Scandalous Arrangement
Page 4
He introduced me to a few of his big name friends as his new secretary. We had a few drinks, shared a few laughs and then it was time to go. Before I knew it, it was midnight and my feet were killing me. I told Andrew I was tired and ready to go. He said no problem and we said our farewells and we got back into the car. He took off my shoes and rubbed my feet. I guess the look on my face gave me away. I was not going to refuse being pampered, so I asked him how did you know. He just said “a real man should know when to pamper such beauty. I have been invited to parties like these but I was simply eye candy, this time was different; Andrew really wanted me to be there. I work in close quarters with some of the people I met tonight. It was defiantly something I could get used to.
We rode for a little while longer and Andrew began to tell me how he would like to see me more outside of the office, in a personal manner of speaking. I said I would like that. I let it be known that I had a great time tonight and that I was grateful for the opportunity to work as his secretary. He said the fun has only begun and tomorrow is a whole new day of adventures. The car pulled up to my building and I gave him a kiss on the cheek and said goodnight. He walked me to my door, said “see you in the morning Julie.”
I went in and got straight in the bed. I didn’t even have enough strength to get into the tub. As I laid there in bed I thought about what the next few weeks would bring while working with Andrew; and what his plan was all about. I can’t lie I was excited about a man showing genuine interest in me and not just what I have to offer to him. I was finally able to go to sleep after daydreaming for a while.
I arrived at work early and got started with my duties. Last time working for Andrew was just taking messages, today was full fledge duties. I am his go to person, I can’t let him down. By the time 9am rolled around I had taken 20 messages, made 10 appointments for the next week, and made a coffee run to his favorite coffee house around the corner. I was flying high, and for once I could see things on the greener side of the fence. On my way out of the office for lunch I got a call on my corporate cell. Andrew told me that he needs me to meet him tonight at Green’s Pizza and Wings at 7pm.
Finished off the rest of the day as usual, left work, got home, took a shower, changed clothes and left for the pizza place. I am guessing that he is ready to give me the rundown on his plan. It was just a quick cab ride away; I didn’t want to drive my car, which would look too suspicious. I could see if I had your average car, but I didn’t and I didn’t want to attract any unwanted attention. I got there right at 7; Andrew was in the back of the restaurant waiting at a booth. I joined him and we ordered a basket of hot wings and beers. I am quite sure that he knows my age since he just promoted me. I guess age didn’t matter to him either.
We began to go over his idea on how to gain money and escape the rat race. He said that he was going to set up a charity for hungry kids under the company’s umbrella. They had a roundtable a few weeks ago about doing more charitable donations the community and abroad. He said that he would be in charge of the charity and would funnel money from that account to a personal account that he will create. It will take about 4-6 months to get about 2 million dollars just for us. I said I guess business is doing well for Howard, Sperry & Blackwell, because that is a hell of a lump sum of money in a short time period.
He said that no one would even notice that the money was gone. The company is trying to make their mark in the charitable scene. It was the perfect cover, wire transfers were the way to go especially to a bank abroad. I asked him when we would set up the back account abroad. He said there was a client whose kid traveled abroad and got into some legal trouble. Now the company is sending out some of the best lawyers including him to represent the kid. Once he is out there he will meet with some of the banks to fund the legal defense for the young man; and set up our account at the same time.
I told him that it was the perfect cover. He said that he will need me to cover the office while he is out of town .I told him he had nothing to worry about, that I was on top of it. He grabbed my hand and said “so are you all in with me.” I told him that I would be his “bonnie”, we both laughed really hard from that. He said you are too young to know that movie. We continued to share funny movie lines and just enjoyed each other for the next hour laughing and talking. At the end of the night he gave me a hug and we shared a very long intimate kiss. After a few minutes of our little make out session, we just stared into each other’s eyes and he told me he was happy when we spent time together. He mentioned that he knew my birthday was coming up next weekend and asked me what I wanted to do for my special day.
I told him I haven’t given it much thought; he said that he wanted to take me for a weekend getaway to B&B to get some R&R. I asked what about your wife. How are you going to get away for a weekend? He said easy I will tell her that I am going away on a business trip. I said well then I am all yours for the taking. The bed and breakfast was located in the hill country. The room was decorated in a very tasteful country western theme. We spent hours just lounging around getting to know each other on “many different levels”. I had a blast and I know he did to. We returned to the office on Monday like nothing had ever happened. I guess we were really able to keep our personal life separate from the office.
Over the next 4 months our private relationship became more of a real life love story. He wined and dined me, treated me like I was his only priority. Never had I been shown such attention and love. Was this what being in love felt like, because I think I had finally arrived. I was the happiest I had ever been in a long time. I went into his office one day during lunch and asked him what the number was. He said we are almost at our goal of the big 2. I gave a nod and said is there anything else that you need me to do for you before I take my lunch. He said that he was ok and for me to enjoy my lunch. I had actually grown friendly with some of the other secretary’s in the office. We usually had lunch about twice a week. I guess I was growing up and living a real adult lifestyle; go figure.
It only took another 2 weeks and we were at our 2 million dollar mark. If we were to just wait a few more months who knows how much we would end up with. I called Andrew and told him we should wait another 2 months and then evaluate where we are. He agreed. After lunch I felt super sick. I ended up throwing up my lunch. What did I eat that made me this sick is all I could think of as my head was in the toilet. I told Andrew that I wasn’t feeling my best and that I needed to go home I didn’t know if what I had come down with was contagious. He said that I looked a little under the weather so he sent me home.
I got home and threw up again, took a bath to relax myself and to lie in bed. Then it hit me when was the last time I had a period. Oh gosh, could I really be pregnant, was this really happening. I got my phone to check my calendar, since I chart my cycles. My last period was over 7 weeks ago. I am as regular as it gets so I knew I better take a pregnancy test. I kept telling myself don’t freak out, stay calm. I finally gathered enough energy to make it to the corner store to grab a test. Got home and took it, and those 2 minutes seemed like they lasted for 2 years. I finally read it and I saw two lines, I had to refer to the paper to see what that meant, and sure enough I was pregnant. Thoughts began to run through my mind. When did this happen, what would I tell Andrew, would he even want kids. I knew that I wanted kids because my mom had me at such an early age so it was only appropriate that I have my baby. I scheduled an appointment with an obgyn in my network for tomorrow. I needed to get blood work done to know for sure.
I called Andrew to let him know that I was going to the doctor in the morning and that I would try to be in after lunch. He asked if I was ok and I said yea just a stomach issue that I need to get some medicine for. He said take all the time you need, because his calendar was slow for this week. I had to know for sure before I told him some news like that. I tried my hardest to fall asleep but my mind kept running off. I finally dozed off around 2am. 9am rolled around and I was sitting in the doctor’s office waiting to be call
ed. They called me back and I gave them the info they asked for. The nurse told me Dr. Ward would be seeing me today. They said that they didn’t even need to draw my blood they could just to an ultrasound on the spot.
I laid back and waited for the doctor; she came in and introduced herself as Dr. Melanie Ward. She said to just relax as she squirted my stomach with some jelly stuff and before I knew it there was this weird sound that echoed in the room. I asked what that was and she said that is your baby’s heartbeat. I was in total shock, my mouth just dropped opened. She pointed out the baby on the monitor and said congratulations; looks like you are about 9 weeks along give or take a day. I didn’t know what to say. The doctor said according to my expressions this seemed like an unplanned pregnancy. I told her that it was and I asked her what my next steps to protecting my baby? I informed her that I have no knowledge about kids and I have no clue of where to start. She said well thankfully you have 9 months to figure it out. She set me up with a follow up appointment in another month. Told me to get some prenatal vitamins and begin to eat healthy, get some books and just read about all things baby. I said thank you Dr. Ward.
I walked out and told Andrew to meet me at the bookstore in 20 minutes in the music section. He said “be right there.” By the time he got there I was sitting in the music section with headphones on listening to some calming ocean music. I was trying desperately to stay calm before I had to tell him the news. He walked over to me and gave me a hug and kiss, and asked me what’s up. I told him remember how I was sick the other day at work and had to go home, and then I went to the doctor to figure out what was going on. He said yea is everything ok? I said yes I am just 9 weeks pregnant. He face lit up and he said really Julie that’s great! I have always wanted to be a dad. I said wait you mean that you are not angry or anything. He said are you kidding me this is the best news ever. He said he also had great news for me; his divorce will be final in 2 weeks. We were both overwhelmed with joy and excitement! I told him how relieved I was to know that he wanted to be with me and have a baby. He said that his soon to be ex wife never wanted kids. Andrew was still rather young, only in his late 30s. So to him this was perfect timing. I would have him all to myself soon enough; just him, me and our baby.
Chapter 7
Something is a little off
I made it through my first trimester with no problem. I was excited to see what the 2 and 3 trimester would be like. By now I was an expert on all things baby. I had read so many books and magazines, prepped for safety issues in my apartment. I was stocking up on diapers and wipes just like the books said to do. I have 2 names picked out, one for each gender, Alex Michael Burton and if it’s a girl Jasmine Grace Burton. I ran the names by my mom and she loved them both; she said they flowed well.
Saturday afternoon finally showed herself. I left my apartment around 2 pm to go run some errands and grab a bite to eat with Andrew. We also needed to discuss the obvious situation at hand. We were still collecting money from the company and I know that we are well above our 2 million dollar mark. We met at our usual soup and salad bar. I asked him when he thought we should leave and where were we with the level of accrued profits. He said we were at 2.5 million. We had more than enough to move away and start a new life or we could just stay, and buy a house in the country, a more simple way of living without all of the stress of the city life. I had a big decision on my hands. I just wanted what was best for our child. On one hand we would be in paradise and have everything that we wanted or needed on the other hand I wouldn’t be able to see my mom for a long time, if at all. We went back and forth about it for a while, and still didn’t come to a conclusion. Until I mentioned that we could have both; a vacation house on a private island and a house in the country. We have so much money we can do both.
He thought it was a great idea. I said that I wanted something built, a place just for us. We should start talking to home builders to build our dream home. He told me that he would get right on it. I was thrilled with the idea of having both. I shouldn’t have to choose; Andrew told me to name it and he would get it for me. So that is exactly what I am going to do. I told him I was ready to go home a take a nap, all of these errands I finished today had me exhausted. When I got home I noticed that some of my things were moved around. Now I know that pregnancy brain was something to deal with but I know I didn’t leave the table with all that stuff on it. I am not a neat freak but I am also not a clutter monster. It looked like someone had to have been in my place looking for something specific. I remember putting the bags full of baby items in the corner. Now they were in a different place.
I must have been tired; I called Andrew and tried to explain what I saw. He just reassured me that I was tired and needed to get some rest. I might have moved the bags out of the way so that I wouldn’t trip over them. I was too tired to stress about it. As soon as my head hit the pillow I was out for the count. From the things that I have read, about how the body changes as the baby grows made more and more sense every day. I was tired and forgetful for every little thing. After I woke up from my nap I decided that I better get a small note pad and keep it in my purse so that I can refer to it so that I won’t forget anything else. That seems like it would solve a lot of my issues.
When I woke up from my nap, I sat down in my favorite chair by the window to read the newest edition of the parenting magazine. There were some articles listed in there that I had been waiting to read. I was so glad it was my day off, I love the weekends especially Sundays. There was nothing like having every weekend off plus major holidays. I really needed to catch up on my rest. Andrew was taking it easy on me these past few weeks which I appreciated. I couldn’t afford to make a costly mistake at the office. Andrew’s job was too important and so was his mission on the side. I needed him to be focused enough for the both of us.
I looked out my window at the people walking down the street and cars driving by: it was actually peaceful to just look out and see people going about their everyday lives. I watched the couples with their children and noticed how happy they looked. I decided to get up and move around a bit, to get some fresh air and maybe pick up a few items for the baby.
I jumped into my car and drove down to the mall to look at baby clothes. While I browsed the isles of endless clothes my mom called me to check on me. I guess I was so involved in my conversation with my mom I didn’t see the lady in front of me. I bumped into her and she dropped the items in her hands. I apologized with all sincerity. I tried to bend down and help her pick them up. She said “that’s ok, you are pregnant no need to bend over, I got it.” I said well thank you as I walked away. I told my mom that I was so distracted by our conversation that I bumped into a lady. My mom laughed and asked if I was ok; I assured her that I was.
I bought a few gender neutral colored items, realized I was hungry and headed to the food court. I was looking for some type of sandwich shop. I didn’t want anything greasy, that’s not good for the baby. I finished my food and headed to my car to head home. I had the strangest feeling that I was being watched. You know that feeling that you get when some is staring at you and you look around to see if anyone is looking. That was the vibe that I was getting. I didn’t like that feeling at all. I walked a little faster to my car, got in quick and locked the door. As I fumbled through my purse, there was a knock on the window. My heart just about jumped out of my chest. It was a lady, she said that I left my phone on the table in the food court. I said oh wow thanks so much. The lady walked away, and I just sat there for a minute trying to collect myself. That was a really intense moment, I needed to get home and prepare for Monday morning at the office. I didn’t know if it was just me or was it the pregnancy, either way I was paranoid.
When I got to work Monday morning everything seemed normal until I got to my desk to log into my computer. The computer itself was turned on but the computer screen was off. I know I turned both of them off; it’s not good to let the CPU sit idle like that. Once again I just said it was my forget
fulness. I carried on with the rest of my day. Once Andrew came into the office I asked him did he use my computer for anything while I was gone. He said “no if I needed something I would have just called you directly.” He had a good point, I told him about my computer the incident at the mall yesterday. He told me that I was probably under a lot of stress and that I might need to take a few days off.
What could I have been stressed about, I have lots of money, a baby on the way, and I have the guy of my dreams. But I guess a few days on leave wouldn’t hurt. I wanted to finish out the day but he told me to go on home; so I did. I took a quick detour to the grocery store to grab a few items since I would be at home during the day. Once I left there I headed home and to my surprise my apartment door was open. Someone had broken in! I didn’t get any closer to the door; I went back outside to call the police. I reported that my apartment had been broken into and that I needed the police to come over. I was too afraid for me and my baby to even go back into the building, until someone searched my place.
2 police cars arrived within 10 minutes, 1 group of officers went inside to check the apartment and I waited outside with the other 2 officers. After 5 minutes or so went by, the 2 officers came back outside from searching my apartment and said that it was all clear and that I needed to file a police report. So we all went back inside so that I could file a report. I wanted them to stay with me until I got a chance to look over what was missing or broken. I had renters insurance too, so best believe I will be calling them if I need to.