What Connor Wants... (BWWM)

CHAPTER FIVE: 'M' FOR MAID

**

The conversation with Beth inside her hospital room went well, and Connor realized that Beth was a lovely woman, and he could see why Tate had fallen head over heels in love with her.

Beth was the bubbliest woman Connor had ever met, and for some odd reason, she reminded him of Aubrey and her infectious smile. Their conversations had gone on for hours, and Connor had the pleasure of meeting both his godchildren.

Now that Beth was asleep with the twins, Tate walked his best friend Connor out of the hospital room and shut the door behind them.

"So now that I'm finally done getting a scolding from your wife, tell me, what has changed since I left?" Connor asked his best friend as they walked down the waiting room hallway.

"Well, business is going well for me, and my father isn't going on about me settling down anymore, thank the heavens. And by the way, I saw that girl of yours a month or so ago," Tate informed Connor; this information made Connor stop in his tracks as he wondered who Tate was talking about.

"A girl of mine? Tate, I need you to be more specific, okay, because last time I left South Africa, I left a lot of beautiful women heartbroken." Connor chuckled at his own joke, even though, deep down, he knew he left the love of his life a long time ago.

"Come on, Connor, you know I'm talking about Aubrey Peterson," Tate informed him; the mere mention of Aubrey's name sent shivers down her spine.

The mention of Aubrey's name drove Connor to the edge. He could still remember every part of her body, inch by inch. How Aubrey made him lose his mind, not even Connor could explain because Aubrey did really bring out the best in him.

"So I guess she's probably followed her dreams of becoming a children's doctor, I suppose?" Connor asked, seeing this as the end of his desire to meet Aubrey.

"Yeah, right, more like a maid in South Africa," Tate burst out laughing, but Connor was still confused by this.

"What do you mean by the maid?" Connor asked his best friend.

"My dear sweet Aubrey works as a maid at one of my client's houses."

Connor could not believe that Aubrey was working as a maid; before he left for New York, he remembered that Aubrey had received a scholarship to study at one of the best universities in South Africa, but hearing what had become of her broke his heart.

"Oh, and to add fuel to the fire, she also has a son," Tate told Connor.

The thought of Aubrey belonging to some other man sent roaring fire burning through Connor's body.

"So she's married. I wonder why her husband would allow her to work as a maid in someone's house!"

"Wow, calm down; I don't think she's married. Let us face it, she got pregnant right after you left; probably some man that got her pregnant and left as soon as he found out it was his. I've seen the little boy a few times, and he looks different," Tate informed Connor.

"What do you mean different?" Connor asked Tate.

"Well, for one, the little boy has sandy brown hair and has silver-grey eyes, kind of like yours, but it's probably some white guy who left Aubrey, you know, not wanting to taint his blood by having a mixed-race child."

"What's wrong with having a mixed-race child, Tate?" Connor asked his best friend.

"Nothing really, it's just that racism exists, especially in South Africa, bro."

The thought of Aubrey being alone and raising a child was heartbreaking. Connor wondered who the coward was that got her pregnant. Connor thought the man stupid for leaving such a wonderful woman like Aubrey, just as foolish as he was when he left Aubrey. Now that Connor thought of it, he had spent his entire life regretting leaving Aubrey.

"Can I perhaps get her address?" Connor asked Tate, who seemed confused by what Connor was asking.

"Who's address?"

"Aubrey's address; who else would I be referring to?" Connor asked his friend, pretty irritated by Tate's childish question.

"Well, I don't really have her address, but I know where she works, and you are lucky, my friend, because as it turns out, I'll be in a meeting with one of my client's houses, and to add to it, Aubrey works at her house as a maid."

'Oh, I see." Connor thought to himself as he looked at his friend.

."Hey, Connor, I know what you're thinking, okay? I want you to know that I'm a married man. The only reason I am going there is because my client's sister is staying with her and wants me to design her bedroom. That's the price I pay for owning a design business."

"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow. At what time?"

"At ten in the morning," Tate replied.

"Okay, Tate, see you at ten tomorrow sharp. But, unfortunately, I have to go home while you, my friend, should head back to the hospital because I think I hear your wife yelling your name," Connor joked. One last goodbye and both men went their separate ways.