THE POWER OF LOVE- A billionaire love story

chapter 8

Adina didn't care about the age of the man who had rudely intruded into her life. She was seething with anger at his audacity to interfere in her affairs. If he had any grievances or issues to discuss with her, she wished he had the maturity to approach her directly instead of prying into her personal life. This intrusive and obnoxious man had no right to pass judgment.

What infuriated Adina even more was the fact that she was now pregnant with his child, and she had deliberately chosen not to inform him of her pregnancy. She had no intention of going down that road, dealing with him and his immaturity. Even a blind person could see how open and genuine Ruan was about his s****l orientation. The man who had prided himself on probing her personal life had proven to be insensitive and oblivious, unable to recognize the direction of his own feelings, even with all the clues presented to him.

Adina lay on her bed, contemplating the situation, when a soft knock sounded from her door. Without needing to answer, Ruan entered the room, holding a cup of calming chamomile tea. Gently, he placed the cup and saucer on the bedside table before joining Adina on the bed. Ruan took her hand and looked into her eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his concern evident in his expression.

Adina sat up, shifting back to lean her head against the headboard, her eyes fixed on Ruan. She replied, "I'm as well as I can be. I want to be angry, but I can't even muster the energy for it, Ruan. I feel utterly drained. Dealing with that man is exhausting, to say the least. What baffles me is how he assumes I had any prior knowledge of him before that night. I hadn't even seen his face before. And as for the notion that I'm after his money, it's beyond infuriating. I may be struggling to pay off my loans, but I would never degrade myself to the point of engaging in such a transaction for financial gain."

Tears welled up in her eyes and began to roll down her cheeks. Ruan didn't offer many words in response, choosing instead to gently pat Adina's hand. "At least he believes you have a boyfriend who doesn't give a damn about your choices in your personal life. Though I do care, sweetheart," he remarked, attempting to lighten the mood. Adina couldn't help but crack a smile at Ruan's ability to inject humor into even the most unexpected moments.

Adina sighed, frustration clear in her voice as she continued, "You're so openly gay, Ruan, that anyone with even a bit of sense would notice it from a mile away. Even your friends exude an unmistakable gay vibe. Only someone truly dense would fail to pick up on it." Ruan simply nodded in agreement, fully aware of his own authenticity.

Adina glanced at Ruan, her expression blank yet her eyes glistening with tears. "Thanks anyway. I'm sure that will keep him at bay for quite some time." Her voice wavered with the weight of the situation.

But her thoughts took a more somber turn as she looked at Ruan, her emotions evident. "What am I going to do with a baby, Ruan? I can barely take care of myself. I mean, I get by okay, but a baby means more expenses. I have to cut back on spending to pay off the loans and start saving. I can't believe I'm going to be a mother. I'm just not ready for motherhood. What do I do, Ruan?" She asked, though she likely wasn't expecting Ruan to have all the answers when it came to the challenges of motherhood.

Ruan, ever the pillar of support, offered Adina a reassuring smile and said, "You're not alone, Adina. Max and I have got your back. If it means moving in with Max, we'll do that. We'll raise that baby together. Remember, nobody is ever truly ready to be a mother. At least, that's what most of my girlfriends have told me." His words were meant to soothe her, reminding her of the support system she had in her corner.

Adina, however, couldn't shake her worries and continued, "You know I can't keep the pregnancy hidden for long. At some point, I'll have to stop working, and I don't want to be a burden." Her voice quivered with anxiety.

Ruan, leaning in to make sure she was fully engaged, gently reassured her, "Hey, look at me. You're the closest thing I've had to family for the past ten years. It's always been me and you, sisters for life. Max loves me, complete with all my baggage. Not that I'm saying you're baggage, but he loves you nonetheless. I understand it might feel like you're handling this all on your own, but remember, family supports each other, and I've got your back, Adina."

Adina couldn't hold back the tears any longer. Hearing Ruan express his unwavering support and love in such a heartfelt manner made her feel cherished and understood during this uncertain time. It was the kind of reassurance and understanding she needed most.

Adina expressed her gratitude with a warm smile, moving in to hug Ruan tightly. "Thank you, Ru. You're the best," she said sincerely, her appreciation evident in her eyes.

Ruan, with his signature sass, responded, "I know," with a playful flip of his imaginary hair off his shoulders, a gesture that suited his stylish boy cut haircut, accentuating his facial features and adding a certain allure to his appearance. "About your current job, are you planning to go in tomorrow?" he inquired.

Adina recognized that she couldn't use illness as an excuse to avoid work indefinitely. Eventually, she'd need to return to her job. "I think I'll go in tomorrow. I still feel terrible, with all sorts of smells making me queasy, but I need this job," she admitted. Ruan nodded, understanding the need for financial stability.

Ruan then offered a supportive alternative, saying, "You know, you can always come work at the l***q community where I'm employed. They won't judge you; that's the whole point of it, no judgment. I understand there might be trouble at your current workplace and plenty of questions once they learn about your pregnancy. But at the community, no one would even bat an eye if you walked in nine months pregnant, asking for help or a job." It was a comforting option, given the accepting and inclusive nature of the community where Ruan worked.

Adina couldn't help but acknowledge that Ruan made a valid point. She also considered the importance of saving up those bonus points for a time when she might not be physically capable of working or if she found herself in dire need of employment. "I'll think about it, Ruan. I'll definitely keep that in mind. If things go south at my current job, at least I know where I can turn to. For now, let's hope that jerk doesn't decide to mess things up for me," Adina remarked, her hopefulness tinged with a hint of skepticism.

The following day at work, Adina quickly realized what could indeed go wrong. That intrusive man was stationed at the front, inquiring about her, and he was refusing to leave, even after the manager suggested he take a seat at a table until someone could locate Adina. Adina couldn't fathom what he wanted now, and she was in no mood to deal with his antics. She lacked the strength to engage with him at this moment.

Her night had been restless as she tried to come to terms with her pregnancy. She spent a good part of the morning leaning over the toilet, her nausea and vomiting taking their toll. Even the modest breakfast of cereal and milk that Ruan had tried to prepare for her had ended up in the toilet. Adina was utterly drained, hungry, and in desperate need of sleep. Her face bore dark, puffy circles under her eyes, vivid proof of her misery.

Dealing with what she considered an overgrown toddler was not on her agenda for the day. Her primary goal was to get through her shift, and she was eager to go home, collapse into sleep, or simply have some time to think and come to terms with her new reality.

"I said I want to talk to Adina Lois Kenan," Asher repeated for what felt like the tenth time since he had entered her workplace.

Adina's boss, trying to maintain some semblance of order, suggested, "If there's an issue, Sir, perhaps we could discuss it in my office. There's no need to disrupt others when we can have a civilized conversation."

"I don't believe that will be necessary. She's already here," Asher responded, spotting Adina as she slipped out of the kitchen.

Adina, with a forced smile that felt more fake than she cared to admit, retorted, "Since I'm already here, would you prefer to continue causing a scene like a toddler seeking attention, or shall we follow the boss's suggestion and talk this out in the office?" Her voice dripped with fury, her resolve to face whatever was coming evident in the way she squared her shoulders. She was ready to fight, had been preparing to fight. "What do you want? You showed up here last week, causing a scene, then came to my apartment for another round. Now you're back at my workplace, stirring up commotion for the sake of attention. Were you that neglected as a child that you have to throw tantrums to get noticed? Or have you never faced rejection from a woman, and you view it as a challenge that needs to be overcome?"

Adina had struck a nerve, and Asher's demeanor shifted. His triumphant expression morphed into one of anger. He seemed poised to retaliate, to offer a retort. His mouth opened as if he were about to respond, but he thought better of it and clamped it shut. Adina didn't let her guard down either, acutely aware that Asher's presence spelled more trouble than she wished to confront at the moment.