CHAPTER FOUR: PROBABLY A MISTAKE

Faye’s POV

I took a deep breath as I exited the restroom, trying to compose myself as I made my way back to the table, while putting on a fake confident smile. Sterling looked up at me, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in my appearance. I could tell he was trying to place me, but I was determined to keep my cool.

“Hey,” I said, trying to sound casual. “Sorry about that, I just needed to powder my nose,”

Sterling raised an eyebrow. “You look a little pale,” he said, his voice laced with concern.

I waved it off, trying to laugh. “Just a little nervous, I guess,” I said, taking a seat across from him.

“Of course, it’s expected. I doubt you’ve ever met a pretty, rich man like me,” he maintained, making me scoff. He wasn’t just dumb, he was arrogant as well.

I gave a weak smile, waving my hand to grab the waiter’s attention so I could place an order. I wasn’t about to leave the most expensive restaurant I had just been to for the first time of my life, empty stomached.

I quickly picked some food from the menu even though I never knew what they tasted like. Sterling placed his order as well but while he was on it, my mind wandered off to why I had thrown up in the bathroom. It wasn't just the shock of seeing my boss that had made me feel nauseous - it was the fact that I was lying to him, pretending to be someone I wasn't. But I pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the task at hand. I had to scare him away, make him think that Evie was not worth his time. I really had to.

The food arrived in a jiffy and we started to eat. Few minutes into it, I began to exhibit all the signs of a crazy girlfriend. I talked loudly, laughed obnoxiously, and made a scene over nothing. Sterling looked at me, his eyes wide with disbelief, and I could tell he was starting to get uncomfortable.

Good, I thought to myself. That's exactly what I want.

But suddenly, he smiled which got me wondering if I wasn’t acting well this time around.

I continued to act out, trying to get a rise out of him. But no matter how hard I tried, he just wouldn't budge. I started talking to imaginary friends, thinking that would be the final nail in the coffin. But to my surprise, Sterling just laughed.

“This is amazing,” he said, his eyes shining with amusement. “I've never seen anything like it,”

I was taken aback. This wasn't going as planned. I had thought for sure that my antics would have him running for the hills by now. But instead, he seemed to be enjoying the show.

I tried to keep going, but it was getting harder and harder to keep up the act. I was starting to feel like a fool, and Sterling's laughter was making me feel like a circus animal.

Things only got worse when I tried to eat from the table after my food fell on it. Sterling's expression turned from amusement to disgust, and he quickly got up and left.

I ran after him, fake pleading with him to stay. But deep down, I was thrilled. I had done it. I had scared him off, and he wouldn't be contacting Evie again.

I felt duly satisfied as I watched him walk away. I had done what I set out to do, and I had done it with style.

But as I turned to walk back into the restaurant, I couldn't shake the feeling that I had also made a fool of myself. I had gone too far, and I knew it. But then I took a deep breath and pushed the thought aside. It didn't matter. What mattered was that Sterling was out of the picture, and Evie was free and hopefully when her father hears the details, he wouldn’t set her up on a blind date again.

My heart rate increased as I suddenly remembered my boss was involved in this. How would I cope at work? This was definitely risky but I had no choice. I hope he doesn’t figure it out and have me fired. My phone blared loudly in the restaurant, pulling out of my trance.

Evie’s name flashed on the screen prompting me to pick up the phone on the first ring, ready to give her a piece of my mind. “Evie, what were you thinking?!” I exclaimed, not even bothering to say hello. I was mad and this whole thing was liable to put me in a mess. “You didn't even tell me that Sterling was my boss at work! It’s not like you don’t know where I work! How could you be so reckless?”

But before I could continue my tirade, Evie interrupted me, her voice shrill with panic. “What did you do, Faye?! He wants to marry me!”

I was taken aback, my words dying on my lips. “What?! How is that even possible?!” I asked, my mind reeling with the implications.

But before Evie could respond, I felt nauseous all over again, similar to what I had experienced earlier. Except this time, it was much stronger. I felt dizzy and disoriented, like the room was spinning around me.

“Evie, I have to go,” I said abruptly, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Wait, what's wrong?!” Evie asked, her voice full of concern.

But I didn't have the strength to answer. I ended the call and stumbled out of the restaurant, making my way to the hospital. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was seriously wrong.

On reaching there, I lay on the hospital bed, waiting for the doctor to come in with my test results while I critically thought about the events of the day. Impersonating Evie for a date with my boss, feeling nauseous and dizzy, being out of our restaurant far too long... it all seemed like a strange dream now.

But when the doctor finally came in with a serious expression, I knew that this was no dream. “Faye, you're pregnant,” she said, her words dropping like a bombshell.

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Pregnant?! How was that even possible?!

My mind wandered off to the moment I shared with my boss… could that be the reason? I thought critically, gazing at the transparent door while lost in thought.

That's when I saw him - my father, walking down the hallway towards the doctor's office. My heart skipped a beat as I watched him approach, my mind racing with panic. I couldn't let him see me like this, pregnant and dressed like I own an estate. He would definitely figure out what was happening and I wasn't ready for that.

I quickly scrambled to my feet, my eyes fixed on my father as he walked closer and closer. I felt like I was going to pass out, my heart racing with anxiety. I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. All I could do was watch as he approached the door, his eyes fixed on the floor.

But then, something unexpected happened. He walked past the door, not even glancing in my direction.

I exhaled sharply, not knowing which problem to deal with.