Chapter 40

I heard laughter coming from downstairs and yawned while I made my way to the kitchen. After hanging out with Vincenzo, Beau and Luis once again— I had returned home and took a long nap.

Isobel was almost sitting on Christian’s lap as the two were laughing together.

He never laughed like that with me.

This was crazy, was I jealous? I shrugged off my thoughts and sat on the opposite side of them. “Hi.” I greeted them and frowned my eyebrows while Christian took his distance from Isobel.

“Hi.” Christian greeted back with a smile on his face and stared at me while I did the same. Isobel cleared her throat and gave him a nudge against his shoulder. “Hello.” She greeted me with a fake smile on her face.

“Hi...” I repeated once again. Her being here bothered the living crap out of me, and her sleeping over and staying in his room yesterday had bothered me even more. If she planned to remind me that they were sleeping together— then she did a wonderful job at that last night.

She told me that she had no trouble with me, but her actions told me otherwise. Her occasional glares and backhanded compliments were not something anyone could miss...anyone except Christian.

After getting back from his parents' place yesterday I had hoped we would’ve had another movie night again, but my entire mood was ruined when I walked into Isobel sitting at the kitchen table as if she lived here.

Okay, technically she knew him longer than I did— but he was my fiancé, may it be real or fake. “Isobel, can you help me for a second dear!” Emmanuella called out for her.

By the look on her face, I could tell that all she wanted was to decline her offer and not leave me alone with him, but she put on a fake smile and left the room to go to Emmanuella.

“I’ll be back.” She announced and kissed Christian on his cheek. For someone who was not in a relationship, they behaved as if they were together...that was funny.

“Are you guys dating?” I asked him and he immediately shook his head. “Just friends.” He told me, but I scoffed at his response.

“Did not sound like that yesterday,” I whispered under my breath but just loud enough so he could hear me. “Why, are you jealous?” He chuckled while I looked down embarrassed. No, I was not jealous I was just...

“Because if you need something from me, I can give it to you— all you have to do is ask.” He told me and gave me a daring look. “W-what do you mean?” I stuttered.

“I think you know what I mean.” Christian chuckled. The downside of us getting along was probably him thinking he could bully me.

“I need my friends...would it be okay for them to sleepover?” I asked Christian. I was going to get Faith and Luna out here— one way or another and was even willing to drag them here. I could understand that staying here could make them feel uncomfortable, but me being here all alone also felt uncomfortable so I think they could manage.

“Sure, you don’t have to ask me that— it’s also your house!” He chuckled. “We’re having a sleepover?” Isobel who had walked back in asked and threw her arm over my shoulder. “I think she was talking about her friends.” Christian tried to save me, but Isobel wouldn’t listen.

“I’m also her friend, isn’t that right Serena?” She had already invited herself, giving me no choice but to decline.

“Did anyone say something about a sleepover?” Marc had suddenly shown up with Johnny following behind. “Yes, apparently we’re having a sleepover!” Another guy who I had never seen before said while I was confused as to why everyone was planning to crash my girls' night.

“I’m Luca by the way, Christian’s cousin— I’m sure he hasn’t mentioned me because I’m not Johnny!” He greeted me and wrapped his arm around Christian, while everyone except him and I laughed.

“I’m pretty sure this is not what Serena had in mind, and you all have more than enough work to do— as a matter of fact, I don’t even know what all of you are doing here!” Christian complained. “This is not a walk-in center!”

“Technically it will be once you take over uncle, so yes— it is,” Luca told him, and I could already tell he was a hand full. “You don’t have any problem with me being here, right? ...or are you going to throw a drink in my face and call me a whore?” Luca asked me, while everyone laughed at his joke.

“That’s enough, stop it!” Johnny cracked in between laughs— great, even he was making fun of me.

“No seriously, stop— Serena is...not laughing,” Isobel spoke and laughed even harder while I felt embarrassed as one could be. Perhaps this was their kind of humor— but to me, it felt uncomfortable.

“You guys are not done laughing?” Christian spoke in a tone intimidating enough to shut them all up. “Thanks.” I smiled at him. I was trying everything I could to not get any crazy ideas in my head, but when he did charming stuff like this I couldn’t help but melt at his kindness. “No but seriously, what are all of you doing here?”

“Well let’s see, we came here to ask if you had something to do for us— but now that we’re having a sleepover we’ll do the grocery shopping.” Marc shrugged his shoulders while Christian rolled his eyes.

“Sleepover? We are not in fourth grade— get ahold of yourself and make yourself useful!” Christian scolded them while I pouted at his words. “Do you really think sleepovers are for fourth graders?”

“That’s not what I meant— I...” Christian frowned at the sad look on my face. “Don’t take it personal Serena, it’s because he’s a party pooper.” Isobel teased him.

“Party pooper! Party pooper!” She chanted as the others followed her and poor Christian sat there with an uncomfortable look on his face. He was probably trying to save me so they would not crash my night— but all I did was make it worse.

“Okay then it’s settled, we’re having a...sleepover.” He spoke to shut them up which had worked. Christian had always occurred to me as the calm type, so seeing he was surrounded by loud people was definitely interesting.

I had often wondered if our baby would take after our calm personality or if our baby would have a personality of their own.

After the others left to go grocery shopping I had texted Olivia, Faith, and Luna who had immediately agreed after I had mentioned the word, men, that was all it took for them.

“Come to my office, I want to show you something.” Christian suddenly spoke and left while I quickly followed behind him. “Did I do something?” I asked and heard him chuckle.

“Why are you acting like I’m going to smack you with my ruler?” He smirked and opened the door to his office. “Come on, get in.”

I walked in and looked back as he closed the door behind him. “So...” I spoke first while he repeated the exact same. “Stay right here.” He said and walked to his desk. I anticipated his next move and saw he grabbed a big shopping bag from his desk.

“Here you go.” He spoke, avoiding all eye-contact with me. I grabbed the bag from his hand and walked to the desk to open it. It was hangers full of designer baby clothes and I couldn’t help but pout while going through them. I had yet to buy something for the baby, but he did.

“It’s an expensive baby.” I giggled while trying to think about how much all of it would’ve cost. “Receiving love from both parents is priceless,” Christian spoke and wrapped his arms around my waist so he could feel the baby.

Surprised at his wise words I turned around and stared into his eyes. He had a warm smile on his face and once again held his hand against my stomach. “Even though this was unplanned... I’m happy to be in this together, with you.”

My gaze traveled to his lips and I was trying to hold in my breath. Serena, you can’t— I repeated in my head over and over again. I can’t fall in love with him, I can’t. “Serena?” Christian tried to get my attention.

“Hmm?” I asked and tried to look into his eyes once again. I could not be falling for him, I had promised him not to. “What are you thinking about?” Christian whispered and moved his hand to my cheek.

“N-nothing,” I told him and tried to move away, but he held his two hands on the desk and trapped me in between them so I could not take another step. “Did I say something out of line? I’m sorry.” He immediately apologized but I shook my head, the only thing he did wrong was making me fall for him.

“It’s not you, it’s me,” I whispered to myself and tried to avoid his eyes which kept following me, no matter where I looked. “I know what you’re thinking— but you deserve much better.” He sighed and removed his hands so I could move.

“I-I should get ready,” I mumbled and turned around to walk away while he grabbed me by my wrist to stop me. “Serena... don’t be like this.” Christian sighed but I had pulled away from my hand and walked straight out of his office.

What was happening to me?