Chapter 31

…Emile's pov……

The next morning, I woke up feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. All my bags had already been packed and my head was filled with the thought of going back home to my hometown. As I stumbled into the bathroom and washed my face, I couldn't help but notice the dark circles under my eyes, a testament to the fact that I had barely slept the previous night.

My mind was racing with thoughts of Dickson, his plans, and the baby. I couldn't believe that this had happened and I was filled with anger and frustration towards the hospital for following Dickson's plan without consulting me.

I spent extra time in the bathroom, trying to compose myself and gather my thoughts.

The water in the bathtub was warm and refreshing but in a few minutes I was out of the bathtub draped in a towel drying myself.

The thought of Dickson, his plans, the baby filled my head as I slipped into a black gown with silver designs that left my left shoulder bare.

"When I arrive home I will storm that hospital and Sue them. How could this happen? Why will they follow his plan and choose to do this to me?"

I called Dr Jones' number . His number was busy and my call wasn't going through.

There was a knock on the door, "who is there? I asked.

It is me, Emily, breakfast is ready, can you come down now.

I was silent for a few moments and I didnt respond.

"Emile" , she called again.

I will be coming down in a few moments, I responded.

"We are waiting for you", she said from the other side of the door, I could hear the sounds of her shoes clicking the floor as she moved away.

As I got dressed, I couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal and confusion. I slipped into a black gown with silver designs, my left shoulder bare, and tried to steady my nerves. After dressing my hair I grabbed my luggage and made my way downstairs, my steps heavy and uncertain.

When I walked into the dining room, I saw Dickson's mom setting the table. There was no sign of Dickson.

"Come and have breakfast," she said, gesturing towards the table. I hesitated, not sure if I was ready to face anyone, but the smell of bacon and eggs was too much to resist. I sat down at the table and started to eat, despite my lack of appetite.

Dickinson suddenly walked out. He was on a call and he had just ended the call. He turned and looked at me.

Dickson sat across from me, not eating but just drinking a glass of fruit juice. He seemed to be deep in thought, his brow furrowed and his eyes fixed on the table. After a few minutes of silence, he spoke up. "I'm sorry, Emile," he said, shifting in his seat and leaning closer to me. "I never wanted you to find out this way and I was going to tell you, I swear."

I pushed my chair back and stood up, not wanting to have this conversation right now. "I need some time to process all of this, Dickson," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I don't know what to believe or how to feel."

Dickson stood up too and reached for my hands, but I pulled away. "Please, Emile, just let me explain," he said, his eyes pleading with me.

I shook my head and grabbed my luggage. "I think it's best if I should just go home first and figure things out there," I said, making my way towards the door.

Dickson followed me, a look of desperation on his face. "Emile, please, don't do this. We can work this out together. I know I made a mistake, but I love you. I never meant to hurt you."

I stopped in my tracks and turned to face him, my eyes welling up with tears. "How can you say that, Dickson? You lied to me and kept this huge secret from me. How can I trust you now?"

"I will take a snack on the plane. We should start heading out, I said as I packed my luggage."

He hurried after me as he obstructed my path. You don't have to do all that he said and as he held my shoulders.

I placed my hand on his chest as I pushed him off me. In as much as the feeling of holding him tight to me just like before welled up in me I couldn't. I didn't really know who he was, What we wanted and why he chose me?

You are pregnant, he said.

"That's my business" I yelled as tears welled up at the corner of my eyes threatening to pour down.

"No, it is ours. I never wanted you to find out this way and I was going to tell you", he said with a downcast look.

I suddenly threw up spraying vomit on his shirt and all over the floor. OMG I ran into the bathroom and Dickinson and his mom followed behind.

I vomited more into the sink as I washed my face with water from the running tap and Dickinson mom patted my back as she held my shoulders.

Dickinson brought a white napkin to wipe my face but I took it from him.

"I can do it myself", I said as I wiped my face.

"Are you alright?" , his mom asked as she helped me up.

Yeah… Thank you for the living room.

"We should probably get going," I said, my voice shaky. "Our flight leaves soon."

When I reached the living room I took my luggages but Dickinson took them from me.

You don't have to carry that Emile, you can drop it there he said with care in his voice.

Care? I scoffed or pretended to care? Which is it? What did he think I am? I said to myself.

He grabbed his own luggage and mine. We made our way to the car in silence, with Dickson's mom following close behind.

Dickinson had already called the driver and the driver took some of the luggages from him and put them in the booth of the sleek Mercedes Benz car parked outside. I only held onto my handbag.

The flight tickets for two were already prepared. Dickinson was with them. We were not taking his private jet because I didn't agree that it was going to be awkward.

His mom waved us goodbye as we left in the car. The drive to the airport was silent and tense with none of us speaking to each other. Dickinson sat in front and I sat alone at the back.

He didn't turn to look at me but used the mirror to sneak a peek from time to time. I noticed him but I couldn't care less. I stared outside the window as we passed houses and hotels, tall buildings and offices.

In half an hour we were at the airport, Dickson helped us with our luggage and we made our way through security.

Soon we were onboard the plane heading home, Dickinson sat close to me. He looked at me from time to time but my eyes were everywhere but him.

Can we get a snack he told the air hostess. The air hostess smiled at him and spoke in a sexy voice. She brought the snacks and two bags of ruffles in a few moments and she was inquiring of our relationship, is she your sister mister she said as she looked at me.

No she isn't, this is my fiancee, he said as he glanced at me. I didn't say anything but I flinched and he probably noticed it.

Ok I see the air hostess smiled and scoffed in a jealous manner at me.

"Damned whore you think I care", I muttered as she walked away.

I took the snacks from him as I ate them in silence.

The view outside, nice isn't it, he tried to start a conversation. I didn't reply but absentmindedly dived into the second bag of ruffles.

He tried to make me talk a few times but I just ignored him and only thought of getting home. Should I go back to Erick he would probably be pissed off at me. I didn't listen to him. Mom too, she told me….

I opened my eyes. I had fallen asleep. I looked around and I discovered I was resting on his shoulders and his hand was around me. He was making a phone call, probably talking to one of his business partners.

I pulled myself away from him as I looked around.

"We would land in a few minutes,'' he said as he ended the call.

That's good I only nodded.

When we came down from the plane it was night already. Dickinson got our luggages and he looked around.

I have a car already prepared to take you home, he said.

No you don't have to and Dickinson offered to take me home but I refused.

Emile came on, he said as he tried to convince me to take his ride home.

I entered one of the cabs and the driver helped me to arrange my luggage in the booth.

I didn't know how to approach my best friend Erick and neither did my mom.

"Take me to a hotel," I told the cab driver.

As the cab pulled out onto the busy street, I glanced out the window, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling metropolis. I tried to relax and enjoy the ride, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right.

"Is everything okay, miss?" the driver asked, catching my eye in the rearview mirror.

"Yes, I'm fine," I said, forcing a smile.

But as the minutes ticked by, my anxiety only grew. I felt like something bad was going to happen. When I looked out the window from the side mirror, I saw a car following closely behind us, a black Toyota car.

Suddenly, the taxi came to a stop at a red light. My heart raced as I saw the car behind us pull up beside us, and two men wearing masks and gloves jumped out.

"Get out of the car!" one of the men shouted, yanking open the door and pulling me out onto the street.

They both held a gun and he pointed it at the both of us.

"You lie down and don't look up", the taller man barked at the driver. While the other one tied my hands behind my back as he dragged me to the car.

I struggled and screamed as they dragged me into their car and sped away. It all happened in a brief moment.

The car raced through the city; they seemed to be heading for the outskirts of the city. Who were these people? What did they want from me? I knew I had to come up with a plan, but I was too terrified to think straight.

Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, the car came to a sudden stop. My kidnappers dragged me out of the car and into a dark, deserted alleyway.

"If you do as we say, you won't be hurt," one of the men growled, as he lifted me and carried me on his shoulders

. "But if you try to escape, we won't hesitate to use force." He said.

My stomach churned as I realized that I was completely at the mercy of the kidnappers. I had no idea what they had planned for me or what they wanted with me.

My eyes were blindfolded. I was semi-drugged and could only hear what they were saying but lacked the strength to scream.

The men led me deeper into the alleyway, I tried to think of a possible way to escape. But with my hands tied and my options limited, my handbag had been taken from me. I could only say a silent prayer that I will be able to come out of this unscathed.