3- The Smell Of Doom

As I grow, I have always been baffled by that one gender…Men. Men are by far the worst. I mean, why put your dick in a woman's cunt when you know you'd only leave the both of you miserable?

From one soap opera to another, women are the ideal toilet tissues. Used, only to be dumped. Well, they at least get a chance to slap those men on the face, before running off somewhere to cry rivers.

Meanwhile here I am, living the reality. I'm unable to lift even one finger on him, nor was there a need to go through all the hassle to cry in a corner when I can just do it here.

"Has anyone ever told you're a scum bag?" I narrowed my eyes at him and even as he straightened up his feet to get back to his seat, I saw the amused expression on his unfortunately handsome face.

"Yes. Often." He made sure to sound his meanest.

I earnestly stared at him, contemplating puncturing a hole in his face and at the same time wondering the fastest escape.

My eyes wandered around but there was no other door except the main one in which he grabbed his car keys, walked past me, and walked right out of.

Not only did my jaw drop in disbelief, I instantly felt a horrible feeling settling at the pit of my stomach. He just walked out on me but he should know I'm not swayed.

I just somehow wish I could turn back the hands of the clock. But then, if I had refused to run Gwen's errand together with her that day, my father wouldn't think twice before chasing me out of the house.

I'm helpless. I have nobody. My father who was supposed to be my solid rock at such a tough time like this is having enough hating on me already—I won't blame it on him if one day he conspires with his wife to poison me.

According to them, they've been feeding me freely for five months now when I ought to have been kicked out, to find the father of my child.

Are they the slightest bit aware I know who owns my pregnancy and how he has all the money in the world but just won't accept me? I guess not.

Why my father despised me that much remains a misery, anyway.

I remained unmoved from my spot on the floor. I honestly don't mind spending the night here. Not like I have anywhere else to be.

Now that am away for a while, perhaps Gwen would put those hands of hers to use.

My eyes were busy checking the whole place when the door opened and two heavy guarded securities came in.

"Miss?"

Upon hearing, I looked up. What now?

"Sir wants you out of here. He said your odour was too consuming." One of the two men replied, while the other begrudgingly tapped on his watch hastily.

My heart ached, and bled but I didn't let it show.

I nodded eventually and stood. "Yes. I suppose you're right."

Painfully, I dragged myself out of the office while taking my much-needed time. I'm done fighting it, I give up.

The security guards stayed etched by my sides, seemingly annoyed by my slow movement but I ignored them. 'Single mother', just the thought of it alone almost made me gag. Indeed, fate has had me hooked.

A game of no way out. I don't seem to have a choice either.

"Oh heaven, Serina, is that you?!" I raised my head and turned towards the direction of the voice.

My eyes glimmered and suddenly, when all hope seemed lost, I smiled. It's Mrs. Romano. Finally!

~

"I don't want yet another report you somehow stepped into the kitchen. There are plenty of maids to do the work for you. Henceforth, don't lift a spoon. Is that clear?" After breakfast, Mrs. Romano chirped excitedly. Like she has been ever since my revelation.

"Yes…" I couldn't finish my statement when Nikolai approached, stopping by the dinning table for his morning coffee.

"You're up." Mrs. Romano beamed, rising up to pull him in a short embrace.

"Morning, mother." His deep voice sounded through my ears and I exhaled, mustering the courage to look at him.

I concluded on a two seconds peak which soon turned into a long stare, and then a full shameless gawking.

He looked perfect in his tailored black suit. His jet-black hair was styled to perfection. A young CEO and owner of different Romano Ltd companies. He was every woman's dream and as crazy as it sounds, this same good looking thirty-two-year-old wealthy man remains my contract husband till I give birth.

"I shall take my leave now. Bye, mother." He called out, and the whole time he hasn't looked at me.

As if sensing my gaze, he turned his head my way.

My face turned pale as I quickly looked away, briefly shutting my eyes to mumble a silent prayer. When the door went shut, I squeezed out a relieved sigh from my lungs.

However, despite his departure, I stared into the space, my hands trembling on my thighs. I'm so nervous I wonder why.

It's been three days of back and forth between Nikolai and I. Our eyes would meet, only for him to look away, his eyes no longer the same eyes that held promises months back.

I hated myself for believing his eyes would return to mine. Only for him to take a step in the opposite direction, annoyance radiating off him.

Each step he took drew more distance and less of a chance he would recognize me.

It's unfair when he finally spared a look at me, he would look at me like I was a stranger.

The shrill ringing of my phone brought back my awareness and upon the sight of my stepsister's name as the caller ID, I hightailed it to my new room.

Three days ago after I explained the situation to Mrs. Romano, and informed her of my pregnancy, she had her workers set up everything for me. She couldn't care less whether her son was against it or not.

"Hello." I spoke, placing the phone against my ear.

I bit down on my lip, knowing what was to come. They want me home as usual. They can't do anything without their slave.

"Really? Hello? I can see you're having the best time of your life roaming the streets." Gwen scoffed into the phone and I sighed, frustratingly.

Her and her stupid assumptions.

"Can you please go straight to the point. And wait," My hand clenched by my side, I continued. "If this is about when I am coming home, forget it. It never."

"Never? Even now when your father is lying on the hospital bed?" She asked, her voice now surprisingly calmer than usual.

My brows furrowed. He's now my father? No, she didn't just say that. The father in question doesn't care for me anymore. Gwen has replaced my place in his heart. Or was he going to make up for the time he wasn't there?

I shouldn't be so worked up. I'm sure no one sent her to tell me all this. I wasn't even a part of their family.

"You and your mother know how you've been dealing with his sickness so far. How come I suddenly have a hand in this?" I asked, trying to conceal my surfacing anger.

My father is suffering from a health problem called Arthritis. With her money, my stepmother has been constantly taking him for treatment. They have never felt the need to tell me or take me alongside. I'm concerned, do I suddenly look like a doctor?

"She's short on cash, Serina. Then again, we have always been the one handling all his expenses." Again, Gwen spat.

How pathetic can she be?

"Meaning?" I demanded.

I'm angry as it is, and the longer she keeps spewing her rubbish, the shorter I think I'm going to lose it.

"Show your worth, for once. Or else, just a blink of your eyes and you'd meet him dumped on the road, dead."

The call was disconnected.

What an asshole. I thought but nevertheless, that didn't stop me from pacing back and forth. Another sigh left my mouth, long and slow.

It was torture sleeping at night. I promised myself I was going to get over it. Moreover, it wasn't like I had anywhere I could get the hospital bills.

That was my escape chant throughout the night until I barely slept a wink and found myself obstructing Nikolai's path the next morning. If he won't spare me a look, he ought to at least spare a few wads.

It turned out not as easy as I thought.

"Get. Out. Of. My. Way." A growl from him and I was out of his way.

'I had to be alive to pay the bills.'- was my pathetic excuse to myself, failing to admit he scared the life out of me. Holy cow, he's so scary.

I wallowed in guilt for the rest of the day. If anything happens to him, would I be able to forgive myself? I accept, he isn't exactly the fatherly figure but no matter how many don't-give-a-fuck classes I take, I remain the goody-two-shoes. Which hurts.

Now with Mrs. Romano on a business trip and not picking any calls, I'm stuck between two bridges.

The next morning just after Nikolai left for work, my phone had to ping with a text from Gwen just when I was starting to get my mind off the situation.

'Three hours left. Make up your mind already.' It reads.

I swallowed the bitterness that lodged in my heart and let my legs lead me to Nikolai's chamber.

My mind is made up. Not like Nikolai himself would be ever ready to accept me. I opened his drawer, and became numb as I pulled out more than enough for my father. All the while, I pushed back the thought of ever regretting making this sacrifice for my cruel father.

I staggered out of his chamber and offered some silly excuse for the security guards as I exited the mansion.

I immediately wired almost all the money to Gwen, then with the rest, I was able to book a flight out of New York. To where I don't know. As long as I end up somewhere and don't end up apprehended, by all means, I will find my way out.

After three hours of endless waiting at the airport with nothing but just the dress I have on, I got in line, prepared to board the flight.

At first, it was just a murmur. But then the noise began to swell and before I knew it, bags were dropped as people tried to discern the source of disturbance.

When the commotion grew louder, I looked up in utter shock.

And alas, my amber eyed contract husband stood different from the crowd.

"Get her!"

Tears sprang into my eyes. He's here. Looks like I won't even get to have my first child before I die.