1 ~ Olive

~2018~

He threw the papers at me and I gasped in shock.

"What is this?" I asked in surprise, adjusting the covers over my body.

"Divorce papers. Our deal is over."

Alarm bells rang in my ears just then. Was he kidding? Hadn't we gone past this phase?

"But-"

"But what? You thought you could rope me in by seducing me?"

"Seducing you?" I was still trying to understand what was going on. How did seduction come into the picture? One minute we were cuddled up in bed after having a good time and the next thing, he was saying this. It was unbelievable.

"Xander I thought we were getting along, what's wrong?" I asked him in the softest tone I could muster. Maybe he had hit his head somewhere, or he was probably just messing with me.

"I don't want to be with you anymore. We had a deal, I'm not in love with you so you should leave." He looked dead serious.

"What?" I said, trying to reach for his hand. He stepped back and never in my life have I felt so small after that moment when he gave me a look of disgust.

"I don't want to see you when I get back." He said. I knew him, I was sure that he meant it.

When he walked out of the room, I felt my heart go with him. How was I supposed to pick up the pieces of my little life that had revolved around him a little too much?

~

I packed my bags and found my way to a hotel while I tried to figure out what else to do. I was still trying to unpack when a wave of nausea hit me out of nowhere, accompanied by headaches and a high temperature. These things had been frequent for the last couple of weeks and I kept procrastinating a visit to the doctor. I could not afford to be sick at this point or let sickness grow.

When I reached the doctor, I received what seemed like the best and worst news of my life all at the same time.

"Mrs Giovanni, congratulations, you're three weeks pregnant?"

I clasped my palm over my mouth as a gasp escaped my lips. I took the test result and skimmed through it. This was real, I was carrying his child. Maybe this was a second chance for us, I had thought with high hopes. How delusional of me.

The very next day, I picked up the divorce papers, the envelope containing the test results and excitedly drove to his office. I was sure he would be there.

Reaching his office, I felt his secretary give me an odd stare as I passed but I made nothing of it until I knocked slightly, opened his office and met him in a compromising position with Tasha.

"Xander?" I said.

The shock on his face when his eyes met mine was unmistakeable. Then there was a flash of guilt in them but it was gone as soon as it came.

"We need to talk." I said to him.

"I'm all ears."

"In private." I enunciated.

Without batting an eyelid, he said, "She's no stranger."

She had a wry smile on her face when he said that and I wanted nothing more than to smack it off.

"We can't get a divorce."

He scowled, "Why not?"

"Because-" I paused and thought about it for a second. Here I was, about to prove his claim of trying to rope him in with something, this time it was pregnancy. I did not want to be that girl whom a man would have to tolerate because of a child. I knew I deserved better. If he didn't want me, I was not going to beg or grovel for his affection. He had made his choice and I was not going to force him to change it.

"Never mind," I shook my head. Heading over to the table, I picked up a pen and signed the designated spots on the papers and gave it back to him. His hands lingered on mine for a few seconds longer as I handed him the envelope. "Have a nice life Xander." I wished him well and I truly meant it.

When I walked out of there I knew I was not going to let him see me again for a very long time.

I boarded the next flight to Atlanta, determined to go start a new life over there and willing to bury the memories of him.

~

~2022~

"Do you have the papers signed yet?" I asked my employee as he handed me a couple of files.

"Yes ma'am. They'll be visiting us in a bit." He answered.

"How about the hiring process for the office in LA?"

"About that, Jennifer believes she's yet to find the most qualified candidates for the job. However she's optimistic about this week."

I hummed in approval, "Hmm. She should hurry, I'm all packed up and ready to move."

"I'll let her know ma'am."

"Thank you." I said and was just about to ask something when I heard the tiny voice of my munchkin.

"Mommy!"

"Hey baby." I picked her up and kissed her cheek. "How are you?"

"I'm fine." She said and laid on my shoulder. She was sleepy.

"We have to go. My baby needs to rest." I said as I got on my feet.

After running around the office all day, of course she needed to regain all that strength to go again tomorrow, only that it was going to be different.

He nodded, "Enjoy the rest of your evening boss."

"You too. Don't work late." I told him.

As I trudged through the office on my way out with my daughter laid on my shoulder, I answered the various salutes and farewells they wished me until I got to the vehicle. I was going to miss Atlanta but it was time to head on to greater heights and my move to LA was the next step I needed for a boost in my career and business.

The next day, I was on a flight, flying first class with my daughter and personal assistant by my side. When we touched down in LA, I sighed. This was going to be an exciting ride, I could feel it.

Malik was waiting for us right there at the airport as I made my way out with Arya. I smiled as he walked towards us in his quick strides. In one swift move, he took her out of my hands and spun her around, making her giggle. I giggled too.

"Thanks for picking us up." I said to him.

"You know I'll do anything for you." He gave me that dimpled smile of his that made all the ladies around him drool. I tousled his curly hair instead and he chuckled.

"Come on, let's go." I said and walked ahead as he pulled our luggage behind me.

As he drove further into the city, I couldn't help but remember the last time I was here and how much things had changed since then. The city was bustling and full of life just like I had always remembered it to be.

The wave of memories hit me at once and I almost felt sombre at the thought of what brought me here and took me out in the first place. I shoved those saddening thoughts aside and enjoyed the ride instead.