Dangerous Affections

Chapter3:Secrets and Sparks

Emma gazed in the bathroom mirror at her reflection, then studied her still-flat stomach. Three weeks had passed following the shocking disclosure of her pregnancy, and she had worked out how to hide it from Michael. But for what length of time? She groaned and polished her blouse over her tummy. Her emotions were running wild, and the morning sickness was becoming more aggressive to hide. Michael would finally find something was wrong. As though on a sign, the entranceway had a thump. Emma, please? Are you good there, truthful or false?" Michael's voice revealed clear concern. Emma pulled everything together right away, sprinkling water all about her. She cried out, "I'm fine," opening the door with a limited smile. "Just revitalizing myself." Michael's sharp blue eyes studied her face, a little frown wrinkling his forehead. "You have been giving the bathroom of late a lot of your attention. Are you sure you are good? Emma's heart danced. For her benefit, he was overly attentive. She said, gently lying, "Must be something I ate." "None of your business". Michael let it pass even though he seemed hardly convinced. "On the odd occasion that you mention as such. Recall, that tonight is our foundation affair. The car will be here at seven." Emma nodded thanks to the change of subject. She started screaming out to Michael as he turned to go. " Michaels?" He paused and turned back, waiting impatiently. Her tongue swirled around the words "I'm pregnant." Still, she was held back by dread. What if he behaved badly? Think about the prospect of this destroying everything. Emma remarked at last, "Nothing." "See you tonight," he said. Emma closed her eyes as Michael left, relaxed against the door jamb. Could she hide this for how long? And maybe even more crucially, should she? That evening, the New York elite showed up for the spectacular event. Emma played the part exactly, charmingly smiling to enthrall politicians and socialites. Inside she was a mess of anxiety and nausea. Michael said softly as they moved on the dance floor, "You're quiet tonight." Her reaction to his grasp on her waist sent shivers down her spine and was uncontrollable. Emma turned to face him, really stunned by his beauty. Under the gentle ballroom lighting, his customary sharp edges seemed softer and more friendly. "Recently drained," she remarked with a small smile. "It has been a drawn-out week." Michael has a laid-back appearance. "We could leave earlier if you want. We have most likely made sufficient visits, in my view. His thoughtfulness touched Emma's heart. She questioned whether their love transcended mere business arrangement in this kind of time. Michael's hand on the small of her back felt like a brand as they moved beyond the celebration. Emma was quite conscious of every resource between them, her body responding in ways she could ignore. The automobile ride home was tinged by an odd conflict. Emma sensed Michael's focus on her as he studied her profile in a low light. As his hand touched hers as if by mistake, she experienced an electric jolt. They arrived at the penthouse amicably, the air heavy with unstated statements. Emma turned to thank Michael for leaving behind closed elevator doors. She caught his fierce look, though, and the words disappeared from her mouth. Michael closed the distance between them before she could reply; his lips fell on hers. Emma stopped just before planting a kiss. With months of attractions developing between them, this one was hot and passionate, unlike the chaste peck of their wedding. Michael's hands got caught in her hair as he pushed her up against the wall and kissed her more fiercely. Emma responded with the same fervor, her fingers clutching his shirt. Both were breathing fiercely right at the moment they at last fell apart. Michael pressed his forehead against hers, his eyes black with want. He cried, "Tell me to stop," hoarsely. "Tell me this isn't what you need." Emma knew she should be pushing him away. This would simply muddy things even more. Her body, in any case, thought differently. She pleaded to him, "Don't stop," and drew him in for a brief agonizing kiss. Emma was confused and breathless on that intense night. Reality crashed back in the early morning as she slept in Michael's embrace. She was carrying his child, but he knew nothing about that. The guilt chewing at her threatened to eclipse their love and joy. Emma discovered she was caught in a whirl of emotions as the weeks went by. Her relationship with Michael had evolved for the moment. Passionate looks and brief flashes of desire took place instead of the chilly manners. But the secret of her pregnancy tormented her severely. Unaware of the life blossoming inside Emma, her heart tightened with remorse every time Michael stroked her rising tummy. She knew she should tell him, but terror kept her back off. Imagine a situation where this made a significant difference. Say she was drawing him into a trap? The what-ifs whirled in her thoughts, keeping her alert at night. Michael seemed to sense something was off in the interim. His sharp eyes started to track her more regularly, and he scowled slightly when he thought she was not looking. Michael disrupted the peace one evening as they sat in polite stillness in the family room. "Emma, is everything OK?" Emma's head flew from the book she had been claiming to read. She said, maybe too fast, "Of course." "For what reason do you find yourself asking?" Michael placed his PC aside, genuinely paying attention. "You have been somewhat different lately. Far apart. You never seem to get enough sleep either. You seem to me always hiding something from me. Emma's heart shook. This presented her chance to come clean and release this secret. But the moment she started to open her mouth to talk, terror once more seized her. She answered, "It's nothing," flashing a strong smile. "Simple change in line with this new existence, I suppose. One has to absorb a lot of information. Michael read her momentarily, clearly unconvincingly persuaded. He waved, though, letting it go for the time being. Emma's pregnancy was more difficult to hide as days stretched into weeks. Her garments tightened, and she found herself continuously tilting her body away from Michael to hide her changing shape. Still, the real alterations were not the only ones that were self-evident. Emma's mood swings became more obvious and her emotions were all over the range. One second she would be laughing at something Michael said, then crying in response about some unidentified cause. Michael became more suspicious every day. Emma felt as though he was always watching her. Their brittle bliss was threatened by the obvious conflict between them. Emma heard Michael's sudden intake of breath one morning as she twisted to retrieve a dropped napkin during breakfast. She hurriedly straightened and noticed his focus on her middle, where her loose blouse had stuck to her little belly bump. Michael said, "Emma," softly and under control. "Is there something you want to tell me?" Emma's chest felt her pulse. This was the pivotal time. She admitted in an attempt to at last release this secret. Still, a rush of tipsiness swept over her before she could speak. Emma felt herself tumbling as the room turned. Michael's terrified call to her name was the last she heard before everything went dark. Emma started to hear voices from around her as consciousness gradually came back. Closed her eyes to try to find her bearings. "Can't believe she didn't tell me," Michael said with a tense, angry, and worried voice. "Mr. Waverly, kindly silence yourself. Your girlfriend will be good. Ladies can swoon during pregnancy, especially in case they have been under pressure." Emma's eyes opened at the specialized words. The room where she was at the hospital was inundated by monitors' continual beeping. Michael stood near the window, his body tense, back to her. Michael turned, sensing her glance. When their eyes locked, Emma saw a rainbow of emotions in his blue depths: relief, uncertainty, hurt, and something more she couldn't quite name. "You're awake," he remarked as he moved toward her bedside. "How are you doing?" Emma drew hard and developed a dry mouth. "I'm alright," she answered rightfully. Michael, "I-": She was cut short when he held out a hand. Don't. Right now not." His voice was deliberately under control, but Emma sensed the basic annoyance. "We'll discuss more of this when we get home." Emma closed her eyes and battled tears as Michael turned to talk with the doctor. But at what price was the secret exposed? She had threatened not just their agreement but also their delicate relationship. Emma wondered whether she had ruined everything as she lay there, one hand defensively covering her tummy. At any moment may Michael excuse her for concealing this from him? More importantly, also, what is the relevance here for their future and the fate of their unborn child? Vibrant, and rich with implicit phrases, the ride home promised to be nearing a confrontation. Emma got ready for what was ahead since she knew the next few hours would very definitely send her life nearly permanently in another direction.