Chapter 2

I got out my Lambo and stepped out in my flat-cladded feet. I couldn't wear heels anymore because my feet were swollen to the size of Mother Earth. I looked up at the tall building, and read the large sign.

Kingston, Inc. Nervousness hit me and I closed my eyes and took a deep breath before walking into the glass building. I tried to wear something that would hide my bump, but to no avail. There was no hiding that I was pregnant. Even when I wore black, my baby bump was prominent. So I stopped hiding it.

Today, I wore a bright red spring dress that stopped just above my knees. My blonde hair was braided from one side to the other, and stopped by my neck, continuing with loose long waves that stopped just above my waist. My blue eyes were framed by my long lashes and I made sure a glowing blush rested on my cheeks. I looked really good for a pregnant lady to sum it all up.

"Excuse me. May I help you?" The receptionist asked, eyeing me warily. Her nameplate read Jessica.

"Oh, yes. I'm here to see your boss." Jessica frowned and jealousy glinted in her eyes. Whoa, there. I was not here to take Daxton away. She's obviously slept with him before.

"He's not here. You'll have to come another time." Seriously? I sighed and stepped back, rubbing my swollen belly. I came all the way here for nothing. My feet were already hurting. Jessica's eyes followed the action and they widened. "Well actually..." She trailed off when I looked at her and her eyes softened.

"Yes?" I asked hopefully. She smiled hesitantly and eyed my belly again.

"He's busy in his office, but I'm sure he can stop what he's doing." She offered and I smiled.

"Thank you so much." She led me to the elevator and pressed the button for the 30th floor. As the elevator went up, people piled on. I grew uncomfortable and I held on to the railing, my hand resting on my belly. One of the men, looked at me and recognition lit up in his eyes.

"Arielle?" He asked and my eyes widened. I took in his sandy blonde hair, hazel eyes, and familiar 6'2" frame.

"Marco?" A smile broke out on his face and he maneuvered his way over to me. He scooped me up into a bone crushing hug and I gasped for air. "Can't. Breathe." He let me go, grinning like a maniac.

"How are you, Ari?" He asked. I shrugged, adjusting my dress.

"I could be better." He nodded and then finally noticed my bump. His eyes bugged out.

"You're pregnant? When did this happen?" He wondered, scooting closer to me when another person got on the elevator.

"Five months ago, actually." I responded. Marco was Daxton's best friend and we used to be really close until Daxton broke up with me. I think he would have felt guilty hanging with his best friend's ex.

"Wow. That's-wow. Congratulations. So who's the-"

"This is my stop." I interrupted him as the elevator stopped at floor 30. I stepped out and he followed me.

"Mine too." He narrowed his eyes, noticing that I interrupted him. I didn't want to tell him because then he might tell Dax before I did and that would cause unnecessary drama.

"Can you tell me where Daxton's office is?" I asked, shifting my feet. I really needed a foot massage.

"Yeah, turn left and keep walking straight until you see a sign. Then you'll turn right and go all the way down until you reach the end. The door will be on your right." He instructed.

"Alright thanks, Marc." I turned to walk away but he grabbed my hand.

"Look, I'm sorry I haven't kept in contact with you. I miss hanging with you. You think we can meet up sometime this week?" He asked, eyes hopeful. I smiled and pulled him into a hug.

"Of course. Call me, okay? My number's still the same." He nodded.

"I will. Take care of yourself, killer." He winked and I laughed.

"You too, Marc, you too." He waved and walked away and I went in the opposite direction, following the instructions he gave me.

I stood outside Daxton's door, suddenly nervous. I knocked and heard a gruff 'come in' before stepping into his office. He didn't even look up at me when I entered.

"I'm pregnant." I blurted out. He continued writing, not paying me any mind.

"Take off whenever you feel like it, then. Lisa will escort you out." I reeled back, anger creeping up my spine. He thought I was one of his employees.

"It's yours." I stated and that's when he froze, looking up at me for the first time since I'd entered the room. His eyes widened when he saw that it was me.

"Arielle?" I rolled my eyes at his obvious question.

"Yes, it's me. In the flesh. The one you dumped months ago." I said bitterly.

"That's not my child. I never have sex without condoms." He said, going back to writing. I huffed impatiently.

"It is your child, Dax. Remember when we had sex five months ago? After your party? We didn't use protection then." His eyes narrowed as he tried to remember that night. His eyes closed, indicating he remembered that passionate night. He opened his eyes and looked at my belly before looking at me.

"Really, Ari? You could've had sex with anyone after that night. Doesn't mean it's mine. From what I remember, you did sleep around." His words hit me like a hammer, piercing my heart. Did he really just call me a whore? I walked up to his desk and slammed my hands on it, fuming.

"You know damn well you're the only person, after Lance, that I've slept with, you imbecile." I spit.

He leaned forward, lips brushing my ear. An involuntary shiver ran down my spine and he grinned smugly.

"But who have you slept with after me, my sweet? Because from what I've read, my sheets aren't the only ones to be christened by your frivolous ways." He whispered in ear and my cheeks heated with embarrassment. How dare he!

I reeled back from him and my hand cracked against his cheek. I breathed hard, hand stinging. His jaw clenched as he rubbed his red cheek.

"I hate you." I growled and turned around, tears threatening to spill down my cheeks. I went to open the door, but it was opened by a pretty, young woman. She was startled by my presence.

"Um, Mr. King. Your 2:00 is here." She said to Daxton.

"Thank you, Lisa." She nodded and glanced at me before leaving, shutting the door behind her.

"Are you going to leave or just stand there like an idiot?" I closed my eyes and put my hand on my belly, trying to calm myself down. Getting angry and riled up was probably not the best thing for my child. I sucked back the tears as much as I could and turned around to see Daxton unfold his length from the chair and stalk towards me.

My breath hitched as I took him in. His 6'5" height seemed to make me feel small, though I was 5'9". His inky black hair was gelled back, but a few strays fell into his emerald green eyes. My eyes traveled along his suit cladded, muscled body and I had a hard time breathing. The fucker still looked fine as hell.

"Do you enjoy making me feel like shit, Dax?" I whispered and he neared me. He smirked and looked down at me.

"Of course. Women come here all the time claiming to be pregnant by me. You're just another one of them." I frowned, mad that he compared me to his other one night stands. I was not a one night stand. We had a relationship.

"Why don't you come and take a paternity test and prove me wrong then?" I challenged, staring up at him.

"Fuck no. I'm not indulging your fantasy. You want money? Here." He reached in his pocket for his wallet and took out crisp hundred dollar bills. "Here's a thousand dollars." I gasped in outrage.

"I don't need your damn money, you idiot!" I yelled, raising my hand to smack him again. He caught my arm and his nostrils flared.

"Don't ever raise your hand at me again." He almost growled at me. He pushed my arm and I stumbled back, catching myself on the door. I leaned on it, breathing hard. Tears sprang to my eyes again and this time they traveled down my face. My heart constricted and I stood up straight as Daxton stared hard at me.

I opened the door and walked out quickly, trying to get away as fast as I could. I never wanted to see him again. I bumped into someone and papers flew. Marco's face appeared in my blurred vision and I sniffed, wiping my tears.

"I'm so sorry. I-I'll-" I bent down to pick up his papers, but he stopped me.

"No, it's okay. I got it." He picked up his papers and then took in my tears and frowned.

"What's wrong, Ari?" He asked, pulling me towards him. I couldn't answer because my tears clogged my throat. Marco looked over my head to see Daxton standing in the doorway, observing what was happening with crossed arms. Marco's eyes narrowed and he looked back down at me.

"Will you be okay to drive home? Because I can-"

"I'll be fine." I whispered, stepping away from him. I just wanted to go home and wallow in my tears. I had never been so hurt in my life. Actually I had, and it was by Daxton......for the second time in a row. I stepped around Marco, walked out of that cursed hallway, and found the elevator.

I never regretted something so much in my life more than telling Daxton I was pregnant with his child.