Iris didn't know how to respond so she just got off the couch and stretched out her hand to Teresa with a bright smile.
"Nice to meet you, Teresa. My name is Iris Morgan."
Teresa awkwardly shook Iris's hand back. "Did you just hear everything?"
"Yes but I am not sure what is going on."
"Let's sit down and talk," Antoine interrupted the awkwardness.
Iris sat back down on the velvet couch. In opposite velvet chairs sat Antoine and Teresa.
Antoine started the conversation, "So Iris, you clearly heard Teresa's rampage. She would like you to work in marketing but I want you as my personal assistant. Where would you like to work?"
Iris was a little surprised that the conversation started off with her work and not addressing the larger elephant in the room.
"Can we start with the other conversation first? What do you mean that I am carrying your baby? How do you know that I am pregnant? And how could it be yours? I only met you today!"
Antoine had hoped his redirecting would work as a distraction. Honestly, he wasn't sure what to say. His mind started to wander. How do you explain that night? It was more than a lapse of judgement. She had filled a void in his emptiness. Every little thing she did made him inquire. Good humans still exist? How can I keep her close and not scare her. It was enough to drive him crazy. It was too insane. He kept silent. Teresa had to ruin it.
"Um so you had sex with my brother and you are pregnant. Basic human biology." Antoine zoned back in real fast.
"Really, Teresa? You make me sound like a sperm donor. Iris, do you not remember the night at Bite On. Do you really not remember me?"
Iris registered the sincerity in his voice. To him, it was something he could not forget. If only she could remember.
"I am sorry but I cannot remember." It was all she could say for the moment. How could she say that she not only forgot that night but every night? She couldn't lose her job on the first day. Otherwise she really would go homeless. Rent was not cheap in Dallas. She needed to move somewhere bigger. But Iris would only handle the baby on her own. She couldn't even remember this man lest even know what hand was his dominant.
"Umm. I am planning on handling this all on my own. Can you just tell me where I am working?"
Antoine's heart ached. He should have never compelled her to forget that night. Despite the airs he put on, Antoine was very sensitive. He didn't like to risk happiness. Which is why he had never tried. In his centuries of life, he had refused all love interests—human or vampire. He could love like his father but he was more weak like his mother. If he fell in love, it could only end in heartbreak if the other did not reciprocate.
Antoine hesitated then said, "How about you can work with Teresa here. Then at nights let me take care of you. You could just consider it your second job and not as a date. I want to be a part of the baby's life. I don't want to hear no."
"But what if you're not the baby's father?"
"We can get a paternity test." Not mentioning that he was just waiting on results now.
"Okay," Iris reluctantly agreed. She couldn't bare to tell him that nights were going to be a problem. She could learn about him and by morning forget again. Maybe she would see him in the office but what would make a difference. He would probably be scared off once he knew that she was somehow drinking blood. She was probably going to hurt him and feel guilty. Was there any alternative? Maybe she should mention that nights would not work.
"Actually I am really busy at nights. It may not work."
Teresa was getting tired and bored of this slow pass the potato between Antoine and Iris. She needed to get back to work. "Iris, please just agree. I really need you to help market our new product. It wouldn't hurt to let my brother try and get to know you."
"I accept then."
"Good! Then brother, I am taking back my new hire. You can have her later." Teresa jumped up from her chair and spun on her heels. She grabbed Iris's arm and lead her out of the room before Antoine could say anything else. It was really too awkward in there. These two might just be the perfect match but it will certainly take them a while.
On the ride down a few floors, Iris thought of everything that had just transpired. It was still a shock. Was that really Antoine Gastropf and was he seriously her baby daddy?