I couldn't believe it.
He knew I was there.
Oh shit.
My heart pounded hard against my chest as I stood frozen in front of him. There was no point pretending anymore. He already knew I had overheard everything.
My palms were damp, my mouth dry, but the question pushed itself out of my lips before I could stop it.
"Is it true?" I asked.
He didn't slow down or even look at me properly. His jaw tightened as his hands stayed firm on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead like I wasn't even there.
"You don't need to be concerned about my personal life. You signed a contract so stick to it." he said, his voice firm and final.
I scoffed, the sound bitter and sharp, even to my own ears.
"Really, you think I want a murderer to be the father of my kid." I blurted out.
The words shocked me the moment they left my mouth. I hadn't even planned to say it. It just spilled out, stupid and reckless, fuelled by fear and confusion.
He slammed his foot harder on the accelerator.
"Did you just call me a murderer?" he said, his voice low but dangerous.
My chest tightened.
"I never said that." I replied quickly.
He scoffed, a harsh sound filled with disbelief.
"I once thought you were different and not some annoying people who just jump to conclusions. You don't even know me, you don't know anything about me yet you decide on who I am just by what you heard from someone." he hissed.
"I'm not even disappointed, it has always been like that." His words cut deep.
I didn't even know what to say. My thoughts were spinning, clouded and heavy. What if what she said was true? What if he really killed someone?
My mind wouldn't slow down, fear wrapping tightly around my chest.
"Well if you're innocent then at least say so and explain, don't just attack me that way." I said, my voice trembling.
"I owe you no explanation about my life. It's my life." he replied coldly.
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to meet his energy.
"If I'm truly worthy of carrying your heir then I need to know who I'm choosing as the child's father." I said boldly.
The next thing happened too fast.
He suddenly pressed the brake hard.
My body jerked forward violently and my head hit the seat hard because I wasn't wearing a seat belt.
A bad habit of mine. Pain exploded in my skull and for a brief second, my vision blurred as a sharp ringing filled my ears.
It hurt so badly. My head spun.
Fragments of memories rushed back suddenly, mixed with the sound of rain hitting the car roof.
"Get out." he said.
His voice was tight with anger. I was confused, dizzy, still trying to steady myself.
"Get out." he said again as the door opened.
"Raisem, it's raining." I managed to say, my voice weak from the pain.
"Get out of my car." he looked like the devil but with no horns.
I stepped out of the car, into the rain.
The door slammed shut and the car drove off, leaving me there.
The rain beat the hell out of me. In seconds, I was soaked from head to toe. My head felt heavy, throbbing badly, and somehow the rain made everything worse.
It dragged memories out of places I didn't even know existed.
That night. The accident.
I walked unsteadily to the nearest bus stop and sat there in the rain. The wind blew hard against my skin as memories kept flashing through my mind. I saw a bus, I saw water. A lake. Headlights sinking beneath the surface.
But I didn't understand what I was seeing.
Then the headache started again, stronger this time.
I grabbed my head tightly and groaned as the rain poured harder. I was remembering things. I saw fire. A girl in a burning car, holding my hand. Everything was blurry and distorted.
Was I regaining the memories from that night?
I fell to my knees, crying and groaning as the pain became unbearable. I didn't understand the memories at all, and that made it worse.
Then I heard a loud sound of a car.
Bright lights shone toward me through the rain.
I looked up and saw Raisem standing in front of me.
He came back.
Why would he come back for me?
After what I said.
He crouched in front of me and gently placed his hands on my shoulders.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to say that. I'm sorry, Raisem." I begged, crying uncontrollably.
"I didn't murder anyone. You've heard it from me now and I hope that's enough for you to believe." he said calmly.
I nodded slowly.
Before I could react, he lifted me up in bridal style and carried me into the car.
******
When we got to the apartment, he opened the door and carried me in, still holding me carefully, straight to my room. He gently placed me on the bed.
"You should get changed." he said and turned to leave.
"Thanks for coming back for me." I said.
He nodded quietly.
"Did you remember anything from your past. You mentioned a strange name." he asked.
"What name?" I was confused. I didn't even remember most of the things I said.
"Mona." he replied.
The name sounded familiar, but I couldn't place it.
"I don't know who that is." I itched my brows.
"I'll ask my PA to look into it." he replied and walked away.
Guilt hit me hard.
I almost hated myself. I was horrible for jumping to conclusions because of what I heard.
Anyway, I've kept my response for too long, so I'll just say it.
Remember when he asked me to sign the contract again?
I said YES.
This time, I can't terminate it until it's over. So yes, I'm going to carry the heir. His child.
I'll be the mother.
He'll be the father.
The reality hit hard. Sooner or later, we have to do the do.
Maybe we should talk about it.
No… there's no point. I'll just let it all flow like a river. No pressure.
I took a deep breath and went to shower.
Whether I like it or not, we're glued together until the contract ends.
After the shower, I rushed downstairs. I was bored and hungry. Maybe I could make something.
I was almost down the stairs when I saw him sitting on the couch with his glasses on, staring at his laptop. He seemed deeply focused.
I walked quietly behind the couch and peeked.
He was designing a new pair of jeans. Even unfinished, it was beautiful. Then suddenly he turned around and our eyes met.
I cleared my throat quickly and looked away.
"Ain't you starving?" I tried to start a conversation.
"I'll just make an order when I'm done." he said softly.
I went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.
Nothing.
"I give up." I sighed.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked me still focused on his laptop.
"Chicken wings." I pouted.
I walked back and sat on the couch, staring at the ceiling.
Few minutes later, the doorbell rang. Raisem pressed a remote beside him and the door was unlocked.
A delivery guy walked in.
"Thanks for your patronage." he said and noticed me.
"Ohh, I never knew you brought your girlfriend. It must have been so lonely living all alone here." he added.
I took the food from him. It seems they are a bit close.
"She's beautiful. Make sure he eats well, he barely eats and even if he wants to they are all unhealthy food." Jerry whispered.
"Get out Jerry." Raisem said, throwing a slipper at him.
Jerry laughed and left.
"I'll go get the plates." I said.
We ate together. The first bite of the chicken wings was heavenly.
Raisem barely ate.
"Is it true you don't eat well?" curiosity got the best of me.
"Now you want to know about my food life. Why are you acting like my wife?" he hissed under his breath.
I almost choked on my food, coughing as I quickly reached for water.
"Wife, who said I want to be your wife."
I wiped my mouth, my eyes wide as I finally looked at him, my tone sharp and defensive, as if the word itself offended me.
He leaned back slightly, calm and unbothered, his gaze steady on me.
"I never asked you to be my wife."
My shoulders relaxed just a little, and I sat up straighter, folding my arms across my chest as if drawing a line between us.
"Better, I don't want to be your wife."
He tilted his head to the side, studying me closely, the corner of his lips twitching as though he found my reaction interesting.
"Why?" he raised his brows.
I hesitated for a brief second, then looked away, stabbing my food harder than necessary.
"Because I don't want to."
There was a short silence. He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, his eyes dark and unreadable.
"What if I want you to be my wife?" he said.
My hand froze mid-air. I slowly turned to look at him, my heart skipping a beat before I scoffed lightly, masking the rush I felt.
"I'm not sorry but I'll reject your proposal." I replied quickly.
He scoffed, shaking his head once with a faint, humorless smirk.
"Raisem?" I called.
He lifted his eyes to me fully, his attention now completely mine.
"When are we doing it?" I asked shamelessly, my voice softer, daring, my fingers tightening slightly against the couch cushion.
A pause followed. His brows drew together slowly.
"Doing what?" he asked.