Chapter 3

ASHLEY'S POV

“I only found out today,” I said. “ I wasn't sure how you were going to react to it that's why I didn't say it, and after you had proposed I wanted to tell you, but decided to keep it a surprise,” I lied.

“How would I have reacted? This is exciting news Ashley. I wouldn't have asked for an abortion or deny what's clearly mine” he said, his voice laced with conviction and joy as he gently took my hands in his, his touch warm and reassuring.

I closed the door behind me, as I bid him goodbye. “What a relief,” I muttered. Here I was thinking of how I was going to disclose the news to Richard, but everything had played out easier than expected.

I felt relieved with the way things were working out. Richard is never going to find out anything. The secret of the mistake of that night dies with me. I don't care who the father of the child truly is, all I know is, Richard is my child's father.

It was quite early in the morning. I remembered Richard and I are to meet his family today. I quickly got off the bed, and prepared before Richard would arrive.

Soon his car beeped, he is here already. I quickly got out of the house and entered the car. We drove for a few hours downtown before we arrived at his house. It was a very big luxurious mansion that seemed more like a penthouse.

I had never been to Richard's house. While dating in secret, we usually meet at hotels, sometimes in my place or at the office. It was my first time being at his house. He lives there with his son, of whom I know of but haven't seen and his mother sometimes does come over, but doesn't live there.

The security in the house was many that I could not count, and so was his staff. When we got into the house the first person I set my eyes on gave me the shock of my life.

His looks, cute handsome face, strong jawline and chiselled features I cannot forget. The stranger that has been my worst nightmare. Who is he and what's he doing here? I wondered as I trembled in fear.

His eyes caught with mine. He stared at me straight into my eyes for minutes. I could see the surprised expression written all over his face. He couldn't stop staring at me as I tried to remove my face.

“Son, meet my fiancée I had told you about, her name is Ashley, and Ashley meet my son Max,” Richard's words gave the shock of my life. As he mentioned the word son, it felt as though my whole world came crashing down.

I couldn't believe my ears. I wished I heard wrongly, or perhaps I was dreaming, but it was too real to be a dream. The expression on my face was no different from Max's. I guess he didn't see this coming and neither did I.

We were just there staring at each other, when Max surprisingly stretched forth his right hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you, Ashley. My dad has said a lot about you. No wonder he stole your heart, no one could resist this beauty,” he said, smiling at me. Seeing the way he held onto my hands for minutes, I quickly removed my hand from his.

“Nice to meet you too, Max,” I managed to say as I tried to keep my shaky voice stable while my heart raced rapidly. I quickly diverted my gaze elsewhere as I was avoiding eye contact with him.

“Where is your grandma Max?” Richard asked his son who seemed to be staring at me lustfully.

“Oh, Yeah. She's stepped outside I guess,”

“Where too?”

“You know your mother, Dad. Probably she went to the store to get a gift for your soon to be wife,” Max said as he stared into my eyes.

“Alright, I will go after her. I will be right back honey,” Richard said as he leaned closer and pecked me on my cheeks and dashed out. I wished he wouldn't go. Leaving behind me and Max wasn't something I wasn't prepared for.

“honey,” Max repeated. “That's a nice one. What a small world you know. Who would have thought I would have come across you like this. My father's fiancee. Hahaha,” he laughed scornfully. “A man old enough to be your father. “Here I was thinking and searching for you all around town. After that passionate long night together, I can't seem to get you off my head.”

I stood there trembling, unable to say a word. He remembered not just me, but every bit of what happened that night.

“How do you think my father will react, when he finds out the woman he is crazily in love with, cheated on him with his son? How does that sound? Hahaha,” he asked mockingly.

“I never cheated okay,” I said.

“Oh! Then you had an affair with his beloved son. How do I put it? You are tired of old blood, and wanted something fresh,”

“Stop it!” I yelled. “What we had was a mistake, a mistake I wish I could reverse. We were both damn drunk. It was just a one-night fling that wasn't meant to happen, and it will never happen again,”

“Oh a fling! I like the sound of that. And how are you sure it won't happen again. You know what, that night was one hell of a night I can't easily do away with,”

“Suit yourself, and mind you, you ought to give me some respect here, I am your father's wife,” I warned.

“Fiancée you mean!” He said, his voice laced with mockery and laughter. “Not too fast my dear. But to think of it, that will be so weird. Don't forget we are both young and vibrant, we can make a good couple too,” his voice irritated my spirit, as I found myself disgusted by his attitude.

“You are not a match for me, and stay off me,” I made my words clear to him.

Just as I was about to go outside to get some air, he grabbed my right arm, turned me closer to him and whispered to my ear, “Can’t forget how you were moaning so bad that night, begging me for more. Am sure no one has ever made you feel that way. Guess you've been sleeping with an old nigga all your life,” his words stirred up anger in me, as I freed my right hand from his, and gave his a resounding slap.

“Never you speak such of me ever in your life!”

“What's going on here,” Richard and the old lady beside him said in unison, as they stood by the entrance of the door staring at us.

I flinched. How long have they been standing there, I wondered in fear.