CHAPTER 3: FORBIDDEN FRUIT

I began pacing around. "Go check out Ciara's movement, and if she's recently made new friends. "

Damn .. I need to fix this fast.

" What did you find?"

"She's just recently started seeing Tony. She's not made new friends, and she just got out of the hospital."

I still go very still at the word hospital. What is she doing at the hospital? Is she unwell?"

Louis clears his throat "Now I need you to be calm about this Mathew"

"What the fuck is going on?"

"She's just gone into the hospital for an abortion today" Every single thing around me blurs immediately "Did you just say abortion?"

"Yes, according to my men, she found out she was three Months pregnant and immediately requested an abortion. She never wrote the name of the father of the child."

"I am the father of the child"

"What? Then why did she get an abortion?"

"I'd like to know the answer to that too. I'm leaving the office now.

I call my assistant into the office, "Cancel everything I have pressing for the next week. I'd be back as soon as I can Geoffrey"

"Yes sir." He steps out

"Where is she now Louis?"

"She's on her way to your old family house."

I nod..."Okay guess I'm going home "

I rise from the chair and walk away from the office, get into my car and drive towards the old house. I'd never, ever, let her go in this lifetime.

I drive down to the house and Calista is first to berate me "Now what on earth are you doing here Mathew?"

I scoff "Last I checked both our parents own the house and we both grew up in this house"

"So is your little fiancée with you?"

"No, she's not Calista, give me a break. I'm going to my room." I walk away and she calls after me "Mom and dad will be so glad you came around."

I drop my things off in the room and move down the stairs to the kitchen, lighting a cigarette...I promised I'd quit yet whenever I'm in a nervous state I revert to my cigarette, my bad habit. I put out the cigarette, pick a glass of sparkling water when I hear her voice as I move towards them; she freezes the moment she sees me.

"Hello Ciara."

"Hi Matthew." She says softly then clears her throat before looking at Carlista in question as Calista shrugs nonchalantly.

"Babes, Matthew suddenly turned up here without prior notice hope you don't mind?"

"Of course not it's fine." She says softly. "

She chose to come here to avoid me but there is no avoiding me right now because we both need to have the dreaded conversation she's avoiding.

Calista fawns over her "Sweetheart, why were you at the hospital? Are you okay? Should you be standing?"

"I'm fine Calista...just need to lie down right now."

She takes her hand as they both walk up the stairs together, disappearing from my sight.

I wait until Calista comes out "She's asleep, I need to get some things outside now I'd be back on time. Please keep an eye on her for me will you? I know you don't like her but please she's the closest one I have to a sister."

I scoff "Why do you even think I don't like her?"

"Well duh...she avoids you like a plague and you ignore her totally which works just fine for me but today she's sick so I need you to watch her for me."

"Okay, Calista." I walk up to her, hug her and kiss her forehead as she eyes me suspiciously" You should let Louis take you"

She snaps immediately "I don't need Louis, I can go out by myself."

There's a story there I know but since they both don't tell me anything I act like I know nothing.

Immediately she leaves, I go to Cara's room where I find her asleep, a few minutes later, it starts raining heavily and I get a text message from Louis "I have your sister, I'd return her after the storm has passed"

I shake my head at that.. he'd share when he's comfortable sharing. I pick a chair and sit beside her as I stare at her then light a cigarette, two hours later she finally yawns and comes awake. I sent the butler a message to get soup for her.

"Are you feeling better Ciara?"

She frowns "Where is Calista?"

"She went out so it's just us. Would you care for water?" I open a bottle of still water and pour some into a cup, helping her sit as I help her drink it from the cup.

The butler James walks in with a tray which contains her soup and I collect it. "Drink up, it's healing soup" So I feed her and wait until she's done and a little relaxed before clearing my throat "Why on earth would you choose an abortion over telling me you were carrying our child Ciara?"

She scoffs "Of course you know already... doctor-patient clause doesn't even matter to you."

" Why would I keep a child I never signed up for? You want things always done your way but I will not be a pawn in whatever games you're playing. I'm done with you."

"Did it ever occur to you that I might actually want the child?"

"Oh get a grip and get off Lulu land Mathew; you're engaged very publicly to another woman, I told you I wasn't ready to have a child, you switched my pills, had my IUD removed without my consent just to keep me tied to you and I won't be having that. I'd like to go back to sleep now, please excuse me."

I stand, help her lie back, adjust her bed cover and kiss her lightly even as she stiffens.

"I know you're mad right now and it's fine, I'm sorry. Heal, I'll watch you till you're fully healed but we are not done, Ciara."