5: The whore

“You, of course,” Theo frowned. “And me.” He added thoughtfully as if the thought had just occurred to him that he will be part of the wedding too.

“Absolutely not!” Alicia screamed. She hadn't narrowly escaped one marriage just to get stifled into another.

“But you are pregnant,” Theo argued passionately, looking at Alicia questionably. “Do you want to give birth to a bastard?” He challenged, making Alicia swallow nervously. In their corporate world, a bastard child would be frowned upon, and she wanted to avoid condemning her child to such a fate. She shook her head warily.

Theo wasn't convinced by her reluctant conceding. “Let me make something clear, if you are indeed pregnant and with my child, I will have to marry you.”

Alicia glared but otherwise didn't try to fight him on the issue. “I will whip us something to eat. Any preference?” He asked, leading the way to the kitchen. Alicia grunted a faint, “anything without nuts is okay.”

In the kitchen, Theo rummaged through the cabinets and fridge. He decided to make a chicken and vegetable stir-fry. He began by thawing the boneless chicken breast in the microwave as he diced carrots and zucchini. Alicia asked if there was any way she could help, but he assured her that he had everything covered. So, the newly pregnant woman sat on the counter and watched him dominate the kitchen. She was impressed by his agility and upon tasting the mouthwatering dish she did not doubt that he was the best cook she had ever encountered.

“Who taught you how to cook?” She muffled her mouth full, attempting a conversation.

“My nana,” Theo blurted with a fond smile curved on his lips. “She was an excellent cook.”

“I don't doubt she was,” Alicia admitted. “This tastes heavenly,” she confessed shyly. Theo chuckled. “Then you should try my lasagna. Xavier says it's orgasmic.”

“Xavier is the brother?” She asked curiously, wanting to know more about her baby daddy.

“Yeah.” Theo shrugged. “The one and only annoying younger sibling.” Alicia kept asking him questions about his family, and she figured out rather quickly they were a close-knitted family. She dreaded meeting them because their approval could be a pacesetter of her future with Theo. From his telling, he valued their opinions.

“Some more?” Theo asked. Alicia declined with a chuckle, saying she had stuffed her face like never before, which wasn't a lie. She never thought that good old spaghetti mixed with chicken, vegetables, and a few spices could taste that good.

“I am afraid that if you keep cooking such delicacies, I will be overweight soon.” Theo laughed. A contagious delicious full belly laughter and Alicia had no choice but to succumb to it. After clearing the table and loading the dirty utensils in the dishwasher, Theo escorted her to the TV room and left her to pick something to watch, promising to return once his kitchen was back in order. By that, he meant, spotlessly clean. Because Theo was a clean freak. Something Alicia will learn very soon.

******

“Good choice” He praised after he returned, and she had slotted in the F Is For Family

“I have lost count of how many times I have watched it,” Alicia confessed with a grin.

“Frank Murphy is iconic,” Theo murmured, taking a seat next to her. “I will put you through the fucking wall!” He mimicked, sending Alicia into uncontrollable fits of giggles.

“I should try that line on our kids someday when they act out,” Theo added with a twinkle in his eyes.

“You would traumatize him or her for life.” Alicia wheezed, clutching her belly. The two watched the comedy with a light yet satisfying banter between them. When it was time to retire for the night, Theo saw Alicia to her room and after ensuring she was all set comfortably, he proceeded to his room. For the very first time, his mansion didn't feel like just his. It felt warmer, the way his parent's house felt.

*****

Theo woke up to get ready for work in the morning as usual and didn't see the need to disturb Alicia's sleep. So, he left her a note on his fridge with his number scribbled on the top in case she needed to get in touch with him. He also reminded her of his mother's visit and probably his brother's.

When Alicia woke and found him gone, she couldn't explain the weird feeling of loneliness that settled in her heart. She had confirmed what she thought the first day she met Theo. They did have a rapport that goes beyond sexual excitement. Like the true gentleman, he is, Theo had made some pancakes and sausages which he had left in the microwave for her. He had also squeezed a sizable amount of grapefruit juice, probably because she told him that it was her favorite.

She decided to eat on the balcony enjoying the morning breeze. Barely had she taken a bite when the doorbell rang. Her heart began pounding instantly. She guessed who it might be, and none of the options sounded appealing. Gathering divine courage, she made her way to the front door. Upon opening it, she came face to face with a tall, devilishly gorgeous man who was a little bit taller than Theo. His close-set eyes and button nose mirrored those of Theo's, though this one had brown eyes and a mischievous demeanor written all over his face.

“Xavier?” She confirmed just to be sure.

“Depends on who is asking,” he murmured huskily with that voice that never ceased to make women and men alike cream their pants. It was a deliberate move on his part. To see if the supposed virgin-whore and now a pregnant woman who fell into his brother's arms were as honest as Theo seemed to think.

She laughed at his obvious flirting, but didn't take the bait. She stepped aside, letting him in. It wasn't long before Xavier decided that she was clearly smitten with his brother, if not a professional actor. She had been oblivious to his moves and quite honestly he found her a pleasant company.

“That must be your mother,” she groaned when the doorbell rang for the second time.

“Oh no,” Xavier rasped, seemingly fearful. Alicia shot him a quizzical look and the latter explained that because he was the reason she met Theo, their mother wasn't so happy with him. She chuckled lightly, reminding him she was the one who would get it rougher compared to him. They both went to open the door and let Hilda Cavill in.

“Mother,” Xavier greeted warily, stepping to kiss her cheek. Hilda offered a hello back, but her watchful gaze was on Alicia.

“So you are the whore that is pregnant for my son?” She asked bluntly, making Xavier fight back laughter at Alicia's gobsmacked expression. After the initial shock wore off, Alicia gulped, clearing her throat, and responded.

“Yes, ma'am. I am the whore that is pregnant for your son.” She said with a blank face.