Maybe
~
March 26th, 2019
New York, New York
Twelfth Week Pregnant
Vera's P.O.V.
4:12 pm.
I invited Norah and Luca to brunch near a local secluded restaurant since they're in town for the next few weeks. I called Aleksander as well because I didn't want Xavier to be there all alone with the adults.
It was pleasant to see Aleksander and Xavier getting along pretty well. They became close in such a short amount of time. I really admire their friendship.
Lilly, Xavier, Aleksander and I were standing outside while we were waiting for Norah and Luca. They always seemed to be the ones who arrived late. I glanced at Xavier who's cheeks were reddened at something Aleksander said. I punched Aleksander's shoulder lightly. "Hey, stop embarrassing him."
"You heard what he said?" Xavier asked immediately, avoiding eye contact with me.
My eyebrows furrowed and shook my head as I wore a confused smile. His body instantly relaxed. I ignore the small reaction and assumed they were talking about teenager things. "I don't think that I want to know, anyway," I added amusingly before walking towards Norah who appeared to be walking in our direction.
"Good morning." She greeted before Luca catches up with her.
"Or afternoon." Luca corrected. She rolled her eyes and proceeded to kiss his cheek.
Lilly teasingly gagged. "Anyway, love birds, I have a plan to go to a place this weekend for Xavier since we just had a dinner for him. You guys are free or what? I rented it all out." I explained eagerly.
Luca looked over at Norah and nodded. She nodded along with him. "Yeah. What's the plan-"
"Heyo, sexy ladies!" Aleksander interjected as he strode here confidentially then wrapping his arm around Lilly's shoulders. She rolled her eyes before flicking him hard on his forehead.
"Agh! That hurt." He muttered as he rubbed his forehead and all of us snickered.
"That's what you get for interrupting." Lilly dryly replied.
I crossed my arms. "What happened to the new and improved Aleksander?" I asked as I raised my eyebrows.
He pursed his lips before looking at Lilly who paid no attention to him. "He's retiring." He says dreamingly towards Lilly.
I chuckle before paying my undivided attention towards Norah and Luca. "Ready to go eat now?"
We all agreed and walked into the restaurant. We took our seats in the back of the restaurant for privacy. The waiter handed us our menus a few moments later. After quickly ordering our drinks for starters, we all began to fall into our own conversation.
"Guess what?" Norah said.
"What?" Lilly asked.
Norah and Luca looked at each other with a big smile on their face. Their eyes twinkled with excitement. She threw her left hand towards our face. A big fat shiny diamond ring sat on her ring finger. My jaw dropped as Lilly squealed.
"Congratulations!" I say as I grab her hand and look at the diamond ring more carefully.
I smirk at Luca. "I like your taste." I wink before he chuckles.
"Have you guys thought about the date yet or anything?" I asked after Norah pulled back her hand softly for Lilly to see.
Luca shrugged his shoulders while Norah shook her head. "Not yet. We don't want to rush into it." She says as she laces her hands with Luca's.
"When did this happen? And you didn't care enough to tell us?" I asked in a teasing tone.
Norah shook her head immediately. "It happened last night. I would've told you if it happened sooner."
Lilly nodded. "Explains why you guys were late again." She added casually before Luca choked on his drink. I refrain myself to chuckle as Luca cleans himself up.
"Woah! Let me check out the huge rock!" Aleksander says. Norah chuckles softly and displays her left hand to the boys. Xavier's cheeks were tinted red once again. He gave Norah a small smile before it vanished when he glanced at Luca. I knitted my eyebrows and looked away.
The waiter came around and asked if we were ready to order our main course. Once we ordered, Xavier excused himself to the bathroom, Aleksander following behind. I bit my lip nervously before glancing at Lilly. She gave me a smile and placed her hand on my shoulder for support. It was now or never.
"I have something to tell you guys too," I mumbled which caught Norah and Luca's attention.
"What's up, babe?" Norah asks.
"This is sort of big news. I didn't believe it at first either—" I began. "—I've known for a few weeks and I hope you guys will understand." I looked down at my stomach.
Norah leans forward and cups my hand that was on the table. "Of course. I'm here for you. What is it?"
I opened my mouth but before I could reply, the boys were walking back to the table already. I sighed, wondering why they came back quickly. "I'll tell you later when they're not here," I mumble as my eyes shot towards the boys who were nearing the table.
She nodded and sat back. Her concerning eyes returning to her hand laced with Luca's, instantly forgetting what I had to tell her.
~
March 28th, 2019
Southampton, New York
Twelfth Week Pregnant
Vera's P.O.V.
6:37 pm.
I took a seat on the sectional in my parent's huge sunroom. It was filled with plants that made the room feel like I was sitting under the summer weather. I had my computer on my lap, scrolling through my emails and news relating to me. My emails consisted of sales at stores in California. I yawned and scratched my nose, feeling like I would pass out from boredom any second now. Typical boring adult stuff.
I had a meeting with my father at seven o'clock sharp. If I was being honest, I was a nerve wreck. I didn't know where things like this put him and me at. I was overthinking and it was beginning to make me feel nauseous. He still didn't talk to me the same way he used to before. He talked to me as if I was just a business associate and I probably was just that to him. At least he chose to speak to me. If baby steps are all I'm getting, for now, I'll take it.
My father and I haven't seen eye-to-eye for a few years which is understandable. Eventually, you'll start missing the person you loved and who felt the same way back. I craved for the fatherly love ever since I left the state.
Even if we started to fix our relationship, my current situation would break him apart again, leaving me back to square one. I wasn't sure how to drop that bomb on him like that yet. I wasn't sure I was going to for a while.
I felt liquid come up my throat. I shook my head before grabbing the trash that I kept near me since I've felt nauseous today. I tied my hair up quickly before leaning my head over the trash can, waiting for me to throw up. The liquid left my mouth and landed inside the can. I vomited a little bit before wiping my lips with the back of my hand. Clearing my throat, I grabbed my water bottle and took a sip. I wonder when the nauseating stage would be over.
I dropped my body against the soft sectional. My body has been exhausted ever since when I first vomited.
I checked the time and it was five minutes till seven. I bolted up immediately. My father's office was across the mansion, and here I was at the other end. I grabbed my folder and laptop before speed walking towards my father's office.
"Hello, Ms. Vera. How's your day?" I heard someone ask me. I turned around and walked backward. It was Roderick who happened to be one of the chefs working here. I waved. "I'm great, and you?" I asked rather quickly. "I'm good, thank you." He replies with a genuine smile. I shoot a small one before walking quickly forward.
I sighed in relief once I was standing in front of the two large wooden doors that belonged to my father's office. I glanced at my digital watch. I was one minute early. I knocked on the doors when the clock hit seven o'clock. I heard, "Come in." and that was my cue to open the doors. I tried to control my ragged breathing.
"Are you well?" My father asks, probably noticing my state. I nodded immediately before nervously gulping. He turned back to what he was doing. He poured some scotch into his glass. He grabbed his glass and placed it on his desk. "Would you like any?"
I shook my head. "No, thank you," I replied.
He took a seat at his desk and took a sip of his scotch. He looked at me and gestured me to begin. "Take it away." He says.
I nod before handing him the folder I put together for our conference. "I have some big plans to raise awareness for homelessness, climate change, and massacres internationally." I started off as he opened the folder.
"I've always wanted to become a designer, so when I start up my own company, we can merge," I added.
He clenched his jaw. "How will this benefit me?" He asks, his eyes shooting between me and the folder filled with my ideas.
"Well, raising awareness on issues like these will give both of our companies a good image. A better one, which will have more people invest; equals more money to fund the charities we will be running and build our companies to the top."
"And if it doesn't give a good image?"
It was my turn to clench my jaw but in annoyance. "I don't know about you, but my main priority is to support the causes of us merging. Plus, I'm very pretty confident we will succeed and get a good image. If you agree, I would elaborate more on what I came up with so far." I replied, my voice laced with subtle bitterness. I was upset about him caring for the image.
He nodded before slipping up a small smile then covering it up when he took a sip of his beverage. My eyes slightly squinted. "Go ahead. I'm all ears." He says as he leans back in his office chair.
I raise my eyebrow and shake my head. "I want a written agreement that we would be working together. I don't want you stealing my ideas." I stated confidently. His eyebrows shot up. He took a deep breath and stared off into the distance as if he was thinking about what I said.
In all honesty, I was terrified to my core. I tried to put up a persistent and professional persona. He was acting the opposite of what I had expected which was more hostility. I had a deep feeling inside me that there was something different about him. He wasn't adamant about considering my offer. It was a little heartbreaking for us to be talking as possible future partners and not as father and daughter; not as a family.
I felt terrible asking for a contract, but it was something I needed to put my trust in. I wanted to trust him as my father so terribly, but I knew we wouldn't go back to the way we were when I was a little girl. My heart ached for the affection I've continued to want ever since I was admitted into high school. I didn't want to risk it. It was better being safe than sorry.
"I'll call my lawyers tomorrow then." He replied which brought me out of my thoughts. I stiffened. I didn't expect him to accept it immediately.
I nodded softly. "Okay, great." I stand up as I grab my laptop.
His hand offered forward. I glanced between him and the hand. I hesitantly shook it when I realized that's what he was initiating to do. "Can't wait to work with you." He added. I gave a small smile which seemed a bit genuine. "Me too."
• • •
first off,
i'd like to apologize for disappearing for nearly a month. and i'd like to apologize because that's what's going to happen again, but i'm not sure for how long.
this month, i had no inspiration to write more chapters because school has taken up most of my time. my birthday passed by and i was busy planning for that.
now a day after my party, something tragically came up and i can barely do my school work anymore, let alone write anything, which means i can't continue dv for this month. i'll come back when i'm ready.
thank you guys for the endless support. i hope i'll be back sooner than i anticipated. i really do want to continue to write this story.
love you all <3
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- alli