Chapter 16

Everleigh's POV.

Felix and I walked back to his living room and were greeted by the unfamiliar ambiance of loud music and happy people.

"True love wins in the end, I'm so happy for you two." 

A man who Felix later introduced to me as his closest male friend said. 

He was stout with beautiful brown eyes and wavy black hair. He had an edgy look with leather jackets and distressed jeans. 

His dimples were revealed as a smile lit up his well-carved face, showing off his diastema. 

"Felix has loved you for as long as you were away, Everleigh. You don't know how much it means to him that you both are together now."

I looked at him and then I looked at Felix. I could see how uncomfortable Felix was and how forced the smile he wore was. 

I blushed slightly, trying to hide how I truly felt. 

I felt very sad because Felix and I were lying to the world. To everyone who cared about us.

"Thanks, man," Felix said, wearing an uneasy facial expression. "We deeply appreciate you all coming out to celebrate with us."

"Gina took the news well," He said with a lop-sided grin.

Felix frowned at him and he immediately stopped talking. 

"What was that about?" I asked Felix as we both left David behind.

"It's nothing that should bother you, dear. However, I would advise that you be careful of Gina.

 She is indeed a sweet soul but she can also be crazy when upset."

"What do you think I would do that would upset her? I'd like to steer clear of any path that would hurt her."

 I could feel my heart racing as I waited for a response. 

Somehow, I knew that my relationship with Gina was going to be beautiful and I knew that it was going to last long. 

She was going to be the female friend that I had hesitated so long to get.

"Whatever you do, don't love me," Felix said casually, perhaps with a hint of sarcasm, a smile creeping up his lips.

"Huh?" I raised a furrowed brow.

"Never mind, Ever. Do whatever makes you happy, she's a good person."

I was going to ask him more questions, but she began strutting towards us. 

"Ah, I see you both are together." She said, standing next to Felix. 

"Yes," I responded, my eyes sparkling. 

"Congratulations to you both once again, I got you guys this drink and I want you to take it while the party goes on." 

She handed us a very expensive wine. 

"Is it alcoholic?" I immediately asked, tapping my fingers nervously.

"Do you not take alcohol?" Gina asked with a chuckle. 

"It's got just seven percent alcohol, I promise you won't get intoxicated."

"No, Gina, I can't take that." I forced a smile, stepping backward.

"Are you good, Everleigh?" Felix gave me a scrutinizing stare.

 "You are a woman who loves to party and I know that you love to drink. What's going on with you?"

"You know I'm still recovering, don't put me on the spot." 

"Alright, I'm sorry. Maybe I'll keep it until you feel better so that we both can take it?"

"I won't be able to take it, Felix. Thanks for the thoughtful gesture, Gina darling. Maybe you can get me something else. 

I don't mind if it's a drink, as long as it's not alcoholic."

Gina was disappointed that I refused her offer but she tried not to show it. Felix apologized on my behalf. 

"She's still ill, Gina. Please try to understand. She'll be able to drink when she gets better."

"It's okay," Gina replied with a shrug, waving dismissively. 

"I understand. Soon, Ever, I'll offer you something else. Something stronger of course. 

Maybe I'll invite you over for a girl's night out when you heal."

I gave a nervous chuckle and replied, "Sure, dear. Whenever you're ready to have me, I'll be ready to come over."

"Come over here!" David said to Felix and I. He stood with a few new faces at a table with more drinks.

"I'm sleepy, Felix, I won't be able to go with you. I want to head in."

"You're so weird, Everleigh. I guess people do change. You suddenly get sleepy at parties? Wow.

 How time flies." He pulled me close and gave me a brief kiss on my cheek. 

"Goodnight, my princess. I'll see you soon."

"Goodnight, Felix," I said to him, turning my back against him and heading towards the bedroom. 

It took a few strides to reach my bedroom and soon, I was lying on the bed, looking out through the window and pondering a lot of thoughts.

Many minutes passed but sleep eluded me. The whole world now knew that I was engaged to Felix, yet I had Clyde's children inside of me.

 They were over a month old but that didn't make it impossible to get rid of them if I wanted to. 

I picked up my phone and made a call. "Hello..." It was a girl that I used to know when I was in college.

"Hey, Everleigh." She responded to my call brightly.

"How much did it cost you to get rid of that baby when you got pregnant in your final year?" I waited to hear her response.

 It wasn't a lot of money but I didn't have it at the moment, given the court case with Clyde and the fact that everything I had was momentarily with him.

"Do you think it'll be possible to get rid of a child that is close to two months old?"

"Certainly," She responded. "A professional is all that you need. Keep a lot of money, Everleigh.

 It'll cost you. Especially because you want it to be done in a private hospital."

"Noted," I said. 

"Whose child is it?" She asked me. "Felix or Clyde?"

"None of your business," I responded. "I'll let you know when I have the money."

"Money for what?" Felix pushed the door open and staggered into my bedroom. 

"Why did you not knock?" I said in response, fidgeting with the phone in my hand.

"Oh, my dear, Everleigh. I have so greatly missed you." He said, falling towards my bed. "Come here, baby."

As he got close, I took a better look at him and mumbled, "Are you drunk?"