A Baby for the Billionaire

66

KEREM

"Juliet, wait!"

Luckily, I manage to catch up with her in the hotel lobby, thanks to having taken the other elevator to reach her.

I'm not afraid to run on the sidewalk once she's out of the building crying and walking aimlessly, that's not right. I manage to stop her with a hand clinging to her arm.

"Get off me!" she says.

"Please, let's not make a scene here."

"I'm going home. Do not touch me."

"Come on, I'll take you. Let me do it."

As soon as I look at her face, my soul breaks into a thousand pieces when I realize that she is in tears because of me. I'm sorry I brought this on her, the last thing in the world I want is to hurt her. I don't want her to suffer because of me, she doesn't deserve it. This is the best thing that could happen to her, my intention is to care and ensure her well-being.

"Let's talk in the car, let me explain."

"Explain what to me? One moment you come and save my life, the next you make me feel like I'm nothing to you, then you inspire me that I can be something special and then you throw me away like trash!"

"Throw you out? I am offering you an apartment without charging you a penny for it. This can only mean an opportunity to help you progress."

"I don't need your blessed help, I know how to progress on my own."

"Please come with me to the car and let me explain."

She seems very confused and upset. A woman approaches us and asks her "Is everything alright, miss?"

She looks at me like I'm bullying Juliet.

I let go of her arm and I begin to feel very embarrassed by everything that is happening. The last thing I want is for this to bring even more problems.

I sought to solve them, not increase them.

"Miss?" insists the woman.

"Yes," Juliet finally murmurs. "I'm fine. You don't have to worry."

"Seriously thanks. But it is not necessary" I warn the woman.

"Is your boyfriend hurting you? Do you need me to call the police?"

"Her boyfriend".

Those words light up a spark inside me that leaves me somewhat surprised. I didn't expect that to be directed at me, but the truth is that I don't dislike the idea. I just have to get her out of my head as soon as possible.

What makes me feel broken is that it comes with the word "damage". Because thinking about it for Juliet, it can only mean something like that.

We met hurting each other and it's the only thing we've known going on from the start.

I wish it had been different, but even if it destroys me inside, I must admit it. She and I are condemned to a "we" coming together in situations like this, thinking that there is something good for both of us is just an illusion that lasts for a moment.

"He's not my boyfriend," Juliet admits. "But I thank you for your sorority."

"Please, let's talk about it," I ask.

"Fine," she says.

"Don't hesitate to ask for help if necessary," the woman insists.

Juliet nods and I huff in disgust as we walk to where I park my car. Once she's in, I start it with the button and key with the magnet nearby until it starts.

"Put your seatbelt on, please."

She does it reluctantly.

"Tell me what you have to say and we're done," she says, crossing her arms.

"I'm going, but not to Turkey."

"What?"

I'm going to Canada.

"I do not understand." She turns to me, engrossed as I drive without going to a precise location. Sooner or later I'll have to take the road to her house to get my things and leave her.

Suddenly it seems that the ends are joined.

"Are you going to look for Zara in person?"

"Not quite. But I have a team tracing the number and what that text message was about."

"Then why are you going?"

"I want to know about the life she led there. I will visit her office and review everything. They sent her things to New York, but I want to talk to the people around her. I need to know everything she hid from me in her life when I gave her mine."

"She's not coming back Kerem."

"I need the truth. Whether Zara is alive or dead."

"Do you still love her?"

That question stays in my head. The silence makes the environment heavy and cutting, until finally I say it "Yes."

"Holy heavens..."

"But not in the same way as before."

"You deserve something more. Something that makes you happy."

"I deserve someone like you and I know it."

My words come out choked, but I surprise myself once I've said it and can process it.

Until I finally hasten to add "But this is not the time. You have an immense opportunity together with Massera and Candela in Milan. I must know who the father of my child is, if my deceased wife is dead, what things she hid from me and continue with my work for the investment firm to which I belong. Today, our destinies pull us in different directions, Juliet."

"Kerem, you don't understand. I am willing to accompany you and continue with my online classes. Massera can wait or maybe another opportunity will come later."

"I can not allow it. It is important to you what he is offering."

"But I don't want it if it means...losing you. Losing you and Ali. And Neville and Thammy. You guys are the closest thing to family I've had in a long time and you've made me feel welcome."

"Family? We are all devastated."

"But with me everything was different..."

"Yes. It was. You ordered us But we can't, Juliet. Not... Not now."

"It's for her, isn't it?"

Silence.

She continues "If Zara is alive, you would give her another chance."

"It has nothing to do with it."

"Only disputes."

"Juliet..."

"Answer me, to find out if what I'm willing to do is worth it or not."

"I just want the truth. I don't know if I would go back to Zara, but I need the truth from her. And I'm willing to do anything to find out."

"Even to love her again...like before?"

My voice darkens.

I know my countenance too.

We arrived at her house when I stop the car and I must admit to her with total disappointment. Neville would never forgive me.

"It's a lifetime together with her. I still love her. And if she's alive, I want to know. If she's alive...I want her back with me and Ali like old times, Juliet. Sorry. I'm so sorry, I don't want to hurt you any more than I already have, but you deserve to know. Hate me, insult me, I deserve it. But I also deserve the whole truth as do you... Sorry, Juliet."