When Art Falls

by Lorrain Allen

  “Say something, please.”

  “How long have you known?” Mom asks.

  “Just two days.”

  “Art is the father.” The disappointment in Anneli’s voice is clear.

  Though it’s not a question, I answer anyway. “He is.”

  “This is unbelievable.” Anneli slams her fork down. “I thought you were on birth control.”

  “It didn’t work.” Because Art paid the doctor to sabotage the shot.

  “What’s going to happen now?” Mom asks.

  “We’re getting married.”

  “Don’t be stupid.” Anneli throws her arms up in frustration. “I kept my mouth shut about the six-month agreement, but enough is enough!”

  “Cin, what is Anneli talking about?”

  The clawing cat is finally out of the bag. “We’ll discuss it later, Mom.”

  “I refuse to witness your self-destruction. Art is like a parasite. He latched onto you and is slowly filling your body with poison.”

  “You promised to be here for me.”

  “I was hoping you’d come to your senses!”

  “I’m going to have his baby.”

  “That doesn’t mean you have to marry him!” Anneli yells.

  “I love him.”

  “Love is truly blind.” Anneli storms out of the restaurant.

  “Well, what do you have to say about it?”

  She leans over, wiping away a stray tear rolling down my cheek. “I want you to be happy, and Art can’t give you that, not truly. How can you have a future with him when he’s living in the past?”

  “We’ll make it work.”

  “For how long? I’m not going to try to change your mind. I may not agree with your decision, but I’ll support you, regardless.”

  I wrap my arms around her in a tight hug. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Give Anneli a few days. She’ll come around.”

  I hate that she’s disappointed in me. Once she calms down, she’ll be ecstatic about having another godchild.

  “What’s taking her so fucking long?” I pace the small room impatiently.

  “Can you have a seat, please?”

  “No.”

  “The poor ultrasound tech is going to take one look at you and run screaming from the room.”

  “It’s been twenty-five minutes already,” I growl.

  “More like fifteen.”

  I’ve known this day was coming for a week, but I’m still not prepared. We’re going to get the first glimpse of our baby today. I’m scared shitless. Fuck, I’m going to be a father. Babies are so goddamn tiny. I avoided holding Mason as an infant, scared he would wiggle right out of my arms. Cin refused to make an appointment with the obstetrician I chose, swearing never to go to anyone I recommended for anything ever again. Eventually, we compromised. Though this doctor isn’t the best in the area, she’s among the top three. The boys were thrilled when we told them the news. Of course, they want a little brother. I don’t care what the sex of our new addition to the family is. I just want a healthy baby. I haven’t told the old man or Josh about my pending fatherhood, and I don’t plan to for now. The last thing I need is for them to be in my business, giving unwanted advice. The door opens and a middle-aged Asian woman steps inside.

  “Mr. King and Ms. Belo, please accept my apologies for the delay.”

  “Your apology is not—”

  “Truly it’s no problem at all,” Cin says, cutting off my tirade.

  I sit in the chair next to the examination table.

  “My name is Ling Hong, but you’re welcome to call me Ling.”

  She asks Cin a plethora of questions, leaving my mind a little warped. I’m completely out of my element.

  “A transvaginal ultrasound will need to be performed.”

  “What’s that?” I ask. “All of this is new to me, so I’d appreciate it if you explained every step.”

  “Sure. It’s a wand inserted into the vaginal canal. Per the first day of Ms. Belo’s last period, I’m guessing she’s maybe six weeks pregnant. At this stage the fetus is only the size of a sweet pea, so this is the best way to have a clear visual inside the uterus and determine overall development.”

  I nod, acknowledging my understanding.

  “Undress from the waist down and cover yourself with this.” She hands Cin a disposal drape. “I’ll give you some privacy,” she says, leaving the room.

  I slap Cin on the ass when she bends over to remove her panties.

  “Will you stop it?” She giggles, swatting at me.

  “Well, you shouldn’t have put it in my face.”

  “Keep it up and I’ll have you thrown out,” she threatens, lying back on the examination table and covering herself.

  “All set?” Ling calls through the door.

  “Yes,” Cin answers.

  She comes back into the room.

  “All right, let’s take a peek at your bundle of joy.” Ling covers the wand with a condom and gel. “Are you ready?”

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  “Count to three, then take a deep breath. You’re going to feel a little pressure.”

  “One, two, three.”

  “See? That wasn’t too hard.”

  A rapid thumping sound echoes throughout the room.

  “That’s our baby’s heartbeat.” I kiss Cin’s belly.

  “And a strong one it is,” Ling says.

  I know I’m sporting the same silly grin as Cin.

  Ling points at the screen. “Here is the chorionic and yolk sac. And this bean shape is the fetal pole.”

  “It’s amazing,” I say in awe.

  “The next ultrasound will be in three months. It’ll be transabdominal. Also, if you both would like, I can disclose the sex of your baby at that time. The head, torso, and limbs will be visible as well.”

  “That’s an eternity.” I’ll be like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.

  “Is this your first child?”

  “Biologically speaking. It shows, huh?”

  “Yes.” She laughs.

  “I can’t wait to meet you,” Cin says, rubbing her stomach.

  We ask Ling a few more questions before being given a due date and ultrasound images. I have no second thoughts or remorse for engaging in sneaky underhanded tactics to get what I wanted. I’d do it again in the blink of an eye. Cin’s misgivings about how she became pregnant evaporated when she heard our baby’s heartbeat. She’s already in love and so am I.

  Spending the last several hours at the mall has left me fatigued and hungry. Since shopping online didn’t work out for me, a trip to this nightmare was in order. The worst part was undertaking the task alone. Art left for Las Vegas two days ago to help Josh with a business deal. I couldn’t chance the boys catching a glimpse of their Christmas presents, so Mom stayed home to watch them. And Anneli—we’ve spoken since the bombshell was delivered, but she’s having a difficult time processing my pregnancy and impending wedding. I understand she needs space, so I didn’t ask her to join me. She relented and called after I sent her a picture of the sonogram. Anneli wants all of this for me, just not with Art. She’s adamant in her belief he’ll hurt me. I can’t have my best friend and husband at odds. Hopefully they’ll find common ground soon. My mom ranted and raved as I described the details of my sordid arrangement with Art. It wasn’t an easy conversation to have. I make my way swiftly down the street towards a Portuguese restaurant. I’m too tired to go home and cook, so this is the next best thing.

  “Cin.” I look back to see Adrian approaching.

  Panic sets in before I remember Art isn’t even in the state, meaning there’s no chance he could appear and cause a scene like at the school.

  “I thought that was you,” he says.

  “Hey. It’s been a long time.”

  “You look good.”

  “Thank you. You’re not looking too bad yourself.”

  “Where you headed?”

  “I need food, ASAP.”<
br />
  “Me too. Mind if I join you?”

  “That’s probably not a good idea.”

  “I want to apologize for the way I acted the last time we saw each other.”

  “Oh, it’s fine. Really.”

  “It isn’t. I shouldn’t have forced myself on you. I kind of lost it for a second, but that’s still no excuse for my behavior.”

  “All is forgiven. I’m sorry for the way I ended things between us.”

  “Make it up to me by allowing me to treat you to lunch,” he pushes, determined not to let me off the hook. “We can go wherever you want.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “We’re just two old friends catching up, nothing more.”

  “Okay.”

  There’s nothing wrong with us sharing a meal. It’s harmless.

  “Where are we going?”

  “A Portuguese spot, it’s around the next corner.”

  “Sounds good.”

  We walk down the street together, making idle conversation.

  “I hear congratulations are in order.”

  “Anneli told you I’m pregnant?” I can’t believe she did that.

  “No. You’re going to have a baby? Wow,” he says, unsuccessfully hiding his dismay.

  “What were you referring to then?”

  “I noticed the engagement ring on your finger.”

  “Oh.” I’m not used to wearing the blasted thing. “I always forget it’s there.”

  “A rock that size is hard to miss.”

  “It is pretty huge.”

  “When is the big day?”

  “We haven’t chosen one yet.”

  “So, I’ve truly lost you.”

  “Adrian—”

  “I was thinking out loud.”

  “I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

  “The heart wants what it wants, right?” He softly brushes the side of my face.

  I step back. “Don’t.”

  “You can’t blame me for needing to touch you one last time.”

  “I’d better go.”

  “Stay.” He waves his hand towards the entrance to the restaurant. “We’re here.”

  “What are you expecting?” It wouldn’t be fair to lead him on.

  “Only your company for a meal. You can at least give me that.”

  “Okay.” Guilt makes me give in.

  Once the meeting in Las Vegas concluded, I headed to San Francisco. It turns out Trevor remained in California after graduating college. He readily accepted my invitation to meet at the Falcon located downtown, which doesn’t surprise me in the least. He has an angle, but I’ve played this game before. I invented it. There’s no doubt in my mind I’ll come out the victor. I know everything about him, down to his credit score. The motherfucker was supposed to be here a half hour ago. I detest tardiness.

  The office phone rings. “Yes.”

  “Mr. Trevor Brooks is here to see you,” the front desk clerk says.

  “Thank you. Send him in please.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  He struts in, smug and disinterested. The fucker is putting on a show already.

  “Trevor.”

  His appearance hasn’t changed much, though his facial features are a bit worn.

  “Arthur.” He drops into the chair and crosses his ankles on the desk—displaying complete disrespect. Dirt and debris from his shoes fall to the gleaming oak surface.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  Opening the drawer, I retrieve a folder containing the adoption documents and slide it in front of him.

  “What do we have here?” He peruses the contents. “So, you want to be the little bastard’s father?”

  “Call him that again and I’ll break every bone in your fucking body.”

  He laughs. “Boy, she has her hooks in you.”

  “Sign the document.”

  “Maybe I don’t want to.” He throws the folder on the desk. “Maybe it’s about time I step up and play daddy.”

  “You’ll give me what I want.”

  “What makes you so sure?”

  “You’re on the brink of filing for bankruptcy.”

  His indifferent attitude disappears promptly.

  “No flippant comeback.”

  Checkmate.

  “Your small IT company is drowning in debt.” I pull my checkbook from my breast pocket and toss it on the desk. “Money is your motivation for agreeing to meet me today.”

  He licks his lips. “I want five million and he’s yours.”

  “Half a million.”

  “Three million.”

  “This isn’t a negotiation. You take the offer or you leave here with nothing.”

  “No deal.”

  “Then this conversation is over.” I turn my attention to my laptop. “You can go.”

  “Okay,” he relents, greed getting the best of him.

  He leans over and provides his signature for the required sections while I fill out the check. “There, all done.” He throws the pen down. “Are you and Cin getting married?”

  “We are. She’s pregnant.”

  He eagerly grabs the check I hold out to him. “I got the better end of the deal. I’m now legally rid of him, and I have the funds to save my company.”

  “I pity you if you believe that.”

  “The probability of you not being the father of that baby is great. It’s you who needs pitying,” he says, leaving the office.

  I truly dislike the asshole, but I can’t blame him for his bitterness. Not when it’s been my constant companion for all these years. That girl has wrecked us both. She cast a spell, and it remains strong to this very day. Still, he’s a weak man for abandoning his son because of his hate for her. I could never do that. I check my cell phone when I receive a notification.

  Logan: You have an important email.

  After enduring Sebastian and Mason’s shenanigans all day, I’m exhausted. The boys are a handful separately, but together they make an unstoppable force. Their energy is contagious, but I can only handle so much of it. Mom took over the reins, allowing me to shower and head to bed early. My cell phone chimes as I snuggle under the comforter.

  Art: Be at the penthouse in an hour.

  Me: Why?

  Ten minutes later, still no reply, so I shoot off another text.

  Me: ???

  The message remains unanswered. Apprehension slithers through my veins, leaving me cold. It doesn’t bode well that he wants to meet there. Something must’ve happened while he was away. Next, I try calling, but each call is sent straight to voicemail. I get out of bed, steeling myself for my visit to the devil’s lair.

  Identical to my first visit, the elevator doors slide open revealing a dark interior. Will he pounce on me the moment I exit my coveted sanctuary?

  “Art?” I lean out of the elevator, surveying the area. “Where are you?”

  I tentatively step one foot out, then the other. Nothing. But experience has taught me never to let my guard down when it comes to Art.

  I move forward. “This isn’t funny.”

  The unknown has my imagination running wild. I wish he would appear and put me out of my damn misery already.

  “Stop fucking around, Art!” I click the light switch, but it doesn’t work. Inspecting further, I notice the light bulb is missing. Goose bumps prickle my cool skin. I go into the kitchen, looking for anything I can use for protection. I settle on the coffee pot before walking up the stairs, ready to strike if need be. Prepared for a life-and-death battle, I enter the bedroom, but the crazy man is nowhere in sight. At least the bright moon shining in through the window provides some visibility. Something on the bed catches my eye.

  Oh my God.

  Beside a thick rope are photos of Adrian and me on the day we had lunch together. We mirror a happy couple enjoying a nice day. This is bad.

  “When the cat is away, the mice will play.” His low menacing voice sends chills to my core.

  I swing around, f
acing an angry, naked Art. Though I’m scared shitless, I can appreciate his magnificence. “You had me followed.”

  “I knew you couldn’t be trusted.”

  “It’s not what it seems,” I say, pointing at the photos.

  “You’re caught red-handed, but yet you continue to lie!” he shouts.

  “You need to listen to me,” I say pleadingly. “We ran into each other on the street, and he asked me to join him for lunch. That’s all.”

  He moves past me and plucks a photo from the bed. He holds up the one with Adrian caressing my face. “A picture is worth a thousand words.”

  “In this case, it doesn’t tell the whole truth.”

  “Is the baby mine?”

  “What?”

  “You heard me.”

  “How can you ask me that?”

  He strikes, quick as a snake, and circles his large hand around my throat in a painful hold. He effortlessly takes the coffee pot from my grasp and places it on the floor. “Once a whore, always a fucking whore,” he sneers, slamming me onto the bed.

  I cough, struggling to pull oxygen into my burning lungs.

  “A paternity test will be taken immediately after birth. I swear I’ll fucking kill you if I’m not the father.”

  “This is your baby!” I croak.

  He grabs my wrists, using the rope to bind them tightly to the bedpost.

  “You can’t spank me.” The coarse material digs into my flesh. “You could harm the baby.”

  “Physical pain is too good for you.” He kisses my forehead. “You deserve mental anguish.”

  “You’ll regret this later.”

  “I fell for you hard. Fuck, eight damn years later and I’m still falling.”

  A scantily dressed woman walks into the room. “Are you ready for me?” she asks seductively.

  “Perfect timing.”

  “Who is she?” I ask, alarmed.

  “Come.” Art beckons her. “Get on the bed.”

  “Your wish is my command, Daddy.”

  “Get on your hands and knees, facing her.”

  “I’ll hate you forever if you do this,” I threaten.

  He takes a condom from the nightstand and tears it open with his teeth before sheathing himself.

  “Watch her while I fuck you,” he instructs the woman, moving behind her.

  “No!” I wail as tears flood my eyes.