Prologue

Mia Belle

We all have to face the consequences of the mistakes that we make in life. Sometimes, the consequences far outweigh the actions, and therefore, those who are fortunate enough, get away with their mistakes. Others? Not so much. 

What do they say? 'Life's a beach and we're just playing in the sand?' I guess you never really value sayings or quotes until you're the one on the other side of reality; the one in the heat. 

However, when those mistakes result in an unplanned pregnancy, what choice do you have left?

Pregnancy brings a new series of lessons, decisions and plans. It becomes a totally different era that we've been introduced to; lessons to be learnt after sleeping with a stranger with no protection, decisions to make as to whether or not you'd like to keep the baby, and planning on how to secure a future for your unborn child. I was definitely in the second stage.

I always thought that when I'd have kids, I'd be thirty and happily married. Fate however, had completely different plans for my life. Guess that's my punishment for tempting fate, huh?

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. First things first, I'm Mia Belle, and I'm 21 and pregnant. However, I'd be lying to you if I said I that I knew the man whom I slept with.

April 29th.

It all occurred on my 21st birthday- well, whatever transpired that night. I still remember that night like the back of my hand- and a vivid explanation too. Well, only some of it. 

My best friend, Zoe, had been very persistent on taking me to a club to celebrate me finally being in the adult stage of my life-or so she said. I'd been reluctant to go at first, never really being the party type of girl, but knowing Zoe, I didn't have much of a choice anyway. I'd always end up going whether I wanted to or not. She's been my best friend and like a sister to me for years. She's helped me in ways that I'll be eternally grateful. So what else could I possibly say?

Zoe wasn't the usual feisty redhead, but she was one-nonetheless. Her red hair that she got from her mom, Suzan, cascaded down her back in waves. She had the body of a model, and she sometimes made me doubt my physical attributes. Oh hell. Most of the time. 

Zoe and I met on a high school field trip when we were 13. We were both in seventh grade, and apparently, our schools had decided to have a joint science trip to the aquarium to celebrate science week. We'd instantly clicked when we'd met, and had remained friends since then. We spoke on the phone as it was costly to make the trip to New York and her to my home town. And with me being an orphan, her parents decided to help me. They basically adopted me, but without actually changing my name, and all that. They took me in when I moved to New York at 18, and I've been with them ever since. So, I owed them a lot. 

At the bar, we were sitting at a table, doing some tequila shots, and I was already a little tipsy. But when I realized that someone was staring at me, I immediately turned around. 

And there, sitting a few tables down, sat the most gorgeous guy I'd ever seen in my life. Honestly, I'd never shown any interest in guys before. Firstly, I wasn't overly confident with my body. I always doubted myself, even though other persons found me beautiful and attractive.

Men noticed me, yes, but I'd never actually been on a date before. Not for the lack of invitations, but mainly because I refused each and every one of them. I always made an excuse; I'm too busy, too sick, I have homework, a project, my grandmother passed away, and the list goes on and on. I never ran out of new ideas, and I later realized that I was never actually hurting anyone. I had no parents or grandparents, so my lies were valid- to some extent. 

However, when I looked at Mister 'I'm-ogling-you-and-there's-nothing-that-you-can-do-about-it', I was lost. The way his perfectly disheveled black hair kept shadowing his perfect eyes, and not to mention the great body he had, he was every girls dream come true. But, for that moment, I'd reminded myself that he was just mine- my dream- at least for tonight. 

He'd smirked when our eyes met, and from then, I was literally fucked. 

We'd been lost in each other's gaze for what seemed like hours, but were really only a few moments. He was sitting with another guy who had blonde hair and kept trying to get his attention, but I didn't pay much attention to his friend. Not when he was looking directly at me, all gorgeous and perfect in my eyes.  

When his companion had realized that he wasn't paying any attention to him, he'd followed his gaze, and seen me. Mr. Hot stuff had spoken to the guy, then hastily walked to the table that Zoe and I were occupying. His walk held secrets of great power and wealth, and when he gave me that breathtakingly dazzling smile-again, if I hadn't been lost before, I would've been his now.

"What are we celebrating?"

I can still remember his voice. That voice. 

His voice was as breathtaking as his looks. And, silly me, I'd thought about Christmas fruit cakes with raisins and rum at that point. I took that opportunity to really look at him- closely. He was rather muscular and looked like he went to the gym every single day. He was probably 6'5'' tall, way above my 5'4'' petite frame, and had on a grey V-neck jumper that matched his grey eyes perfectly. A pair of black loafers, jeans that hugged his legs in all the right places, and a black casual blazer completed his look. He definitely knew how to dress, because he totally rocked his outfit. And his look told me everything I needed to know. He knew how to dress.

I dressed the best I could for my birthday. I'd gone out shopping with Zoe the day before, and she had forced me to buy something before we left the mall. I'd finally listened, and decided to buy a tight leather high-waist skinny jeans that hugged my legs and butt perfectly, and a white crop top. I'd put on a pair of nude heels and grabbed a handbag to match. My curly blonde hair- that I got from whichever side of my family that I had no idea about- cascaded down my back. Zoe had spent almost the entire afternoon making sure that I was perfect for our outing. So, I was definitely confident that I looked good. And, looking at him, I didn't regret buying a new outfit.

I'd been brought out of my way-ward thoughts by Zoe's voice. She'd told him we were celebrating my birthday, and after wishing me happy birthday, he'd invited his friend over and bought me a drink, and then another, until I remembered nothing at all. 

The rest of the night had been a blur. The next morning, I'd woken up naked and wrapped in a man's arms. Having no idea where I was, or who was lying next to me, I'd panicked, gotten dressed, and left the apartment. Well, not before ogling his facial features and his beautiful home. And, from what I'd seen, he was rich- filthy rich, if you'd ask me. 

And now, three weeks later, here I was, looking at the pregnancy test that told me all I needed to know. I was pregnant and there was no questioning the test. The symptoms were all there; nausea, vomiting, tender and fuller breasts, cravings and increased urination. 

Knocked up!

He'd left me without a name, but he'd given me a baby. And, I knew, without a doubt, that I'd take care of this precious gift with my whole life.