Chapter 5

Emily. 

The silence in the morning after was deafening. 

“This isn't supposed to happen.” I scolded myself as I watched Cedric fall asleep on the other side of the bed. I was still feeling sore after last night. I thought of how demeaning I would be to him after I had met him inside of me. I had never been with any man, as much as I had friends in my place of work, I couldn't deal. with going to bed with a man. I was too busy making a life to live with a man. I had registered that life wasn't for me. It was clear even if I had a life ahead of me, I still didn't think that was possible. 

Dad was the only plausible event bringing me into this mess. If I could just reach out to me, I would like to know why he had sold me to a man as inconsiderate as this. Now I had met that same man inside me, breaking my virginity. 

Tears fell from my eyes.

I remember the contract that he had given to me. There wasn't going to be anything like an emotional attachment, no children, and no link to his wealth whatsoever. I was okay with the terms and now, we had both broken those terms which made everything more complicated. I stared at the window as I saw everyone departing in their different cars. It was a perfect opportunity to escape now that he wasn't awake. I was scared of making a move because the last time I did, he caught me red-handed and completely twisted the situation. 

I went back to bed. 

I saw him stand up from the bed, half-naked, glaring at me, taking his clothes from my room, and leaving. His attitude only left a hole in my heart because I felt used and thrown under the pit only to fend for myself after what we had last night. I wish we even had to fight this just so I know where his heart is. I felt humiliated some more, I was reliving yesterday. 

I was indeed here to serve a purpose. As much as I am yet to find out what that is, I'm just here to warm his bed even more. I hated that more than anything.

*

It's been a week, Cedric has been in and out most of the time. Yet he hasn't said a word to me. He kept stashing money on my bed each time I wasn't there. I kept them every time because I had no use for them. At least not yet. My phone rang distracting me from the humiliating thoughts of Cedric. 

I was excited when I saw who it was. 

“Amber?” 

“Yes, have you replaced me in your life?” She screamed with an accusing tone but I laughed instead as tears escaped from my eyes. “I have been trying to reach you for weeks now. Ever since I heard of that plane crash. I called your dad too and I couldn't get a hold of him either. Then, I saw you on TV, saying you were married to a billionaire. You have been making public appearances with him. What the hell is going on, Emily? I do not know who to ask and when I ask the girls they said they haven't heard from you either.”

“Amber, you have to slow down. You are asking too many questions and I do not know which one to answer first.” I told her. There was a certain excitement in her voice and it was a huge relief that she called. Every time I wanted to call, I always thought that Cedric was going to find out who I was talking to. He already knew her and it was sickening. There is no telling what he would do if he found me talking to her. 

“Then answer this, are you married?”

“Yes, I am.”

She sighed. “I don't feel good about it because you didn't tell me you had a boyfriend. I am in France now, for work and I am trying to track you down at the new branch you were transferred to they said they haven't seen you since they got the news of your arrival. What's going on Emily? Talk to me. I am deeply worried about you.”

It was a relief that she was here in France. An idea came to me. “Since you are here in France, how about we catch up? I will send you the location of where I am and we can talk.”

I sent her the location. At the same time, I texted Cedric telling him I am having a friend over and he shouldn't worry I have already given her permission to come over. 

It didn't take long until Amber arrived at the house. We jumped into a hug with each other and she cried a little just seeing how well I am. She raced about the house I was staying in, teased me but I couldn't miss the worry on her face. 

“Okay, I didn't want to believe any of it until it was true. Seeing it now, something is wrong. What exactly happened.” 

“I am married.” That's all I could say. The contract didn't just indicate emotional attachments and children. I was also bound to secrecy about what had happened and if I spilled a word to someone, I might be in jail for violation of the contract. I couldn't afford to go to jail right now. 

“That's all you are going to give me?” I was about to speak when I started feeling light. My head was spinning and inside me was on fire. Before I could say another word, darkness took over. 

I blinked my eyes open and Cedric was the first person I saw. He was sitting by the chair close to me with a drink in his hand and a bit disoriented. Amber was nowhere to be found. 

“You didn't go to the hospital for your check-up and you missed your shot.” I narrowed my eyes, confused about what he was saying. 

“I don't know what you are talking about.”

“Like hell you do not know, Emily!” He threw the glass against the wall. I flinched. “This pregnancy is your fault.”

“I am not pregnant.”

“A doctor checked you just now and you are. You were supposed to be taking your pills.” He sighed, I was short of words. “I will be taking you to the clinic tomorrow.”

“For antenatal?” Isn't that too early? I asked myself.

 I was scared as he glanced at me with fury.

“You are going to get an abortion.”