22. Playing my game.

LARA.

I had prepared all the things I was going to tell Tony, because for all I know, all I needed was to sound sincere in the best way possible so he would take me back. I was very sure he would, but I just needed to play my game well as well.

Beth had talked to me about it, saying what I was doing was not fair. But life isn't fair, is it? If one has to wait until life becomes fair, I guess one will wait forever.

The knock on my door jolted me out of my thoughts.

"Okay, this is it," I said to myself and closed my eyes for a few seconds to stay calm and refreshed before walking ahead to door to open it for Tony.

I had asked him where he would like us to meet, and he said we should meet in my place. He also stated that he should have asked us to meet at a neutral place but due to the fact that the need about her running off on their wedding had gotten viral and anyone could easily recognize her when she's out. Despite everything, he was still watching our for me. That was another thing that assured me that he would still take me back if I did my best to convince.

"Tony," I said to him as a form of greeting as he walked in.

He looked at me as if he was searching for an iota of regret or something similar on my face, but instead, I cleared my throat and looked away.

"How have you been?" He asked further as he sat on one of the chairs in my small sitting room.

This was it. I needed to start my act from here. This is it. "Tony, how would I be fine?" I said as I walked up to him and instead of sitting, I stood in front of him. Although I could not see my face, I tried to display a very sincere and sorry face. "How would I be fine after what I did to you? I mean, yes, I did leave a note before leaving, but none of those words were even true after all. I—"

"What do you mean?" Tony asked, looking a little interested in what I had to say.

I could tell that my act was getting to him with the way he stared at me. All I needed was to add a little more acting and we'd be good again.

"I didn't mean to run away on the morning of our big day. I mean, who does that to someone they love?"

"But you clearly stated that you don't love me and can't stay in a marriage without love," Tony asked her with raised eyebrows, a bit confused over why she then ran away in the first place if now she was trying to say she loves him.

"Yes, yes, I know, Tony. And that was a big mistake on my part. I didn't mean it at all, not one word of it. While I was away, I realized how much I really love you and wanted to be with you so badly, and the thought of what I did just kept hindering me from coming back. I'm so sorry, Tony. I really am." I began to cry at that moment. It was quite easy for me, because many times I've faked tears just to get away with a couple of things and it always works out for me. "I'm so sorry, Tony," I cried even more and before I knew it, I felt his welcoming arms on me.

I'm getting there, I thought to myself.

"Hey, calm down. Why are you crying? You know I hate to see you cry. You know how much I hate it when you cry, uh?" Tony said calmly as he pulled me closer to his chest to pet me. "Hey, it's fine. It's fine, calm down." He placed my head to his chest and placed one hand on my back, while his other hand was on my head as he continued to pat me. We were in that position for a few minutes and after I had stopped crying and sniffing, he asked. "Are you good now?"

"I guess." Then I released myself from his hug. Looking up straight into his eyes, I spoke with all the sincerity left in me. "I am so sorry, Tony. I love you and I would do anything to be with you. I was just…" I sighed.

"Just what, baby? You can tell me anything, what is it?" Tony asked, cupping her face in his palms and staring down at her. "Why did you run off like that? It hurt me in every way, believe me."

"I am so sorry about that, Tony. I didn't plan to hurt you." I paused and then sighed. "I was just scared. I did not know what to feel."

"Scared?" Tony asked with a confused look on his face, and I nodded slowly. "Scared about what?"

"I don't know, commitment? And I suddenly developed cold feet that morning. It got too intense for me that I just could not wait anymore. That was why I left like that. I didn't even tell anyone about it, to show you that it's not like I've planned it initially."

"Baby," he started, his face getting serious with a honest look of sincerity on it. "I want you to trust me, okay? You have nothing to worry about when it comes to commitment. I'll take it slow with you and with time, you'll get used to it and be able to be committed to this whole thing we have. As long as the love you have for me doesn't fade, I'm fine and I can wait till whenever. Besides, I'm really sorry for rushing us into getting married. I really thought that was what you wanted, but maybe I was wrong."

Not to lie, I felt a little bit guilty as I stared at him and he spoke with all sincerity. No one needed to tell me that this man right in front of me was head over heels for me, and I wasn't going to throw that away anymore. Now, I'm back and he's the only option left.

"Are you sure you're going to let us take it slow?" I asked, trying my best to fake being worried.

"Yes baby, you trust me after all, don't you?"

"Of course, I do."

"Good." He said and pulled me into a hug. "I missed you so much. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, please don't run away like that again." He said and kissed my forehead, making me smile at him.

Yes, that was one of the good things when it comes to Tony. He was romantic and he was good in bed. At least, if not for anything, it's enough reason to be with someone who is good-looking, rich and drives one crazy in bed.

Then, I remembered that I had not told him the most important part of the whole meeting I planned with him. My countenance immediately changed and the smile on my face turned to a light frown and uneasiness, and he was quick to notice this change.

"Are you okay?" He asked, cupping my face with his hands once more.

"Uhm, there's… uhm, there's something you need to know." I replied, staring at him with a little bit of fear in my heart. I wasn't so sure of how he was going to take it.

"Yes? What is it?"

"I'm pregnant." I dropped the bombshell. And immediately I did, an expression I couldn't quite fathom crossed his face as he just stood there staring at me.