Chapter Six
1009 Words
(Eleanor's POV)
"Stella?"
"What are you doing here?"
My eyes scanned her for anything unusual, but found nothing except the teasing smile on her face.
"That's no way to greet your guest!"
She smiled and crossed her legs, fitting perfectly into the sofa like it was made for her.
"Get me something to drink, Martha," she spoke softly, her voice sweet but also commanding. Martha nodded and made for the cupboard.
"Stop right there," my voice came out chilling. Surprising me too.
"You don't serve unless I tell you to." I instructed. My voice was steady and final, every word hanging in the air.
Martha stilled like she'd stepped on something dangerous. "Ma?" she looked up at me, perhaps surprised that I had just spoken up.
"Well... well... well..." A clap resounded twice through the penthouse. Stella stood up, her blue sapphire dress glittering under the lights.
"Someone has finally grown a backbone," she chuckled. The sweetness in her tone was now gone, replaced with something darker.
"Too bad it took you this long." She stepped closer to me and I subconsciously caught a whiff of the scent on her. Marcus. So they had spent the night together. I laughed internally at myself. What was I expecting?
I cleared my throat and stared at the woman in front of me. Determination stirring up in me. "What are you here for?" I asked her.
She stepped away from me and towards the center table in the middle of the room, and then slowly and steadily, she slid a pregnancy test across the table.
My heart stopped. My breathing became rapid. Two bright red lines stared back at me. No, I tried to convince myself. This wasn’t happening.
"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, my voice calmer than my entire being. She smiled.
"You and I both know what a pregnancy test is," she stopped for impact, then continued. "What you should be asking is who the father is," the triumph in her voice was loudly clear. She stared down at me like I had lost.
I refused to let her gloat over me. My face remained stoic, like I wasn’t breaking inside. But before I could reply —
"And who is the father?" Tiffany stood at the door, catching us off guard with her presence. The shock and surprise was evident on her face.
"When did you get here, Tiff?"
"That doesn't answer my question," she stepped towards us, her eyes directly fixed on Stella. "Who is the father?" she asked again. Stella stared back at her, the smile not leaving her eyes.
"Why don't you ask Len over here?"
She picked at her nails like it was the most interesting thing to do. "I will take my leave now, tell Marcus I said hi." Then she paused. "Nevermind, I'll tell him myself." She picked up the purse on the seat and made her way towards the door.
"Len, what's going on?" Tiffany asked me as she searched my face for clues.
"Well, she's pregnant," I replied, not meeting her eyes.
"For who?" She probed further, her gaze giving me an unsettling feeling.
"We're going to be late for the spa, Tiff."
"Oh don't try to cut this conversation." She stepped even closer. "Is it Marcus?" she asked, her eyes softening at my silence.
"That son of a b**ch," she cursed under her breath.
"I'm so sorry, Len," she pulled me in for a hug. My arms slowly relaxed into the hug. Then something clicked in me. I pulled back from the hug. My entire countenance changed immediately. I straightened my clothes and patted my hair.
"Come on, Tiff, we have a spa to get to." Tiffany smiled widely at my little act.
"Now that's the Len I wanna see."
Together we made our way downstairs, the event of the earlier event taking its place in my memory.
………
"Oh my God, I didn't know they massage so well here," Tiffany squeaked as she popped a berry into her mouth.
"You literally come here everyday," I laughed at her enthusiasm.
"Well I guess you're the treat for today," she winked at me.
I stifled another laugh.
"You never change," I smiled at her.
"What do you say we go shopping after this?" she leaned closer.
"I think you need to up your game. Your wardrobe is literally begging for help," she mocked.
"I have enough clothes already."
"Not according to me," she popped another berry.
"Ughh... I forgot you're a fashion icon," I rolled my eyes.
Our moment was cut short when the worker drew open the curtains.
"We're sorry to announce but our spa will be closed off from now," she bowed deeply.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Tiffany shot back. I picked up the towel and wrapped it around my chest.
"We have a very important guest coming over and thus our store is fully booked," she bowed again.
"We're sorry for the inconveniences."
"Well tell your dignitaries to wait. I am from the Alexander family and you don't want to know what it's like to mess with me." Tiffany fumed.
"Stop it, Tiff. We can always come back another time," I picked up her dress and handed it to her.
She snorted as she took it from me.
"Only because of you," she mumbled.
We made our way out of the spa. Then my eyes widened at the scene in front of me. Cars lined up from one end to the other. The tension was thick in the air. Several men stepped down from the cars, forming a pathway for the car in the middle.
"Oh my gawd," Tiffany squeaked from beside me, her expression carrying fascination. "Who do you think it is?" Tiffany tugged at my sleeves, her eyes still focused ahead. Just as the car door opened, my phone rang.
Martha was calling. That was strange, she always preferred using the landline. I swiped at the answer button. Her voice came from the other end. Hurried and panicked.
"Ma'am, there's been an accident.”
- Writer
