Chapter 7

Mila's POV….

I stared at my phone, without a single message or notification from my sister or father. My letter of suspension was already in my inbox from the human resources department. 

“How could this be happening?”

”I am supposed to be receiving my letter of appointment as CEO instead of receiving a suspension letter”.

I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at my reflection. I didn't look like I was involved in an accident, aside from losing a bit of weight, I looked the same as the day of the accident. 

I couldn't believe three freaking weeks had already passed. My hand instinctively went to my belly, and I stroked it. The baby is undoubtedly Zaden's. Felix and I had not been intimate in months as I had been so occupied with the new CEO appointment. 

I should have taken my morning pills after that night, but everything happened so fast. I still couldn't remember the details of that night, from when I had a few drinks with Eliza; everything else was blank. 

Now a child is growing inside my belly, and not just any child, one whose father hated my guts. My father would never approve of this if he ever caught wind of the situation. The doctor's words from earlier kept ringing in my head matching the pace of my heartbeat. 

I could almost laugh at the humour of everything happening in my life. If someone had told me this would be my situation in three weeks, I wouldn't have believed them. 

My chest tightened as I reached for the bathroom sink, my fingers barely brushing it, my knees buckled as I dropped to the cold tiles, I wrapped my arms around myself, hugging myself tightly as if trying to hold the pieces of my life together. 

I felt a tight lump forming in my throat, as tears rolled down my cheeks. My mind kept replaying the betrayal, disappointment, and regret. I bawled my eyes out for hours till the tears eventually stopped. I could feel air being squeezed out of my lungs with every aching breath I took. 

I can't be on bed rest for four freaking weeks, not when my life was falling apart. I needed to get to the bottom of this case and clear my name. I needed to get my life back on track.

Finally gathering the strength to leave the bathroom after being there for hours. My Phone was now buzzing with notifications. My breath seized as I went through the headlines;

MILA GRAYSON SUSPENDED FOR COMPANY FUND EMBEZZLEMENT

BUSINESS HOT SHOT OF GRAYSON ENTERPRISE EMEZZLES COMPANY FUND

THE NEXT BIG THING TURNS THE NEXT WORST THING

MILA GRAYSON MISSING AFTER SUSPENSION FROM GRAYSON ENTERPRISE

MILA GRAYSON A CHEAT IN BED AND AT WORK…

The headlines kept rolling in from different gossip blogs and business articles. 

How could my whole life come crashing down all at once? How did they know about my breakup? How did news of my suspension get out? All the possible questions kept running through my mind, yet I had no answers.

I kept on staring at the different headlines of the articles published by the blogs. I need to leave the hospital immediately. I can't be here resting while my whole life crumbles before me. I quickly grabbed my coat, draping it over my hospital gown.

I took a cab to my apartment. It was already late at night. As I stood in front of my apartment, it was locked with a notice sticking out saying my tenancy was no longer valid, as it is a company-paid apartment. 

I held the notice with wide eyes, my knees were locked as I stood in front of my apartment. 

The cold night breeze made the hairs on my body stand, and at that moment, I regretted leaving the hospital in a hospital gown. 

Where do I stay tonight? Returning to the hospital was not an option as they wouldn't let me leave until I was discharged. I promised myself that I wasn't going to cry, my tears wouldn't solve anything. I couldn't stay at a hotel either, because my bank accounts were frozen. 

I was still outside the building trying to think of something. My family wasn't an option at the moment, coupled with the fact that they ignored me even when I was involved in an accident. I was so deep in thought that I hadn't noticed someone come up to me.

“Trouble in paradise?” The stranger came up behind me, with a smirk on his lips.

“I could help, I come across ladies like you daily, consider me your knight in shiny armour. My apartment building is just down the street. You can come over to my place and spend the night”". He said with a wink as he licked his bottom lip while staring at me.

He staggered a bit and his breath reeked of alcohol. 

“No thank you, I am just having a minor issue, it will be resolved tonight”". I replied that while applying some distance between us. 

“Come on! Don't be shy, we are both adults. There's no need for us not to have fun”". He said this time with a more serious tone as he inched closer and grabbed me by the waist.

“Is there a problem?” A different voice called out.

I turned to see who it was– Zaden!

Zaden's height towered over the stranger by almost 5 inches, with his muscles popping out of the short-sleeved polo he was wearing. He exuded an intimidating and dominating aura. A shiver ran down my spine as I stared at him, looking into his icy blue eyes.

“Babe, I am Sorry I kept you waiting. I was stuck in traffic”. “Hope you didn't wait too long?” He looked at me with raised eyebrows.

“Oh no, I just arrived, I tried reaching you earlier after I was discharged”". I replied playing along with him.

The stranger hurried away leaving us in that instant, he looked as though he almost shit in his pants. The scene almost made me laugh, instantly calming my nerves.

l and Zaden stood in an uncomfortable silence. 

“Get in the car, Mila”". He said this time with a serious tone, different from the one he had just used.

I didn't move, it was the first time he called me by my first name.

“How long have you been parked there?” I asked instead of following his instructions.

“About an hour”. He was now tapping his feet impatiently, maybe he had somewhere else to be. 

"Oh!”

“Get in the Car Mila, you are shivering”.

I got in the car as he instructed. He had been parked there for about an hour, yet I didn't notice the car until now. That means he had been here while I stood outside for the past hour, he must have gotten wind of my situation already. I sat in silence as he drove. 

“Thank you for scaring him away”". I blurted out breaking the silence. He replied with a curt nod without sparing me a glance.

We arrived at a hotel after a few minutes, but he still hadn't said anything. I just followed quietly behind him as he took the VIP elevator to the Penthouse on the topmost floor. 

He unlocked the door with his key card.

“This is my private penthouse, you can stay here as long as you want”". He said finally speaking after the long moment of silence.

"Oh Mr Blackwell, I wouldn't want to impose or make you uncomfortable”". 

“Tomorrow I will go to the bank to sort out my housing issue.” There must have been a mix-up”.

“There's no need for this “. I gestured to the apartment.

“I have already seen the blogs, Mila”.

“Remember you were placed on bed rest, just rest for now, tomorrow we will talk about it". 

I stared at his muscular figure as he retreated to the door about to leave. 

“The baby is yours!” I said almost yelling, surprised by my own admission.

He turned in a swift motion towards me, a frown forming between his brows, but he didn't say a word and then he left.