When Molly reached home her door was slightly ajar.
“Hello.” She did not get the expected response. “What the fu*k, Abi. You were never this responsible.” There was something unusual in the air. There was a half-filled coffee cup on the counter.
“Abi!” she called out and then stopped. What if there was a mugger in the house? But her friend’s life might be at stake too.
There was no one in the bedroom. No sign of Abigail in the bathroom. Her purse was lying there on the couch.
“Damn, Abigail!” she called out in the empty apartment, “Where are you?”
Just then, she heard a cell phone ringing. This one was Abigail’s ringtone!
The phone was lying under the kitchen stool. She grabbed it from the floor.
Hunter was calling.
With sinking heart she received the call, “Hey, sugar. I had been calling you since ages. You got me worried like hell.”
Oh!
“Mom, can I have ice cream?” The child asked the lady beside her.“Now my munchkin needs ice cream? Huh?” the mother playfully pinched her child on her cheek.The child squealed with delight making her mom smile.Abigail smiled observing them. The kid must be around six or seven years old. She started licking her ice cream cone when her eyes fell on Abigail. She gestured for Abigail to share her ice cream, that too very sweetly. Abigail shook her head and started walking.There was a young couple on the sidewalk. Passionately kissing each other, like there was no tomorrow. She kept staring at them for very long.She could not stay in the apartment and left it as soon as possible, forgetting to take her phone, or her purse, or even her keys in her haste. She did not even remember if she had locked the apartment. She could not remember for how long she had been walking. But she kept walking anyways.Did she have a choic
Hunter’s eyes went wide with shock. His mouth was wide open. Never in his wildest dreams had he ever imagined this proposal, “Wait…..what?”“Marry me. Remember about that contract marriage which you were interested in? Well, I want that contract marriage with you. But there would be my terms included as well.”She looked at Hunter, and when he could not speak then she raised an eyebrow in anticipation.“Hunter? Won’t you say anything?” Hunter seemed speechless at the moment. His lips were stretched in a thin line. She was holding her breath waiting for his answer.“Hunter. My sister is back with Kyle. They are pregnant. And I badly need someone for face-saving. You are the only option right now ...” she could not continue.These tears were making it difficult to her.She moved forward and leaned her forehead on his. “I would save your face in front of your family.
She was not expecting this!Not at all expecting this!“Till yesterday he wanted a contract marriage with someone. With anyone. And now he is not taking my offer. He is declining it. Why? Because I do not belong to his class? Of course, he would want someone blond and classy, one of his own for even a contract marriage. He won’t settle for less.”“Girls like me are there for fu**ing friendships. Right?” The bitter thoughts were not leaving her. He was trying to grasp all the expressions crossing her face, “Abigail. I can explain this sweetheart. Just relax and sit here. We need to talk.”Shaking her head while moving back she smiled but her lips quivered. She did not want to cry showing him that she was weak. She did it last night. But no, it’s not happening again.“Abigail. I talked to my lawyer. If one of us has signed the papers, we need to say our vows again.
Her head was still reeling with this morning’s incidents. Hunter had at last accepted her proposal.When Hunter entered his bedroom, she was humming to herself with a small smile playing on her lips. When she saw him, her smile broadened. “I need to leave. I should visit Molly. She must be hell worried.”Hunter came and taking her in his embrace he put his forehead on her head. Putting a hand on his cheek she asked. “Hunter, are you alright?”Hunter shook his head, “Couldn’t sleep last night. Let’s go to bed.”Abi was a little taken aback, “But Hunter ...”“Abi, we need to plan lots of things. But right now I need a good sleep.” Abigail quietly, nodding her head. He looked tired. She felt guilt making its way in her heart.It was because of her.He laid on the bed and stretched his arms for her. She shyly went to him and tried to lay beside him but he
She borrowed Hunter’s phone to call Molly.“What’s up?” Molly sounded concerned.“Umm… we need to meet Molly. Should I come to your place?”She needed to tell her friend about the new development of her life.They decided for Molly’s apartment. Molly had prepared Chow-men for both of them.“What’s going on with you? Are you staying with Hunter?” Molly asked her carefully.“Molly, so much happened last night.” She said sighing, and then she told Molly each and every thing. From Mom’s phone call to her proposal to Hunter. Coming forward Molly hugged her, “Oh my God, Abi. I am so sorry.”“When I reached Hunter I was in tatters. Thanks to him for saving my grace.” She looked at Molly with a grim expression.“But, Abi. Would you be able to survive this? Didn’t he already signed the papers?”&ldq
Her head shot up when she heard the knocking on her office door. “Ready?” Hunter looked devilishly handsome as usual, carrying a jacket casually in his hands. She shook her head tiredly, “No, I would stay. Lots of work on my hands.” “We are making you tired, sugar.” He came and sat on the other chair. There was concern on his face. She smiled, “I am enjoying it so much, Hunter. Can’t thank you enough.” “Why you always sound so grateful?” he seemed serious. “Hunter, thanks for saving me. Hunter, thanks for this empowerment program. Hunter, thanks for the coffee. Hunter, thanks for sleeping with me. Hunter, thanks for kissing … ouch” Abigail had thrown a disposable coffee cup at him which she thought was empty. But unluckily there was a little bit left, putting a stain on Hunter’s olive colored shirt. Shit! Abigail was quick to leave her seat. She started putting a napkin on the stain. Hunter’s face was s
“Hello, mom. Sorry for being early.” Chloe hugged Geena and then entered along with Kyle, “But we could not wait to meet you.”Geena smiled and made them sit in the living room.Abigail had not reached yet. After this dinner Abigail would truly wish not to mess with me. Chloe was looking around casually but there was so much going on in her cunning head.“You two want beer or something?” Geena took off the apron and sat on the opposite couch.“No, Geena. We don’t want anything. Just loosen up.” Kyle could feel her nervousness. Before his relationship with Chloe, he shared a good bonding with Geena.Geena just nodded her head, “Chloe. You want to go upstairs for a quick nap or something?” She did not know why she was feeling so awkward around them.Chloe was her own child and Kyle used to visit them since he was a kid. Poor Geena did not know why this was getting difficult for
They both were sitting in the car in front of her mom’s house. Molly’s car was already parked there, a telltale sign that she was already inside.Abigail was wringing her hands nervously. Hunter took her hands in his. “Abigail. Take deep breaths. Come on.” Abi wanted to die rather than going inside.“Now listen to me. Did you do anything wrong? Did you?” Abi shook her head. “Then they should be the one feeling guilty. Not the other way round. Ok?” Abigail quietly nodded.“Good girl. Now let’s get inside.” He opened the car door and then came around to open hers.Taking a deep breath she rang the bell.Show time!“Abigail! “ Geena opened the door and then excitedly turned her head inside to speak, “Look who’s here!”Clutching Hunter’s hand tightly, she entered the house and saw Chloe standing there. She had always bee