Carrying The Billionaire's Child

CHAPTER EIGHT

MANNY

The next day after the incident at the hospital, Manny couldn't think straight, she couldn't even do her work properly.

It was clear that the situation was bothering her.

Whereas her mother on the other hand didn't even seem concerned.

When she had explained to her mother everything the doctor said, Kari took it like it was nothing.

“Carrying Andrew Cooper's child is way better Manny." That was what her mum said to her.

Sometimes she thought it must have been a setup. Her mum was really angry when she tore up the contract that she and Andrew needed to sign.

“I'm sure she planned it out with the Coopers." Manny murmured, getting her affairs in order.

She paused immediately remembering how she had fainted and woke up in Andrew's strong arms.

The image of his sharp hazel-green eyes staring down at her flashed across her mind.

Manny shook her head as if deleting the thought she just had.

She was supposed to hate him. No doubt Andrew would use any means possible to get the baby if she gets pregnant.

She had to be ready.

Manny worked all day trying not to think but it was no use. She kept thinking of how a mistake like that was possible.

Avery was out of town doing business for her mum while her mother was planning a baby shower- within her, she secretly wished for the pregnancy to not happen- so Manny was left to do all the work in the meantime.

With her head buried in the work she was doing, Manny didn't hear the knock that came from outside her office.

She jerked back with fright as the door flung open revealing an upset Andrew.

“What are you doing here?" Manny asked surprised, eyeing him.

He wasn't wearing his suit as he normally does; instead, he wore a white button-up shirt with three undone buttons that exposed little of his toned chest.

A blush crept up her face as she returned her gaze to Andrew who was looking at her with a raised eyebrow. Manny's face reddened as Andrew led himself to a seat with a certain look in his eyes.

“I'll go straight to the point." Andrew said relaxing on his chair, folding his arms as he stared at Manny.

“I want the child."

Child? She wasn't even pregnant… yet. He was so impatient.

“So you barged into my office to ask for a baby who might still be an egg?” Manny asked, staring right back at him.

Who the hell did he think he was?

“Okay, what if I pay you for it?" Andrew asked, his tone getting serious.

“Excuse me?" Manny said, daring him to repeat the question he just asked.

“I asked what if I pay you for it?" He repeated, his face showing no emotion.

Manny was too stunned to speak as he asked the question again. Did he really think he could buy a baby?

“I don't need your money Andrew I have more than enough and don't think for a second I'll hand over the child once I get pregnant". Manny said returning to her work.

She didn't want to have this kind of conversation. Andrew was a hard man to negotiate with.

“I'm not here to negotiate Manny, it's a demand. Once you give birth to a child, I don't want you anywhere near. You disappear.

Andrew said authoritatively leaving no room for a compromise.

As he stood up to leave, Manny also stood stopping him from going out the door.

“You planned it didn't you?" Manny confronted him, hoping for an answer.

Andrew chuckled bitterly, to think that he would want someone like Manny to carry his baby.

“I didn't." He answered sitting down again.

“Is that what you think? That I set you up? Don't flatter yourself, I would never, at least not with you.” Andrew said bitterly.

Manny tried not to show her that the words hurt her. She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction he wanted.

“Maybe your father did then. He joined hands with my mum because you refused to sign the stupid contract for our marriage.” Manny yelled as loud as he could. Employees started coming up to her office to know what the problem was– or maybe it was just for gossip.

“You're causing a scene! And if I remember correctly, you were the one who tore up the paperwork so if we're pinning this problem on someone, then it's you. It's your fault." Andrew said, his voice rising.

Manny went quiet. She didn't care whose fault it was, she wasn't selling her baby.

“So what happens to your girlfriend then?" Manny asked remembering the lady with him at the hospital.

Andrew looked confused at the question that Manny asked.

“Cece isn't my girlfriend, she's just a surrogate that I hired.” Andrew said.

“So that's why." Manny whispered to herself not wanting Andrew to hear.

No one in their right senses will want to associate themselves with the likes of him.

“I'm not here to argue Manny. I'm here to make a demand so notify me when you get pregnant and if you don't, I'll know. Andrew said with a smirk forming on his face.

Manny tried arguing back but she suddenly felt dizzy. She rubbed her temples trying to get a straight vision.

Meanwhile, Andrew just sat there looking unconcerned waiting for her to give him an answer.

There was no way she was giving up her baby to someone with no emotions—as far as she was concerned, this was planned work.— he couldn't even help her.

Feeling slightly better, Manny continued with her work without giving Andrew any more attention. She just wanted to be done with this conversation.

“Please take your leave, Mr. Andrew, I think we're done talking here". Manny said not wanting to meet the eyes of Andrew. She was afraid of what he might do next.

Andrew was silent for a minute, thinking of his next move.

“I'll be back." He finally said exiting the door.

Manny let out a heavy breath that she wasn't even aware she was holding. Andrew Cooper always affected people.

Trying to finish up her work so she could meet up with Josie early, Avery walked in.

“Great." Manny whispered to herself.

She just dealt with an obnoxious person and now she had to deal with a crazy one.

The day was stressful for her.

She ignored her cousin's presence and continued with what she was doing. Nothing was going to make her stay extra late in the office.

“So you're just goin' to pretend that I'm not here?" Avery said helping herself to the fridge.

“Uh-huh." Manny said, scribbling away on the paper on her desk.

"Why are you even back early?” Manny asked eventually looking up.

She was enjoying the peace around the house and office. Avery couldn't go a day without bragging about a job that Kari would have her do saying it was an ‘important’ work.

Although she tried to hide it, Manny was pretty much jealous. She hated that Avery was asked to do real work while she just sat down eating all day and signing documents.

“Your mom wanted me back for an urgent business, she said she needed my expertise in modern fashion." Avery said glancing at Manny from the side of her eyes and waiting for a certain reaction as she took a sip from the cup in her hands.

Expertise? Why would her mother need Avery's skills when she was clearly around and had been obviously doing this before Avery even arrived?

It was either Avery was trying to get under her skin or her mum had totally given up on her.

Jealousy showed on Manny's face as a satisfied smile appeared on Avery's face.

“Where is Aunty by the way? she isn't in her office." Avery asked.

" She's at home preparing for a baby shower.” Manny forcefully replied to her. She wanted nothing more than the disappearance of her cousin–and Andrew.

“Baby shower? Whose baby?" Avery asked confused.

“Didn't you hear? I'm having a baby." Manny announced as the smile Avery wore before vanished.

Now it was her turn to smile in satisfaction because the look on her cousin's face was priceless.