CHAPTER 2

Celine's POV

The moment I realize he is gone and not coming back to hear my pleas, I slump to the floor and burst into fresh tears.

"Please, Bryan", I beg, burying my head in between my legs, wishing he can hear me or feel my pain. The pain of being separated from my child. Jason is my life, he is all I got and he is the reason why I left Bryan's mansion, without letting him know. 

I didn't want Bryan to take custody of my child, denying me the right to know and cater for my son. I didn't tell him I was pregnant before running away. 

Now I regret it. 

What is the essence of running away when the past has now come to haunt me? How can I survive without my boy? He is the only one I have and my source of strength and motivation.

The burnt smell of what I am cooking hits my nostril but I am too weak to stand up and turn the stove off. I feel like dying. I thought Bryan has forgotten all about my existence but I know I am wrong now. I shouldn't have come back here, I should have stayed in LA for a long time before coming home. 

The bodyguards he asked to stop me from following him go out of the house too, leaving me all alone to wallow in self-pity. The door opens and I refuse to raise my head to see who the intruder is until I hear his voice. 

It is Paxton, my next-door neighbor.

He runs to my side. "What the hell happened?" He asks, a few distances away from me before hurrying back to turn the stove off and drop the burning meal.

"Paxton, he took him", I cry and finally raise my head.

"I heard your scream, what happened?" He questions and scoops me up in his arms. "Who? Where is Jason?" His eyes scan the living room and I see reality dawn on him as I keep crying my eyes out.

"Who took Jason?" He asks sharply as if he has a supernatural ability to go after him and bring my son back. I wish this is it, I won't hesitate to give Paxton Bryan's apartment address so he can rescue my son from the wicked man's grip. Bryan is a wicked and heartless fellow, he made me go through hell during the period of our contract which was to last for just a year. 

I didn't run away because of the torture he made me go through, I ran because of his child growing in my womb as a result of one night of mistake that led us to have sex. Bryan never touched me during those periods except on that fateful day and when it resulted in pregnancy, I knew I had to leave. I was having mixed feelings and doubts about my pregnancy.

First, I was doubting if he would accept the child as his since I was just an unwanted bride. Secondly, because I know he is a billionaire and our contract was going to end soon. I was sure if he wanted his child, he would never let me have a say in his life, visit him or let him know me as his mother. That got me scared and I ran.

"Bryan", I answer his question and continue crying.

"Who the hell is Bryan? Do I know him?" He asks in impatience. Paxton is a good friend and neighbor. He shows so much care to Jason and Jason loves him. 

"Jason's father", I reply as my cries turn into sobs. The deed is done already, I just need to look for a way to make sure that he gives Jason back to me even though it seems like a tough dream to achieve.

He goes silent for a while and I did not look at him. I decide to tell him what actually happened and how I met with Bryan. We haven't talked about this before but I know he is curious to know.

"Before my grandmother's death, the doctor said we needed a million dollars for her leg surgery", I begin and look at him. 

He nods for me to go on. "There was no way I could raise such a huge amount. I didn't want grandma to die because she was the only family left of me. I was having sleepless nights because I was thinking of how to raise the money. My salary for a whole year won't be enough so I decided to ask my boss for assistance, promising to pay back installmentally." I sniff and pause for a while before I continue.

"That boss of mine is Bryan and he said he has an offer for me if I truly want his money. I told him I was in without considering the consequences. His offer was for me to be his secret wife for a year and we signed a contract. Since he said there will be no strings attached to it, I saw nothing wrong in it."

"He gave me the money and grandmother did the surgery but unfortunately she died. He reminded me of the contract and I had to just go along with it."

"One day, we had some visitors and we all got drunk. I wasn't as drunk as he was and I tried to help him to his room. He was always harsh on me and I have never been to his room before. I was in awe of how big and well furnished the room was that I didn't know when he stood back up from the bed. I tried to help him back to the bed but he pulled me to himself on the bed and we had sex. I discovered I was expecting a child after two months and it broke me."

"I felt he was either going to reject my child too or take him away from me so I moved away from his house, without getting my final pay from him." I raise my head to see Paxton listening attentively with a serious look on his face. 

"I don't know how he got to know about Jason, I was careful not to go out with him all the time but now he knows and my baby is gone", I begin to cry again and he rocks me to his body.

"He is punishing me for not telling him about my pregnancy. How is this my fault when I didn't even know if he wanted the child the way I wanted him?"

"It's ok, Celine." He assures.

"My baby", I cry again.

"I will do something about it", he says and I jerk my head up. He nods and smiles. "I will find a way to bring him back, don't worry."

"God bless you!" I pray for him with sincerity in my heart. But when I remember how dangerous Bryan could be, I begin to shed tears all over again, Losing hope.

"Jason will be back, I promise", he vows again and hugs me to himself. I snuggle to his chest, ignoring the fact that I didn't tell him all the story and the other reason why I left Bryan's mansion.