No Strings Attached

Part 21 : No Strings Attached

Much Love as always,

B. Xxx

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Kimberley's P.O.V.

I stared down at the stick in my hands.

Positive.

No. No.

What was I going to do?

This was not part of my plan. My life was meant to be centred around work. Not a baby. I couldn't deal with this right now.

How could this be happening? I had been taking the pill for months, even before Rick and I were dating. Except for that time when...

Oh God. It was about four weeks ago. Rick and I had just settled in to the Alonso Estate. It was after some kind of charity ball that we went to. I usually took it afterwards, or even before but it was so exhilarating.... I must have forgotten. That sounded so idiotic in my head.

I forgot my pill. I forgot my pill.

And now I was knocked up.

What had I done? What had I done to deserve this? I wasn't ready to be a mother, not by a long shot! Being a mother meant putting someone else's needs way before your own, sacrificing your life to make sure that one little person got all the care they needed. Sure, I thought Rick and I would start a family in the future, but now? I wasn't prepared for any of it. Besides, the conversation about having children hasn't even been addressed yet!

When I was 16, I made a vow. I would concentrate fully on my studies, on my work, and not have kids until I was old enough to commit, properly. What a promise! I was married. Surely married people should be mature enough to make that next step. But the thought of me carrying a child made my stomach flip and my heart beat double time in my chest.

Rick would kill me.

I grabbed my handbag, opening the door. I looked at myself in the mirror, dabbing my red eyes with tissue before reapplying my makeup. I didn't look so bad. Considering...

Riccardo... how would he react? He wouldn't want a baby, not now, surely not now. We were barely married and here I was, presenting him with a baby? We'd been together mere months. And he'd worked so hard for his wealth - now I was forcing him to redistribute it. No, no, Riccardo wouldn't be pleased at all.

I gathered my confidence and walked straight out, down the stairs and into the car park. The Ferrari was parked outside and I quickly got into it, dumping my handbag on the passenger seat.

Whilst driving, my mobile phone started to ring, mildly irritated, I answered, putting it into Hands Free as I raced down the freeway.

"Kimberley Alonso, speaking."

"Why hello, Mrs Alonso..." the voice purred seductively

"What do you want Rick?" My heart started drumming in my chest. Could he hear it in my voice?

"Where are you off to my beautiful wife?"

I sighed, "If you must know Riccardo, I'm coming home."

His tone changed slightly, to panic, "How far away are you?"

"Ten minutes." I replied, "Why?"

He hesitated, "You're early. Um, I - I-I need you to pick up something on your way."

I raised my eyebrows, "What? Can't it wait?"

"Um... no it's important. I need you to pick up... -- pick me up a... map of New York City."