The Night That Changed Everything

Chapter Twenty

I hastily dial in Damion’s number, bringing the phone to my ear as I hurriedly cross the road. He fails to answer, only leaving me to become more afraid as I scurry along the silent lane, trying to disregard the thought that somebody is following me. 

I let out a relieved sigh as I enter into the café, smiling as I lay my eyes on the guy sitting alone in a corner with combed back blonde hair. He then smiles as a slim man with shoulder length, black hair walks up to him, throwing his silky white scarf across his neck as he plants a kiss on his lips. My eyes widen in horror, leading my mouth to slightly hang open as I fix my eyes on the homosexual couple. After realising that it’s not Damion, I silently chuckle to myself as I make my way to the counter.

“Hey there,” the young waitress says, “How can I help?”

“Hi,” I smile, “Can I have a table for two please? My partner will be joining me in a little while,” I inform as I read Damion’s text that says he’s running late.

“Yeah sure,” she says, “That’s fine.” After being led to an empty table for two and ordering a drink, I gaze outside of the window, waiting for Damion to arrive.

After minutes of waiting, which seems to feel like hours, I can’t help but begin to get impatient. I text Damion, ‘This is no way to keep a pregnant, hungry lady waiting x’. As I’m clicking send, someone walks up behind me before clearing their throat.

Expecting it to be Damion, I turn around, beginning to say, “I thought you-”. My eyes widen in shock, my face falling as my eyes meet the tall figure in front of me, Derek.

His usually hair free jaw is pricked with hairs of a forming stubble and his light brown eyes darken as they stare into mine. My heart rapidly beats, skipping beats whilst I slowly open my mouth, fumbling for words as I gaze into his mystifying eyes, desperately trying to read them.

After seeing the dazed expression on my face, he raises his eyebrow as a soft smile lingers on his face, though quickly hidden. I then close my mouth and nervously gulp before asking, “What are you doing here Derek?” in a raspy, barely audible voice.

He ignores my question and places his hands in his pockets before asking, “Can I have a seat?”

I glance at the seat opposite of me and then return my gaze to him, biting my lips as I let out a sigh in thought. “Sorry...” I say as I avoid eye contact, “My boyfriends going to be sitting there.”

Derek snarls as he lets out a laugh, “And what makes you think that I care?” he asks as he brusquely sits down on the chair, drawing it closer.

“What do you want?” I ask, rolling my eyes as I gaze at the door, desperately wanting Damion to be the next person that walks in.

With his eyes still firmly locked onto me, he places his elbows on the table, cupping his head into his hands. Yet again ignoring my question, he asks, “How are you?”

“Fine,” I reply.

“Great, you look amazing,” he says.

“Thank you,” I say, avoiding eye contact with him as I gently rub my stomach.

Derek’s pauses and looks to my stomach before asking, “What are you having?”

“A boy.”

“I’m happy for you,” he confesses. He gazes at me, awaiting my response, but I instead bring my glass of orange juice to my lips, desperately trying to avoid any further conversation.

He pauses, silently playing with his fingers whilst he gazes outside of the window. “So how long are we going to keep at this game of pretending that we hate each other?” he asks.