About that Night

Chapter 8

As I go further into my pregnancy and get more sonogram pictures, I notice that Micah’s looking a little like Grayson, and Grayson sees it too. I might have to lie to Kiki and tell her that the baby died at birth. The good thing about Micah looking like Grayson is that I don’t have to wait for a DNA test to tell Grayson that Micah is his baby.

 I wanted to have a baby shower, but the drama would be 110%, plus Kiki wants a boy, and I don’t want Nessie to get any ideas. 

Grayson’s restricting me from many things, and I can’t complain. I slept with a married man, and I have to deal with the results, including my graduation at seven months pregnant.  Speaking of his marriage, Grayson changes the subject every time I bring up Kiki, and Rosa gives me slight hints of what goes on; it’s so confusing. 

The doctor says that Micah’s big, and he might not even have to go through the whole nine months, so I have one more month, thanks to the chocolate and marshmallows. 

“Grayson, what’s wrong?” I ask as Grayson looks at my sonogram picture. 

“Nothing, it’s just, Micah, he resembles me way too much.”

 I shrug. “Grayson, did you think I was lying? Micah’s your baby.” 

Grayson smiles and scoffs.  “No, it’s Nessie. She accidentally told our parents, and I was going to lie if Micah looked like you.”

 I cross my arms. “Nessie’s a real pain in the ass.”

 Grayson sighs. “Nessie introduced me to Kiki 22 years ago.”

 I furrow my brows. “You couldn’t get enough of Kiki and got her pregnant?”

 Grayson narrows his eyes. “No, I told you, we had a surrogate. I married Kiki because I thought I was in love.” 

“You thought?”

 Grayson moves closer to me.  “Kiki’s a monster, and she’s the real pain in the ass.” Grayson whispers. 

I open my mouth. Jesus, this was deep. 

“Grayson, please tell me. I’m curious.”

 Grayson moves away. “Curiosity kills the dumbass cat.” 

I put up the middle finger at him as he laughs and leaves, going to work earlier than usual to avoid my questions. 

I get so lonely sometimes, with Rosa at school and Grayson going to work. It’s just Winston and me. I’m going to take him for a walk because I’m that bored and feel uncomfortable. Micah doesn’t have enough space, so it’s getting hard for him to move. Anyway, I take the dog out and almost immediately bump into Nessie. 

Fuck. 

“So you’re having a boy?”

 I groan. “Yes, can I leave now?” I try to leave, but Nessie blocks me. 

“Nope, you’re coming with me.” 

I was about to fight, but two men come up and restrain me. Nessie puts Winston inside and tells the men to put me in the car. 

“Where the hell are we going?!” Nessie ignores me and keeps on driving. “Nessie?! Where’s Grayson? What are you going to do to my baby and me?!” I yell.

 Nessie laughs bitterly.  “You think I would try to hurt you? Please, Grayson would choke me to death if I laid a finger on you and your son.” 

At least I know she’s not trying to kill me, but where’s she taking me? We drive for an hour, and then the guys pull me out. It’s a big house, it’s beautiful too, and Nessie’s guys are carrying me inside.

 “Now, Nessie, why are you dragging our guest? Let her go.”

 A posh woman says, helping me up.

 “Mom, this is Grayson’s side piece.” Nessie says, crossing her arms as I glare at her. 

The woman smiles and takes my hand. 

“Hello, My name is Liza Taylor, and my husband, Richard, and I wanted to meet you, but you must excuse him; he has a business meeting.”

 I nod. “Winston Joon.” I say softly.

 Liza sits me down. “It must be weird that I’m happy to see you, but I think you make my son happier than Kiki.” 

I open-mouth stare at Liza.

 “Ho-how-, Grayson’s smart. If he really wanted me, he would say that.” I pretend like I know nothing of Kiki and Grayson’s arguments.

 “Mom and dad knew something, me, and you don’t.” Nessie says, sitting down.

 “See, Nessie introduced Kiki to the family when Kiki was eight. Nessie wanted us to adopt her, and we did, only for a while because we did have to talk to Kiki about her behavior towards Grayson.”

Nessie sighs. “Grayson’s the type to ignore and pretend it never happened, and that’s why we don’t know what happens between them.”

 Liza nods. “When they got older, Kiki changed, and Grayson thought she did and fell for her, but it wasn’t the case when Rosalia was born. Kiki was furious because Rosalia didn’t look like her, and neither was she a boy. She also lied about not being able to carry her own child.” 

I frown. Kiki is sexist, and for no reason. 

“Grayson tried to get a divorce, but Kiki threatened to take Rosalia away from him, so he’s stuck in his loveless marriage.” 

“I’m sorry.” I smile sadly.

Liza wipes a tear.  “Grayson tells me everything, almost always drunk.” 

“I misjudged you, and I’m sorry, but I’ll never forget you playing volleyball as a pregnant woman.” Nessie smiles and I smile back.

 I think long and hard about what I can do to help, and then I remember something that might help. 

“Ms. Liza, my brothers are lawyers. They can help!”

 Liza stands up happily. “Will they agree to help?!”

 “Yes, mom, they’re friendly people.” Nessie answered for me.

 I smile and nod. 

Liza hugs me carefully and rubs my belly. 

“Thank you.” She looks at my stomach. “It’s a big baby?” 

I nod. “Yes, very big.”

 “How far along are you?”

 “Seven months. The doctors said he might be ready to come out next month.”

 “It’s a boy?” I nod, and Liza looks at Nessie, concerned.

 “We need to talk with-,” 

“WHERE’S WINSTON?!” Grayson slams the door open. 

We all look at Grayson, who’s furious.

 “Grayson,” I smile at him. “I’m fine.” 

Grayson walks up to me. “Why did you say you were walking the dog if you’re here?” Oops, I left a note for Rosalia. 

“I was, but Nessie paid a visit and took me here.” Grayson stares at Nessie as she hides behind her mom. 

“What’s going on?” 

Liza sighs. “Grayson, you know what Kiki would do if she found out that you have a son with a different woman?”

 I look at Grayson and back at Liza frantically.  “What is she going to do to my baby?!”

 “She won’t find out.” Grayson sneers. 

I look at Grayson. “Grayson, my brothers, are lawyers, and they can help you.”

 “No-,”

 “Grayson, if you don’t get any help, I’ll move somewhere where Micah will be safe. You’ll only see him through a screen.” 

Grayson groans. “Kiki will take Rosa-,” 

“You have witnesses, testimonies, Grayson. We’re all willing to help,” Nessie says. 

Grayson looks at all our desperate faces and sighs. “Ok, fine.”

 I smile. “I promise, I won’t let Kiki take Rosa away.” 

I hug him.