Wedlock

Chapter 3

“What did you just say?” asked Michael as if failing to comprehend her words though the hard glint in his eyes told her otherwise. The other two men sat taking in their conversation amused but he turned to them and as if they knew what he was about to say they began to stand.

“Well I can see that you guys need time to catch up, so Michael I guess we will have to reschedule,” said the man who had addressed her first. Michael gave him a curt nod. “Miss Imani it was a pleasure meeting you and I hope to see more of you.” At this there was a low growl from Michael which prompted a deep chuckle from both men as they left them alone.

“How far along are you?” he asked carefully after turning his attention back to her.

“Eight weeks,” she answered.

“And you’re sure it’s mine?” he asked skeptically and effectively putting her on the defensive.

“Well considering you are the only man I slept with it would be difficult for me to rule you out, don’t you think?” she asked the aggression in her voice causing it to rise.

Sighing he looked down at her where she still stooped. “Look I’m not trying to be mean Imani but it is a possibility I can’t rule out. I mean you slept with me and you just met me. How can I be certain you have never done this before?”

The impact of his words caused her shoulders to slump as his words pierced her with their implication. It was quite possible that she was that type of girl as she had put herself in the position to be judged that way – her integrity had been called into question because of the mistake she made.

“You’re right,” she conceded. “It is a possibility that I could be that type of girl as you don’t know me but believe me that is the first time I have been so careless since becoming a Christian ten years ago. I was just going through a lot when you saw me and I wasn’t thinking straight combined with the alcohol I consumed.” Rising to her feet she looked at him conveying the meaning of her words with her eyes. “I’m not asking you to be a part of my baby’s life Michael. It’s just that you deserved to know and now that you do, I guess I can move on with my life free of guilt.” With that she turned to go.

“Wait,” he said reaching out to grasp her arm and halting her progress. She turned to look at him through wary eyes. “I wasn’t dismissing the possibility of being a part of my child’s life. It’s just that this news is so sudden and being the man that I am, it’s hard to trust anyone especially the opposite sex. For all I know you could have deliberately gotten pregnant to trap me as the benefits could be too good to pass up.”

“I did not set out to trap you,” she said in indignation. “I didn’t even know who you were, who you are,” she gestured to him. “I or we rather were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. I am not a gold digger and in case you didn’t hear me before, me and my baby,” she emphasized, “Will be just fine.”

“If the baby is mine,” he continued unperturbed. “I won’t let you take care of it by yourself. I am a family man and as such I won’t let my child grow up without a father.”

She welcomed his position to be a part the baby’s life as she didn’t want it to grow up not knowing both parents but she could foresee there being issues where he might sue her for custody of the child. A judge could easily award him full custody as he seemed to be the more financially stable one of the two. She was still struggling to pay off her student loans for a degree in culinary arts that she didn’t use along with her apartment payments and now an extra mouth to feed.

“When can we get a paternity test he asked,” pulling her from her train of thoughts. Deciding that it would prove futile to argue with him, she answered simply.

“I have my next appointment tomorrow morning, I could ask my Doctor,” she replied simply.

“Who is your OBGYN?” he asked interested.

“Her name is Dr. Judith Grace at Mount Sinai.” He scrunched up his face in concentration.

“I have never heard of her.”

“Yeah well she is the best at what she does,” she replied curtly sensing he had an issue with the OBGYN.

“Are you sure? Because I can recommend one of the best OBGYNs for you.”

“No,” she said putting up her hand. “I trust Dr. Grace and like I said, she is the best.” He decided to drop the matter and she was grateful for that.

“Is everything ok here?” asked Mark who had just entered the lounge. Suddenly she remembered that she was at work and turned to face him. Before she could say anything Michael spoke up.

“Everything is alright Mark. I was just catching up with Imani here. We are old acquaintances,” he offered.

“Oh, ok Mr. Fray I was just worried something might be wrong after I saw your associates leaving,” Mark gave as a way of explanation.

“Not a problem. Is it alright if I take Imani home, there is a lot we need to catch up on,” he said flashing the manager a dazzling smile.

“By all means Mr. Fray,” he said eager to please him.

“Tell Ronald I regret not tasting his Blanquette de Veau but I have some pressing matters to attend.”

“As you wish Mr. Fray,” replied Mark. “Perhaps you would like a takeout box?” he asked eagerly.

“Yes that would be fine Mark but make it two would you?”

“Absolutely Mr. Fray,” and with that he was gone to give the order to the chef.

“He seems to know you personally,” she mused.

“He should. My cousin owns this restaurant.” At that her mouth dropped and she looked at him in disbelief.

“Who are you really?” she asked.

“If you don’t know don’t concern yourself about that right now. Come, let me take you home.”

After collecting the boxes of food, Michael escorted her outside to his car which was an ostentatious red Audi R8.

“You drive this?” she asked incredulously.

“It is mine the last time I checked,” he answered arrogantly before opening the door for her.

“Where to?” he asked after getting around to the steering wheel. She felt alarm bells go off in her head as she anticipated what his reaction would be when she gave him her address.

“Did you hear me?” he asked.

“Ohm, yes. It’s 200 East 161st Street,” she replied before staring out the window.

“You live in the Bronx?” he asked surprised, causing her to whip her head in his direction as her defenses went up.

“Yeah. And?” she asked defensively.