Check out Lucifer and My bodyguard. Drop some comments.

“It's been a while since I came here. You were always busy”.

The elevator door close.

“Yeah and I'm still going to be”. She touched my arm.

“I know that your upset with him, but please don't be upset with the baby”.

I frown. “I'm not upset with my baby Monique”. I look away from her. “I.. I just wanna take my mind off Michael for some time. Sitting around doing nothing won't help”.

“Just take it easy”.

I'm in my normal work suit. Hair in one at the top leaving a few curls hanging at the front. Just a bit of make up. I've decided to wear flats. Just want to be safe.

Monique just wore one of my dress. That's all she borrowed since her belly is so huge. It's the only thing that fits pregnant women.

I don't think we should wear tight pants that squeeze our belly with a blouse that cannot fit anymore showing a bit of the base of our belly. I've seen it. It looks disgusting. Seriously, just where the dress even if there's only four. Rotate them.

I bought a few of them after a learnt that I was still pregnant.

The elevator door open.

We walked out.

Clapping and cheering exploded the moment I hit my employees office. A smile twitched on my lips.

I guess the ones downstairs informed those up here.

“Welcome back boss”. Some said while both Monique and I are making our way to my office. I would reply with a nod or 'Thank you'.

“It's good to know your ok ma'am”.

“Hello miss Clark”. Monique would reply with a 'Hi' or 'Hello'. Or return a 'Nice to meet you too'.

“It's good to know your ok”.

“Thank you”. OK time to end this. I'm not in the mood.

“Ok everyone!” I yelled with a smile. After a while everyone silence.

“I wanna thank all of you for expressing your hard work to keep this company where it's supposed to be”. I glance at everyone's smiley faces.

“I'm really happy for your dedication. It's good to know I have persons watching the business when I'm not around. It means a lot to me”. I feel like celebrating.

“What do y'all say about a party next week”. I squint my eyes at the childish squeal of the woman. It's deafening. I think my hearing because sharper. The men just clap and made agreeable sounds.

“Ok ok everyone! That's enough. Back to work”.

Monique and I entered my office after I watched my employees settled.

“Wow K. You look so bossy out there. I'm so very proud of you”. I sit at my desk and turned the computer on.

“That was not really a good speech. It was nothing much. Don't make a big deal out of it”.

“Right now you kinda feel as if your a different person”. I noticed the sadness in her voice. I look at her. I realized that I haven't laughed or anything of the sort since last night.

This whole situation between Michael and I is making me moody after all.

I sigh.

“It's Michael isn't it?” I nod.

“But I don't wanna talk about it”. I wonder what he's doing?

I glance at the room where he...

I stand moving towards the door. “Where are you going?”

I ignored her. I don't know why I feel this way. I don't feel alive. It's like a part of me is missing. I feel like a walking zombie.

I pushed the door as soon as I reached. It made the sound when steam is released from a pressure cooker. Afterwards it braced towards me before sliding to the side.

I turned looking at Monique. Her eyes are slightly dilated.

The look of realization were now visible on her face. Yeah she didn't know that it was here.

“I'll be right back ok?” She nod in understanding. I made a small smile before stepping in. The door automatically closed.

I look at where I sat that night. The bottle of alcohol I was drinking still standing on the counter.

I shut my eyes.

I don't wanna see you like this.

Weeell I wanna beee like this.

Akeilia.

I'm sorry for-.

Walking out on me?. . .its fiiiine Lenoy. He's a jerk and always will be. I would've done the same. Even though I wish you'd man up to him.

Hmm. Yea he's a big jerk. Don't stress about it ok.

I open my eyes.

How did he know that I was in here? How did he even know how to get in?

Did I thought that it was Lenoy because only he knew about this room?

My eyes were blurry but...Shit I can't even remember if Lenoy was who I really saw.

I walk at the counter.

For everything I remembered about that night I pictured Michael in my head. I closed my eyes once more.

Let's. . .take it slow.

I just. . .wanna make it special for you tonight.

Everything felt... Everything felt like Michael. Even in my drunken state I could've felt how different the sex was. It wasn't quick or meaningless.

It was slow, perfectly penetrated. I even remembered at one point where I wanted to cry.

That'd never happened with Lenoy.

The things he said, the way he touched my body. Back then I couldn't tell the difference if it was him or not because we'd never had sex before, but comparing to the sex we had..I'm certain he was the one.

I walked towards the bed. The sheets are still crumpled.

I sit.

I love you Akeilia. I love you so much.

I want you to be mine. . . forever. . .ah.

I take up the sheet. Slowly pulled it to my nose.

I inhaled the scent of the sheet. My eyes widen before tears make its way down my cheek. Even his scent still lingered. As if it was waiting here for me. I know his scent.

I look at my baby bump. I lay my hand over it.

What must I do?

I sniff.

I'm hurt that he took advantage of me, especially after what I went through in the past. What he knew I went through. Even though the past doesn't affect me much now, it still does at times.

I preferred he did it when I was conscious enough to know what I was doing. Even if he forced it on me. I would've just gave in. I loved him enough.

He had no idea how much I needed him in bed. It wouldn't have bothered me.

But now.

He just shouldn't have done that.

Oh god.

One of his hand and leg are broken. Who's taking care of him?

The guy's a billionaire. One snap of his fingers and help will automatically appear.

What if Sara's the one who's taking care of him?

I shook my head.

Forget him.

Your carrying his child. You can't just forget about him. Moreover..you love him.

“Shut uuup!”

You saw your chance to have me to your advantage and you took it... Just like John.

Your like a stray dog Michael, but I'm not giving you any bone. Get the hell out of my house!

I dropped the sheet and started to cry.

After a get a hold of myself I washed my face. I carefully dried it with the hand towel to not wash the lipstick, my mascara or my eyeliner off.

I changed the sheets. Removed the bottle from the counter and dump it in the trash.

I look at my belly.

I rubbed my hand over it before I opened the door.

Monique fold her arms glaring at Lenoy who's sitting on one of the chairs at the long table.

It took a few seconds before anger disguised my face.

“Akeilia”. I frown even more. He know he's not suppose to call me by my Christian name at work.

“I told him to leave but he wouldn't”. Monique informed.

Lenoy stand.

“I need to fully explain myself to you”.

“I already know what I needed to. You are my manager. You still work for me. You don't come in my office without my permission. Get out”. I pointed at the door. He made to open his mouth but I cut him off.

“Don't make me repeat myself or you'll be leaving here before you time. Oh wait.. Stupid me”. I lightly pat my forehead.

“It won't be a bother because you have another job that awaits you. Get out Lenoy!” I pointed to the door again.

“I wanted to tell you. The new job wasn't the reason why I didn't all those while. Do you think I enjoyed seeing you go through the pain you did. Do you think I enjoyed seeing you cry. Well I think you had me all wrong”.

“Fine..Tell me. Since you won't leave”. His shoulders dropped in a relaxed way.

“It was because of Michael that I didn't tell you”. What the...

“Tell me something I don't f*ck*ng know!”

“Shut up and listen to me!” I blinked a few times. Who does he think he's talking to?

“Don't you talk to her like that!”

“Stay outta this!” He yelled pointing at Monique. I walked fast up to him. Adrenaline rushing all over my body followed by fiery.

He look back at me. I slapped him so hard it twisted his jaw. I saw him clenched his teeth before slowly turning back his head to look at me.

Monique pulled him away from me. She stand beside me. Both of us looking at him. His eyes are filled with anger.

After a while his eyes soften. As if he was battling with his inner self to stay calm, and won.

He know that if he lay a hand on me or Monique he's done for.

Instead of leaving. I watched him taking a seat on a chair at the long table again.

Monique and I look at each other.

He used his hand to put his jaw back in place. At least that's what I believe. I didn't hold back. He got all in one.

(A) For keeping me in the dark and lying to me.
(B) For what Michael did to me.
(C) That Leon also kept it from me.
(D) For keeping me in the dark and lying to me.

So it's mostly because of (A) and (D) that I slapped him.

“After Michael and I made that deal, I thought he was just the way he appeared to be. A conceited, selfish bastard. When you told me that he spoke to the council about me keeping my job to be able to be there for our baby as he thought, I thought he isn't who he appeared to be. He's upset that I'd been with you so he conveyed his bad side to me, but that isn't who he really is. I thought that if he would've done that for me thinking that I'm responsible for your pregnancy why don't I do him the favour of keeping his secret while being there for you”. What?

“Don't you think it would've been easier for me if you'd just tell me”. What he's saying doesn't make sense.

“No Akeilia. Look at how your acting now? If I'd told you it would've only made you upset. You wouldn't want me near you. How would I've been able to comfort you? And you would've also be angry with Michael. He needed you at the time. Maybe if you weren't there.. Maybe he would have still been in the same condition or given up. I didn't tell you about his condition at first because I realized that your friends didn't and maybe it's for a reason. I also didn't tell you that he's the father because I wanted you to hear it from him. If I'd told you, how would I've explained it to you. I don't know his reasons for doing it. And you couldn't ask him because he was half dead. You still wouldn't have your answers. Please..I'm sorry. I wanted to make this clear so you don't see me as a selfish person. Someone who'd destroy a person for his own satisfaction”. He stand moving towards the door.

He opened it.

“I know you understand”. He said before he left. My lips trembled.

“Oh k”. Monique hugged me. I've cried enough. I can't take it anymore.

I hope my employees didn't hear us shouting. This is so unprofessional. I'm glad they mind their own business by not talking about my baby. I'm not ready for that. At least they know that much about me. I love to keep my personal business... Personal.

She pulled back with her hands on my shoulders.

“Do you want to go see Michael?” Yes.

I shook my head. Just. Not yet.

“I...I just wanna get to work. You don't need to punish yourself. If you want to go home to Leon just do it. Michael and I has bigger issues. Leon was only being a friend”. She looked away and removed her hands.

“I'm his wife. Does he know how much I suffered watching you suffer? It would've been easier for me if I'd known”. I rest my hands on her shoulder shaking my head. She's been such a good friend. Now it's my turn.

“If he'd told you you would've been tempted to tell me. You would've been battling with yourself to either break his trust to relieve me or make me continue to suffer and keep your promise to him. Either way you would've still endured suffering. Don't let your relationship become like Michael and I. Go home to him and listen to his side of the story. Just like we'd just listened to Lenoy's. I thought he kept his mouth shut for his own purpose, but listening to him....Look turn your phone back on. Call him. Stop worrying about me please. I'm a grown ass woman who can handle anything. You know that”. I gave her an assuring smile.

“Whenever Michael and I have problems don't think about it. Don't believe that our problems are yours too. No. Think about your baby and your marriage. I'm sure Leon cup of us has flooded. He needs you. Stop bothering yourself about us. Even if Michael tried to kill me, don't think about it”. She laugh while a tear dropped on her cheek. I laughed a bit too.

“You and I both know that won't ever happen”. She remarked with a smile, giving me her sweet look.

“And don't deprived Leon of the right to see his baby break your bones while you cry for help”.

Both of us laughed.

“Even at that time it'll be beautiful in his eyes”.

“Your the best friend in the whole universe. You know that?” I shrugged. “Yes I know. Now go home”. I rubbed her shoulder.

“Ok. I'll call you if anything”. I frown at her.

“Ok fine”.

“Don't call me. I need some time to think”.

“Ok”. She walked off carefully wiping her eyes. I watched her pick up her handbag and take her phone out.

She stop when she reached the door.

“You don't deprive Michael of the right to his baby. You hear me”. She gave me the evil eyes before she sweetly smile and left.

I shook my head with a smile. She'll never stop caring.

I walk to my desk. I take my phone from my handbag.

Should I call him?

No.

After I turned it on, my message tone rapidly repeated. After it stopped, I checked them.

Fifty four missed calls and ten text messages.

I swallowed.

Fifty missed calls from Michael. Eight of the text messages are also from him. He called about the time when my phone was in the car while Mon and I was at the beach.

Don't cry.

Inhale... Exhale... Inhale... Exhale.

My fingers trembled as I select his name.

It hurts Akeilia, the things you said. I'm nothing like John. you know that.

Maybe I deserved everything. I shouldn't have did what I had, but I swear you told me you were on the pills. I asked you.

My hand and leg are broken. I can't chase you like I use to, so I'm using these text messages. Please reply.

Oh god.

The fact remains. Your still carrying my baby. I want him or her to grow with both of us. We need each other.

I'm not sure of where we are. We broke up before- I broke up with you before my accident. I wanna make it right. Come see me. They won't let me out even when I tried.

Tears fell on my cheek.

I need to explain myself to you. This isn't easy for me.

I know your upset. You have every right to be. But I don't want us to be over.

I have something to tell you, but I want to look into your eyes when I tell you. It's been a while since I told you. Come back to me baby please.

I shut my eyes.

The text messages triggered a memory my mother once told me before my abuse.

Only a real man would prefer to explain himself face to face. Sincerity can not only be detected in the voice, but can also be seen in the eyes.

Oh Michael.

What do you think Akeilia should do?

What do you think about everything?