BETH- PRESENTI panic -dial her number. My hands are shaking so much; I drop the phone twice before managing to put the call through to Alex. Luckily, she answers on the first ring."Where are you! Why haven't you been answering?" She queries. "Is she okay?" I ask instead. There is a scuffle on the other end and Sofia's voice comes on."Hi Beth. Mary had a little incident this morning, but she is okay now. She called Alex when she couldn't reach you. They have her on observation, and may need to keep her for the night." "Oh thank God! I will be there as soon as I can. Thank you."I try to sound as relaxed as she had, but I fail. She managed to give me information without giving anything away. If her plan was to reduce my panic, she failed because immediately I get off the phone, I rush out like a mad woman and gun my car."Please be okay. Please be okay." I repeat the mantra on the long drive to her. When I reach the waiting room Alex and Sofia are, I throw my arms around Alex but she
BETH- PRESENTThe day Mary is discharged from the hospital, while cleaning her room in preparation for her return, I find her prescription for the blood pressure. When I confront her about it, she brushes aside my concerns and assures me she was fine and didn't need the drugs. For that reason, I promise to FaceTime her everyday day to watch her take the drugs. She says I'm being extra, but I have to take precaution.My mind is full. On one hand, I try to feel optimistic about Mary’s considerable improvement, but I am not feeling it. Alex and I discussed getting her a nurse, but she shut the idea down. According to her, it was too soon to hand the reins of her life over to someone else.On the other, I dread a meeting with Chase. He called almost every minute I was away, checking on me and Mary; to the point that it has become annoying. What is he trying to achieve? Does he think the baby changes anything?I scoff at the thought and pull into my street. Chase is waiting outside my hous
BECK- PRESENTBusiness is competitive; requiring you to give your body and soul. I don't mind giving it my all. I don't even mind the competition, it makes me a better man.The last few weeks, I worked offsite, supervising the refurbishing of our latest boat. She is turning out to be more beautiful than ever. I find the work gratifying and enjoy watching her get stripped bare, then remodeled.I also relish the opportunity to escape the oppressive atmosphere in the office, and my father. I have become quite skilled at avoiding him, and this project is a perfect opportunity. Granted that I don't need to supervise the work, I have an able team, but I had to get away; what with Teresa randomly showing up at my place, to my father reminding me about the forthcoming quarterly meeting and his plan to name me his heir.Another reason I need space is to lick my wounds after losing a business deal to the Arlingtons. They have been my major competition in real estate and I am a sour loser.My ri
BECK - PASTMy arm is still in a cast when papa says it's time to leave the hospital. I don't want to leave, I like the hospital; the nurses are nice and pretty. I was involved in an accident, and cannot remember much.The doctor says my memory will come back if I go to a familiar place, but papa says he cannot take me back 'there.' I don't know where 'there' is, but from the way Papa's lips purse, I figure it must not have been a nice place.Papa says he is taking me to Italy to spend time with grandma. He wants me to learn about my rich heritage, and the customs of my people. I don't want to. I want to remember my past; unfortunately, each time I try, I have a headache. The doctor says it's normal, but I don’t like it.I am afraid when the car pulls up to pick us up at the entrance to the hospital but I try not to show it. Papa must have noticed because he holds my hand the entire car ride. He assures me that the driver is very experienced and unlikely to be involved in an accident.
BETH- PRESENTA soft wind rustled through the trees as I gaze out my window. One look at me and you would assume that I am admiring the unhindered view of nature; but you couldn't be farther from the truth. The truth is that my mind is miles away.It is Saturday, and I have spent most of my week evading calls, mostly those from the hospital. The serenity of nature reminds me of the proverbial calm before the storm. I am terrified, scared witless about my life.Before Alex’s last visit, I had absolutely no doubt in my mind about whose child I am carrying. But now, I am afraid. Afraid of the future, afraid for my child. Even though I promised to do all I can to help her, I have been avoiding reality all this time; pushing it back one more day. All i need is an extra day, i always promise myself.I am warming my hands on a cup of coffee I dare not drink when my doorbell rings. Confused, and a little annoyed at the disturbance, I stalk to the door and yank it open."What?" I bellow at t
BECK- PRESENTRosa places a cup of coffee in front of me and I sip the scalding liquid, ignoring the burning in my tongue. Then I return my focus to the window behind me. I am not admiring the impressive view of the bustling city being in my high rise office affords me, nor am I strategizing ways to make more money.The truth is, i am trying to quiet my mind; the one screaming bloody murder. Why else would I be at work by this time, with people I'm sure can't wait to escape back to their lives.“Anthony, are you sure about this?” One of the people seated at the table with me whispers, and I clench my fists.“I am positive.” Anthony replies. “They were a couple up until three months ago.”“Do
BECK- PRESENTI want to believe that work is hectic today; that the client demands and ongoing projects are taking longer than they ought. I want to pretend that this morning's meeting, when I lost my patience, had nothing to do with the absurdity of my late night meeting with my legal team.But it is all a lie. Why can't I stomach the rationale that Rainbow tried to swindle me? Each time I remember our night together, I wonder if I am that much of a fool. Besides, she did not strike me as someone who was faking.Was she? How humiliating! Women have flocked around me because of my money before, but the ones that make it to my bed want to be exclusive. To think that a woman would fake it with me…"I know you're still mad at me, but how long do you intend to i
BETH- PRESENTToday is the day my baby’s paternity is determined. Luckily, it is a Saturday, so I don’t have to deal with Mia and Stacy’s trite comments about my weight and distraction at work. I didn’t even know that I was adding weight! I had tried to get Alex to agree to accompany me to the hospital, but she had been too busy dealing with work and nursing her broken heart; I still feel guilty about that one, even though I know that I shouldn’t. Hopefully, the results will clear things up.I cross and uncross my legs several times while I wait for both males to arrive, and pretend that I am not nervous or scared out of my mind. The hospital is beautiful, frequented by many celebrities. They had taken steps to deviate from the normal sterile white environment of hospitals by painting the walls a cher
BECK- PRESENTUnbelievable!I look at the mail in front of me and curse out loud. Rosa pokes her head into my office to see if I am okay, but I wave her off. I still haven't fully forgiven her.The mail is long and detailed, including a picture of a sonogram and blood work of the mother. But that is not the part that holds my attention. I've been had! Rainbow successfully fucked me over! How did I not see this coming? Me, who has always been careful! It didn’t even happen with Teresa, and heaven knows that she tried.I groan and slump in my chair, all thoughts about work forgotten. My 300 square meters office suddenly feels claustrophobic, and I struggle to loosen my necktie when I decide to take the day off.“Reschedule all my appointments, I'm taking the rest of today off." I inform Rosa. “Are you okay?” She asks with motherly concern. “Rainbow is having my child.” “Oh!” Rosa gasps out with a sympathetic look.I shake my head when she tries to get out of her seat, and hightail it fo
BETH- PRESENTToday is the day my baby’s paternity is determined. Luckily, it is a Saturday, so I don’t have to deal with Mia and Stacy’s trite comments about my weight and distraction at work. I didn’t even know that I was adding weight! I had tried to get Alex to agree to accompany me to the hospital, but she had been too busy dealing with work and nursing her broken heart; I still feel guilty about that one, even though I know that I shouldn’t. Hopefully, the results will clear things up.I cross and uncross my legs several times while I wait for both males to arrive, and pretend that I am not nervous or scared out of my mind. The hospital is beautiful, frequented by many celebrities. They had taken steps to deviate from the normal sterile white environment of hospitals by painting the walls a cher
BECK- PRESENTI want to believe that work is hectic today; that the client demands and ongoing projects are taking longer than they ought. I want to pretend that this morning's meeting, when I lost my patience, had nothing to do with the absurdity of my late night meeting with my legal team.But it is all a lie. Why can't I stomach the rationale that Rainbow tried to swindle me? Each time I remember our night together, I wonder if I am that much of a fool. Besides, she did not strike me as someone who was faking.Was she? How humiliating! Women have flocked around me because of my money before, but the ones that make it to my bed want to be exclusive. To think that a woman would fake it with me…"I know you're still mad at me, but how long do you intend to i
BECK- PRESENTRosa places a cup of coffee in front of me and I sip the scalding liquid, ignoring the burning in my tongue. Then I return my focus to the window behind me. I am not admiring the impressive view of the bustling city being in my high rise office affords me, nor am I strategizing ways to make more money.The truth is, i am trying to quiet my mind; the one screaming bloody murder. Why else would I be at work by this time, with people I'm sure can't wait to escape back to their lives.“Anthony, are you sure about this?” One of the people seated at the table with me whispers, and I clench my fists.“I am positive.” Anthony replies. “They were a couple up until three months ago.”“Do
BETH- PRESENTA soft wind rustled through the trees as I gaze out my window. One look at me and you would assume that I am admiring the unhindered view of nature; but you couldn't be farther from the truth. The truth is that my mind is miles away.It is Saturday, and I have spent most of my week evading calls, mostly those from the hospital. The serenity of nature reminds me of the proverbial calm before the storm. I am terrified, scared witless about my life.Before Alex’s last visit, I had absolutely no doubt in my mind about whose child I am carrying. But now, I am afraid. Afraid of the future, afraid for my child. Even though I promised to do all I can to help her, I have been avoiding reality all this time; pushing it back one more day. All i need is an extra day, i always promise myself.I am warming my hands on a cup of coffee I dare not drink when my doorbell rings. Confused, and a little annoyed at the disturbance, I stalk to the door and yank it open."What?" I bellow at t
BECK - PASTMy arm is still in a cast when papa says it's time to leave the hospital. I don't want to leave, I like the hospital; the nurses are nice and pretty. I was involved in an accident, and cannot remember much.The doctor says my memory will come back if I go to a familiar place, but papa says he cannot take me back 'there.' I don't know where 'there' is, but from the way Papa's lips purse, I figure it must not have been a nice place.Papa says he is taking me to Italy to spend time with grandma. He wants me to learn about my rich heritage, and the customs of my people. I don't want to. I want to remember my past; unfortunately, each time I try, I have a headache. The doctor says it's normal, but I don’t like it.I am afraid when the car pulls up to pick us up at the entrance to the hospital but I try not to show it. Papa must have noticed because he holds my hand the entire car ride. He assures me that the driver is very experienced and unlikely to be involved in an accident.
BECK- PRESENTBusiness is competitive; requiring you to give your body and soul. I don't mind giving it my all. I don't even mind the competition, it makes me a better man.The last few weeks, I worked offsite, supervising the refurbishing of our latest boat. She is turning out to be more beautiful than ever. I find the work gratifying and enjoy watching her get stripped bare, then remodeled.I also relish the opportunity to escape the oppressive atmosphere in the office, and my father. I have become quite skilled at avoiding him, and this project is a perfect opportunity. Granted that I don't need to supervise the work, I have an able team, but I had to get away; what with Teresa randomly showing up at my place, to my father reminding me about the forthcoming quarterly meeting and his plan to name me his heir.Another reason I need space is to lick my wounds after losing a business deal to the Arlingtons. They have been my major competition in real estate and I am a sour loser.My ri
BETH- PRESENTThe day Mary is discharged from the hospital, while cleaning her room in preparation for her return, I find her prescription for the blood pressure. When I confront her about it, she brushes aside my concerns and assures me she was fine and didn't need the drugs. For that reason, I promise to FaceTime her everyday day to watch her take the drugs. She says I'm being extra, but I have to take precaution.My mind is full. On one hand, I try to feel optimistic about Mary’s considerable improvement, but I am not feeling it. Alex and I discussed getting her a nurse, but she shut the idea down. According to her, it was too soon to hand the reins of her life over to someone else.On the other, I dread a meeting with Chase. He called almost every minute I was away, checking on me and Mary; to the point that it has become annoying. What is he trying to achieve? Does he think the baby changes anything?I scoff at the thought and pull into my street. Chase is waiting outside my hous
BETH- PRESENTI panic -dial her number. My hands are shaking so much; I drop the phone twice before managing to put the call through to Alex. Luckily, she answers on the first ring."Where are you! Why haven't you been answering?" She queries. "Is she okay?" I ask instead. There is a scuffle on the other end and Sofia's voice comes on."Hi Beth. Mary had a little incident this morning, but she is okay now. She called Alex when she couldn't reach you. They have her on observation, and may need to keep her for the night." "Oh thank God! I will be there as soon as I can. Thank you."I try to sound as relaxed as she had, but I fail. She managed to give me information without giving anything away. If her plan was to reduce my panic, she failed because immediately I get off the phone, I rush out like a mad woman and gun my car."Please be okay. Please be okay." I repeat the mantra on the long drive to her. When I reach the waiting room Alex and Sofia are, I throw my arms around Alex but she