After helping me out of my pants, Johnattan scurries to the kitchen to make us something to eat. This is due to the fact that my stomach in the mist of your moment had decided to growl loudly, breaking the tension and Johnattan had then decided that he should cook so he can feed those hungry angels inside of me.

Sighing, I slip into an off the shoulder, loose dress that reaches my knees and try to pull my hair in a high ponytail, failing as strands fall in my face. I huff trying again when the shrill of the doorbell catches my attention. I move to get it since Johnattan is cooking but he calls outs, letting the visitor know he's on his way and I shrug, bringing my attention to my hair.

Muffled voices speak rapidly from the hall and my brows furrow at the hostility coming from them. My mind wonders who it could be as they become higher and sharper.

It can't be Dimitri and Shan because they'd text us to say they're somewhere in China Town and won't be back until tomorrow. So they're out of the way.

I doubt his parents would come here either. Not a day after the incident, surely they know a day wouldn't be enough for Johnattan to relax.

Or do they? As far as I can see Nathan doesn't really know his son.

Slowly, I make my way out of the room and towards the hall, curiosity taking me over. The voices become clearer, the reason for the hostility becoming clearer and my blood boils as one sultry and high pitched voice catches my attention.

I grind my teeth in annoyance as that infuriating voice continues to speak, suggesting carnal things to my man and my fists clench at my side as I take dangerous steps towards the room.

That slut! What the fuck is she doing here? Can't she take a fucking hint?!

I breathe in deeply as I reach the hall entrance and I unclench my hands, rolling my shoulders. I'm going at this all wrong. I need to have up a brave and confident front for that bitch, not a murderous one.

Slipping a fake smile on my lips, I step into the room taking in the scene.

Johnattan stands at the open door his naked back to me, his tense frame blocking the view of my prey and I mentally bare my claws as brunette curls peek out at me as Johnattan shifts uncomfortably to the side. Those green eyes look at Johnattan hungrily as he speaks and based on the gaze she's giving him; I doubt she hears one fucking thing he says.

Don't engage... Breathe... I mentally command myself as I feel my patience wearing thin.

Thud.

My eye twitches as Johnattan's back hits a wall abruptly, red nails pressing against my man's chest and ruby red lips inches from his. I grunt distastefully when her red, two-piece lingerie peeks out of her black coat as she lifts a leg towards Johnattan who grips her arms roughly in disinterest and she smiles reading into it wrongly.

I clear my throat loudly as she tries to kiss him and they both freeze, heads turning my way. I raise a brow, hands clenched behind my back and with a stiff jaw.

Calm...

"Am I interrupting something?" I ask sweetly with a tight smile but the disgust burns through my words.

Abruptly, Johnattan shoves a shocked Sidney off him and soon he starts making powerful strides towards me. The smell of something burning catches my nose and hold up my hand as he nears – stopping him in his tracks – before pointing to the kitchen.

"Food. Stove. Burning," as I utter these words stiffly he curses rushing into the kitchen, leaving little ole quick fuck and I alone.

Not one of his best ideas.

"Oh look Santa came early this year... and he brought us a little ho ho ho," I say as I lean onto a wall, my eyes running over her sluttish attire. What's with this slut and red? "What do you want quick fuck? Well, other than to get into my boyfriend's pants."

Sidney slowly crawls from off the floor observing me, her face stuck in that shock stricken look. A few minutes pass and I grow annoyed at the lack of reaction. Shuffling to my left telltale that Johnattan is back and I look at his shirt clad chest with a pleased smile. At least he had the decency to wrap it up.

"Babe, it's not what it looks like," he says as he approaches.

"Really now..." I muse playfully. "So you weren't trying to fight her advances off?"

"Okay, maybe it is," he says in relief as he wraps his arm around my waist before pecking my temple and I kiss his neck ignoring our uninvited guest whose face scrunches up in disgust.

"You knocked her up?!" Sidney screeches in horror and fury and we side glance her with aggravated expressions.

Oh, so now she speaks.

"I did not knock her up," Johnattan says seething with anger at the crude remark and is about to say something else when she cuts in.

"Oh, you scared me. Thought you actually banged her up," she replies with a relieved laugh, hand on her chest before her eyes narrowed at me. "So, wait if it's not yours then what the fuck is she doing here knocked up with another man's child in your home?"

I look at her taken aback. This bitch actually thinks I've been fucking around and got knocked up by another man. My skin heats up and I clench my fists as I try to resist the urge to go over there and deck that bitch.

"Sidney shut up," Johnattan says pulling away from me to take a dangerous step towards her but she disregards him.

"I mean I'm all for helping the needy but what you need to do is put her whoring ass in a homeless shelter where they are trained to handle people like her."

"Sidney," Johnattan bellows gripping her arm tightly and she looks up at him with narrowed eyes. "Shut it."

She rips her arm away from him, a suggestive smile forming on her lips as she takes a step towards him seductively and I lose it big time.

"That's it!" I say sharply as I make my way towards them and push Johnattan to the side so I'm glaring at the little slut. "I don't get what your fucking obsession is about with my man but you need to let it the fuck go! He doesn't want your slutty ass; he doesn't give a fuck about you. He. Loves. Me!"

Sidney's face twist with sick humour as I say this and she steps closer so she's up in my face, causing me to snap. "You better back the fuck up if you want to keep that face intact."

The promise in my voice must have steeped into that tough head of hers because she slowly backs up before uttering words that nearly causes her to get her ass handed to her.

"Love you?" she asks incredulously. "He wanted to marry me! He was engaged to me!"

"Was, being the keyword."

"Ha, that means nothing he stills wants me!"

"That I highly doubt." I say dismissively, rolling my eyes.

"Oh really now?" Sidney grins provokingly, crossing her hand against her chest. "Since you're so high and mighty show me your ring."

"Sidney," Johnattan warns from behind me but doesn't make any move to interfere. He knows this is my fight and respects that.

"You don't have one do you?" I glare at her as she holds up a diamond ring, flashing it in my face with a grin. "He got down on his knees for me... both before and after he'd proposed. What has he done for you but fuck you like the slut you are?"

Oh, fuck no.

Before it even registers in my brain, my fist flies up nailing Sidney right in her nose, causing her to topple to the ground beneath me. I hear Johnattan curse under his breath as his arms wrap around me holding me back before I try to break her face again and protecting from an agonizing Sidney.

Sidney kicks out as she covers her nose wailing in pain and I grin at the pitiful sight. Johnattan carefully pulls me away and I allow him to. Sidney frantically gets to her feet, hand over a bloody nose and her eyes burn in anger as she sees my grin.

Well, doesn't she bounce back quickly, look like those butt implants were worth it.

"You bitch!"

She charges forward in rage but before she can touch me Johnattan blocks her path.

"That bitch broke my fucking nose!" Sidney screeches as she tries to get pass Johnattan. "How dare you protect her! You whoring bitch, I'll fucking kill you!"

I grimace, disgusted as she spits the insults from her mouth, hands being flung about wildly in struggle and blood running from her nose to her chin.

This is supposed to be the woman representing us women? Protecting our rights and empowering us? You have to be kidding me.

"You are pathetic you know that?" I say, voicing my thoughts as I look her dead in the eyes. "You claim to be a woman rights and empowerment advocate but in truth you are just really a pathetic excuse for woman. You chase after a man that broke it off with you. A man that moved on. A man that's starting a family with someone that's not you! A man that doesn't want you."

Sidney's eyes widen in surprise and hurt and her arms go limp as she stops struggling against Johnattan but still I continue.

"Why are you so hooked on marrying Johnattan? Is it for the money? Is it for the publicity or is it for love? Or is it because of his dick?" I ask, mockingly.

She pulls away from him sluggishly, her now blazing eyes trained on me and her lips part to reply but I cut her off.

"Money isn't everything and you don't need a man to be successful... You of all people should now that. Women are powerful beings and can do anything they put their minds to, Sidney. We don't need to depend on a man, it's okay to respect, want and appreciate their presence but not become dependent on them... You go up on podiums talking about how strong women are and how they should think highly of themselves when you don't even do that yourself," I state with a scold and her head lowers with glossy eyes.

"Even if you say you love him Sidney, love is not a one-way street. If he doesn't carry the same feelings for you anymore, don't fucking chase him. Move the fuck on! Make him see that he made the biggest mistake of his life by letting you go and living your life. Don't cling to him, it gives him power over you and don't allow him to control you. As hard as it is you need to let this go and move on. That ring is nothing but cold metal around your finger. It now means nothing, don't let it fool you or hold you down. Leave things of the past in the past and go find your happiness in your future."

I sigh, exasperated as my chest heaves rapidly, my anger fading. I look at her with a look of disappointment and she diverts her eyes a look of denial taking over her features.

Soon, that aggressive look in her eyes spark up and I roll my eyes. "Who the fuck do you think you are, telling me to let go? You're the one that has him, not me! So isn't it kind of hypocritical to tell me to let go of someone just because you want them?!"

She looks at me expectantly and I shrug dismissively. "You know what, do whatever the fuck you like. I've been there and I know what's it like but if you're too stupid to listen to me go ahead. Sue me for punching you. Ridicule me because you're older than me and think I know not of what I speak of. Hell, even sit around for the rest of your life waiting on a man that'll never come back to you. It's your life do what suits you but let me tell you this. If you ever try to come between my children and their father, I will do so much more than break your nose."

I turn my glare away from her now sullen face to look at Johnattan who had turned to his side during the confrontation to look at me. Drowsiness takes me over and I fail at suppressing a yawn, covering my mouth quickly.

Damn, all that talking made me sleepy, made us sleepy.

"Okay, that's enough playing Doctor Phil. I'm going to take a nap. Johnattan see your guest out and come cuddle with me in our bed when you're done."

He nods stiffly, eying me warily silently asking if I'm okay and I shrug with a lopsided smile.

I turn around beginning my walk to the bed room but before I exit the hall I wave my hand to Sidney with a grin. "Bye quick fuck. Don't let the door hit you on the way out."

***

"So let me get this straight... she showed up at Johnattan's apartment?" Shan asks as her eyes skim cross the dresses on the rack in front of us before holding up a yellow one.

"Ahuh," I state as I look up shaking my head.

"In red lingerie?" She holds up a blue one with ruffles on the shoulders and I shake my head.

"Ahuh," I reply, before addressing the dress. "I'm already bloated ruffles will just make me look bigger."

"Okay," she shrugs putting it back on the rack. "She also had the indecency to wave that bogus engagement ring in your face?"

"Ahuh," I say looking at the white maternity gown in front of me in awe.

"And you decked her?" Shan asks as she comes to my side.

"Yup," I point to the dress and she nods.

"That's my girl," Shan grins, holding up her hand for a hi-five and I chuckle, giving her one. "Also that dress is beautiful, a bit dressy though."

"Then it's perfect," I say taking it off the rack and placing it with the other three dresses. "It's a masquerade party and knowing my father it'll be over the top."

Shan shrugs taking the dresses from me before leading me to a dressing room and proceeding to help me into a dress.

Today's the day. I have approximately seven hours before the party and I'm anxious. It's not like my father to reach out to me, period and even if he wanted to speak to me we could meet in more secluded places away from the eye of the public. He has always been wary of his image so why invite me to an engagement party.

His and Rudana's engagement party.

At first when I'd read the invitation I thought I was seeing doubles but that wasn't the case. My younger sister by two years – yes my father got her while cheating on my mom – is marrying my senior by three years and the man I absolutely despise, Liam Goldman.

Cue stares of disbelief.

Father must be out of his damn mind, marrying off his nineteen-year-old daughter to that twenty-four-year-old monster... it's disgusting.

"Come on Christi, push your hands through the sleeves," Shan instructs and I obey, coming out of my thoughts.

Minutes later, she zips up the royal blue dress and I study it. The off the shoulder design is nice; the colour complements my skin but the tightness doesn't work with my bloated situation.

"I like the top but the fit isn't ideal," Lexi's voice calls out from the phone and I look down at the phone resting against my bag.

"I agree," Chev pipes in from beside her and I nod, running my hand over the dress.

"No, this isn't it," I inform Shan and she nods agreeing with us before helping me to change.

"So how are the boys doing? Especially Johnattan, he must be livid after that incident in his apartment." Lexi says her now chubbier face becoming larger on my phone screen. "I still can't believe you punched her."

"Me neither," I say clenching my bandaged fists. Initially when I'd punched Sidney the anger had caused the pain to subside but as I had laid in bed it came back with a vengeance. "But she deserved it. Women like her makes us look bad."

"Tell me about it," Chev says in agreement. "Edward has an entire army of them trying to get him back and they're all so damn desperate. So far all they've done is call nonstop... but if they ever show up at his place while I'm there they'll be sure to leave with a face reconstruction courtesy of my fist."

At that we laugh but we don't doubt it, Chev next to Lexi is the most violent of us.

"I'm still shocked she didn't press charges. I mean the girl basically loathes you," Shan says as she places me in another gown and I shrug.

"Johnattan said he took care of it and I was too sleepy to question even how."

They all nod.

Honestly, I didn't care either to know either. After he'd kicked Sidney out, he had entered the room with warm water, bandages, rags and disinfectant to clean my bloody knuckles. He'd then cuddled next to me in the bed and whispered soothing words to my stomach until I fell asleep.

He has already chosen me and I know this.

"To answer your question Lex, they're fine. They're actually shopping a little father down for suits," Shan answers as she zips up a jade green gown on me.

I love the silky look but that's basically it. The colour doesn't work for me and the design is not appealing.

"That colour reminds me of barf," Chev comments her face popping on the screen with a grimace and we laugh.

"She has a point," Shan says, helping me out of it.

The girls and I had decided that even though they aren't here – since Lexi is on bed rest and Chev is watching over her – it'd be nice to video chat so they can help with dress shopping. Lexi and I had done it numerous times so it was a norm for us.

"So how are you feeling?" I ask looking through the mirror at Lexi.

"Better, surprisingly Edward can cook and because of that I haven't had to witness the horror that is Chev's cooking so, I'm living."

"Hey! I can cook edible food!" our friend pouts.

"Chev not because Roxie ate your horrible leftovers and didn't die means it's edible. Dogs have a strong stomach and plus when she came to our home after eating it she was constipated for the entire night," Shan states bluntly and Chev glares.

"You fed my Roxie your poison?!" I ask in horror and Chev now directs her glare to me.

"Oh shut it, she's alive isn't she?" Chev grunts and at this we all laugh.

Shan steps to the side away from the mirror to give the others a clear view of the dress I'm now in and as my eyes sweep over it my throat lumps up.

It's breath-taking.

"Yes," Chev grins. "That's your dress."

"I agree with poison chef over there, this is your dress," Shan says, earning a scoff from Chev as her eyes roam my body.

"You look gorgeous, Chrissie," Lexi states and I keep eye contact with her image on the phone, through the glass.

"But it's white–"

"And what does that have to do with anything?" Shan asks.

"White means purity and I'm –"

"Chrissie, it's just a colour and it's not the only colour on it either." But it covers the majority of it. "That dress is spectacular and you are going to wear it regardless. You may not be pure in body but you are pure in heart and that's the best kind of pureness there is."

"Amen sister," Chev states from beside my bed ridden friend and I smile brightly with confidence.

"This is my dress," I state and all the girls scream yes.

"Finally! Now it's my time," Shan grins as she helps me out of the dress. "I'm thinking something along the lines of succubus or an assassin. We can pair up; I'll be the yang to your ying. The black or red to your white."

She grins at me as she says this and I chuckle. "I'm not sure how your Dimitri and my Johnattan may react to that. They'll feel left out."

"Oh please, they'd have field day. Two beautiful women on each other what's not to like? We'll even be swingers."

This child.

"No, no I'll pass. No offense but your man just doesn't do it for me," I say with a shrug.

Cue the jaw drop.

"Oh damn," Lexi and Chev sings from the phone. "You just got served."

***

Next chapter we get down to business.

Mama perv💓💓😸