by Zaydee Rain
'I want pizza,' He said.
I put my hands on my hips. 'Well, I thought you wanted me?'
Luc chuckled and kissed me. 'Of course, I want you. I'll always want you.' I hope so. 'But right now, I'm craving for pizza, querida, and the night is still young. We can order pizza, eat and spend the rest of the night in bed making love.'
I shivered at his words and nodded because that's all I can do. Nod. Since I've already gone putty in his hands. Stella was long forgotten as we celebrated our love.
Chapter 18
Luc went on craving for different foods for weeks. One minute he'd want Spanish tapas then the next he'd call for caviar. I don't know what's happening to him. He used to eat whatever I cook for him. Now, he's becoming so picky.
I was so annoyed one morning when I found the living room full of chocolate wrappers. This is something James and Jenny would do but I knew they weren't the culprit. I can imagine Luc sneaking out of our room in the middle of the night to eat sweets. He suddenly developed a love for chocolate-dark chocolate with almonds in particular.
I'm not worried that he would get fat like most men after they get married. He's not that kind of guy and also with the exercise we both get each and every night...
Lorraine, now is not the time to think about that!
This weirdness has got to stop. However, I can't think of anything to make Luc stop eating like crazy.
Aria and the kids were in the living room watching some cartoons. 'Hey,' Aria greeted me.
'Hey,' I replied. I sat beside James on the couch. Jenny's head was resting on Aria's lap.
'Are you okay?' Aria asked. She's wonderful. The twins love her and she's a great friend.
'Yeah, I guess.' I said. 'I just don't know what to do with Luc and his weird cravings. It's starting to worry me. It's like him to binge.'
Aria gave a little laugh. 'Don't you worry, Lorraine. It's normal.'
My brows drew together. 'It is?'
She nodded. 'My mother said my father is the same way when she was pregnant with me. Some men have cravings too when their partners are pregnant.'
Oh my word. Stella. Of course.
Aria must have seen the alarm on my face because she hastened to reassure me. 'Oh my, Lorraine. I'm sorry but nature is weird that way, you know. I'm sure Luc will also be like that when you get pregnant.'
Only if I get pregnant before he divorces me.
No! I must not think of negative thoughts. It isn't Luc's fault that he's acting like this. Clearly, he is just feeling some sort of connection with his unborn child. However, I can't help but regret that it isn't our child. I would love to have children with Luc and it's a little sad that I'm not the one giving him his first baby.
I promised long ago though that I would not hate Stella and Luc's baby-even if I hate its mother. The baby is innocent. It is also part of Luc. How can I feel hatred for it?
We were going to attend a charity ball tonight. Luc was already dressed in his tuxedo, looking very handsome and aristocratic. He grinned at me sexily when he saw me. I was wearing a black full skirted, one-shouldered evening gown. I can only imagine how much Luc must have spent on it. He never tells me the price of what he buys for me that is why I use the internet to find out just how much he spends on me. I couldn't find the price for this dress though so I guess that Luc must have had this custom-made just for me.
'You look ravishing, querida.' Luc picked up my hand and kissed my palm.
I touched his cheek. 'You look quite dapper yourself.'
We exited the apartment and made our way down to the awaiting limousine. The ball was to be held in one of New York's five star hotels. When we arrived, a group of paparazzi were waiting to snap pictures of the arriving guests.
They were relentless. They were asking us to stop and pose for a while but Luc was having none of it. He guided me to the entrance of the hotel with his arm around my waist. That didn't stop them from trying to take our picture and question us though.
'Luc, pose with your wife!'
'Look here!'
'How's your marriage?'
'Raine, who are you wearing?' Oh yes, the press have a nickname for me now.
'What can you say about your husband being Stella Reveron's baby daddy?'
Luc tensed and I swung my head towards the guy who asked the question. I recognized him. He's a writer for some sleazy tabloid. I know because he wrote a couple of articles about Luc and I saw it on the tabloid's website.
'Don't mind him,' Luc whispered and urged me to move forward.
I broke away from Luc and went to the man. 'All I can say is that I couldn't wait to meet the baby. I bet he or she is going to be absolutely beautiful!' I smiled sweetly and the cameras were flashing. I was blinded by the light and was soon swaying because of dizziness.
Luc went to me and dragged me gently but quickly into the hotel.
'Why the hell did you do that?' Luc demanded.
I don't know why I did it. It wasn't even my plan to do it. I just found myself walking up to that guy and saying things before I got to process them in my head. 'I wasn't thinking,' I admitted.
'Obviously,' Luc said under his breath. I suddenly burst into tears. Luc was shocked but he quickly got over it and pulled me into his arms. 'Querida, I didn't mean that. I'm sorry.'
'I'm so sorry. I just felt like I needed to stand up for myself,' I cried. 'I'm sorry if you're upset because I lost my cool outside.'
'I'm not upset about that,' Luc said. 'I'm more upset that you're crying right now. Please stop, querida. I'm not mad at you.' He pulled out his handkerchief and wiped my face. 'Why are you so emotional? I've never seen you cry for something so shallow.'
I guess the situation with Stella has really taken its toll on me. Added to that is Luc having pregnancy cravings. 'I'm just tired, I guess.' I tried to smile.
'You should have told you were tired. We could have skipped this event.' Luc brushed his thumb across my lips. 'Do you want to go home?'
I shook my head. 'No, I'm okay now.' I smiled for his benefit. 'Let's go inside.'
We went inside the function room where the ball was held. Luc introduced me to his friends and business associates. We mingled for a while. At one point, Luc even introduced me to a royalty! Prince Georgio Grenaldi was from a small kingdom near Greece called Sovandara. He was tall, broad shouldered and very attractive. He exudes the same charm and appeal that Luc does. Of course, my husband is still the best looking man for me but I can't deny that Prince Georgio is easy on the eyes.
'It's a pleasure to meet you,' he said. 'I heard from my brother that Luc got married but I thought he was only teasing. Now I why Luc chose to settle down.'
Luc rolled his eyes. 'His brother, Aleksandr, and I went to university together.' Luc said, as if that could completely explain the obvious close relationship he has with the royalty in front of us.
'They were known in the university for being two happy-go-lucky rascals.' Prince Georgio added.
I bet they were. Or if Prince Aleksandr looks anything like his brother, I bet he and Luc were known for being the handsomest guys in their campus-add to that their wealth.
We continued to chat with him but he was obviously distracted. He kept on looking around as if he was trying to find someone among the crowd. Before we got to settle on our seats for dinner, he intercepted Luc and me.
'De la Vega, may I have a word with you?' He was speaking to Luc but he was looking at me for permission.
My husband turned to me and I nodded. 'I'll be fine.' I murmured.
I went to our designated table and sat down. I've been introduced to the people in our table but I can't seem to recall their names. The woman next to me is Holly or is it Jane? I just know her husband's name is Max. Oh wait, I think it's Bax. Oh no, I'm doomed. I don't remember any of their names. What should I do?
I flashed a smile and prayed that Luc would come back soon. I don't think the angels heard me correctly though because they brought the wrong person.
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'How's it going?' A hand tapped my shoulder and I turned. There she was, standing in the same dress I was wearing. She managed to look sexy even if she was nearly eight months along.
'Stella.' I gritted through my fake-smiling teeth. 'What a surprise.'
She sat down to the chair next to me and brushed me with air kisses. 'I know, right? Here I thought the designer made this dress especially for me. You must have paid a fortune to buy that dress.' And to have it released when it was made for one particular person, was her unspoken message.
I flinched beside her. The people around the table were watching us closely. 'I wouldn't know. Luc got this for me.'
'It's just odd that he would go to my favorite designer. Well, I knew how much he loved seeing me in those dresses we bought there.'
I felt my fake smile slipping away. Stella is evidently trying to humiliate me. I pushed my chair back and stood up.
'Querida, I'm sorry I took so long to get back.' Luc was behind me and his arm clamped around my waist. I turned to him and wrapped my arm around him too. He smiled down at me. He then turned his gaze to the woman sitting in front of him. 'Stella.'
'Luc,' she inclined her head and smiled flirtatiously at him. 'I was just chatting with Lorraine.'
He swung his gaze back to me and must have seen the distress on my face. 'I bet.' Luc muttered. 'However, I must break your tête-à-tête. Dinner will be served soon. I hope you don't mind if I ask for my seat back.'
Stella was clearly startled by Luc's easy dismissal of her. She regained composure soon enough though. 'Sí, Sí. Of course.' She stood up a little too quickly and ungracefully. As she was about to take a step, she suddenly clutched Luc's arm. 'Dios mio!'
'What the hell is happening?' Luc asked tautly. He removed his arm around me to support Stella. I immediately left bereft.
Stella turned her pained and panicked eyes at him. 'I think I'm about to have our baby.'
Chapter 19
Luc left with Stella. He did. I can't believe it.
I mean, it's understandable that he'd want to see the baby as soon as it's born but it didn't cross my mind that he'd want to be there when it gets born.
He bundled me into a cab-because he and Stella used the limo-and kissed me on the forehead. 'I'll see you at home,' he said and shut the door. I saw him run to the car and assist Stella getting into it as the cab driver pulled away from the curb.
When I got home, I checked on the twins. They were sound asleep. Thank God. I don't think I could handle the chatter right now.
I went to the room Luc and I share and changed out of the same gown Stella and I wore. What a freak. I unthinkingly donned the same dress Luc's ex have and from her favorite designer too!
I should probably shop for myself from now on but only if I stay on to be Luc's wife. Now that the baby is coming I know that things are about to change. If Luc divorces me...
I flung my body down the bed and sobbed my heart out.
Three hours after Luc and I parted at the hotel, he still hasn't come home.
If only I knew the name of the hospital where they brought Stella then I could go to him. Oh my word. Why haven't I thought of that sooner? I think it would be pretty easy to locate them. I just have to call the right people.
Six calls to six different people later, I still have no idea where my husband is. I called Luc's secretary but he said he can't reach Luc's phone. I found Stella's phone number in the directory and tried that but when the housekeeper wasn't any help either.
I settled down on the bed feeling deflated. Who else could I call?
The answer came to me in a second.
It was almost five a.m. when I got to the hospital. I went to the nurse at the reception table.
'I'm here for Stella Reveron,' I said.
She clicked away on her computer for a while. 'Your relation to the patient?' She asked.
'Uh, I'm...' Her baby's father's wife. 'A friend. I'm her friend.'
The blonde nurse seemed satisfied with my lie and told me to go to the fourth floor. I found the room in no time. Luc was standing beside Stella, supporting her back as she screamed as another contraction tore through her body. The scene before me looked so intimate. Here are two expecting parents and what the hell am I doing here? I shouldn't have come. They'd only think I was trying to butt in.
I was about to turn around and go home when Luc glanced up and saw me standing on the doorway. I smiled hesitantly and he returned it with a weary smile.
Stella was calm again and she spotted me too.
'Hi, I was just...'
'In the neighborhood and you decided to drop by?' Stella said sarcastically. 'Well, thanks. As you can see we're doing just great.'
Luc put a hand on her shoulder. 'Stella.' His voice held a warning note.
I looked at my husband's hand on another woman's body. I felt tears immediately form in my eyes-and here I thought I've cried it all out already. 'I shouldn't have come, I realize that now. I'm so sorry.' I lifted my gaze to Luc's. 'I'll see you at home.'
'No,' he murmured. What does that mean? No, he won't see me at home because he's not coming back or what? 'Querida, please stay.' I sighed with relief. He took a couple of steps but Stella stilled him with a hand on his arm.
'Luc, please don't leave me.' She said. Suddenly she was crying. 'I'm so scared.'
Luc gripped her hand. 'I'm not going anywhere.' I turned away and went out of the room.
Four hours on, Stella still hasn't delivered the baby. Both he and Luc look so much less than their immaculate normal self. I stayed outside of the room, nursing a cup of coffee. I've never wished harder in my life than I am now for my parents. I bet if they were here, they'd know the right things to say to make me feel alright.
I brushed a hand over the stray tear that escaped my eye. I called Aria a couple of hours ago to let her know what's happening.
'Are you alright?' she asked.
I chuckled but it came out more like a groan. 'Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be? I'm not the one who is on labor.' I tried to make it sound as if it was nothing to me.
Aria knew me better though. Even if we've only known each other for weeks, I feel like she knows me like we're sisters. 'Lorraine, I know that you're the one who's really suffering with all this. Don't even deny it,' she warned over the other end of the line. 'This couldn't have been easy on you. What Stella Bitch is feeling is only physical pain but you...' She trailed off and we were both silent for a moment.
'I'm fine, A. I mean I'm not oh-my-gosh-I'm-on-top-of-the-world fine but I'm holding it together. I think that's what matters.' I said.
'But if things get really messy there, come home immediately, okay?' I was touched by Aria's concern. So after I promised that I would indeed go home if I can't take it anymore, I put the phone down.
Stella scream snapped me out of my train of thoughts. For the commotion inside and outside the room, I can sense that it won't be long now before she gives birth to the baby. Her contractions are coming sooner one after the other based from the frequency of her screams.
Even if my heart was breaking, I couldn't help but wonder if it will be a girl or a boy.
It was a girl.
The smile on Luc's face was pure of delight as he shared the news to me. He was beaming from ear to ear and because of that, he didn't hear my heart break to a billion thousand pieces.
He dragged me to the hospital nursery and there he introduced me to his baby.
'That's her!' Luc pointed to the incubator. In it lies a small, sleeping baby. 'The doctors said she needs to be incubated for a couple of weeks since she arrived a little too early but there's nothing wrong with her or anything.' He was talking so animatedly and with his accent I couldn't understand some of the words he said. '...she gorgeous? ...when will they let me hold her?'
I smiled through it all even if all I wanted was to break down. I nodded and answered politely at all the right times. I was proud of myself-because that's all I have right now. My pr
ide. I'm not even sure if I still have a husband.
Chapter 20
The baby had to stay at the hospital for over a month. During the weeks that followed her birth, Luc cut back on work and visited her almost every waking hour. Maybe he wouldn't really come home if I wasn't around.
When he arrives at the apartment, it is usually past midnight already and I'm already in bed. I would sometimes wake up when he gets into bed and he would gather me close but that's it. Yeah, you got it right. No more lovemaking. Not even once after Stella Bitch-Aria's nickname for her-gave birth to their baby.
