“You won’t, you’re not alone.” There was silence for a moment and then, “Emma, I really am sorry.”
“What for?” Emma asked as she pulled her phone out of her bag.
“I pretty much dragged you to the club even though you were adamant against going. And then, I left you alone with him. If you look at it, it is all my fault.”
Emma rolled her green eyes. “Oh don’t be stupid, Carrie. I am an adult and you didn’t force me to do anything. I went to the club because I wanted to and I had sex with John because I really liked him. I was caught up in the heat of the passion and wanted to be his. This is my mistake not yours so you have gotto find something else to be responsible for but it cannot be this, all right?”
Carrie nodded slowly but Emma knew her friend was not done with the self-blame. There was nothing she could do. Her friend would have to come to terms with the situation and understand that it was not her fault at her own time. But she could try to make her feel better. Emma needed her to know that she did not blame her for anything.
“You said you wanted to sleep over, right? Fine you can but you better not snore,” Emma said as she stood up.
“I do not snore!” Carrie called after her stubbornly but Emma had already shut the door of the bathroom.
Emma stood in front of the mirror, studying her reflection. This was not the turn she had expected her life to take three days ago when she woke up but it had. She was pregnant, she was going to be a single mother and she no longer had a family. This was what life had served her and she would have to learn to make the best of it all. She could no longer afford to live in the past or her regrets. She had a life growing inside her. She was now responsible for a person. She had to do her best to give her child a good life. She would shower her child with so much love that he or she would never feel lacking.
She thought of her grandfather and tears ran down her cheeks. She splashed water on her face when she heard Carrie calling her.
“I am fine, we are fine, it’s going to be fine,” Emma muttered. Looking more confident than she felt, she turned around and headed out of the bathroom.
Chapter Four
John knocked on the door of the apartment and waited for a reply. He had been camping outside the apartment building all morning so he knew that Emma was in. He had seen Carrie leave about twenty minutes ago and after waiting a little to ensure that she would not return, he had approached the building. He ran a hand through his messy black hair. He had to be careful and smart about this. Emma Price was his golden ticket and he could not afford to mess things up. He looked down at the basket of fruits in his hands and he wanted to laugh out loud at the situation. Well, one had to do what he must to get what he absolutely needed. That was for sure.
He raised his free hand to knock again when the door flew open. He saw her eyes widen and just as she was closing the door, he held onto the edge. In a voice so soft that he could not believe it was his, he said, “Please give me a chance to explain Emma. And after you hear me out, if you want, I'll walk out of your life forever.”
Emma sighed but she stepped aside and let him into the apartment. She stood far away from him and crossing her arms, she said, “What do you want, John? You made it quite clear where we stand.”
“Can I sit?” he pointed at a sofa. He set the basket of fruits on the coffee table and waited for her reply.
She made to head towards the door as she said, “I can see you have nothing to say.”
“Oh come on, Emma, please don’t be this way.” He tried to grab her but she pulled away.
“Be what way, John? You all but told me that I could go die so what on earth are you doing here? I have things to do so if you are here to waste my time, I think it is best you leave.”
John’s head was getting hotter and as he stared at Emma, he had the urge to slap her stupid mouth. Who on earth did she think she was, talking to him like that? She was just a ho, another notch that he had added to his belt. Heck, he would not be here if she was not set to inherit something substantial.Yes, something substantial. Think of her inheritance. That should get you through this sham,he told himself.
“I’m sorry Emma but try to look at things from my point of view. I was stunned. I could not believe what you were saying. Me, a father? It all just seemed so surreal.”
“And how about me? You never bothered to consider my feelings. You are not the only one whose life is changing. I’m facing changes that are more drastic than you could ever experience. And please don’t give me that crap. How about the long list of children you have out there? Don’t think I forgot all that.”
“That was all a lie, Emma. I was just so stunned and scared and wanted to say anything to drive you away but believe me, there is no other girl who has gotten pregnant for me.”
Emma shook her head and she ran a hand through her hair. “All you have said still does not justify your cruel treatment of me in the past weeks, John. I opened up to you but all you didwas lie to me and fool me. You treated me with so much disdain. Do you know how much it hurt?”
John gritted his teeth in a bid to prevent himself from rolling his eyes. She was on the verge of tears and that, he could not stand. Heck, he did not envision that it would be so difficult getting her to forgive him. He had thought a few words would do it and poof, she would be in his arms, lapping up all he said like a loyal dog. He took in a deep breath, let it out and said, “I know all I did was wrong but that was who I was, Emma. I was a player. I got into girls’ beds and by next morning, I was out.”
“So, you had no feelings for me, I was the stupid one. Then, what are you doing here, John? Did you miss a turn on your way out?”
John shook his head and took a step closer. She took one farther. He sighed dramatically and stopped. He shook his head and said, “You are right. I honestly did not feel anything for you, Emma. It started out as you being just another conquest for me. That is why I was so mean to you. You are right about that but everything has changed now.”
John watched her sigh, and her arms fall to her sides. Good, he was almost in. she was letting her defenses down. He just needed to hit the last nail into the coffin and she would be his.
“So, what has changed? Why are you here, John?” she asked in a voice that was free of the anger that she had been portraying moments ago.
John raised his hands and dropped them in a gesture that he wanted to portray as hopelessness before he said, “Oh I don’t know, Emma. But after I said all those mean things to you lastnight, I could not sleep and I could not think straight. I kept thinking of your face and how miserable you looked when you turned away. I hurt you so much and I felt so bad. And in that moment, I realized that yes, I don’t love you but I do care for you, and for our baby, Emma. I care for you and I am sure in time it will change to love. But one thing I am sure of right now is that I don’t want my baby to be without a father. The thought of having a baby with you, it gladdens my heart.”
“Really?” Emma whispered.
