Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

I just stood, staring at my mum, absolutely no idea what to say. My phone is hanging in mid-air, slightly away from my face. She just stared back at me, waiting for an answer. She raised her eyebrow.

'Mum, hi, I didn't realise you had finished shopping'.

'Well, I have, why are you bothering Mr Lewis. I'm sure he's busy, come on. We have lunch reservations'. I instantly let out a sigh of relief, she obviously hadn't heard the whole conversation. I made an innocent-enough-sounding excuse and hung up. I'd talk to Roman later, right now I just had to believe that he was going to ''handle'' Beth.

We made our way down to the restaurant and had lunch, it killed a few hours, but I was just too eager to get home and make another excuse so I could go and speak to Roman... mum, however, had other ideas...

As soon as we got home, Mum sat me down and started asking me questions about Haley... And her father. I suddenly wasn't so convinced that she didn't hear my conversation with Roman after all.

'So... Come on, Be honest with me'. Ah, sh*t. I put on a poker face and just shrugged.

'What are you talking about?'

'You know what I'm talking about'. Did I?

'Um... nope. No idea what you're talking about. Maybe explain...?'

'You got close at the company, didn't you?' Shit, shit SHIT!

'Close to who?' She signed and cocked her head to the side. She was getting annoyed at me pretending to have no clue what she was getting at and stayed silent until I broke down. I let out a long, overdramatic breath and shook my head. 'Yeah, I worked with him'.

'Did he take advantage of you?'

'What?! No!' How could she even think Roman would do that?

'Is that why you want to go back to work Roman's company? So you can spend time with him? Have him in your life without me and your father asking questions?'

'Not completely'.

'So tell me what happened. How did it start?'

'That's private mum!'. It's also strange that she would want to know considering how close she and dad are with him.

'Does Roman know?' I just stared at her, blinking a few times. 'Does he know who it is?'

Oh my god, She doesn't know! She doesn't know it's Roman. I instantly felt that relief again and smiled to myself, hoping she wouldn't notice. She either didn't or didn't care enough to comment. I realised I hadn't answered her yet shrugged.

'No, No, I don't think so, but even if he did, it's none of his business who I was seeing while I worked at his company and I'd appreciate it if you can leave the past in the past'.

'As long as you are, Alex, that's all I'm saying'. I didn't even answer her, I just stood up, picked Haley up and took her upstairs to give her a bath.

I wanted to get her all cosy and settled early tonight because I'd conveniently be going to see my friends later... or at least, that's what I'm telling mum and dad, In reality, I'll be going next door. This whole Beth thing had really gotten under my skin and I just needed to make sure that when Roman says he's dealing with it... He WAS dealing with it.

******

I gave Haley her bath and got her dressed into a nice cosy onesie and took her back downstairs. An hour or so later, dad came home from work and while he had cuddles with the baby, me and mum made dinner. I wasn't hungry but ate anyway. After dinner, it was mum's turn for Haley to cuddle and then it was bedtime.

I had mentioned to mum while making dinner that I ''might'' go out, I waited until the baby was fast asleep before I headed back down. Walking into the front room, Mum was reading a book and dad was flipping through the tv channels, trying to find something to watch.

I decided to wait a little while and when I received a text message from Lea, it was the perfect time and excuse.

'Hey, do you mind if I head out for an hour or so to meet the girls? Haley's down for the count'. Dad didn't answer and mum just ''mmm''ed. I passed her the baby monitor and left the room again, grabbing my jacket as I passed the coat hook and left the house.

The cool air hit me in the face as soon as I walked out of the house and a shiver ran through my body. It was chilly. I looked over at Roman's house, his lights were on, he was home. I made sure no one was looking and headed over to his house quickly.

As I got closer, I could hear what sounded like muffled arguing I stopped for a minute and tried to make out the voices. One was definitely Roman, obviously, it was his house, but the other... was female.

Who?

I tried to listen but I couldn't make anything out. I debated sitting and waiting to see who came out but then realised... If they didn't, I wouldn't want to know why... for all I know, it could be another one of his ''special'' friends or even a girlfriend... He says he's not dating anyone... Who knows if that's true...

Swallowing the lump in my throat and taking a deep breath, I walked up to the door and knocked loudly.

The argument continued but I could see someone coming towards the door and when it was opened, Roman stood there. The screaming continued but now the door was open, I could hear what was being said;

'Roman! I said DON'T walk away from me!'. Her screams were getting closer until she walked around the corner.

What the f*ck?!

'Beth?'