me Renee. Please."

A spark of anger rushed through her. "Please." Is that What's important?

"What's wrong Lucille?"

"I- I don't want to go. I just-" She stopped herself.

"You just what?" Lucille kept quiet. "Lucille say something. You look like you need to talk. And worse. It's not healthy for the baby." Lucille scoffed, eyes burning with the threat of tears. "Or for you." Renee smiled. "Tell you what, I'll be right back." She walked off to the car.

It wouldn't take a breath to close the door and lock it. But she's Nick's mother. She pulled her hair back. Renee was coming back.

"So I've told the driver to go home. I-"

Damn it. "No no Mrs. Atkins. I don't want to be-"

"You look sick. What ever it is, you need to talk about it." Lucille pursed her lips together. Like the sound of the woman's voice was going to force her to talk. "If you're sick you need to go to the hospital."

"I'm not sick."

"But you look it."

"No I'm not." If she'd had time to prepare then she wouldn't look like such a mess. Maybe a bright smile would have been enough to prevent this.

"I should call the driver back." She walked past Lucille. Looking around for a phone. "We'll take you to the hospital." She found it by the left side of the couch. She went straight for it.

What the hell is going on?

"You're eyes look sunken. We have to make sure yo-"

"I'm not sick!" Lucille slammed the door shut . Startling Renee. "I'm upset because everyone is okay with this." She clutched her stomach, suddenly letting it all out. "I'm pregnant for someone I barely know and everyone's acting like it's okay. You, my mom and my dad. My sister, my friends." Renee watched her. The phone inches from her ear. "It's not only embarrassing, it's a disgrace. But no one is saying anything. It's all wrong. I've embarrassed my family. He's not even my boyfriend. He's not even my friend. And-" She started hyperventilating. "It's all so wrong." She buried her face in her hands.

What a girl. Renee couldn't help thinking. As sad as it was, it brought a small smile to her face. "You want someone to scold you." She pointed out. "To yell at you for being so stupid." She walked to Lucille's side. Held her by her shoulders and guided her to the couch. "You're right. It's embarrassing. It happens. But it's embarrassing." She cleared her throat. "Let me try." She sniffed. "You should be ashamed of yourself. Taking advantage of working with my son. For all we know all you want is his money." Lucille put down her hands, looked at Renee and chuckled. "Your parents should be ashamed of you. What are you going to tell people? What are they going to tell people? That you slept with someone you barely know and now you're pregnant? Who's reputation is all this good for excatly?" She took a deep breath. "Is that good? I mean I'm not your sister but I think I tried."

It wasn't what she wanted. but it was almost close. "Thank you." She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hands. "But what if I am?"

"What if what?"

"What if I just want his money."

Renee shook her head. "It wouldn't take you three months to tell him. I know that form experience. Not my experience of course. But..." She trialed off. "And your parents wouldn't have been involved in any of this if that were the case. Also, Bryan was extremely certain of it. He trusts everything you say."

Lucille nodded. "Thank you Mrs Atkins."

"Call me Renee." She laughed. "Bryan spoke a lot of how stubborn you can be. Call me Renee." Lucille nodded. "Now." Renee stood up. "Would you like some tea? Let me make you some tea."

"Oh no. I would do that."

"It's okay. Let me."

"No. You don't know where they are and I prefer to do it myself. Besides, you're my guest. I'll make more than just tea." She smiled. Renee agreed. Good. Now she can get this over with. The better she acted the sooner the woman would stop worrying about her and leave. Albeit tomorrow morning. But still.

"It's not clean." Lucille handed over a soapy fork back to the boy doing the dishes."

"But I've scrubbed it like ten times." He whined.

"Not all the stains can be seen. With all the lather on it. Sometimes you've got to feel for them. See." She took his hand and grazed his fingers over the fork.

"Yeah I get it. I feel it."

"Exactly." She smiled. "What's the time?" She turned around. "Mrs. Hanney. What's the time please?"

"8:23 pm."

"I've got to go."

"Oh Miss Lucille, you don't have to." Mrs Hanney said. It made her smile seeing the way she talked and laughed with the kids. They all loved her. Lucille tries to visit any orphanage she can at least once a month.

"I'd love to. But I can't."

"Thanks aunt Lucille."

"No problem kiddo." She smiled. "I'll see you when I can." She gave him a side hug. "I'll go see the others before I leave."

Lucille gripped the steering wheel on her drive there. Nervous and not sure how he would react when he sees her. She took a deep breath, parking her car beside his. She felt cold. If only she had a jacket to keep her warm. She had a feeling it wouldn't be enough. She got out and made her way to the door. Clicking of her heels echoing in her ear. She made a fist, knocked on the door then rang the bell. Five seconds passed and she'd turned around to leave when the door flew open. Last time, she was the one opening the door.

Wes' expression changed when he saw her. He couldn't settle between hurt, angry or a little happy. He managed to pick one though. Angry. His hand slid off the door.

"Hi." Her voice shook. He was judging her. Hating her for it. Her eyes stung. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For not telling you." He left the door open and walked back into the house. She followed him. "I wasn't thinking about you." She shouldn't have said that. "A-about anything." She followed him to the kitchen. Where he emptied his third bottle of vodka into a glass. He watched her and took a gulp. Holding the glass tighter than he should. "I-I just-"

"You're pregnant Lucille!" He banged the glass on the table. Startling her. "How? How could you be so careless?"

"I don't know." There was no stopping the tears now.

"Who is this Nick? Clearly he's not your boyfriend because I would have known. Not from you but maybe someone else. He just came out of nowhere."

"Wes-"

"It's you! You never do something without thinking! How could you let this happen?!" He was red with anger, veins popping from the side of his neck and she was crying. Two extreme emotions in the room. "I can't believe you! And you're okay with this?"

"No I'm not." She shook her head.

"Are you sure? Because from what I've heard, you are." She shook her head vehemently. "Then help me understand this."

"I-" She choked.

"I'm bloody listening!" He startled her again.

She'd never seen this side of him. Always so... everything. And now, he's angry and hurting. She wiped her cheeks. "I hardly know him. I was working with his dad. I-I was his assistant. I didn't even talk to him."

"Yet here you are." He looked at the glass. Unable to take a sip.

"His father asked me to..."

Listening to her talk about how she met the guy upto this point made him want to yell some more. If he had known the story would be this long, he wouldn't have cared to listen. But he did care. And she was shedding more tears as she spoke. Unable to look him in the eyes. How did this happen? Did he take too long? If he'd been ready or summoned up the courage to tell her would this have happened? Would the girl he loved be carrying someone else's child? But he wasn't ready. Still isn't. And what are the chances of her loving him. He didn't need someone to show him she didn't. He shut his eyes and placed his open palm over them, clenching his jaw. A bloody accident. How could she be so careless? "Is that it?" He asked when she finished talking. "I don't get it, are you blaming the accident?"

"No."

"Then what are you doing?

Lucille felt like a little girl, this is what she wanted. For someone to be disappointed in her. He wasn't seeing a good side to it and he wasn't petting her. But somehow, she wished he would. Rather, she wished he would stop being so angry and scowling at her. If she could Bury herself in the ground right there she would. He didn't care about what led to it. All he knew was the consequences came out to play. "I'm not blaming anything or anyone. I'm blaming myself. I should have been thinking." She pulled herself back. "I was terrified. And then all of a sudden I wasn't."

Damn it! He didn't want to hear anymore. "It doesn't change anything. It only made my suspicion clear and your story just very sad." Should he have said that? "No. You know what? Why did you come here?"

"I-I wanted to explain it to you."

He scoffed. "It's a hell of a story Luce." He backed the counter... and her.

Lucille took that as a sign to leave.

Would he feel this way if she had told him? He remembered the look in her face when he stood outside her house. When she ran up to him to tell him his name. Nick. He hissed at the memory. He heard the handle of his front door being pushed down. She left for two weeks and didn't contact anyone. Because she was sad? Terrified. And she still is. The girl he loves is sad and scared and he just yelled at her. He sighed. For days he's been thinking about how he's lost her and he didn't stop to think about her.

In seconds, he was walking through the threshold. He stretched out his hand, grabbed her arm and pulled her to himself. She buried her face in his chest. Still crying. "Hey." He said softly, stroking her hair. He felt bad. But he wasn't sorry for the things he'd said. He'd meant it all. "Hey."

"I'm miserable Wes." She confessed.

"Meet company."

Right hand in his pocket, he strolled down the hall. Passing his secretary and other workers on the way. He pressed the elevator button, in less than a minute, it opened up with Lucille inside. "Lucille." His surprise was in his voice.

"Hi." She tucked her hair behind her ear, this is way better than walking up to his secretary. To think that a rumour would start about the two of them like last time. It'll probably be more interesting seeing as she no longer works here. Suzanne Collins. With Suzy around, after her last visit, it probably has already started. What did she come here for again? He got into the elevator, the door closed. "I was on my way to the hospital. You said to let you know when I was going." He nodded. "The doctor said we'll know if it's a boy or girl today."

"That's great. But I can't. Not today."

"I could reschedule if-"

"Oh no! Don't. I've got a meeting. Meetings actually. I've got one right now. I shouldn't let that get in the way. You go on." She nodded. "Did you drive here?" He didn't wait for her to answer. "No. I'll have a driver take you."

"I can get there myself thanks." Lucille laughed.

"It's the least I can do. Call it making up for not being able to go with you." Lucille scoffed, shaking her head. "Say no again, it doesn't matter. There's going to be a driver in your car by the time you get down to it. My driver." When she didn't answer, he flashed a smile. It was barely there. "Good. I see you're doing better." He said. Stopping the elevator when he noticed it was two floors away from the first floor. He ignored her questioning look. "A little bird told me you have been upset."

That's why he stopped the elevator? "Birds don't talk, they chirp. And your mother's voice is far from a bird's."

"I didn't say what kind of bird. It could be a duck or..." She chuckled. "I'm not calling my mom a duck. Granted her voice is a bit unstable... so to speak." He sighed. "She told me about what you told her and I... I still don't know what to say. But I do understand. It's-"

"You can drop it. It's fine. I'm fine. Like you said I'm better. I don't need you to bring it up just so you can fulfil something to yourself. I'm fine. Thank you."

"Alright then. But you wil-" the elevator phone rang. "Yes." He picked up. "I stopped it. It's fine." He hung up. "You're still taking my offer. You're not driving there yourself."

"You know you can use another one." A strange man said to Melanie. Smiling slyly.

"She glanced at him. "I could say the same about you."

"This leads straight to my uncle's office. Is that where you're heading?"

Why wouldn't the elevator door open? "No." She tapped her index finger restlessly against the strap of her hand bag.

"I don't think you'll be so ticked off if you use another elevator." Melanie didn't say anything. "Ah! It's coming down."

"If it's okay with you, I'd like to take you out." The door opened up. "Tonight or tomorrow."

"Nick." The stranger called out. Pulling his cousin's attention away from the girl he was talking to. "Aaand a really beautiful lady. Hi."

Melanie stared at the pair. What did he just say about tonight?

Nick turned back to Lucille, "I'll see you soon." He stuffed his hands in his pockets.

Lucille nodded. "Hi." She looked at Nick's girlfriend and at the smiling man beside her. "Bye." She walked past them.

"What was she doing here? And what happened to the elevator?" Melanie asked. Nick's cousin moved into the elevator.

"You ready for lunch? Give me a sec okay?"

"You haven't answered my question."

Nick blinked slowly. Feeling a headache coming on. Should he follow his cousin to his father's office instead?