Waking up the following morning at the hotel they had lodged, Ellie was nowhere to be found. Edward searched around but couldn't find her. He went to the reception asking if they had seen his partner whom he lodged with the night before only to be told she had checked out in the early hours of the day. He went back to the room reminiscing on the moments they had shared together the night before and he couldn't help but smile. He knew that was their first encounter but he felt she is the missing piece of his life he has been longing. He sensed what he was feeling that moment seems familiar. He guessed right, it was the same feeling he had whenever he was with his mum, Catherine during his childhood.
He decided to stay a few more days at the hotel because he wasn't ready to face both Sophia and Richard. Each night before he slept, he kept on thinking about her. He knows neither her name or where she lives. Days passed and he still couldn't get her off his head. He couldn't believe a chance encounter could have such a profound effect on him. He tried stopping himself from thinking about her as he hadn't gotten over the shock of Sophia's betrayal and he wasn't ready to get into another relationship yet. But the more he tried to forget about her, the more he kept thinking about her. And so, he decided to go for her, unaware of where it would lead them. He promised himself not to fall in love with her, he just wanted to flow with the moment and enjoy the moment.
The only place he could look for her since he doesn't know her name and where she lives is actually where he had met her. And so, he went back to Cheetahs hoping to find her there but she was nowhere to be found. After days of frequenting the place with no one knowing her whereabout, he decided to give up and head back home.
On getting home, there he saw his wife, Sophia and his friend, Richard approaching him. The more he saw their faces, the angrier he got but he decided to keep calm so they wouldn't be suspicious of him knowing about their affair.
'Edward, where have you been? What happened to you? We have been trying to get in touch with you for the past 3 days but your line wasn't going through. Everyone is worried including, Dad. Do you know how worried I was? I thought something had happened to you. I do not know what I would have done if something had happened to you. How will I be able to survive raising our child alone without you by my side?', Sophia had said rubbing her tummy and crying.
'Baby? Are you pregnant?', Edward said surprised, pretending to be unaware of the pregnancy and the circumstances relating to the pregnancy.
'Yes, I am pregnant. I have a mini you growing inside of me', Sophia said smiling and looking Edward in the eyes. She waited for Edward to respond but he didn't as he seemed to be in a faraway place, thinking of what is best known to him. Edward was thinking about her betrayal and how she could act so well just to make him believe the baby is his.
'Edward, are you still with me? Are you not happy about the news? Don't you want our baby?', Sophia said feeling sad and dejected.
'No, baby. I am more than glad to hear the news. I just can't believe that I am going to be a father soon. Thank you so much for giving me the privilege of becoming a father soon. You are more than a blessing to me. Since you came into my life, you have changed everything making my life become more meaningful. I can't thank you enough. I promise to cherish you and our child with every breathe of my life', Edward said kissing Sophia on the forehead, faking a smile and hugging her tightly.
'Congratulations, bro', Richard said making Edward and Sophia break free.
'So, I am going to become an uncle soon', Richard continued, shaking Edward's hand and pulling him close for a hug.
'Thank you, man. Yes, you are going to become a father soon', Edward had mistakenly said, almost making them see through his pretense.
'A dad?', Richard asked suspiciously.
'Sorry, an uncle I meant. But since you are my friend, my son is automatically your son too, am I right?' Edward asked facing Sophia, creating a tensed moment.
'Yes, that's right', Sophia said laughing suspiciously.
'Man, are you sure you are fine?', Richard asked looking into Edward's eyes, trying to figure out what he was thinking.
'Sure, I am fine. I am just kidding. You do not know how happy I am right now. I just can't think straight. Do not mind me', Edward said jokingly trying his possible best not to get exposed.
'Darling, let me take a shower. I will join you soon. We need to celebrate', Edward said kissing Sophia and walking up the stairs. On reaching his room, he put off the façade and inside of him, he was filled with anger and hatred towards Sophia and Richard. He had never expected Richard to betray him like that.
He had met Richard at an auction six years ago and one thing led to the other, they became friends. Although he is four years older than Richard, he had never seen him as only a friend but also as a brother. They share everything together and he is the only one who knows Edward the best. Although, Edward is 27 years old while Richard is just 23 years of age, he never allowed the age gap to affect their friendship and so also their different backgrounds. Edward has never met Richard's family before as he had told him they are not in the state. But what Edward couldn't process is why Sophia and Richard would want the downfall of his family and what relationship does Richard's mother has with his family.
As he laid on his bed that night, he decided to play along with Sophia and Richard and play the game they had started with them. He had only one motive behind this his decision, which is to get to the root of the matter and strike back for betraying his trust and hurting him so badly.