While he leaned against the door, he shook his head, studying the happy families in the waiting room. That would be them eventually. Once Finia got over this.
He didn’t feel guilty about betraying her trust, but his mind was spinning with disappointment that she was suspicious of him now. He wanted to own Finia, heart and soul, and having a child together would bind them with blood. He had to trick her; it was the only way.
When she opened the door, he fell backwards, but braced himself, almost knocking her over. He said, “Sorry.”
She kept walking. Miki chased after her. In the crowded parking lot, he grabbed his keys from his pants pocket. He frowned when she headed in the opposite direction from his red Mustang. He sprinted after Finia, suppressing the urge to grab her arm and drag her towards his car. Instead, he walked by her side. He stared at her as she looked straight ahead.
He asked, “Where are you going?”
“I’m taking the bus.”
“Why? You can ride with me.” When she didn’t answer, Miki said, “Come on, Finia. I drove you here, now, let me take you home. I want to make sure you get home safely.”
Silence.
“What can I do to get you to come with me?”
The love of his life stopped in her tracks and turned to face him. “Did. You. Switch. My. Pills?”
He scratched his head, keeping steady eye contact. “What do you want me to say?”
“The truth, Miki.”
“I didn’t. I wouldn’t.”
Finia shook her head and wiped a tear from her eye. “Goodbye.” She began walking again.
“Wait!” He dashed in front of her, blocking the way. He kept his hands in his pockets to ensure he wouldn’t touch her. “Now isn’t the time to talk about this. Can we wait until I take you home?”
“Why? So you can come up with a lie?”
Miki frowned. “This is a happy moment for us, don’t you see? We’re having a baby. We should be celebrating. Not fighting. We should be calling our families with the good news.” He dug his phone out of his pocket and smiled. “Come on, let’s call your dad first. He always wanted to be a grandfather.”
She folded her arms across her chest. “There’s nothing to celebrate.”
“You don’t mean that. Take it back.”
Silence.
“Finia, don’t talk like that. Don’t say our family isn’t worth celebrating,” he whispered.
“Family doesn’t do what you did.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Your lies are why I’m leaving.”
This wasn’t the last of it. Now that Finia was carrying his baby, they would be together forever, whether she liked it or not.
Chapter Four
It had been hard, but Miki hadn’t visited Finia in weeks. He tried calling, emailing, and texting, but she never responded. He was afraid if he had stopped by her home, it might have stressed her out. He had other ways of spying on her though. Working for a credit card company had its benefits. Exactly how he knew she had bought pregnancy tests. But now, he had given her enough time. They had to talk. No exceptions. He didn’t care if he had to camp out on her porch all night.
He knocked on the front door of her childhood home. Her parents had left it to her when they got a divorce and went their separate ways. It was always like her to hold on to familiarity. There were bags of vegetables, fruits, and other healthy foods in his hand—plus pickles. Apparently, pregnant women craved pickles and ice cream. She was eating for two, so he wanted to make sure she ate enough—anything to keep their baby healthy.
“Come on, open the door!” He knew she was home. It was after four p.m. She always came straight home after her accounting job. It was a thirty-minute commute. Plus, her Honda Accord was in the driveway. He smiled, thinking about all the times they had made out in the front seat, parked at the Harpers Ferry National Park, looking at the lake, their spot.
“I’m not going anywhere, so the sooner you open the door, the sooner you can get rid of me. Otherwise, I’ll bang on your door all night, and it won’t be pretty if you call the cops.”
He pressed his ear against the wood. No footsteps. Where was she? He banged for five minutes straight, but there still wasn’t an answer. Shoulders slumped, he slid his back against the door and landed on his butt. He set the grocery bags on his lap. What if she did call the cops? He hadn’t thought that far ahead.
Eventually, a Nissan pulled up in Finia’s driveway. Miki smirked to himself, assuming she’d have to answer the door now. He was flabbergasted when Finia came out of the passenger side of the car. Her chubby cousin, Laura, took the keys out of the ignition and came out of the driver’s side.
Finia not following her same routine? What had come over her? His charms would put the love of his life back in her place.
As Miki stood, he took a deep breath. The bags of groceries fell. Pregnant Laura smiled and waved, approaching him at a regular pace. He studied Finia’s frowning face. She walked slowly, hands in her pockets.
He looked down at Laura’s swollen ankles and feet, wondering how much weight Finia would gain. It didn’t matter to him; she’d be beautiful regardless. Besides, she could always lose the weight later. He grinned. “Should you be driving, Laura?”
“There’s no one to stop me.”
“Perhaps Henry?” Henry was her high school sweetheart. They had gotten married when they were sophomores in college, and this would be their first child. Miki was very happy for them. Hopefully, he and Finia would have their happy ending too.
Laura teased, “Like I said, no one’s going to stop me.”
Miki looked Finia up and down. “Where were you?”
Tight-lipped, she stared at him. “Why?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Just wondering.”
She walked past him and picked up some of the bags lying on the porch. Miki and Laura followed. If Laura noticed the tension in the air, she didn’t bring attention to it as she entered the front door. Miki carried the rest of the bags into the house.
In the kitchen, Finia began taking groceries out of the bags. Sitting at a stool near the counter, Laura smiled at each vegetable and fruit. “Are you trying to say that she needs to eat healthy?” A curious expression crossed her face when Finia placed the big jar of pickles on the counter. Laura ran her finger over the label, glancing at her cousin then at Miki, her mind seemed to be spinning. “Is there something you need to tell me?”
Miki lowered his eyes to the floor. Sadness draped over him like a heavy blanket. Did Finia not tell any of her family members? Laura was her favorite cousin. She definitely would’ve told her first if she revealed the secret at all. Was she that upset with him, that she couldn’t acknowledge they were bringing a baby into this world?
He sighed, studying Finia’s back as she put milk and grapes into the fridge. “I can get new stuff. That stuff probably spoiled by now. It’s probably not safe to eat anymore.”
“It’ll be fine,” she said dismissively.
“No, I’ll buy more stuff. You have to be careful what you eat.”
Finia turned around and rolled her eyes, then she tugged at her ear and looked at Laura. “He’s trying to put me on a diet. Can you believe the nerve of him?”
Chapter Five
Finia lingered on the bottom step in her living room, tapping her foot. She glanced at the antique clock on the wall. Laura had left an hour ago, but Miki still sat on the couch like he owned the place. He stared at the tv set that wasn’t even on. When would he leave?
She scratched her head, then fidgeted with her hands. How could he betray her trust? Not only that, but then lie to her face like she was stupid? She had loved him, and that’s how he decided to treat her. Maybe if they talked now, then they could get closure, and he could be out of her life forever.
Yeah right.
Sighing, she said, “So…”
“You’ve been avoiding me. Why?”
“I wonder.”
Miki turned his head to look at her, a hint of stubbornness in his eyes. “I didn’t do anything.”
“It’s getting pretty late.” If he wasn’t willing to tell the truth, then the conversation was over. “You should go.”
He pursed his lips into a thin line and looked up at the clock. Glaring at her, he said, “It’s only five-thirty.”
“Like I said, late.”
“Since when is five-thirty late?”
“You’re not the only one who can lie, Miki.”
He slumped back into the cushions and disheveled his hair. He took a deep breath and glanced up at the ceiling, closing his eyes. Finia shook her head because she remembered that’s exactly what she did the day Dr. Madigan gave her the devastating news.
“Finia, why have you been avoiding me? Did you…” his voice trailed off. He wiped a tear from his eye.
Silence.
He stood up and walked over to her. Falling to the floor, he landed on his knees and blocked her way if she tried to move. He grabbed her hands that had been resting on her lap. He never looked away; neither did she. “Finia, please.”
“What do you want from me?”
“I want you,” he said with pleading eyes. “I want you…Why haven’t you told Laura yet?”
“Told her what?”
“Don’t do that. Talk to me.”
“I am talking.”
“You know what I mean.”
“You don’t get to dictate the way this conversation goes.” She shook her hands out of his hold and placed them by her side. “You want answers. Well so do I.”
He bit his bottom lip, keeping his hands on Finia’s knees. “Why haven’t you told Laura? Have you told anyone in your family? Anyone at all?”
Finia shook her head.
Miki swallowed a knot in his throat. “Did you…did you kill our baby, and that’s why there’s nothing to tell your family?”
“Of course not. How could you even think that?” Gasping, she trembled. “Is that the real reason you’re here? To make sure I haven’t gotten an abortion. To make sure I’m on my best behavior, someone you can control. Have you ever cared about me?”
He leaned in closer to Finia, his forehead against hers. His hands slid over her thighs. “I’m in love with you. I can’t lose you. I can’t lose our baby. We’re a family.”
She pushed his chest, causing him to fall backwards. She stood and walked past him, then hurried and spun around. He was already facing her, still on the floor. “I know we talked about trying to be a couple again, but that was before…I’m tired, so tired. Please, you have to go. I can’t do this right now.”
“I’m the baby’s father. You can’t get rid of me that easily. You can’t keep avoiding me. I’m going to be in my baby’s life. You can’t take that away from me.”
“I won’t try to, but you have to go now.”
“When are you telling your family the good news?”
She placed her hands in her pockets, twirling her feet in a little circle. “Have you told anyone yet?”
A weak smile formed on his lips. “I was hoping we could tell your parents together, then tell mine. Having a baby is a pretty big deal, something worthy of announcing it to the world right, you know?”
“Maybe it’d be best to wait for the first trimester to pass. To make sure everything’s okay. I couldn’t imagine telling people, getting them all excited, then telling them never mind. It’d hurt too much.”
He searched her eyes, studying her up and down. “Is that your way of saying you may get an abortion, then blame it on a miscarriage?”
“Of course not.”
Miki stood and closed the gap between them. He leaned in as though he wanted to kiss Finia but stopped himself. “I know you’re mad at me right now, but I want to support you through this. I mean, I’d like to go to every doctor visit, and we can read up on the stages of pregnancy, so I can help you feel comfortable when your body is aching and stuff. I want to be there for you and our baby.” He caressed her cheek. “We’re having a baby together. How cool is that?”
Finia took a deep breath. “It would help if I wasn’t stressed. Can you help me unstress?”
“Sure,” he said, sounding like he expected a bombshell to shutter his existence.
“Did. You. Tamper. With. My. Pills?”
Silence.
“Did. You?”
Silence.
She stomped towards the front door. When her hand turned the knob, Miki said, “If you need to hear the truth to get over this, then here it is. Yes, I switched your birth control for placebo pills. I was scared of losing you. I know it’s not an excuse, but it’s my reason.” He sighed. “I want a family with you, Finia. I don’t see how that can be wrong…You may find out, so I might as well confess this too. I poked holes in the condom. Sooner or later, nature would take its course.”
Finia opened the door, her bottom lip trembling. “Bye, Miki.”
He walked slowly to the front entrance. He leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek, but she turned her face. He straightened his posture. “The only reason I’m leaving is because stress isn’t good for you or the baby, but this isn’t over. I’m in love with you, and I’m not giving up. You asked for the truth; now, you’re trying to punish me. That’s not fair.”
When he left, she slammed the door. Her body slid down the door, landing on her butt. She began hyperventilating. Her choice had been taken from her. How could she live?
Chapter Six
Five Years Later
In a crisp suit and tie, Miki sat on the edge of his desk chair, typing away on his computer. He loved the privacy of having his own office. No wandering eyes over his shoulder. Any intruding co-worker had to knock on his door first, which gave him plenty of time to pretend to look busy. He was on high alert today. Finia was keeping secrets, and he needed to know what was going on.
The computer screen read: Finia Zane Washington. It listed her social security number, credit score, quarterly purchases, and loans she applied for. Nothing fancy so far, mostly Zumba classes. Miki didn’t approve of her shaking her ass in tight clothing in front of horny meatheads.
He chuckled softly, thinking of the last time the girl of his dreams had misbehaved. It hadn’t taken long to teach Finia a lesson. Maybe he’d have to do it again.
Three years ago, she had the nerve to go on a dinner date with some scrub she met at the bar. Lame. Miki hadn’t known until he spied on her purchases the next week. A whole week! Who knew how intimately they got to know each other for seven whole days! When Miki found out, he immediately used his best friend Rob’s car to follow her around unnoticed. It’s not stalking if it’s for love. Soon after, Miki tracked the loser down and broke his jaw. He never saw the loser come around again. Finia had never mentioned anything, but she hadn’t dated since the incident.
Sitting back in his comfy chair, Miki glanced away from the screen. He sipped his coffee and looked over at his oval framed photo of him, Finia, and their wonderful son Jahlin Trey Reeves. It was right after she gave birth to him. Miki had always been grateful that she allowed him to stay by her side in the delivery room. With the baby finally arriving, Finia would be his forever, making Miki’s life complete.
Someone knocked on the door. Miki shifted in his seat to reach for his legal pad as he placed his free hand on the mouse, in case he had to minimize the screen. “Come in.”
His co-worker Dan walked in with a smile. Most people would stand in the doorway, but he made himself comfortable, sitting on the edge of Miki’s desk.
Dan pretended to juggle the massive paperwork in his hands. “Happy to see me?”
Miki’s eyes never left the computer screen. “Of course.”
“What are you doing?”
Something suspicious caught Miki’s eye. He placed the legal pad on his lap and leaned closer towards his computer. He clicked on the link for Finia’s loan history, discovering she asked the bank for a car loan recently. How dare she!
&nb
sp; Keeping his composure, he glanced at Dan and faked an exaggerated sigh. “I’m taking notes from Mrs. Jackson’s account. You know how she grills us every meeting.”
“I don’t envy you, my friend.”
Miki smiled as Dan stood and placed the paperwork by his computer. He knew that particular client was Dan’s kryptonite. That’s why Miki used her name whenever he wanted his annoying co-worker to leave. It never failed.
Once Miki was alone again, he didn’t hesitate to start typing. This time he wasn’t just lurking through Finia’s account. He was adding details to destroy her credit score. If she wanted a new car, she’d have to ask him first.
Chapter Seven
Late afternoon, Finia closed her car door and walked slowly towards her home. On the porch, she glanced over her shoulder to look at Miki’s Mustang. In the past, she’d be upset with his unannounced visit. But now, she grew to accept it. A part of Finia hated Miki for trapping her, but the other part couldn’t help but love Miki for giving her a son. However, she had no intentions of being in a romantic relationship with him ever again. She was determined to live the way she wanted, her way.
Hesitantly, she placed her hand on the doorknob, taking a deep breath. She entered the living room where Laura and Miki sat on the couch. Jahlin and his cousin CJ were standing and playing a Wii game.
Miki was the first to notice Finia. He grinned and waved.
“Hey, everyone.”
Jahlin turned around. His eyes became wide with delight, and he smiled from ear to ear. Dropping the Wii remote, he ran to Finia and hugged her legs. “Mommy!”
She bent down and wrapped her arms around him. He was only five-years old, still at the age of adoring his parents. She wasn’t looking forward to him becoming a teenager and treating her like an embarrassing nuisance, a nagging parent instead of someone he respected.
Twisted Obsession Page 2
