Chapter 3

Chloe

    I tried to look away from him as I proceeded to have my seat beside my family. The meeting was about to start but as much as I tried to get over it, I just couldn’t.

“We’re here today because of the decision we’d made about Noah and Chloe, my daughter is pregnant and—“ my father was saying when impulsively, I stood from my seat as I pointed to the extremely hot guy and the father of my unborn child that was seated right in front of me,

“What do you think you’re doing?” My mother whispered as she tugged on my dress but I ignored her.

“It’s him,” I said, my vocal cords finally working, “it’s you, that night, the club, the dance.” I continued as the whole room stared at me in confusion.

They all probably think I was mad but I could swear that I wasn’t, I knew what I was saying and I was perfectly right.

The man I’d pointed to also had the audacity to feign confusion like he had no idea what I was talking about when we both know he does have an idea.

He’d fucked me without a condom and had bursted inside of me and now I’m carrying his seed.

“Nathan?” I heard the older man that was seated in their roll call. I had no idea what his name was but I was sure he’d called his name since he said with a little bit of shock.

I nodded affirmatively, “yes, him, Nathan.” I answered and I heard mumbles in the room that was supposed to be silent.

Everyone was shocked, they’d probably not expected him to be the kind of person he is, did they really think he was a saint?

“Are you sure you know what you’re talking about, me and you? How?” He had the audacity to ask me such a question?

If we weren’t seated on different sides of the table, I would walk over there and slap him so hard that he’ll remember everything about the night at the club.

“What the hell do you mean, am I sure?” I snapped at him, whatever game he thinks he’s playing, I want no part in it, I was not just mad, I was already fuming and I could explode right in this conference room, “What are you implying, that I go around sleeping with any man I see?” I yelled out loud.

The room could feel my anger now but I didn’t care, he’d put me in this situation and it’s only fair that I pay him right back in his own coin.

“I was only making sure.” He said and my eyes widened.

“Well, you could’ve made sure you wore a condom before having sex with me instead.” I snapped, glaring daggers at him.

“I wore one, I made sure I did but I had to keep changing it because they all kept tearin–“

“That’s not an excuse, because now you’ve ruined my life!”

“If you were a little smart, you could’ve taken the after pills or whatever it is you women take, coming over here and lecturing me about how I didn’t use a condom when we were both irresponsible? Spare me those lectures.”

I opened my mouth as I thought of the perfect clap-back but nothing came, I wasn’t just going to back down without a fight.

The argument continued and we both had no idea we were sharing too much until his father hit his hand on the table as hard as he could, calling both of us to order.

“These are things we didn’t need to hear!” He yelled and I could feel my cheek go red in embarrassment, I looked around to see the older version of Nathan looking all worked up and when I turned to look at my parents, they looked really disappointed in me, and very embarrassed.

I recognize that look, it was the look that says ‘we regret having you as our daughter’

“She’s obviously lying against me, I have no idea who the fuck she is and you all are just going to let her sell the story to you.” Nathan shot at his father and I’d wanted to object but that would only make my family more embarrassed.

“She recognized you at first sight, and you recognized her as well, that was very obvious.”

“She could’ve mistaken me for someone else.”

I watched as father and son bickered about whether or not Nathan is the father of my child. I knew his father believed me when he came to my defense and I was grateful.

At least one person believes the words that came out of my mouth.

“She can go have an abortion or whatever because I am not ready to be a father at all, let alone a product of a stupid one night stand.”

That was where I drew the line, I wasn’t just going to sit around and stare as he said those words, springing up to my feet.

“You should’ve thought about that when you were all over me before you suggested we get out of the club, you stupid fucking Son Of A—“ I didn’t complete my statement when I heard another loud bang on the table.

“Enough!” I heard his father say again and out of respect, I had my seat in the midst of my parents that were already fuming.

“How could you even suggest that, a Nathan,” a woman spoke, she hadn’t said a word since the meeting started and when I mentally checked her properly, I came to the conclusion that she’s the mother.

“My first grandchild will not be aborted. We’re keeping this baby.” She said firmly, I was right, she’s the boys mother.

I stared at the family seated in front of mine and I didn’t miss it when the older son clenched his jaw and made his hand to a fist on the table, he was really angry.

“Now what?” Noah, the man I was initially betrothed to, asked as he turned to look at his father who looked as though he was tired of everything.

“Noah, let me think.” I heard the man breath as he heaved a sigh and collapsed on the chair, he looked really stressed.

“I have a suggestion,” my father spoke up and I turned to look at him, what suggestion could he possibly have?

“What if Nathan takes Noah’s place?” He asked and I stared at him for what seemed like hours.

I’ve strangled and killed him already in my thoughts but he’s my father, I couldn’t do anything much in reality.

“She’s pregnant already and Nathan seems to be the father, what if we get them both married instead?” He finished and I closed my eyes in disgust.

“B... but, dad,” I tried to protest as he lifted his finger in a bid to silence me but this time, I wasn’t having it, “I’m not getting married to him or to anyone, I can’t spend the rest of my life with this total jerk.” I finished my sentence, not caring about what the consequences might be.

“And what makes you think I want to get married to a slut? If you can fuck a stranger then how sure are we even that I’m the father of that child?” Nathan spoke and every word he said got to me, they tore me apart and not only that, they made me want to scratch his face off.

“Slut shaming already? How bold of you, coming from someone whose body count is definitely three times my age, and let’s not forget how I was a stranger before you walked up to me at the club to flirt with me, you stupid, shameless man-slut!”

“Enough!” Dad thundered this time and I flinched while glaring at a fuming Nathan.

“Listen here, Chloe,” My father said in a whisper as he yanked me aside, “you’re pregnant so you don’t really have a choice, you barely even have a say in this, it’s either you get married to him or you and your bastard child get out of my house.” He threatened and that made me shiver.

I turned to look at my mother to be sure she’d heard what her husband just said to me right, she had the most nonchalant look and I couldn’t read her expression even if I tried.

"You don’t have much of a choice,” She let out in a whisper as she bent to look at me, “Just two, you marry him or— well, you marry him, the choice is yours.” She added and I just sat there, motionless.

I looked over at the Benjamins and it seemed like they were having a meeting of their own, whatever they were saying, I couldn’t hear.

I looked away when Nathan looked up at me and we locked eyes, he looked evil and slightly scary, I didn’t know what I’d be getting myself into if I got married to him.

How do you get married to someone you both share a mutual feeling of Hate?

"Mum, dad,” I called in a whisper, I was already getting exhausted but they needed to know how I feel about this, “I don’t care what deal you all have and whether or not you’re comfortable with my answer, I’m saying NO to this one as well.” I let out, emphasizing on the ‘No’ so they know I’m serious.

"You both keep me wondering why the hell I got you as parents, you care about yourself and not me or my happiness.” I spoke as my voice broke but I was not going to let them see how annoyed and close to tears I am.

I’d decided I was going to stand up and just leave but when my father tugged at my dress, I looked down at him and I’d never seen him this angry.

“You walk out of here then you walk out of my house and life for life.” He threatened and my knees went weak at once as I collapsed on the chair that made a loud noise.

The Benjamins seemed to be done with their family meeting as well as they lifted their gaze to look over at us with a smile, my eyes were foggy already as tears was already welling up in my eyes.

“I’m not doing this. No.” I heard Nathan shout as he got to his feet.

He argued back and forth with his parents until his father pulled the big guns out.

“It’s either this or you count yourself out of my will.” Mr. Benjamin let out, not caring if there were strangers at the table and I saw the meekness that took over Nathan almost immediately.

He wanted a share of his father’s property, both my family and his had a leverage on both of us, we can’t really get out of this one.

It’s either we get married or we face the consequence.

The room went silent as a new document was immediately drawn, I’ve never seen an original document be made as fast as that.

Nathan was made to sign first and I was handed the document to sign next. Reluctantly, I signed.

I sighed as I watched the parents from both families congratulate themselves happily and my stomach immediately ached, I wanted to puke.

I silently prayed that this was a nightmare and I’d soon wake up but when I pinched myself, I felt the pain.

It was real and I’d just signed a document to be married to Nathan, my one night fling, whom I badly wanted to strangle.