1. Candy...

September, 1996.

"I'm pregnant." She said, making him freeze in his tracks. 

"Who’s the dad?" He asked, crossing his fingers as his heartbeat was becoming rapid. 

"You." She deadpanned.

No. No. No. No. No. No

“This isn’t happening right now. She couldn't be pregnant. This is a huge mistake.” He thought.

"How far are you?" He asked.

"Two months." she replied, quite nonchalant about it.

He was engaged to the woman of his ‘dreams’ and Candace was his girlfriend. 

“How did I ever make this mistake?” He thought. 

"You have to get rid of it." He said, panic evident in his voice.

"Not a chance." She said as her nostrils flared, signifying that she was annoyed. She got up from her chair abruptly, making a sharp scraping sound as she turned on her heels and was on her way to the door. 

"Candy..." was all he could say before he was cut by the sound of the door being slammed in his face. 

She slammed the door and stormed out of his office. 

“I don’t need him or anyone else.” She got her documents and paycheck even though it was just the second week of the month. 

She got into her car and as the engine roared to life, she could barely hold the tears that threatened to fall. She felt them sting her cheeks. 

Candace arrived at her apartment which was about an hour drive from Zimmer Inc. She was leaving California for good. She packed her clothes, shoes and all her stuff into her car. 

She’d notified an agent about selling her house, bought a plane ticket to Florida and already put her car and stuff for listing for a cargo plane. 

She arrived at the airport at exactly two p.m and the plane was due for takeoff at two thirty p.m. She got through security and was sitting on a plane. It was time to start a new life with or without anyone. 

She missed her parents so much, especially her mum. Nothing was the same without her. She fastened her seatbelt and half an hour later she drifted off to sleep. 

He couldn't tell Clover that his secretary or at this point; ex-secretary was carrying his baby. No, he wasn't ready to lose her yet.

Sighing, he sat in the swivel chair, legs crossed across the table as he tried to come up with ideas on what to do. 

He was in "love" with Clover but that didn't imply that he didn’t love Candace. He loved Candace but it was different. It was natural unlike the arranged relationship he had with Clover. 

He was dragged out from his train of thoughts by the sound of the door opening. He hoped she came back but instead it was Clover who stood by the door smiling. 

As she walked towards him, her smile faltered as she realised he wasn't smiling back. 

"Doug, what's wrong?" she asked, looking worried. 

"Just tired." He replied feigning a yawn. 

"Brought you lunch." she said as she opened the bag and got out some hamburgers and fries with a ketchup packet. 

He didn't have an appetite but she would immediately know something was up so he decided to eat the fries and half of the hamburger. 

After lunch she left to check on her jewelry store to make sure things were going in order. 

Candace… The baby… Clover.

He was stuck. 

Two Weeks Later

September, 1996.

He was losing it, going nuts already. He had no choice but to tell her this very instant. He couldn't take it anymore. 

He jogged down the stairs,grabbed his keys and drove to the nearest cafe. He called Clover but no response. Maybe she was busy. So he decided to send a text

“Hey, meet me at Willy’s for lunch. Bring your appetite baby.”                                                          

“Sure, see you in five.” She texted back.

                                                                                         

She walked gracefully through the doors, looking as gorgeous as ever, he was beginning to rethink his decision. 

“Hi.” She smiled as she kissed his cheek before taking a seat. 

“Clo, we need to talk. ”He said. 

“Spill.” she said. 

“I am very sorry to say this but Clo, I don't think I want to continue this relationship. The feelings involved aren't natural, they are forced. I want to give actual love too, not just to feel loved. I am sorry.” He said, feeling relieved he got it off his chest. 

“Same here.” She smiled.

What!? 

“Really?” He asked. 

“Yes, I tried to make it work with the mindset that I would grow to love you but I guess it didn't work out and thanks for not leading me on.” She said with sincerity. 

“So, friends?” He asked, extending his hand for a shake.

“Friends.” She replied, accepting his handshake.

They spent the afternoon together as friends and surprisingly, it felt good.  They said their goodbyes and he was off to his penthouse.

He took a shower, sprayed on some cologne and as he was about to enter his study, his phone rang. 

Mom.

“Hey mom.”

“Douglas, I missed you so much” She said with joy and disappointment all in one. Mom was such a drama queen. 

“I miss you too mom.”

“I called to check on you and to make you promise to call me often.” She sassed. 

Damn... He’d forgotten about that. He’d been so busy recently.

“I promise.”

“Good. I gotta go, talk to you later. Love you”. She said before giggling like a little girl. 

“Love you too.” He said and hung up. 

He really missed her and he knew she did too. It wasn't a piece of cake having just one child. He smiled as he walked into his study. Business time. 

His phone rang again. Jeff.

“Hey man.”

“Hey man, I'll pick you up in a few minutes. Get ready and kindly ditch the tux.”

“What? That’s so impromptu man, where are we headed?”

“A party, wild as hell, no excuses fam, get dressed.”

“Fine, whatever.” He rolled his eyes.

“Pick you up in twenty.”

“Whatever man."