by Shelby Clark
Tess took a deep breath. “Ok, let’s read the results, it’s been long enough.”
Ayana stood at the bathroom door as she read them off one by one. After reading the results, she dropped them into the trash can.
“Positive, positive, positive, shit, positive, positive, damn, fuckin’ positive!” she yelled. “No! No! I fucked up! This can’t be happening to me. What am I going to do? I can’t
face that family! Ayana, I’m going to lose everything I worked so hard for.”
Ayana grabbed Tess’s hand. “Wait, Tess! Calm down. It may not be as bad as it looks. That family loves you. I saw how they react around you. You should go and talk to August. He loves you, Tess, and you two can work through this.”
“No! We can’t. You don’t know the whole story behind this and I might as well tell you because I’m going to lose everything anyway.”
“I don’t think so, but tell me what?”
“You can’t repeat this because August and Atticus don’t know either.”
Tess’s forehead fell into her hands. She then covered her eyes to hold her tears back. They went into the kitchen to sit at the table.
“Go on… I’m listening. What is it they don’t know?”
Tess exhaled. “They are due to inherit billions from their great grandmother, Alectra Escobar’s will. Well, their firstborns, if the baby is a female. They might think that I staged all of this. My father would be so ashamed of me.”
“Wow! Well, excuse me! But if I’m not mistaken, you didn’t create this baby by yourself. I think you had a partner and he, too, needs to take on some of this responsibility.”
“I know, but I can only be responsible for myself. I got carried away.”
“Because you…”
“Because I fell in love with him. I always loved him, since the first time we made love.”
“What! You too hooked up before?”
“Yes, a long time ago.”
“Get out! This is wonderful, Tess! You just can’t see it right now. Go to the company. Atticus said that August is overworking himself to not think about you too. So you two need to talk. Call now!”
Tess chewed on her bottom lip out of anxiousness.
“What if he doesn’t or won’t talk to me? I don’t need rejection right now.”
For the first time, I can’t think of what to say. Aw, man, I wish I didn’t have to deal with this. Maybe I should go away and have an abortion without telling anyone…No, too late, Ayana knows.
“He won’t, remember? He called you earlier. He obviously wants to talk to you.”
“Yeah, but we said some awful things to each other. What if I just get an abortion without anyone knowing except you and me?”
“Tess, come on. Is that what you really want? It’s your choice, but this is your firstborn. It’s also the man you love’s baby. Do you want to do that to August without him knowing?”
She covered her face and yelled into her hands. “No. I can’t do that to him. I’m just an emotional wreck. My life suddenly feels so out of control! I love having it together.”
“True, I’ve noticed that for some time. You’re not lying on that note!” Ayana chuckled.
“Hm, I don’t find that funny.”
“Come on—lighten up. Make the call!”
“I will, but I need to be alone. Thank you for being here. I promise, I’ll call as soon as you leave. I need to talk to him in private if you don’t mind.”
“Sure, I understand. I’ll be back at the office helping you catch up on things, okay?”
“Okay, thanks again.”
Tess kept her word by calling August. He agreed to see her. She was meeting him at his office. But she wasn’t sure if she should reveal her pregnancy right away. Respecting the Escobar family’s name was an important issue to her.
If her pregnancy got to the Press, she knew they would have a field day with it once the Alectra Escobar’s will went public. Damage control was her main focus.
****
Tess arrived at Escobar Telecom Communications. She decided to stop at the bathroom before seeing August. Frequent stops to the potty was another symptom of pregnancy she had to get used to. On the way out a woman coming in bumped into her.
“Oh, excuse me. I wasn’t looking where I was going. Hey, aren’t you Tess McDaniel?
Tess was trying to remember where she’d seen her before.
“Yes, I am. Do you know me?”
“No, not really, but I’m a close friend of August. My name’s Angela. I was at the retirement party.”
“Oh, okay. It was a nice party wasn’t it?”
“I’ll say! Especially when you made my day!”
“Me? How so? I don’t remember even talking to you.”
“No, we didn’t, but I was there with August. And I was looking for him and I happened to walk past an office and overhear some things that made my day!”
Tess’s heart started pounding harder and faster. She tried to keep up her Poker face, something lawyers learn early in the field. Although, she never felt more rage and hurt in her life than she did at that moment.
“What is it that you thought you overheard?”
“Oh, I know what I heard! That our baby is about to inherit billions!”
Tess could barely get her mouth to respond. “Whose baby!?”
“Why, Augusts’s of course!”
“So you were eavesdropping in someone else’s home. That really says a lot about you as an individual. But why do you feel that you had to make me aware of that? I could care less.”
“No, I think you do care. I’ve seen how he looks at you, but remember something. He’s mine and we’re a family now! So don’t get any ideas about you and him, not going to happen.”
Tess growled between her teeth and got up close in Angela’s face.
“Look, I work for Mr. Escobar, Julius Escobar. I’m his attorney. But here’s a piece of advice for you. Before you go and start spreading any kind of rumors creating any type of scandal of the sort, I’ll personally slap the taste out your mouth with so many lawsuits.”
Angela didn’t say another word, but backed up and rushed out the bathroom without looking back.
Man, when the hammer falls, it falls knocking the hell out of you! He got someone else pregnant too!? There’s no way he can love me if he’s screwing two woman at the same time. I’m done!”
Tess left the bathroom and looked around to make sure Angela was out of sight. She caught the elevator to the nineteenth floor. As soon as the doors opened, Augusts’s secretary greeted her. She tried to be quiet hoping she wouldn’t run into him. She handed a letter she’d written in the bathroom before she left to the woman. It was placed inside a sealed envelope she retrieved from another secretary on the first floor. Seeing him was out of the question. Getting away at this point was her mission.
Going with Julius to his acquisition wasn’t going to happen either. Everyone and everything was getting thrown to the back-burner for the time being. There was a sharp pain in her chest and nothing could relieve it, except for one person. Tess decided to accept the fact that her and August would never be. So leaving the city to get a grip on her emotions and think things through seemed like the only alternative she had. She’d need to leave instructions for her firm with Ayana.
Chapter Five
August was sitting at his desk in his office reading a document when there was a knock at the door.
Damn, if another person interrupts me! I told Camila not to disturb me unless Tess shows up. And if she’s here, why didn’t she just call me on the intercom?
“Come in!” he commanded.
“Excuse me, Señor Escobar!” his secretary, an older woman in her late sixties, announced. “But I thought this might be important.”
“What is it, Camila? Why didn’t you just buzz me over the phone?”
“Well, I have a sealed letter here for you and it was dropped off by Señorita McDaniel. She sounded a little upset when she aske
d me to personally hand it to you at once after she leaves.”
Augustus stood up with concern and hurried to Camila to retrieve the letter. He opened it up.
“Did she say anything else before she left?”
“No, sir, but she wore sunglasses. I felt like something was wrong.”
August gritted his teeth and constricted jawline. “Thanks, Camila.”
Shit! Now what? What is wrong now? Why couldn’t you’ve come and talk to me, Tess? I thought we were going to work things out. That was my impression when we last talked on the phone. Damn! Damn!
Tearing the letter open, his eyes immediately became glued to the words. He couldn’t believe what he was reading. Anger, frustration, and confusion filled him.
Dear August,
I write this letter not in the best of positions. Nevertheless, I’m going to be a woman about this. I didn’t have much time to gather my thoughts or any type of evidence. You always said, “Counselor make sure you have your facts straight,” but in this case I spoke to a key witness. Before I go any further I want to say that, I valued our friendship more than anything in the world. You and your family have been extraordinary to me. So I came to the conclusion that we can never be. It’s just been too much opposition between us and I don’t want them to create any more damage other than what they already have.
Plus, on the way to see you I ran into Angela. The mother of your child. She told me that she’s having your baby. I seriously wanted to come and blow your office up because I told you not to hurt me or mess this up. Strike that last statement. I’m sorry, that’s my frustrations getting the best of me. Anyway, I know that little baby needs its father. So, I’m letting go and backing off. I’ll be leaving the city for a while to recollect myself.
Your friend forever,
Tess
His emotions heightened when he caught a whiff of her perfume on the letter. All the memories of their intimacies flooded his thoughts. The longing for her touch felt like an addiction deep within.
HELL NO! I’ll kill Angela! She has crossed the line for the last time! She may have cost me everything.
Putting on his suit jacket and adjusting his tie, Augustus slammed his office door behind him as he stormed past Camila.
“Camila, take all my calls and postpone those two interviews I have today. I won’t be back in the office today. Then again, give those two appointments to Señor Johnson.”
“Si, Señor Escobar!”
Augustus put his sunglasses on. He then rushed onto the elevator, pushed the button for the lobby, and went down three floors. Surprisingly the elevator doors opened up to the sixteenth floor with Angela waiting to get on until she recognized Augustus. She tried to back off, but he reached out and pulled her onto the elevator and hit the button for the doors to close. He removed his sunglasses.
“August! Oh my! I didn’t know that was you. Your grip is so strong. You gave me chills.”
“The hell you didn’t! That’s why you tried to back out. Who the hell do you think you are, Angela!? And where do you get off telling people you’re having my baby!?”
“So, I see I was right after all! You want that little lawyer lady don’t you? I saw how you were looking at her at the party.”
“How I feel about her is none of your damn business! But I guess if you can’t have me, then nobody else can either, is that it?”
“Please, man, don’t flatter yourself up like that. You’re not what I want in a man at all.”
“Then why else would you have told her that lie and when did you see her anyway?”
Angela hesitated to share anymore information until Augustus hit the elevator wall out of frustration.
“When dammit!”
She yelled out of fear. “Here, earlier, downstairs in the restroom. I saw her come into the building and I followed her and timed myself to go in when I thought she might be coming out.”
Augustus walked up close to Angela. He looked into her eyes and could see that she was hoping that he would kiss her.
This trick is not worth my time. We tried to help her get on her feet and she screws me by spreading lies about me for her own sick, perverted pleasure.
“Look at your horny ass, that’s what I thought! You want me, but it will never ever happen, not in your wildest dreams. My father gave you a good job here when your father lost his business and went bankrupt. This is how you repay us?”
“August, you have no say in me working here!”
“News flash, deary! Have you forgotten? I run this company and I’m a joint owner. You won’t be here long, trust me!”
They were one floor from reaching the lobby. August could tell Angela was now trying to get loud to draw attention to them.
“Don’t think you can get rid of me that easy, August! I really am pregnant. Although you may not be the father, but guess what? Your father is!”
“What!”
“That’s right! Yeah, chew on that. Julius fucked my brains out the night of his party.
Right after your lady lawyer left, I walked in from the back stairway. He was drunk, so he may not remember.”
“If I wasn’t a gentleman, I would slap his name right out of your mouth. But instead take this. YOU’RE FIRED! For slander and conspiracy to ruin the reputation of this company.”
“You can’t do this!”
“I just did! Guess what else? You may have slept with my father, that’s none of my business, but FYI, go find the real father because my father is sterile. He had a vasectomy after my brother was born.”
“August, I’ll get a lawyer!”
The elevator doors opened and Augustus signaled for security to assist him.
Augustus replied with a deep voice. “That’s fine, Angela, if you can afford one. I guess Tess McDaniel and I will see you in court.”
Angela screamed in the lobby of Escobar Telecom Communications and tried create a scene.
“Fuck you, August!”
Augustus returned his shades to his face.
“Not going to happen! Security, please escort Señorita Perez back to her office to gather all non-company items that belong to her only, and then off the premises.”
“Si, Señor Escobar! Come along Señorita!” the security officers replied.
Augustus headed toward the garage swiftly.
I hit it on the nose not to get involve with that woman. I’ll go see father first to see if he’s heard from Tess. Tess, I’m coming for you. I promise I’ll straighten all this out.
****
“Score!” Julius yelled from his tennis court. He was down at the courts playing tennis with an old colleague.
August could hear and see him from some distance. He drove a golf cart down to Julius and interrupted his game.
“Father! I need to talk to you.”
Julius performed another serve. “August, can’t you see I’m in the middle of a game? Can you at least wait until I’m done? Is it about business?”
Come on man! It’s about the woman I love and you want, but will not get! She belongs to me!
Augustus tightened his fist at his side. “Goddammit, Julius! This is very important! We need to talk now!”
Julius froze as he stared at Augustus. “I know it is if you’re calling me by my name and cursing at me.”
He responded before heading back to the cart, and beginning the ride back to the office. “Yes. And it was the only way to get your attention.”
“Antonio, thanks for the game, but my son has a matter that must be attended to. I tell you those sons of mine remind me a lot of myself when I was there age, full of hot tempers and impatience. They keep me young and on my toes. I’ll get with you another time.”
Augustus could hear Julius ending his game and seeing his friend off, and afterward speeding up to catch up to him.
“August, I’m behind you. Meet me in my office. I’ll be there in a minute.”
****
Julius hurried into his office.
“So what�
��s so urgent that you had to interrupt my game and disrespect me in front of my friend? You were always the strong-headed one, August.”
Augustus stood in front of his desk with his arms crossed.
“Maybe I still am! But anyway, I’m here about Tess.”
“Alright, August! What’s the problem? I have a feeling that something is bothering you.”
Julius went to his humidor on his desk and took out a cigar. He dropped into his executive chair. His eyes widened as he took a puff.
“So, what’s going on with her? I haven’t seen or heard from her in weeks. That’s not like her. Have you talked to her? She was supposed to accompany me to an acquisition out of the country.”
“The hell she is! Not until I find out the truth about you two!” Augustus’s body tensed up. “No, I haven’t talked to her in weeks either until a couple of days ago. We were supposed to have met today, but something took place to disrupt that.”
“Apparently so, because I don’t like the way you’re talking to me. So what was that to have you acting this way?”
“Well, before I go into that I need to get something off my chest. I have a couple of questions for you.”
“Alright, I knew there was more with you. I’m listening. What can I help you with, son? Let’s get pass this, whatever it is!”
“I need the truth! Please. I just need the truth from you. Don’t lie to me.”
“Son! I’ve never lied to you or your brother and I don’t plan to start!”
They both gave each other a strong, long stare.
“Why do you always have to have Tess by your side? You can also deal and work with her Associates, or other lawyers for that matter.”
“That’s easy to answer and common sense. I trust her and her opinions. Plus, I know she won’t lie to me. She’s honest and dedicated to her work. That’s what I appreciate in her and her business.”
Julius took another puff and plucked his ashes.
“And are you attracted to her, Julius? Was there anything between you two? Were you trying to make your move on her too, another young woman half your age?”
Julius stood up abruptly. “OK, August, I think that’s enough. I’m not going to tolerate you addressing me by my name and in this manner.”
