The Billionaire's Baby

Book 2

Chapter Three

“I know most of you wanted to be out of here this moment but bear with me. There’s one more speech and then you lots can pack your things and go.”

The stadium full of students bursts out laughing.

“Trust Mr. Kennedy to make light of serious matters.” Lauren murmured from her left while Lisa, on the other hand, was busy frowning on her phone.

“If you ladies and gentlemen welcome one of our special guest today who donated to this school for better access, I welcome Mr. Anthony Rollins…”

Applause emanated in the room and there strode a confident man with his hands in his pockets, looking like a model in Armani suits. The ladies weren’t shy about letting him know the charisma he had over them.

She sat frozen in her seat, holding her breath.

“Do you want to get out of here?” Jessica was sure that Lisa meant well for her but somehow what she had said reminded her of them in the club.

Do you want to get out of here?

“Had we known that he’s coming we wouldn’t have attended the seminar.”

Jessica didn’t know anymore who was talking who, her intent of being as small as possible as to not be seen occupied her mind. She couldn’t let him see her, not when…

She didn’t realize that she was gripping her chair if she didn’t look down to her lap when he faced the crowd.

“Is he looking?” she said in a tiny voice.

“Honestly?” Lisa asked.

“Y-yes.”

“He’s boring a hole in your skull right now, might as well show him you’re not affected,” Lauren said, indignant. But she couldn’t wouldn’t look up. She knew if she did, it would be game over for her.

She felt like a cornered rat frozen under the eyes of a cat who wanted to eat her whole.

“I hope I’m not keeping you up,” Anthony’s deep baritone glided smoothly. Everyone was quiet now, holding on to his every word. “I will keep this short, I’m not a man of words anyway.”

She scowled, “I want you to remember me every time you close your eyes and know that it’s only me who’ll ever make you feel this way,” she repeated his words.

“Don’t talk too loudly, babe, others might think your nuts.” Lauren.

Jessica didn’t even know why she was pissed at him now; it wasn’t like they have something going on. Heck, he just might be here because of this speech, not knowing that she was going here.

Yes, it was all coincidental, he had nothing to do with her just as she didn’t have anything to do with him.

This time, she looked up with her head held high but her bravado wavered a fraction when she spotted him looking head on to her. Lauren hadn’t been lying when she said that he was looking, in fact, he seemed to be just talking to one person, her. She broke away their contact, unable to hold the heat in those emerald eyes too long.

She looked around whether others noticed that he was staring a little too hard to her but no one seemed to notice except the two.

All too soon, the students were heading for the exits and that included her. She blended in the crowd trying to go unseen as much as possible. Although Lauren was in her side covering her and Lisa in the back, she still felt like he was looking at her.

In the background, the microphone made a scratchy noise until Mr. Kennedy’s voice came on again.

“Paging for Miss Mathews, please come see me in my office. As for the rest, please…”

Mr. Kennedy’s voice was drowned by her heart booming in her ears, she was holding down the crowd was standing motion on the spot. Somehow, she got a feeling that Anthony got his hand on this.

“Come on, Jessica, we’ll help you.” Lauren urged her to keep moving and her legs just followed along.

Outside, the fresh air helped her breathed again, making her brain function. The two helped her in one of the benches and offered her water which she took gratefully.

“We can tell Mr. that you’re not feeling okay,” Lisa offered.

She was about to say no but thought better of it. If she faced him now that she was still disoriented, he would more likely win over the argument they will have. Jessica wasn’t ready for that yet, she had to gather her wits together.

“I’ll appreciate it if you do, Lis,” she looked at her friend, hating the worry she saw in their eyes.

“Don’t worry about it. We’re here for you.”

Lauren stood up, “Let’s get you out of here before he sniffs you.”

Lisa put on a cap over her head like the way they would do when paparazzi was on their tail.

She couldn’t begin to thank them for all the things they did for her, Jessica wished that someday she could pay them back the same kindness they shown her.

At the sight of Lauren’s black SUV, she could breathe even better.

Soon, she would be out of this town and he would never see her again.

*

Despite nausea she was experiencing again, Jessica shooed them away with the reassurance that she’d be fine. But the moment the door closed, her world turned spinning.

She braced herself against the wall, breathing raggedly. At that moment, she wished that she let them stayed for a while. She would’ve had if wasn’t selfish of her to do—

“Jessica!” Came a booming familiar voice. Dread filled her.

“Hey, what’s with the noise?” Betty, her landlord yelled.

Anthony said something to her landlord that had her saying, “Yes, she’s inside, Mr. Rollins. Do you want me to get the—“

“No, just stay inside your house and leave us.”

Betty agreed without hesitation and soon her footsteps faded in the distance.

She knew the moment he turned his attention to her apartment. The air seemed to thickened.

“Open this damn door, or so heaven helped me, I will break it down.”

Helpless to do anything, Jessica held her breath hoping that if she stood still he would go away.

The door busted open, revealing a haughty looking Anthony. His eyes zeroed in on her, the harshness in them melted into worry. He glided over her with ease, his windswept hair fell in his eyes.

“What’s wrong, baby?” his hands came around her face, searching for something that had her looking deathly pale. He looked back at her, finding nothing. From the surface anyway, rather, what he did to her that’s gotten her in this position. Funny how his grumpy attitude turned to worrisome. He was like a storm, coming to full force on her all the time.

Jessica didn’t move nor say a thing for it would be the end of her.

When she didn’t say a thing, he took it his cue to bend down and lift her up.

“No.”

He looked at her, “You can’t be standing here if you’re not feeling well.” He pointed out, gentle.

She shook her head which was a bad mistake, it only increased her nausea. Her legs blanched beneath her. Anthony was quick to catch her, and that was when puking her guts out happened. She heaved and heaved until she was shaking from it, tears cascaded down her cheeks. Everything was just pressing up on her and she was exhausted. Anthony, on the other hand, had smoothed her hair away from her face while she did her business then turned into rubbing her back, whispering gentle words in her ears.

Black spots danced in the corner of her eyes and she was the willing victim to surrender from it, anything to escape the reality for the mean time.

She fell in his arms, the world blurred above her.

*

“She needs to have the nutrients the both of them requires, son. She can’t go starving herself again or she would be risking not one but both of them. I don’t want to put all the pressure on you two but this has to be done. Miss Mathew is too fragile to be supporting another life in her body and without proper care…”

Jessica had been awake for the past five minutes, she knew when doc came inside along with Anthony.

He knew her situation already and she didn’t know how to deal with it now that he found out. This was so unfair for her.

The soft click of the door brought her back to reality.

“I know that you’re awake, Jessica,” he started, his voice flat.

She turned to her side, her back to him.

He sighed. A moment later, the bed dipped and the smell of pines took over her senses, it was actually calming her.

“I want to be angry at you right now for not telling me about this, sweetcheeks, but I can’t find it in me to be. But I’m angrier to myself for being reckless, I should have known better.”

She surprised herself when she turned slightly and said, “This wasn’t meant to happen, Anthony.” Her nose was clogged which made her voice sound funny. She must look so attractive right now. “It was only meant to be a one-time fling.”

His eyes hardened, “So, it’s just a scratch you wanted to deal with, huh.”

“You’re an asshole,” she fired back with all her pent up frustration.

He stood back, physically and emotionally. His emerald green eyes lost the life he saw in them earlier.

“Fine. Act this way but know that you’re carrying my child inside you and that means you have to take care of yourself.”

She could laugh at that statement if not for the fact that it felt like he was obligating her to an obligation she didn’t understand, to begin with.

Her family was defending on her, what would she do now?

“Just get out,” she said coldly.

“Not yet. I have to see that you eat first.”

She glared at him. He looked tired, there were dark shadows under his droopy eyes, his jaw set in a stubborn clench. He also discarded his dirty vest which left him with his white dress shirt inside. A few of his buttons were unbuttoned and his sleeves rolled up. His hair looked like he had been running his fingers through it.

“I can take care of myself,” she said stubbornly.

His nose flared, “If I have to force you to eat know that I would, Jessica. It’s your choice.”

“I’m not a child you can boss around, Anthony. We will survive without you!”

“You can’t even begin to support yourself let alone your family back in your home, Jessica so don’t…”

She stared at him.

Realizing his rough words, he closed his eyes and breathed. He ran down his hand in his jaw, the five o’clock shadow in his jaw looked like weeks’ worth of not shaving.

“Please don’t make it hard for the both of us, Jessica. I’m here to help you,” when he opened his eyes they were less intimidating. But her situation went further than a simple problem. She was bearing a child for Pete’s sake. “Let’s get married. It’ll be easier to watch over your fare when you’re within sight.”

“Marry?” She breathed, shock, “I-I can’t marry you.”

“What if I say that your mom’s hospital bills will be taken care of along with a proper house away from that city you grew up in.”

Anthony knew he got her there. But for what price in return?

Her freedom.

“You don’t want your brother to grow up a bastard in that kind of living, Jessica and neither will I let you do the same to my child.”

Her head snapped at him, “I’m not sickly rich as you are, Anthony, but that doesn’t mean I am less than you are or anyone else.”

“I didn’t mean—“

“Get out. I can’t stand you right now.”

He looked like he would put up a fight but decided against it. Jessica didn’t know how she long she could last without bawling at any second now. To her relief, he wordlessly saw himself out. Tears of frustrations welled up and she didn’t stop until she was dry from crying.

Half an hour later, an elderly woman dropped by to cook and clean for her.

Oh, Anthony. What would she do with him? He was coming too strongly for her and she was weak with him around.

Chapter Four

“Is it that bad to be tied with Anthony, Cass?” Lisa looked at her through the mirror, concerned for her friend.

She was ready to say yes but the memory of last week’s event flashed back in her head. There was really nothing she could fault him other than being too domineering. The man could be so caring and frustrating at the same time.

“The truth?”

“Please.”

She looked down at her lap where her hands were laid in a white lace dress. “I think he’ll be a great dad.”

“But?”

She looked back at her friend, “But I don’t think I’m ready to for this big responsible.”

“Are you really doubting your ability to be a mother and a wife or is it really about Anthony and you’re just trying to cover up for him?”

She smiled, “No matter how dire the situation I’m in, Lis, I won’t agree to marry Anthony if he’s just another insensitive bastard.”

“Then why with the long face?”

We’re not marrying for us, Jessica. We’re marrying for the sake of our child, Anthony pointed out one afternoon in her living room. He had casually opened the discussion and casually said that they’re getting married next week. Of course, they ended up in a heated argument where eventually led to a passionate made up where she ended up crying out his name and him nipping at her neck.

That was what she was really fearing about, to be a slave under his every wish. Jessica was afraid to lose touch with herself, that was the last thing she wanted when all this farce come to an end. Anthony was still Anthony; his real world would always call for him. He was just another man, defenseless against the world’s glamor and temptations. What would be left of her when he realized that she was a high maintenance to keep around that she wasn’t worth the trouble after all.

You will walk out with a million dollar in your account minus your family’s house and bills. That’s not bad in exchange for your heart.

“Jessica?”

The soft voice of Lisa snapped her out of her thoughts, standing beside her was Lauren. The two exchange a knowing glance.

“If you tell us that you don’t want to get married with that piece of sh—“

“You both are going to help me ran away?” she finished, shaking her head.

They nodded.

“While that sounds like a plan to me, I now have to think for my baby as well,” she rubbed her small bump, still strange with the idea of a life forming in her womb. Once upon a time, she wasn’t sure whether she’d have children, let alone get married. From her dad’s experience, marriage was out of her priority list. Funny how fate seemed to turn that against her. However, her child, no matter the circumstances she would never trade.

With or without Anthony, Jessica would be enough to raise their child all thanks to her mom.

How she wished that they could be here as well. On the other hand, she didn’t want to see her disappointed so maybe it was better that they’re back there for the mean time until they could move.

“What’s taking you ladies so long?” Anthony stood in the door, looking every bit handsome in his tux and sleeked back hair. He was clean-shaven, his eyes a glinting emerald.

“What the hell are you doing?!” Lauren shrieked.

He wasn’t listening, instead, he pointedly looked at her and so did she. The wild beating of her heart was unmistakable now, there was no denying the feeling she had towards him.

“When are you coming out?” His question was directed to her alone, it was like the two weren’t around, shooing him away.

“Anthony, learn how to wait!” Lisa huffed, pushing him out the door which he let her.

Jessica nodded her head and just like that, he backed off. Her two bridesmaid teamed work and slammed the door in his face.

“That wasn’t necessary.”

They rolled their eyes, “It was necessary alright.” Lauren said. She then vanished inside the bathroom of the guest room in Anthony’s penthouse and retouch her makeup. When she came out, she was good as new.

“Heaven, I swear that guy is too head over heels for you,” she sighed.

One could only hope so.

“I think I’m ready to go out there.”

They didn’t comment on her sudden change of subject instead, they rolled along.

“The running away still stands.” Lisa said.

“Thanks but no .”

The look they gave her had her blushing nevertheless, they didn’t say anything.

All too soon, she was descending down the steps and Pedro was helping her inside the car, Anthony’s first ever car apparently. Which was a white vintage mustang. It was one of her dreams come true to ride a beautiful car such as this.

The ride to Santa Fe’s church was a comfortable silence. Pedro had that vibe in him.

If he was wondering why she had him dropped her off that early morning after coming out of Anthony’s room a month ago just to tie the knot with him now, he didn’t say anything.

“We’re here, ma’am.”

Jessica blinked a couple of times before she could make sense of her surroundings. Pedro waited for her to get out of the car patiently.

“Anthony may be a man now, but in my eyes, he’s still a boy I saw grew up.” Pedro was looking at her through the rearview mirror. “What I’m saying is, the man is not that bad but that doesn’t mean he’s not difficult.”

“W-we’re not marrying out of love, Pedro.” The truth ran smoothly out of her mouth. He didn’t look the least bit surprised.

“One thing I can tell you, Miss Mathew, Anthony is not rush to his actions.”

“What are you saying?”

“I think I told you enough that warranted, Miss Mathew, go along now. They’re waiting for you.”

“But—“

He pinned her with a look, “If you’re going to be with him, you have to hear his own story from him, not from anyone. I just told you that to reassure you.”

“I understand…” She did but that also left thousands of burning questions inside her head. But the waiting crowd outside was now all looking at them.

“When you’re ready,” Pedro said.

She sucked in deep breaths and nodded her head. She was about to open the door when Pedro said that Anthony would fire him if he let her do that.

Jessica chose to make his job easy by shutting it.

Lauren and Lisa were smiling at her the moment she came out, while others looked at her plainly. Some elegantly beautiful ladies she didn’t know of.

With the flowers in her hands, she began her parade towards the church. It wasn’t long before she saw Anthony waiting for her at the end of the aisle.

She choked on emotion lodged in her throat. Somehow, the wedding felt so true and she would really be marrying the man of her life. Her dark knight in shining Armani suit.

*

“We don’t have to do our wedding night if you don’t want to.”

It was already tense on the way back to his penthouse and he added to it by saying the subject she’s been dreading.

Thank the heaven the car that picked them up, this time, was closed up between drivers’ and passengers.

“I mean—“

She turned to him rather too abrupt to be good for her. He looked out of the game, like a boy denied of candy.

“Do you want to?”

He looked up, surprised. She was surprised with herself as well.

The air thickened and her breathing turned shallow, his looked a little darker or maybe it was just the lighting doing the trick.

“You shouldn’t give me a choice like this, Jessica.”

She thought so too but she was done fighting against herself, if she’s going down might as well make it worth it.

“It’s too late for that, I guess?”

His answer was to pull her into his lap and smashed their lips together. They were hungry for each other, needed each other.

“Anthony…” she moaned, her head thrown back as he nipped at her n****e through the fabric of her dress. Below her, she grounded herself against his bump, pleasuring both of them.

*

The moment he laid her down in the bed after carrying her bridal style, Anthony was helping her out of her dress. It pooled beneath her feet and she nudged it off the bed. Next, they were unbuttoning his shirt and he was unbuckling himself. He pulled his pants down along with his boxer, his happy trail led her to his generous size standing erect in his belly.

He made his ways towards the bed and flipped her on top of him. He reached for her and again, they proceed where they left off in the car. She was too mortified to thank Pedro.

“You’re beautiful, Jessica, inside and out.”

She curled her hands on his chest, defenseless against his dark charm.

He unpinned her hair and it cascaded down her back. Anthony laid back a second to study her.

Impatient, she positioned herself and slide down. His gripped around her waist tightened, meeting her halfway.

Jessica threw her head back in abandoned and ride him away to bliss and together they cried out from their union. This time as husband and wife.

Exhausted, Jessica laid on top of him, satiated. Anthony had his hands in her back, his thumb making a circular motion, their hearts beating into one.

*

Jessica shouldn’t be expecting rainbows from Anthony after their wedding night. But she did and it made her feel angry with herself.

Sitting around the house like a pig to be fed—Sebastian forbid anyone in the house to let her work, he didn’t say it to her because he knew that she wouldn’t stand to it.

There was nothing to do but entertain herself with watching a big screen T.V and if Norma, the elderly woman she met in her apartment, the head maid of the house and sickly sweet, let her help her with bits and pieces then she would be lucky. Other than that, she was left to be pampered which she didn’t need. There was no use reviewing for her exam either because she missed it already. All that was left of her to do was wait for him to come home like a useless housewife.

And heaven knew she hated that.