Chapter 2

ASHLEY'S POV

“Your friend had told me, you both had gone for a girls night out, and you couldn't make it back so you slept at her place. Do you know how worried I was? You should have at least told me. I came by last night, and called you several times but your line wasn't connecting.”

“I am sorry Richard,” Those were the only words that could come out from my mouth. I was shocked but at the same time relieved. A few seconds ago, I felt like I was going to explode. The thought of Richard's reaction if he finds out what truly happened last night overwhelmed me. I could only imagine.

“I love you so much Ashley,” Richard's sweet tone snapped me off my thoughts. I stared at him straight into his eyes, as he leaned closer and kissed me.

He went from kissing me to hugging me passionately. I could feel his every breath on my skin, as he brought his mouth closer to my ear and whispered, “I know you had a stressful night yesterday with your friends. You had a lot to drink, that's why you were acting up then, so let's just sleep,” his tone a perfect blend of romance and care.

The calming melody of his words caused my eyelids to heaven, my breathing to slow, and my thoughts to become quiet as I listened. I dozed off.

**********

It's already been two weeks since the one-night fling with the stranger happened and I can't seem to get it off my head. Now a vivid image of how the passionate night went down filled my mind.

It became so bad that everytime Richard and I are making out, the only thing that comes to mind is the night with the stranger. I felt so bad and guilty whenever the thought stirred up my head. I no longer feel the same way I used to whenever Richard and I are making out. All my body yarns for is the stranger's touch.

“Ouch!” The sudden discomfort I felt in my body snapped me off my thoughts.

The past few days have been weird for me. I have been feeling dizzy lately, accompanied by constant fatigue and nausea. I had noticed a slight change in my body, frequent urination, and food cravings that are completely out of character for me.

I picked up my phone to check online, to see what could be the cause. Then the feeling of pregnancy overwhelmed me. In fear, hoping it wouldn't turn out to be what I was thinking, I quickly went out to grab a pregnancy test kit.

“Oh my goodness!” I exclaimed as I froze there staring at the test strip. I am pregnant, the test came out positive.

I was totally devastated, as I was uncertain who the father was. The guilt of cheating on Richard overwhelmed me again. Now I became more worried than I had ever been. If the child isn't Richard's then what happens. I asked myself.

Still thinking of what to do, my eyes caught the clock. I exclaimed as l saw it was past ten already. I was late for work. I quickly got dressed and dashed out of the house.

When I arrived at the office, something felt weird. Everywhere was empty. I looked around only to see the whole staff assembled by the entrance to the boss's office. Before I could ask what was going on, Richard got out of his office with flowers as he walked towards me, knelt down, and brought out a diamond ring from his pocket. He proposed to me.

I was so shocked and confused. I never saw it coming. It was so unexpected, and with the whole mess I am in, I couldn't help but force myself to smile. I stood there staring at Richard as he said the words, "Will you marry me, Ashley Taylor?"

I have never pictured marriage with Richard, neither did I picture what we shared coming to an end. I never picture a future with us both in it as couples. Although, I have no issues with being married to a man old enough to be my father, as long as he has all it takes. Richard was just that man. He has all I wanted. Wealth, power, protection and the rest of that.

We've long been in a secret romantic relationship, without any of the staff's knowledge. He had decided we kept our relationship a secret, but I was surprised he had to make it public this way.

Richard is someone who will go any length to get what he wants. He is nice to me, gives me whatever I want, and with all that has been going on, this is the right opportunity to take hold of what's mine. Now it will be easier to pin the baby on him. He will be so happy to think we'll be having a baby together.

“Yes!” I said aloud. “I will marry you Richard.”

He put on the ring on my finger, and stood up as we shared a passionate kiss.

We left work early and Richard treated me to dinner in a fancy restaurant. Afterwards, he drove down to my house to drop me off. I couldn't bring myself to tell Richard about the pregnancy. I felt I needed time, and this wasn't the right time. Maybe in a week or two I will be able to look for a way to tell him, which any suspicions.

“We will be going to see my family tomorrow,” his voice snapped me off my thoughts.

“Oh yeah, that's a nice one. So you will come pick me tomorrow?”

“Yeah. Are you okay?” He asked.

“Yes I am good, I am just so happy. I can't wait for us to get married,” I lied, trying to change the topic. “I love you Richard,” I said, not sure if I meant it or not.

“I love you too Ashley,” he said as we arrived at the front of my apartment. We kissed goodbye as I alighted from the car, and made my way inside.

“It's a hell of a day,” I said as I bounced on the bed reminiscing over my life. I was deep in thought, that I didn't know when someone entered.

“Hey!” Richard's voice caused me to jerk.

“Are you okay,” he asked, seeing the way I flinched.

“Yes I am. Didn't know that someone was coming.” I said.

“Were you expecting someone?” he asked.

“Not at all,” I said sharply. “Who could I possibly be expecting, by this time of the day. What brought you back?” I asked with curiosity.

“You forgot your phone in the car, so I had to turn back to get it for you, and you left your door open.”

“Oh did I?!”

“Yeah you didn't even shut the door,”

“Don't mind me, I guess I was stressed to have made such a mistake. Thanks for the phone,” I said as I took the phone.

“Why didn't you tell me you are pregnant?” he asked, his eyes blazing with a mix of shock, and curiosity as he held up the pregnancy test kit he had found on the table, its positive result staring me accusingly in the face.

“I___ I didn't,” I stammered as I couldn't find the right words.