Elisse's POV
"Do you need anything else?" Jax asked me as we went inside the house. The lounge room was empty since most of the guests stayed outside, enjoying the sun and sea.
My body was going through so many changes because of this pregnancy and somehow my moods were changing as well. One minute I was fine the next thing, I felt irritated and tired. Even a small walk from the chaise to the house exhausted me, and all I wanted to do was take a nap for the rest of the day.
I sat on the white couch. It was scorching hot outside as noon came. I was planning to take a dip in the sea but I couldn't stand the heat. I was sweating profusely and I hated it when my body felt sticky.
Now all I ever wanted was to go home and take a shower. Perhaps lay down with the man who was giving me his full attention right now. His eyes were full of concern as he held me like a delicate flower, afraid my petals to fall.
He sat beside me, never letting go of my waist.
"I'm not going anywhere, Cakes," I teased. Funny how we already have an endearment when we were not even sure what we are.
Are we boyfriend-girlfriend now?
He never confessed his feelings for me and I didn't, too. How could I when I don't even know what I feel? Do I love him or just like him a lot?
It wasn't a fling, I was sure of that. It was something more and yet, I was afraid to admit that I was slowly having feelings for this guy.
Would he ever love me if he learn about my past? What if he leaves me too... Like Miguel...?
My thoughts were interrupted when a woman joined us in the lounge room.
"Look who's here?" she snapped. "You have the nerve to come here, bitch!"
I looked up at the woman standing in front of us and my eyes widened in disbelief. Of all people, why was she here?
"Cynthia, please. Don't make a scandal here. I already told you we're done," Jax said, trying to be discreet as possible. There were some people in the patio that suddenly looked toward us as soon as they heard a commotion. Jax stood up and held Cynthia by her arms, determined to push her away from me.
But Cynthia took Jax's hands away from hers.
"This is not about you, Jax. This is about her!" She continued to yell.
I was feeling a bit nervous as the people started to watch the spectacle she made.
"I'm with Elisse now. So if you come to her, you come to me," Jax warned, gritting his teeth.
"Don't you even know who she is, Jax? She is-"
"Nobody's business," I interrupted. Though my whole body was shaking from seeing Cynthia, I have to make sure that Jax and everyone else in the room wouldn't know anything. So I pretended I never knew her.
"Look, Miss. My boyfriend already told you you're done so why make a scene? Do you want everyone to pity you because you are this desperate to have him back?" I scowled.
I smirked as Cynthia gave me a piercing gaze, ready to breathe fire. She started to charge towards me but Jax held her arm.
"Stop it, Cynthia! We're here to enjoy not to deal with your drama. So just go!" Jax spat out, glaring at her.
Cynthia pulled her arm away from Jax's hand.
"You will regret this, Jax. I'm telling you now. That woman is no good. She would only ruin you and your family. I will wait for the day you come back to me and tell me, I'm right. Because right now, you are making the biggest mistake of your life by having her!" and she gave me one last look then turned on her heels.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I felt I was going to have a panic attack upon seeing Cynthia.
Suddenly I realized, I shouldn't have come here in the first place. I knew this would happen and yet I still tried to come because of Jane.
Jane and her family were very influential people and I knew once Cynthia told her family about me, most especially her mother, I had no escape. They would tell Jax about my past and I would forever be shamed.
My friends would hate me for sure since I lied to them… or maybe not. But still, I have to make a plan.
But where will I go?
My friends, my job… it's all here, and now having this baby, it would be harder for me to settle in another place.
If it was just me, it would be easier to escape but there would be two of us and I have to plan for the two of us.
'Where does Jax fit in all of this?' I wondered.
Jax was the nicest man I had ever been with and leaving him would be so unfair. But I also knew that if I didn't leave now, things would only get worse. Sooner or later everyone will know who I really am.
A fraud… a homewrecker…
I couldn't do that to Jax, too. It was unfair for him to be judged by other people because of me. I couldn't stand seeing him, trying to defend me every time someone accused me of such things.
He's perfect and I didn't want to ruin him. I am damaged and he's not…
"Are you alright, Elisse?" asked Jax, touching my arm.
"Let's go home. I'm feeling a bit dizzy," I lied.
"Okay," and he took my hand. We started going out of the door when we suddenly saw Jane walking out of one of the guest bathrooms. Her eyes were red and puffy and I knew right away something was wrong.
"Jane? What happened?" I asked, concerned I walked towards her to give her a hug.
Jane heaved a deep sigh and just wept. Suddenly I forgot my problems for a while and focused myself on what Jane needed. I didn't even care if my expensive dress gets wet with tears.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked.
"I think it's best if we go to a quiet place where no one is watching," Jax added, and looked around if anyone was watching us. He saw two women whispering to each other as they watched us, possibly gossiping about the drama Cynthia had made.
"Don't mind them," Jax told me and then he led us out through the kitchen.
With Jane in between us, and her head down, no one even bothered looking at us as they busily prepared everything. I was not even surprised. They were probably told never to get into their bosses' business and sworn to never talk about anything that happens inside the mansion or the family. Knowing how strict Jane's parents were, I knew the servants would never dared to cross that line hence they would get fired.
As soon as we reached the backyard, we found a wooden bench under a large oak tree.
"You ladies talk while I go back inside," Jax told us. "Text me, cakes, if you need me, okay?"
I nodded as he gave me a peck on my right cheek.
"Take it easy, Jane," and he pat her shoulder as she smiled faintly at him.
"Thank you," Jane replied and Jax walked back inside.
"So tell me what happened, Jane?" I asked as soon Jax was gone. "Did something happen in that meeting?"
"Elisse…" Jane started and then shook her head. "It… It was nothing."
"What do you mean it was nothing? Jane, you wouldn't be crying your eyes out if there was nothing. Come on, let me help you."
"Nobody can help me, Elisse. I cannot let you be involved… especially you. My family… they're going to hate you."
"Jane…"
"It's better this way. I just thought… that somehow I could change it, you know?"
"Change what?"
"My fate," and she started cryi ng again. "I wish I was brave like you."
Brave like me… if she only knew. I'm not brave. I was a coward who wanted to run away from the people I love because I couldn't face my past.
"I am not as brave as you think, Jane. I'm scared, too," I confessed. "If you didn't know, I am carrying a lovely human being inside of me that scares the shit out of me."
Jane's eyes instantly widened in shock.
"You're pregnant?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Ohmigod!" she exclaimed and placed her soft hand on my belly. "A baby is a blessing, Elisse."
'Was it?' I wondered. I never really thought it that way since I have caused misfortune to my parents by getting them murdered and my foster parents getting sick. But then again, I felt connected with this baby already even if I haven't seen it physcially. Somehow, a part of me jus twanted to protect it at all costs especially to the Lee family.
My thoughts went back to Cynthia and suddenly I felt myself panicking. I closed my eyes for a moment and took deep breaths, trying not to let Jane notice my discomfort as she continued to rub my belly. Her gentle presence somehow comforted me and put me at ease, and my once plan of escape suddenly made me realize one thing. I need them.
I need Jax. I need my friends to be there when I had my baby. That being with them gave me the confidence to be myself even if it was just a portion of me.
This baby… it would make me become brave and strong to face any challenge given to me. That finally, after so many years, I could face my past. That I could tell them the truth about me qithout any judgment.
I opened my eyes once again and made a decision.
This is the right time to be brave and it starts with honesty.
"Jane," I called and licked my dry lips to prepare myself on what I have to say.
"Yeah," Jane answered and looked up to me.
"I-"
"What are you doing here?" a voice interrupted.