This chapter is dedicated to @ashton-lake. Happy Birthday, lovely. You bday wish was my command.
Also Happy Valentines Day everyone! I was going to sneak in a double update, but I actually made some plans last minute for a girls night so I'm off to get ready for that.
I hope you all get your backs thrown out by your significant other tonight. If you're single, here is a virtual rose from yours truly. Be My Valentine? 🌹

Christian

"What are you doing here?" I asked Bridge, but before I could let her answer, I turned to Nathaniel. "What is she doing here?"

Nathaniel looked as bewildered and annoyed as I did, which lead me to believe he hadn't the slightest idea either.

"She just walked in not even fifteen minutes ago." Nathaniel explained.

I glanced back over at the entrance to my home. This chick just walked? To my home? Like she owned the place? Like she made those mortgage payments?

"I thought you said you'd handle getting those locks changed?" Nathaniel countered. That was when I internally groaned.

He was right.

I had meant to do that as soon as she left that night. Probably even sooner, to be honest. The commotion over the last month or so had pulled me away from getting it done. Obviously, Bridge had still held onto her copy of my house key.

Why had I even made that for her in the first place?

"Listen, Christian, we need to talk." Bridget spoke, interrupted my thoughts.

"No, we really don't. There is literally less than nothing for you and I to discuss. I'm going to need you to get out of my house now." I replied.

"Hold on here, just hear me out. I wanted to talk about trying this again. Us again. I can see where I went wrong, and I want to fix that." She argued, shrugging her shoulder. That allowed for one of her spaghetti straps connected to her sundress, to fall off her shoulders. It revealed even more of her already very revealing cleavage. When my eyes glanced down to her chest, her lips curled up into a smile.

It made me want to hurl. She made me want to hurl.

"What? Did your account balance go negative again?" Nathaniel butt in.

I was too late to stop the chuckle that fell past my lips. Bridget's face flashed with anger, but she quickly pedaled back and tried to compose herself.

"No. I've just had time to reflect and I really think we were good for each other." She replied. "Like Bonnie and Clyde."

Nathaniel scoffed.

I looked at her like she must have lost the last few brain cells she had. "We were in no way, shape, or form good for each other. Literally all you did was spend my money, and give me migraines. We were together because I thought that was what my mother wanted. Now I've realized that this was never what I wanted... So with that being said, I'd like you to leave."

She had this plastic expression on her face, like she was trying to look hurt. It came across as insincere.

"I can't." She stated, shaking her head. "I'm pregnant."

I glanced over at Nathaniel, and our eyes made contact. That was when we both full on laughed.

"Bridge, you are the farthest thing from pregnant. If I could, I would have worn not one, but two condoms when I fucked you... during the very few times I actually did." I replied with an harshness I didn't know I harbored. "If you're pregnant, I would bet my life it was not by the hands of me"

This conversation was no surprise to Nathaniel. We had discussed from the jump that I didn't trust if she was on birth control. I asked him to look into Bridget's medical records. He informed me on just how illegal that was. Then re-introduced me to the illegitimate eighth wonder of the world...

A condom. And a very direct set of rules to go with it. Nathaniel was not about raising any more kids. Not in this lifetime at least.

I could see Bridget's confidence take a nose dive at my words.

"My mother, she's just very sick right now and-"

"Save it." Nathaniel stepped in this time, immediately cutting her off. "I did a full background on you as soon as you started seeing Christian. Your mother died over a decade ago."

I glanced over at Nathaniel. That man probably knew more about Bridget than I did.

That was when Bridge gave up completely. "I just need a little money to get by. I got into it with some bad people and-"

"Bridge?" It was my turn to stop her short here. "I'm going to give you five minutes to get out of my house. Nathaniel?"

"Yes sir?"

"Message me if she's not out by then, then contact the authorities." I directed. Nathaniel gave me a firm nod as I picked up the briefcase I had set on the floor, and started to slip my shoes back on.

"Where are you heading sir?" He asked me.

"Yeah, where in the actual fuck are you going?" Bridge added. Her true personality was definitely coming to light. She couldn't even hold that fake façade for the five minutes I had been home for.

"Anywhere but here, my good man." I nodded to Nathaniel. He gave me another nod, as he walked me out. I could hear Bridget calling for me stop, and come back inside. I ignored her, jogging down the steps towards my car, and throwing my briefcase into the passenger side of the vehicle.

"I'll take care of the locks." Nathaniel told me, as I slid into the drivers side.

"Thank you. Also figure out who the fuck leant her that company vehicle from corporate, and have HR fire them immediately." I instructed.

"Yes sir." Nathaniel replied. "And say hi to Alex for me." He added with a wink. I rolled my eyes at him as he stepped away to let me start the car and close my drivers door.

Then I was off, pulling out of my property, and onto the route I knew entirely too well by now.

-

As soon as I arrived at Alex's home, I hesitated. Before pulling up to his place, I had neglected to confirm whether Alex was even home. Judging by how exhausted he looked at work, I would assume he hadn't made any plans to go out... but I could also be wrong.

I parked my car out front, and mustered up the energy to go in and check. It wasn't too far a walk to reach his apartment number. My hand barely made it to his door in an attempt to knock, before it was thrust open.

Here I was, staring down at a very wide eyed Alex. He was wearing a onesie, with his hair wrapped up in a towel. He must have just gotten out of the shower. It took him a second to realize that I was, in fact, standing right in front of him. Once that realization settled, a small smile graced his lips.

"Christian?" He spoke.

"Hey." I smiled back.

"What's up? Is something wrong?"

I shook my head no. "Just... missed you." I replied.

His smile grew. He didn't say anything, as he stepped aside to let me in.

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