The Night That Changed Everything

Chapter 2

Kayla: 8 weeks pregnant

The elevator arrives at the fourteenth floor and the doors slide open, revealing a small foyer where I am greeted by white walls, a brown leather chair and in the middle a round, dark wooden table. A bunch of lonely flowers that look like they were once beautiful hang lifeless in a vase of discoloured water on the table, next to an empty ash tray. Beyond that, there is a window with a view of the Long Beach skyline that looks out past the city. In the distance, the blue waters slope peacefully over one another, saying goodbye for now to their aggressive and angered waves that sprayed a salty, ice cold mist during the wintery season. A gentle breeze enters through the window and strokes my skin as it passes, sending a cooling shiver down my spine. It's a stunning scene and I momentarily stand paralyzed by the view, sinking in the beauty of the city beneath me.

There is a large mirror that hangs on one of the walls and I take a long, hard look at my face. My skin is usually naturally tanned, but now I look pale faced with dark circles looming around my eyes, making my grey eyes appear overly large. Everyone always says that pregnant woman have this glow, but then why do I look sick? If not haunted.  I place my purse on the table and retrieve my lip gloss and apply a glossy layer to my lips, before pinching my cheeks and hoping for a little colour. I scowl with frustration at my brown hair which hangs motionless down my back, and my only option is to restrain my disobedient hair into a ponytail and hope that I look somewhat presentable. 

Gathering up my purse, I desert any attempt to make my face look more appealing and nervously make my way towards the door. I freeze in my steps; maybe I shouldn't be doing this. Damion's going to freak, but how much and how far, I have no idea. Will I be able to face rejection? Abandoning my thoughts, I knock tentatively at the door and pray a silent prayer.

Seconds later, the door flies open, revealing Damion and holy hell, he's been working out. He's in black sweatpants that hang loosely at his hips, showing off the brand of his boxer brief, and a grey sleeveless T-shirt which is dark with sweat. He grasps the towel that hangs around his neck and wipes the trickling sweat of his forehead; no one should ever look this good after a workout.

"Kayla," Damion finally speaks and I blink rapidly, my eyelids matching the rate of my heart. His eyebrows are raised in surprise and his mouth slightly hangs open, "I-I wasn't expecting you, is everything okay?" he stutters, driving his fingers through his tousled hair.

It takes me a moment to find my voice. "Um, actually," I mutter before tearing my eyes away from his intense scrutiny, my cheeks flushing as I stare blindly down at my knotted fingers.

"Do you want to come inside?" he asks after a pause, looking at me in expectant. I nod, and he steps aside, his eyes following me as I hurry inside. 

He closes the door and I follow him through to the vast living area, a spacious but cosy room with a floor-to-ceiling window which overlooks the city. Two, large, navy blue sofas which could each hold four adults comfortably, are faced opposite each other in the middle of the room, surrounding a large, squared rug and a glass centre table. An oversized television with built in speakers is positioned in between both sofas at the far end, and to my surprise, leaning in the corner of the room is an acoustic guitar, which looks like it has caught dust from its lonely abandonment.  Tucked in the corner and next to the great windows is a glass dining table seated for six, with plush black chairs.

This is a pretty big and lavish apartment for only one person. Oh shit! What if has a girlfriend? A wife?  Maybe even kids? It's never crossed my mind before. My eyes scan the room for toys or any female possessions but there are none. There is a large photo of him and two beautiful blonde women hanging on the wall. Who are they? He's never mentioned his relationship status to me before, but surely he can't be married or have kids, he seems far too young and doesn't look like the settling down type of guy.