"Here", Leo said with indifference when they got home. He got to his parents house a little late. He met Abi in the living room looking bored but he doesn't care if she looks frozen or hot.
Abi looked into the small bag he passed to her. Leo's eyes followed her eyes and he looked away when she was about to look at him.
"Thank you so much", She appreciated with a smile.
"It's nothing. But how come you don't have a phone? Are you dumb?!", He yelled at her.
Abi shook her head and bit her lips. "I was going to start a new job and-"
"You're not working anywhere. What part of the terms and conditions don't you understand? You have to stay as a full housewife as long as you carry my baby", He thundered.
"Look here, Abigail", He said name for the first time. "You're going to be receiving allowances from me from time to time. You're not allowed to clean or do anything that can cause you and the baby to be tired. In fact, I'll get the maids to stay throughout your stay"
Abi looked at him as he spoke with authority. Who was she to say no?
"Thanks", She said and asked if he was hungry. Leo looked at her and told her he wasn't.
"Okay", She said and walked into the kitchen to make dinner for herself.
"Come here Abi", Leo suddenly remembered what he had noticed.
He had seen a red mark on her face when he picked her up. He knew her skin was one of a kind and wanted to know what's wrong?
"What happened at my parents' house?", He asked with his gaze on her.
Abi looked away and lied that nothing happened.
"Then, care to tell me about the poisonous insect that might have managed to enter the house to kiss your cheek?", He snapped fiercely.
"What do you mean?", She asked and looked into his eyes.
She was going to look away but she couldn't. Why wasn't she looking away? Why was she still staring at the bastard?! And why was he still looking at her? He should look away since she wasn't!
"Did my mom really slap you?", He asked sternly. His voice was not more gentle.
"No", Abi lied. She doesn't want him to fight with his mom. Moreover, she doesn't even want to be the one to cause a rift between them if it comes to that.
"Then, what happened to your face?", Leo asked. Actually, it was not his business. But how could he look away when her mom already begged him to look after her precious daughter?
"Please leave me alone. I'm busy", She walked back to the kitchen.
"Whatever", Leo muttered and walked to his room. He shouldn't have asked in the first place. He was trying to be concerned too. But his baby felt slapped.
Lol.
He began to remove his clothes and got under the shower to freshen up. His stomach grumbled and he cursed.
He had eaten breakfast all day and couldn't eat the snacks he wanted to have because of his stupid employee, Julian.
He walked to the kitchen to check if he could see any food to microwave and eat. He was descending from the stairs when his nose caught the aroma of the food Abi was making.
He paused and frowned. He was not going to admit that it was the aroma that was coming from her food.
'Maybe she was useful after all', He thought and stood by the door of the kitchen. He was watching her as she cooked. Her small figure was all over the place. Soon, she bent over and began to cry.
He frowned and watched her weep silently. She cried bitterly and got up to turn off the fire. Water rushed from the tap and took some in her hands and poured it on her face.
She continued to cry and stopped after some minutes. She turned around and froze when she saw her husband.
He didn't ask her anything and walked into the kitchen. He kept coming towards her direction. Abi held her breath when he was in front of her. He was so tall and she was …
"Move", He said and she moved away quickly.
She watched him take two satchel of noodles and walk to the cooker. She cleared her throat and asked, "Don't you want some?"
"Didn't you cook for yourself?", He asked her.
"I did but we can share", She replied.
"You're eating for yourself and my baby, Abi. So, eat your food alone", He smiled wryly. "I don't understand how you turned out to be the best graduating student without knowing stuff like that"
Abi smiled a little. That was the second time he was saying her name that night. The first was when he said her full name and now he said the short form of it.
Maybe he just dislikes her but he doesn't hate her. Everyone likes her except him and his family.
"I'll arrange for your sister to visit you tomorrow. You should both spend some time together", He said and saw her smile widely.
"Thank you", She was happy to hear that.
"And thank you for giving my family that money. You didn't tell me that so my sister did", Abi said.
"It's nothing", He said in a carefree manner.
"It's something. Thank you", She said and served her food before walking to the dining room.
They both ate in silence. Abi sat at the farthest seat while he sat at the head of the table. She would glance as she ate. It was so awkward and silent.
"Are you going to work tomorrow?", She asked in a low voice.
"What did you say?", Leo asked. He heard her but he wanted to annoy her that night. For some reasons, he usually finds it fun whenever she was angry.
"Are you going to work tomorrow?", She repeated her question.
"Huh?", He pretended to be deaf.
"I asked if you would go to your office", Abi raised her voice.
"Oh!", He smiled. "What happened? You want to be with me all the time?"
Abi frowned and told him not to mind her question.
"I go to work everyday. There's nothing I'm doing at home", He answered her question.
"What time would you leave?", She inquired.
"Seven", He answered and she nodded.
He didn't ask her why she was curious to know about that. If she was planning to get to know him so something would spark between them, she better go back to dream.
Abi cleared the plates and wished him good night. She washed the plates and went to bed on time. She felt bad that he had to eat those noodles while she ate such good food alone.
Noodles are also good but there are times when you eat such food.
She saw some contacts on the phone already. That should be her husband's work.
She read the names: Ava, Benjamin, Butler Lee, Cedric, Darcy, Dominic, Jessica, Logan, Mom, Riley, Roman.
She scoffed when she saw the name he used to save his contact. Well, it was true so she would save his name as 'husband'
Who was that Roman?
But, she saw 'mom' as a contact and began to think. Her hand touched the screen and she placed the phone to her ear.
"Abi", She heard her mother's voice and covered her mouth.
"Abi?", Her mum said again. Abi can't believe that she was speaking to her mother. But she can't get one thing straight.
How?!
When she was still with her mother that morning, both of them didn't have a phone but now, both could talk to each other on phone.
"I miss you, mom", Abi found herself say. Her mother laughed and told her not to be silly.
"I'm not happy you had a wedding alone. It's fine your sister couldn't make it but I'm your mother, Abi", Her mother complained.
Abi held her tears back and said, "Sorry mother. We had the wedding in Singapore. The place I wanted to have my wedding. And I'm sorry you couldn't go. His parents couldn't attend too because everywhere was so tight and busy. Forgive me, mom"
"I'm still not happy. I'm just happy that you met the man of your dreams. I never knew you'd get married so soon because you never introduced any man to me as your boyfriend. You kept him away from me since three years Abi!", Her mother scolded her.
Abi couldn't talk because she was weeping silently. She began to shiver and closed her mouth. She doesn't want her mother to hear her at all.
"Are you okay, Abi? Why aren't you replying?", Her mother was worried.
"Who bought you a phone, mum?", Abi asked her mum.
"It's your husband. Ava got mine though and told me she got your indirectly", Her mum laughed.
Abi took a deep breath and rasped harshly, "He's done enough mum. I don't want Ava calling him to ask for anything. She should ask me for whatever she wants and leave him alone!"
"Okay", Her mum stated.
"Then Abi, last week, you sounded excited to tell me Julian was back in the country. You can't be excited to meet him in order not to make a misunderstanding between your husband. You should let him know about you two before something happens with your marriage", Her mom warned her.
"Nothing is going on between us, mom. He's just a guy I had a crush on. That's on. We dated for a month and we were over", Abi reminded her.
"I'll send you a video of our new house. Please extend my appreciation to your husband. He has really tried for us, Abigail", Her mum uttered with a smile on her face.
"Okay mum. Don't forget to send me the video", Abi reminded her.
"I'll send it now. How would you go to work? Isn't Rhyte Taste far from your house?", Her mum pondered.
"No, mum", She replied. How can she tell her mum she was fired and remain unemployed? She can't tell her mum that her husband told her to remain a housewife because he would be giving her allowances from time to time.
Her mum brought her up to be hardworking so of course, she would still work and ignore that fool. He thinks he can show her a gentle side and switch it to a cold side anytime it suits him.
Rubbish!
"I was worried I would leave Ava alone in this big house herself tomorrow but she told me she has plans", Her mum chuckled.
Abi rolled her eyes and said to herself, "I'm that plan!"
She didn't know that Leo already told her to come over.
"Where are you going tomorrow?", Abi asked and heaved a sigh. She quickly ran to the bathroom to throw up.
Her mum was worried and asked if she was sick.
"Just a little. I think it's home sickness", She laughed and her mother chuckled.
"Get used to it and make mini you to keep you company", Her mum said and she turned red.
"Mum! How could you say that to your daughter?", Abi pouted.
"You're not getting younger Abi and I'm not either", Her mum hissed.
"So, that what's you've been wanting to say if I got married. Well done, mum", Abi laughed and vomited some more.
She was really feeling weak and sick. "Hang up, mom. I need to drink some water and go to bed. I'm feeling a little bit weak. I'll talk to you later, okay?"
Abi walked out of her room and began to walk to kitchen to drink some water. She collapsed on the stairs and fainted.
Leo just finished his meeting with Darcy and Cedric. His throat was patched and he needed water to drink. He thought he had brought some when he was coming in but he didn't.
He thought about the food Abi ate herself and muttered, "Such a selfish pig"
His pajamas were so simple but they were designers and very expensive. He went to check up on Abi.
'What if she planned to escape in the night through the window to abort his baby?', That was the first thought that crossed his mind.
She was a crazy girl and he didn't trust her. He can't trust her so he has to be careful around her. He knocked but there was no answer. He knocked again and entered the room when she didn't answer him.
He looked around and furrowed his brows. Where can she be? Her phone was on her bed and her lights were still on.
He decided to go to the kitchen to quench his thirst before looking for her. He had not taken more than ten steps on the stairs when he saw her on the floor. She was unconscious.
"Fuck!", He cursed and ran to pick her up in his arms.
He forgot about drinking water and began to call his doctor immediately.
"Do you know what the time is, Leo?", His doctor was unhappy with his call.
"Something is wrong with my wife. Why won't she wake up?", Leo asked over the phone.
"Are you okay, Leo? What do you mean by 'wife'? Are you-"
"She fell down the stairs and won't wake up. What should I do?", Leo asked impatiently.
"Who?!", His doctor was confused. What wife was he talking about? Was the rumor true or why?
"You bastard!!", His doctor was now energetic. "You got married before me!!"
"Why won't she wake up?!!", Leo yelled.
"I'm on my way", His doctor hung up after assuring him that all would be well.
Leo saw his doctor after thirty minutes. He took him to his room immediately to check on Abi.
"Awwn. This is what I'd call a sleeping beauty", His doctor smiled when he saw the beautiful girl curled up on his bed.
Leo glared at him and reminded him of his duty.
"Chill, Leo. She's just too tired and fainted. But she's pregnant, okay? So, you have to look after the girl and her baby. What of the baby's daddy? Why would he let such a pretty girl suffer like this? She's with a freaking baby so what bastard would let-"
"I'm the father, Roman", Leo dropped the bomb.
"I don't have time for jokes", Roman said with a hiss.
"Me too", Leo spoke coldly.
Roman dropped Abi's hand and turned his head to look at Leo that held no smile on his face. Wait a minute, was he serious or what?
"That's not possible. You might have fallen-"
"I ran a test to confirm if the baby was mine", Leo said.
"And?", Roman wanted to know if it was his baby or not so badly.
"It's my baby", Leo was proud to say that.
"No, it's not. Because last week, we were hanging out together and what I remembered was you telling me you wanted to remain single for the rest of your life", Roman laughed.
"When did I say that?", Leo denied.
"Oh! You also told me that you have a secured future with wealth so what would it take to have fun by fucking girls and -"
Leo's hand ran to Roman's mouth. Abi stared at both of them.
'Why did Leo cover his mouth?', She thought in her mind. She wanted to hear everything. So, that was his plan before she ruined it with her news.
Roman laughed nervously and sat beside her. Leo dragged him up and spoke, "Remain standing and speak"
Roman felt hurt and said, "You fainted due to stress. You should be feeling weak though due to your pregnancy sickness. Have you seen any?"
"I have but who are you?", Abi asked.
Roman looked at Leo and felt hurt. "I'm Leo's personal doctor. You can call me Roman"
Abi took Roman's outstretched hand and shook it. Leo watched them and cleared his throat.
"Don't choke, Leo. I have a girlfriend", Roman rolled his eyes.
"I have a wife", Leo said.
'I'm not his wife', Abi cried out and stared at Leo. He was just speaking because he has to look good in the public. He doesn't care about her.
"May I ask about the signs you've been seeing?", Roman asked Abi.
"It just started though. I've been feeling weak and I started throwing up tonight. I'll be fine. I just need some rest", Abi stood up from the bed.
She wasn't comfortable. She was in the same room with Leo so how could she be comfortable?
"Oh! Any fever or other things?", Roman asked her and looked at her closely.
"Yes but it's bearable", Abi replied.
"Any body pain? I mean does your breasts hurt?", Roman had to ask.
"It's okay. I'm a family-"
"What are you doing, Roman?", Leo cleared his throat.
"It hurts sometimes because it's getting bigger", Abi blurted out. A blush crept on her face. She can't believe she was discussing that topic with two men.
"Oh", The men said and looked away.
"I'll go to my room now. Thank you", Abi quickly said and ran away before she answers another embarrassing question.
The men were now alone in the room. Leo sat on the bed while Roman remained standing. He had a frown on his face and looked at him in anger.
"She's weak, Leo", Roman said with a frown.
"No, she isn't", Leo said with a carefree attitude. Roman looked at him and scoffed.
"I couldn't get a pulse when I checked earlier. She's stressing herself real bad. She's not supposed to be working so hard especially when she's pregnant. How old is she?", Roman had to ask.
"Twenty six", Leo said and added when he saw the look on Roman's face, "I saw her details. She's twenty six"
"That's…strange", Roman said with a laugh.
"How long have you been making her miserable?", Roman inquired.
"What do you mean? I don't make her feel that", Leo was annoyed.
"No you don't but I have eyes. Man, see the way she's behaving around you", Roman rolled his eyes.
"What do you mean?", Leo's voice was cold. His face darkened and that cold aura was around him again.
"She's so scared of you man. Look at the way she ran to her room when you looked at her with those eyes. Do you even speak to her at all? She's your fucking wife, Leo, not your slave. And now, she's gonna be the mother of your child", Roman talked some sense into him.
"You've overstayed your welcome", Leo hissed.
Roman laughed and begged, "Let me sleep over tonight. What if she faints again?"
Leo scoffed at the excuse he was trying to use to sleep over.
"I can take care of her myself", Leo replied and dragged Roman out.
"Fine! I'll send you an email of the 'do' and 'don't' she's going to follow. You haven't told me her name yet", Roman smirked.
"You don't have to know", Leo replied.
"If you don't tell me, I won't give you a wedding gift", Roman laughed evilly.
"I don't need it. Save it for your child's wedding if you later have one", Leo said coldly.