Chapter 9: Coincidence

Conan’s pov

“You can’t just sit here and wallow in self-pity,” Bella said.

I ignored her and then went back to my work.

“She left you, she left even though she was the one who was at fault,” she added.

“I am not wallowing in self-pity, I am just very busy and need you to leave me alone,” I said, and she frowned.

She then looked around the room and her eyes landed on the calendar on the wall.

“What is this for?” she asked and when I didn’t answer she looked at me.

“You don’t answer me only when it is related to that girl. Oh gosh, this is 9 months. Have you been counting down the days of her pregnancy?” she asked me.

When I didn’t answer her she gasped at this.

“Amazing, I wonder what she gave you that you would do such a thing,” she said.

“You said lunch right?” I asked her and she nodded.

“Thank you brother,” she said as I was taking my jacket.

She walked out first, and I looked at the calendar.

She will have a child soon; I would have been by your side had you not left.

Couldn’t you just have admitted that you made a mistake?

I would have forgiven you, yes it hurt a lot but losing you hurt even more.

We got to the restaurant, and we gave our order.

“OMG, Bella and Conan, you guys are here?” Jenna suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

All this time, she has been appearing everywhere I go and acting like it was a coincidence.

I looked at Bella who just smiled and I could see her begging me with her eyes to stay.

“I will stay this one time. But if something like this happen again, then forget about ever having lunch with me,” I told her, and she nodded.

“Thank you brother,” she said and then I looked at Jenna.

It’s annoying what she is trying to do but how can I hate her for something even I did?

Flashback

“Sir, here are some painters and also their work,” my assistant said, and I nodded.

I took a look at the files that he gave me.

My heart stopped when I saw her face on a file.

Emma Cooper, look at that.

I mean I did do have my people dig up information about her the first time I met her.

I knew the school she was teaching in and could easily find out her last name on that.

And the part where I want to the school wasn’t really necessary.

I could have just donated silently or sent someone to go on my and then went about my business.

But I was hoping I would bump into her, so I went there myself.

And I wasn’t there to volunteer at all, but I couldn’t say no to her.

This would be a perfect chance to fake another meeting.

I don’t know why but I like running into her.

“Her, call her to the office and ask her to come and look around the place. Tell her to start with the top floor,” I said, and he nodded.

When he left I started looking at her artwork.

Her artwork is a lot like her, bright and very cheerful and that’s the kind of thing I want to add to the place.

I went back to my work and there was a knock on the door a few hours later.

“Sir, an Emma Cooper is here to see you,” he said, and I nodded.

“Please let her in after a few minutes,” I said, and he nodded.

She is just a girl, I am Conan Hansen, the most eligible bachelor.

I am rich, intelligent, and also very handsome.

Why is a girl freaking me out?

Should I make it obvious that I was waiting for her?

Or should I look down and then when she sits down I look at her.

Should I also show her that I remember her and be friendly or should I maintain professionalism?

Or I could act like I don’t remember her at all and have never met her.

The door opened and I did the first thing that came to mind which was standing up.

She walked in and her eyes landed on me.

“Good afternoon sir,” she said, and I looked at her.

I am guessing we are going with professionalism then.

“Please have a seat Miss Cooper,” I said, and she nodded.

“Thank you so much for this opportunity sir, I appreciate it,” she said, and I just shrugged.

“You did all the hard work, your paintings got you here,” I said, and she nodded.

“You will start with my office, and the public places,” I said, and she looked around my office.

“No problem sir, I have enough paintings to fill this place,” she said with a huge smile.

“That’s good, you may leave now, and I will have my assistant call you,” I said, and she nodded.

She then said goodbye and then walked out.

Why was she so different?

Was it because this was something work related, and she didn’t want to look like she is not professional?

Why did she have to be so professional?

I was about to get back to work when the door opened again.

I found her standing at the door looking at me.

“I am sorry, it just felt really weird talking to you like that,” she said, and I smiled.

“I thought the same thing as well,” I said, and she smiled.

“So, how are you Lily’s dad?” she asked me, and I chuckled at this.

“I am okay, Lily’s mom,” I said, and she nodded and asked if she could sit down.

“I wanted to apologize for yesterday. You weren’t there to volunteer and I bulldozed you into doing it anyway,” she said, and I smiled.

“I am Conan Hansen, no one can bulldoze me into doing anything,” I said, and she nodded.

“And here I was thinking that maybe I can bulldoze you into a late night snack,” she said and sighed.

“I will let you, just this one time since I did all that work. I deserve a treat,” I said, and she nodded.

She took out a container from her bag and then handed it to me.

She opened it and then took a bite as if telling me it was safe.

“I hope you can have this and accept my apology,” she said, and I nodded looking at the brownie.

“Have a good day Mr Hansen,” she said and then left.

From what I heard, she needs to look and inspect the offices to see which paintings would better fit the place.

I heard that she asked for 2 weeks to finish the job.

Which means that I have 2 weeks to get her to like me and see me as a man and not just some guy she has met a couple of times.

End of flashback

Do you remember that promise we made back then?

The promise we made when we met.

It seems like you won that bet, you had your child first and won the name.

It’s a little funny isn’t it?

You never wanted a child, and you will have them very soon.

And as for me, I have always wanted a family and now I know I can never have one.

Why?

Why are our lives such a mess?