Chapter 2

02: THE CONFRONTATION

Several weeks after that incident, I decided to continue living as if nothing happened. Thinking about it really frustrates me, so I always keep myself busy to forget about it.

The election is coming soon, and Mama and Papa are busy campaigning. Because of that, Papa entrusted the company to me, so I became even busier. My father's term as the governor is about to end, and now he's running for the position of a congressman. I thought he was done with politics, but apparently not. Until now, I still don't know how he manages to juggle politics and the company. Just thinking about the company alone is draining me. Well, maybe there's no such thing as being 'tired' for a person who craves power.

Since the party, I haven't seen Red again. I also avoided listening to their band's music because I always feel guilty about what happened whenever I hear his voice. Ever since that day, I curse all the liquors on earth! I promised myself that I will never drink alcohol again!

I held my head as my vision suddenly blurred.

"Miss Del Martin, are you okay?" asked the employee who was with me in the elevator.

"Yes, I'm just feeling a bit dizzy," I replied, trying to adjust my posture.

Since the other day, I have been feeling dizzy all the time. It's probably because I often forget to eat since I'm too busy managing our company. I'm not used to the responsibilities my father left for me. I’m still adjusting.

When I arrived at the office, my secretary greeted me, but my forehead furrowed as I smelled the scent of the air freshener.

"Leila, didn't I tell you yesterday to replace the air freshener here? It smells disgusting!" I snapped, plopping down on my swivel chair. I covered my nose while giving her a stern look.

"I'm sorry, Ma'am. I'll buy a new one right away," she quickly left the office.

I took out my perfume and sprayed it all over my office. I really want to get rid of that damn smell! But as I sprayed, I suddenly halted, realizing something.

Since when did I dislike the lavender scent of my office? It used to be my favorite scent! What's wrong with me?

I frowned as I looked at the small calendar on the side of my desk and realized that I haven't been on my period. I have an irregular period, so I didn't expect my period last month. But March is ending, and I still haven't menstruated!

Anxiety crawled into my chest as I remembered what happened that night. I gasped because of a sudden realization. "Oh my god!" My heart started beating erratically.

Because of that thought, I quickly went down and left the building, heading to the nearest pharmacy. I bought five pregnancy test kits just to make sure they wouldn't fail. Then, I hurried back to the office. My secretary was telling me something, but I was too anxious to pay attention to her. I quickly entered the bathroom and used all the PTs at once.

While waiting, I prayed to God hoping these PTs would give me negative results. But minutes later, when I checked all of them, my breathing hitched when I saw the results. All five PTs I used gave me the same result: two red lines.

It felt like my world was about to end. Goodness! Is this real?

I almost lost my balance as the result slowly sank in. I'm pregnant...

"No, no, Symp. These PTs were wrong. The results you saw were incorrect. Calm y-yourself down. P-please, calm down," I kept telling myself as I faced the mirror.

I should go to my OB to make sure. Right! That is the best thing to do just to end this whole mess.

I turned my head towards the closed door when I heard a gentle knock from Leila. "Miss Symphony, you are being called to the conference room. The board meeting is about to start."

I cleared my throat before answering, "Y-Yes. Just a minute!" I quickly put the pregnancy tests in the plastic bag and took several deep breaths just to calm myself.

My heart was still pounding vigorously, but I needed to act as if I’m fine. I had to act as if nothing had happened. I would be facing important people in the company, so I needed to compose myself.

With one last glance in the mirror, I stepped outside and grabbed my handbag. I put the plastic the bag containing the PTs inside. I walked gracefully to the conference room, pretending that everything was fine. Our employees greeted me in the hallway, and I gave them small smiles.

As soon as I entered, my eyes were immediately drawn to Papa, who was already seated in his position. His mere presence made me freeze. My heart raced, and I could feel my hands and knees trembling once again.

Why is he here? I thought he was busy with the campaign!

He smiled at me, bringing me back to my senses.

"Oh, God! Symphony, don't be too paranoid! No one knows! Besides, it's not confirmed yet! Calm down!" I repeatedly reminded myself as I walked towards my seat.

The meeting started, and the representative from the marketing department began discussing in front. The discussion continued, but I couldn't understand a single thing.

"Miss Del Martin, here's your coffee," my secretary said, but I ignored it.

The board's discussion went on, and I still couldn't focus. It was actually a good thing that my father was there to handle my duties. When the meeting finally ended, Papa walked alongside me as we headed out.

"What are your thoughts about Mr. Abarquez' suggestion, hija?" he asked.

"H-Huh?" I fidgeted with my fingers, starting to feel anxious again.

"I've noticed since earlier that you were preoccupied. I couldn’t ask you during the meeting since we’re busy considering Mr. Abarquez’ proposal. Is there something bothering you?" he asked sounding concern.

"I-I'm sorry, Pa. I was just thinking of… things," I replied, giving him an apologetic smile.

Even until noon, I couldn't find peace. Things kept bothering me. I asked Leila to cancel all my afternoon meetings. I didn't have lunch and went straight to the hospital.

"What's with the sudden visit, Symphony?" Dr. Floresca asked me. She's Soffi's mother and also my OB.

"Auntie, I want to figure out something. I need to confirm if I'm pregnant,” I answered desperately.

I noticed a brief surprise in her eyes, but she quickly proceeded to perform the tests to give me confirmation. She asked me some things about morning sickness and other signs of pregnancy, to which I answered honestly. She didn't say anything or confirm anything yet. I can feel my heart close to exploding.

After nearly thirty minutes of waiting, she came back with the results. "Symphony, hija, you're five weeks pregnant." Her words made me shatter. They echoed in my head again and again, continuously breaking me.

I wanted to cry, but I suppressed the urge to shed tears.

Until I got home, my OB’s confirmation kept replaying in my mind. I already told Dr. Floresca not to tell anyone about my pregnancy, not even my friend, Soffi. Thankfully, she agreed and promised that my secret would be safe with her.

I locked myself in my room and poured out all my fears and worries. I cried and cried until I realized that I should inform Wesley about this. I immediately opened I*******m and sent him a message, asking if we could talk in person. I waited for hours before I received his response.

WesleyB: I thought we made it clear to just forget about what happened between us?

SDMartin: We have a very important matter to talk about. Please, just cooperate.

WesleyB: Just go straight to the point, Symphony. Do you have feelings for me?

I almost threw my phone after reading his response. What the hell is this jerk talking about? Doesn't he feel disgusted by what he said? Goodness!

SDMartin: Dream on!

I waited for his next reply for a few minutes.

WesleyB: Meet me at Café Locca, 7 pm sharp.

I rolled my eyes. He's so bossy! It's irritating!

I scowled when I saw that it was already passed six. I didn't bother replying and hurriedly got dressed. I didn't even bother to cover my swollen eyes. He wasn't worth the effort, though! After getting ready, I immediately went to the place he mentioned.

My irritation towards Wesley momentarily disappeared when I saw how beautiful the café he chose was. It wasn't huge, but it had a cozy and calming vibe. Well, I must admit that he has good taste in picking a place like this, but still, he's a jerk!

I sighed when I saw him seated on the corner table. He looked like a boss waiting for his servant. And the servant? Of course, that wasn't me!

I calmed myself several times before finally approaching him. He raised an eyebrow the moment he noticed my presence. Why is my blood boiling because of this guy? Is it because of the thought that he got me pregnant?

"What are we gonna talk about, Miss Symphony?" he bluntly asked, not even caring if I was already comfortable with my seat or not. Asshole!

"I'm pregnant," I said straightforwardly.

His eyebrow raised again before I gradually heard the most infuriating laugh I've ever heard in my entire life.

"Come again?" he asked with a mocking grin.

I let out a deep breath before speaking seriously, "You got me pregnant."

He stared at me for a moment before bursting into laughter once again.

"Do you think I will buy that shit of yours, Del Martin? Is it really me, or my cousin? Maybe you're just mistaken. Or maybe you slept with another random guy again and you're just confused—" I didn't let him finish as I threw a glass of cold water in his face.

"Do you think I'm a whore? A slut? A pushover? Really, Wesley?" My voice was getting louder, but I didn't care! This devil in front of me was driving me mad! "You know what? You're the worst person I've ever encountered in my whole life! You're a jerk! Why didn't I think that you wouldn't take responsibility for your mistake? Ha! Talking to you was a very wrong move! Even the thought that I once slept with an asshole like you disgusts me!"

"Tone down your voice, Del Martin, if you don't want to embarrass yourself." I quickly glanced around and realized that many people were a;ready looking at us. "Now, did I hear it right? My mistake? Wasn't it you who suddenly entered the room and offered yourself to me? Well, okay, let's say that I am also at fault. But I know that you also enjoyed that mistake, didn't you?"

My lips quivered upon hearing that. "W-What? You're impossible! How could you take this situation as if it was nothing serious, huh? Don't you realize that we're not the only ones affected by this problem?"

His looks turned stern. For the first time today, I saw his bothered reaction. "Abort that child," he said without any regard.

It took me almost a minute to process what he had said. His voice echoed in my head like a broken record until I got sick of listening to it. I felt tears welling up in my eyes as I stared at him, unblinking.

"I-I know this is a huge problem, but I never had the option to kill my child. How can you say that to your own child? Y-You're heartless. Are you even human?"

I let my tears flow as my heart slowly broke into pieces. I felt the pain for the child inside me. His own father was telling me to kill him. But I couldn't do that! My conscience couldn't bear what he wanted to happen!

"Fine! I won't insist that you claim this child. I already knew that nothing good would come from talking to you. I was too foolish to think that you could stand by the mistake we made."

I gave him glares filled with disappointment and disgust. I stood up abruptly from my seat and turned my back on him without saying goodbye. But when I lifted my gaze, it felt like a gust of wind escaped my body when Red suddenly appeared in front of me.

"Y-You're pregnant?"

"Red... w-what are you doing here?" My heart was about to jump out of my chest. I was having a hard time breathing. I looked at Wesley, who also had a surprised expression like mine.

"I-Is it Wesley?"

I swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump in my throat.

"I... I-I'm sorry..."

"Hey, can you continue talking outside?" Wesley said. I gasped when Red held my wrist and pulled me out of the cafe. He only let go when we were in the parking lot.

"Are you really pregnant?" A tear escaped from my eye as I nodded. "W-Why? And out of all people, why him?"

"I'm sorry, Red. Believe me, it was just an accident. It was unintentional," I sobbed. I saw the pain pass through his eyes.

"Do you know why I broke up with you before? It’s because your father told me I was not good enough for you. That I'm not worthy of you. So since then, I've been trying to improve myself, hoping that when I come back to you, your father would see that I'm worthy. But Symphony, what is this? Why is it like this?"

I fell to my knees, continuously asking for forgiveness.

"I thought that once I proved myself to your father, we could be together. But it seems that's no longer possible."

I begged him to stay, to listen to my explanation. But he didn't. He continued walking away from me while my tears continued to pour.

"What a sad story."

I looked at Wesley, who seemed to have been listening to us all along. Using the remaining strength I had, I stood up and gave him a hard slap. His face tilted to the side. I knew it hurt him enough, as my palm was starting to feel numb, too. His jaw twitched when he looked back at me.

"Carrying your child inside my womb disgusts the hell out of me. You want me to abort this? Fine! I will give you what you want. I'll kill this child."