TripletBabies
2091 Words
CHANTELLE’S HOUSE
“Triplets!” Janice blurted, spitting out cake bits. “How did that happen?”
Chantelle couldn’t give a response as she kept turning the cake batter, ignoring the pain seeping through her arm. She found herself stress-baking the moment she returned from the hospital. She still didn’t seem to process her situation until Khloe excused herself to attend to something urgent. Bryson didn’t waste time and sent his assistant, Linda, with the revised contract. One would have expected him to wait and think it through, as the situation wasn’t as planned. But she was made to sign on the spot and got the money wired into her account right there. It all felt like a dream and was too overwhelming for her to process. The doctor’s words kept playing in her head like a mixtape. Janice was the only person she could call to help her out of the madness she was sinking into.
“Am I supposed to know?” she retorted, struggling to keep the tears that flooded her eyes at bay as if being pregnant with one child wasn’t enough, but three. It felt like the entire universe was against her. “he had the money for each child wired into my account just a few hours after the news. He didn’t even think it necessary to discuss with me first how I might be feeling. Am I just a breeding cow?”
“You did sign a contract. Strictly business if you remember.” Janice reminded her with caution in her tone. She winced inwardly as Chantelle provocatively turned the batter. “And think about it, girl. You are made already. You are going to be f*****g rich by the end of all this. All your dreams of owning your bakery and breaking free from your father’s debt are happening right in your face.”
Chantelle threw her a stern glare. “This is not about the money, Janice. I understand I might be crazy because of how much money I need to start a life. But this is too much. I am still struggling to wrap my head around the first huge payment I got a while back. Now this? It's too much.” She whimpered, dumping the bowl in her hand roughly.
Janice hurried towards her, shoveling the remaining cupcake into her mouth. She gulped it down with difficulty as she guided Chantelle to the couch. “Here, have some water, " she urged, handing her the glass.
“Thank you,” Chantelle mumbled.
They sat in silence for a while, just staring into space.
Janice took in a deep breath, holding onto Chantelle’s shaky hands. “Talk to me, C. Why are you so scared?”
Chantelle sniffled; her eyes looked dazed as if she was seeking an escape. “Janice, you know me better than anyone else. My life hasn’t been a clean ride. All of a sudden, after wallowing in debts all my life and begging to remain in a job that barely paid enough. I have my debts cleared and enough money in my account to last me for years. It's all too good to be true. Now that I am carrying multiple kids, I have invited more trouble. I am not supposed to have any attachment with the child. But this new development is making me want to protect them. I do not want them to endure the life I was thrown into. The fear of something going wrong and losing out on all of them is crippling me. Suppose anything happens to one or all of the children. I will be back in debt and drowned in court cases. Because I know for certain Mr. Moore won’t let me off easily. This is a lot for me to handle.”
She paused briefly and began rambling again. “The doctor said I am at high risk, Janice. High risk! I checked online for all of the things that can go wrong with a pregnant woman. And it is a whole lot, Janice. I can lose my life or even become disabled. I shouldn’t have gotten myself into this. I got too greedy and delved right in without asking questions. I should have checked for the risks involved before agreeing to it. But I was enticed by the money. I am no different from my father. Three lives, Janice. They are growing inside me. How am I supposed to deal with this?” She wailed, gasping for breath as the tears got stuck in her throat.
Janice patted her back gently, “Easy, Chantelle. Please. Just take a deep breath.”
Chantelle inhaled deeply, letting out a shaky breath. The tears didn’t stop rolling down her face. Janice wiped the tears off, holding onto her hands tightly.
“Listen to me, Chantelle. You are one of the strongest women I have ever encountered in my entire life. I know for sure that you will scale through this no matter what. We are good to go as long as we stick to the doctor’s advice—no more stress baking. You need to take in this moment slowly and come to terms with the fact that you are here now. There is no going back. What matters now is finishing this race. You already started it, and there is no need to start having regrets.”
“I don’t think I am strong enough to handle this. The man involved doesn’t even seem to care about me. You need to have seen the way he reacted to the news. He didn’t flinch.”
“People like Bryson Moore are too business-oriented to care about others. Do you think he maintained the most eligible bachelor in his thirties by playing nice? I know all this might sound harsh, but for your sanity, Chantelle, ignore the man and focus on getting the babies to term. In less than seven months, all of this would be over. Also, you don’t have to worry about the children having a good life. Look around you; not only will they be loved, right? They will never have to worry about getting into debt. They will have a good life here. That is certain. And never forget that I will always be here for you, no matter what. Come on now, smile at me.” She nudged her playfully on the side.
Chantelle managed a smile, hugging her tightly. “Thank you, Janice. What would I have done without you?”
Janice snorted, rolling her eyes playfully. “I thought you already found a replacement for me in your sister-in-law.”
She chuckled, feeling a bit better. “Now you are being unnecessarily dramatic. Khloe isn’t family to me but to the kids. She is just being nice. And you should be glad on my behalf. Imagine having the entire family being cold towards me like Mr. Moore. My life would have been more suffocating. I have to admit, though, Khloe is overwhelming. You need to see the things she has bought so far. They are enough to cater for the triplets, even though she had only bought them when we thought it was just one child.”
Her friend giggled. “I bet you are about to have a mini baby clothing store then.”
“it's crazy. I won’t even be here when they will need the clothes. Yet she carries me along like this, which will continue for a long while.”
“Who knows? Fate can be funny sometimes.” Janice winked.
Chantelle rolled her eyes, “Don’t even think about it. That is not going to happen, trust me. This is a sealed fate.”
She groaned inwardly, making a silly face. “Can’t you be optimistic for once?”
“No! I am trying to be factual. I can’t fool myself if everyone else is onto that. So, can I go back to finishing up with my cake now? The batter won’t make itself.” Chantelle said, trying to sound cheerful.
Janice caught the sadness in her voice but pretended not to notice. She knows it will take a while for Chantelle to get herself together. But things will eventually pan out as desired. Holding up a bright smile, she smacked her lips. “Of course, I will help out also.”
“Suit yourself.” Chantelle grinned as she walked back to the kitchen, her hand instinctively rubbing her growing bump.
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HOUSE OF MOORE EMPIRE
“Can I come in, sir?” Linda asked from behind the door.
“Come in,” Bryson replied with his eyes fixated on the computer screen.
The assistant let herself in, clearing her throat to speak. “Here is the signed contract, sir. The money has also been sent to her.”
“Alright. You can drop it and leave.” He said, not looking at her.
She seemed hesitant before putting the document down and excusing herself.
Bryson didn’t move to check the document until a few minutes had passed. There was a strange expression on his face as he read through it. Triplets. That was something he never thought would occur in a lifetime. He was already troubled with becoming a father and keeping his position in the company. Now he has to father three children. With the Sunday dinner coming up at his parents' house, he still can't wrap his head around it. He would have to keep them updated about the situation. The last time they met was after the time he was given had lapsed. He only informed his parents that there was someone, choosing to withhold information until the pregnancy had formed. He hopes they will be happy to know they won’t get just one grandchild from him but three.
In a good sense, he would never have given in to his parents' demands. However, he wasn’t about to lose out on the company he had dedicated his whole life to. Besides hanging out with his family and Owen, Bryson has no life outside the company. Having to lose out on the company just like that makes no sense. But he knows his father better than anyone. Landon Moore doesn’t back down on his promise. He couldn’t risk daring the older man.
Shutting his eyes tightly, Bryson suddenly felt exhausted. A light knock came from behind the door before he could decide whether the person should go in now. Owen eased himself into the office with a smug look on his face.
“How is the latest father in town doing?” he asked, settling into the couch opposite Bryson.
“Let me guess. Khloe already told you.” Bryson stated in a bored tone.
Owen chuckled. “Trust her to never keep such information to herself. But I must say, that is one hell of news. Triplets. It’s huge.”
He dipped his little finger in his ears as if waxing out the dirt. “I have heard enough of that word today. Can we not talk about it, please?”
He quirked his brows in concern. “Why? Don’t tell me you are planning to back out.’
“I am quite offended by that. If I were going to back out so soon, I wouldn’t have taken up this project. I want to have a conversation without having babies involved. Think we can do that?”
“Yeah. But I should correct you on tagging your children on a project. They are going to stick with you for life. And trust me, aside from business talk. The rest of your conversations will have them in them. Welcome to parenthood.”
Bryson felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. He didn’t think it was any big deal since he wasn’t assigned to carry the children. “I have heard you. Can we move on now?”
Owen had amusement dancing in his eyes. He would have loved to tease Bryson further, but he let it slide. “Want to go grab some drinks?”
“I don’t think I am in the mood for any noise now.” He sniffed, staring at his computer screen again.
“How about we head to your house? I could use a break before going home.” There seemed to be a helpless plea in the way Owen sounded.
Bryson nodded. “Alright then. Let’s get out of here.” He mused, picking up his jacket and the signed contract.
He needed the drink as much as Owen did.
- Writer
