The Ultimatum

Chapter 8

Zara’s POV

I stared at the empty doorway where Katy had stood moments before, her threatening words echoing in my head. *One condition.* What could she possibly want from me? My hands were trembling as I sank back into my chair, trying to process what had just happened.

Why was this happening to me? Just when I'd found something good, something that made me feel alive again, the past came crashing back to destroy it. Was I destined to never have anything good in my life? Was I cursed to always lose the people who mattered?

A soft knock interrupted my spiraling thoughts.

"Come in," I called, quickly wiping my eyes.

Josh appeared in the doorway, and my heart did that familiar skip it always did when I saw him. Today he looked particularly handsome in his navy suit, but his expression was concerned.

"Hey," he said, closing the door behind him. "You okay? You seem... off today."

"I'm fine," I said quickly, fidgeting with the papers on my desk. "Just tired."

He moved closer, studying my face with those perceptive gray eyes. "Zara, you're shaking. What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong. Everything's perfectly fine." But my voice cracked on the last word, betraying me.

Josh sat on the edge of my desk, close enough that I could smell his cologne. "You've been under a lot of pressure lately. With everything that happened with your ex, starting this new job, adjusting to a new life..."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak.

"I think you need a break. A real break." He smiled, and it was warm and genuine. "How about I take you on a proper date this weekend? There's this amazing restaurant downtown, Le Bernardin. French cuisine, candlelight, the works."

My first instinct was to say no, to make some excuse about being busy or not ready. But looking at his hopeful expression, thinking about how kind he'd been to me, how he'd literally saved me when I had nothing... I couldn't bring myself to refuse.

"Yes," I heard myself say. "I'd like that."

His smile lit up his entire face. "Really? You're not going to give me some excuse about it being inappropriate because we work together?"

"No excuses this time." Despite everything, I found myself smiling back. "It's a date."

The next day arrived like a tornado, and Katy strutted into my office at exactly 9 AM like she owned the building.

"Good morning, sunshine," she said, settling into the chair across from my desk without being invited. "Sleep well?"

"What do you want, Katy?" I didn't look up from my computer screen.

"To discuss my condition, of course." She crossed her legs, making herself comfortable. "It's really quite simple."

I finally met her eyes. "I'm listening."

"You're going to submit your resignation letter. Today. And you're going to stay away from Josh completely."

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" I stood up so fast my chair rolled backward. "This is my job, my livelihood. I can't just quit!"

"Sure you can. People do it every day."

"Why? Why are you doing this to me? What did I ever do to you besides be a loyal friend for eight years?"

Katy's expression hardened. "You embarrassed me. You made me feel like a whore in front of Robert."

"You were fucking my fiancé! You should have felt like a whore!"

"And now you're fucking your boss and carrying his bastard child. How are we different?"

"We're different because Josh isn't engaged to someone else! Because I'm not betraying anyone!"

Katy shrugged. "Details. The point is, you're going to quit and disappear from his life, or everyone in this company is going to know exactly what you are."

"You're jealous," I realized suddenly. "You're jealous because Josh chose me over you."

"Don't flatter yourself."

"That's it, isn't it? You applied for this job hoping to catch his attention, but he's interested in me instead."

Katy's composure cracked for just a second, but it was enough to confirm my suspicions.

"You have two days to make your decision, Zara. I suggest you choose wisely." She stood up and smoothed her skirt. "Think about what's best for your... situation."

After she left, I put my head in my hands and tried not to scream.

"She said what?" Green's voice exploded through the phone that evening. I was curled up on her couch, still in my work clothes, emotionally drained.

"She wants me to quit and stay away from Josh, or she'll tell everyone about the pregnancy."

"That manipulative bitch! Who does she think she is?"

"Someone who holds all the cards, apparently." I pulled a throw pillow against my chest. "I can't lose this job, Green. It's the first good thing that's happened to me in years."

"And you can't keep lying to Josh about the baby forever."

"I know. I just need more time to figure out how to tell him."

"Maybe this is the universe's way of forcing your hand."

"The universe has a sick sense of humor then."

Green was quiet for a moment. "You know, maybe you should tell Josh before Katy gets the chance. Take away her power."

"And say what? 'Hey, remember that one-night stand? Well, surprise, you're going to be a daddy!'"

"Something like that, yeah."

I closed my eyes. "I can't. Not yet. Not when things are finally going well between us."

"Zara—"

"He asked me on a date, Green. A real date. And I said yes."

"Oh, honey. You're falling for him, aren't you?"

I didn't answer, but we both knew the truth.

Saturday evening arrived faster than I wanted it to. I stood in front of Green's full-length mirror, smoothing down my red dress—the only fancy thing I owned that still fit properly. It hugged my curves in all the right places and made me feel beautiful for the first time in months.

A car horn honked outside, and I grabbed my purse with shaking hands.

Josh was leaning against his sleek black BMW when I emerged, dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit. When he saw me, his mouth literally fell open.

"Wow," he breathed, straightening up. "Zara, you look... absolutely stunning."

"Thank you." I felt heat creep up my neck. "You clean up pretty well yourself."

He opened the passenger door with an exaggerated flourish. "Your chariot awaits, milady."

I laughed despite my nerves. "Such a gentleman."

The restaurant was everything Josh had promised—elegant, intimate, with soft jazz playing and candles flickering at every table. The maître d' led us to a private table by the window with a view of the city lights.

"This is incredible," I said, looking around in awe. "I've never been anywhere this fancy."

"You deserve fancy," Josh said simply. "You deserve everything good."

We ordered wine—well, Josh ordered wine while I stuck to sparkling water, claiming I was still feeling a bit under the weather—and fell into easy conversation. He told me about his travels, his work, his dreams of expanding the business. I found myself relaxing for the first time in days, almost forgetting about Katy's ultimatum.

"I have to say something," Josh said as our main courses arrived.

At the same time, I said, "I need to tell you something."

We both laughed.

"You first," I said quickly.

"No, ladies first. I insist."

"Josh, please. You go first."

He took a deep breath, his expression growing serious. "Okay. Zara, I need you to know that what's happening between us... it's not just physical attraction or rebound comfort or anything like that."

My heart started beating faster.

"I've developed real feelings for you. Strong feelings. I think about you when I wake up, when I go to sleep, during meetings when I should be focusing on work." He reached across the table and took my hand. "I know we haven't known each other long, and I know your life is complicated right now, but I want to be intentional about this. About us."

The words hit me like a physical blow. He was telling me he was falling for me, and I was carrying his child. The irony was almost too much to bear.

"I... I need a moment," I managed. "Excuse me."

I practically ran to the bathroom, my heart pounding. In the mirror, I looked pale and terrified. How was I supposed to respond to that? How could I tell him the truth now, after he'd just poured his heart out?

I took several deep breaths, trying to compose myself. I could do this. I could go back out there and find a way to tell him about the baby. Maybe he'd be happy. Maybe this could work out.

But when I returned to the table, Josh was holding my phone, his expression unreadable.

"Zara," he said quietly, "what does this message mean?"

I looked at the screen and felt the blood drain from my face. It was a text from Green: JUST THINKING ABOUT EVERYTHING. I STILL THINK YOU SHOULD TELL JOSH ABOUT THE BABY. HE DESERVES TO KNOW HE’S GOING TO BE A FATHER. YOU CAN’T KEEP HIS CHILD A SECRET FOREVER❤️.

I stood frozen, staring at Josh holding the evidence of my secret, completely speechless.