NO STRINGS ATTACHED

TWENTY TWO

                        After dinner, Athena had insisted on washing the dishes and cleaning up, then they all talked a little more, and then her parents left.

Abby wandered back into the living room. Maybe should have let Nick stayed for dinner after all, her mother would've been more than excited to learn that she'd been dating the Nickel Bradshaw, additionally, he was the father of her kid.

But now she was disturb by something greater, the life long duties of motherhood. She'd blamed her mother for years, being angry at the world. Years of therapy wasted when all she needed to do was talk to her mother. Realizing now Athena did the best she knew with the lack of experience she'd had. Her mother was also a victim of something so terrible. Her mother was also learning as she was.

Restlessly, she roamed the apartment. She couldn't go for a walk, it was still pouring rain. She couldn't vacuum, the apartment was clean and she couldn't sleep in all this torment. Abby forced herself to walk into her bedroom, get undressed, fill the tub and got in it.

Bringing her knees up to her chest and fought back tears. Did she make the right choice? She hope she did. It was better that way, he wouldn't have to worry about a baby slowing him down. He was destined for greatness and she didn't want him making any sacrifices he'd only regret later.

Abby shut her eyes and emerged her entire body below the water.

☀️☀️☀️

     Abby groaned, annoyed. Someone was shaking her. She didn't want to get up, hell she didn't even want to open her eyes at all.

"Go away." She groaned, and snuggled closer into her pillow.

"Abbigail you need to get up." Milan's voice came a bit more sternly.

He was back. Her best friend was back.

Hiding her smile, Abby peeped from below the covers. "What are you doing here?"

"Abbigail cut the act," he rolled his eyes. "I've missed you too."

She grinned fully now then got up throwing her hands around him. "I'm fine, really, Milan."

"You haven't been to work in a week. Lulu's been going crazy running that place on her own."

"I'm sick." Abby defended. "I'm heart broken, everyone knows you can die of a broken heart, and I don't even know if I'm in love."

"If I recalled clearly, you were the one who sent Nick packing every single time you felt yourself getting happy." Milan stood up. "Blame yourself. Now, I'll be in the kitchen if you need me and Catherine will be joining us for some lunch."

"Okay, no probs." She gave him a thumbs up as he left.

Abby threw herself back down on the bed. Despite the fact that she was the one who threw him out, she was expecting him to get in touch, but he didn't.

Her mother had phoned. So did her hairdresser. Even someone called her number by accident. But not Nicki.

Why would he? She told him she didn't want him in her life. But she still found herself mad at him for not phoning or, the least, a text.

Was he giving up? Had someone else already taken her place? A girl who was stick thin, and didn't have to eat for two, who were as simple as she looked and plain.

Well he deserve someone better than you, her subconcious screamed at her.

Yes. He did.

                  ☀️☀️☀️

A week had passed by in a blink of an eye. Thank God it was Friday. Abby had cleaned and sanitized her station and was ready for a warm bath. She was having dinner with Catherine to go over the food ideas for the wedding.

Milan was seriously in love. She admired them. Finally, he had found someone to love him. Abby had watched him grown into such a wonderful young man. He'd been scared and was still able to love like he'd never been hurt. That was true strength and she supported him.

He deserved a happy ending with long life. He, of the two of them, deserved it the most. And she was going to be there every step of the way for him. He had really came a long way to being one of the most sought after male models.

Its my way of telling all those who doubted me to shove it up their asses! He'd said when he had graduated from Yale. He'd passed the bar and decided on going his own path instead of his parent's.

Her phone rang. Athena, Abby thought glumly. Athena was really trying lately, always checking on her and asking if she needed anything for her and the baby. "Mom."

"Its Nick."

Abby froze as his voice penetrated her every nerve as a sea of helpless desire filled her. She grabbed hold of her desk, leaning against it for support.

"I told you to move on, Nick." She said, her voice not sounding anything like her own.

"I thought you knew me well enough to know I never do what am told and that I always get what I want." She could see the smirk on his face as he spoke. "What are your plans for the weekend?"

"A date." She says, then quickly added. "With a guy I met." Abby bit down on her bottom lip for the lie she was telling.

"Have you gone to bed with him?" As much as he'd probably tried controlling it, she heard the anger hiding in his tone.

"Yes, twice every other night."

"So you don't have time to spend weekend with me?"

"No I don't."

"Your loss." He sounded cheerfully, and cut the connection.

Abby clutched the receiver, puzzled and exceedingly disappointed, to the hum on the line. He's gone! And he wasn't even upset.
He was getting over her. Already.

This was what you wanted, wasn't it? Her subconcious says. Be thankful. And she should have been happy but instead, in a angry mood, she slams the receiver down, grabs her things and headed out.

She didn't want to see his face ever again. But she was mad he was getting over her so soon.

How unfair was that?