Playful Desires

SEDUCED TO SLEEP C12

Oh, boy. This was her chance. But f**k, her throat was so dry and she couldn’t bring herself to speak. She’s sweating yet her whole body felt cold.

Austin was rendered a fool for a few minutes. In his mind, he’s disappointed that she’d been with another man. He knew it’s foolish to think that she wouldn’t. She’s quite straightforward when it comes to her s****l desires. He doubted she would actually go celibate after he left. Still, knowing it happened made him feel dismayed. He tried to properly deal with those feelings. He has no right. She made no commitment to him. She was free to be with anyone at that point. He covered his face with a hand as he controlled his emotions, not wanting them to see exactly how it was affecting him. He didn’t want them to witness a terrible reaction. He’s having an internal turmoil. Now, her father’s insistence to get her engaged and married to a qualified bachelor makes sense. This was the reason.

Anthony was unable to get more info about Austin. His daughter gave him no reason to surveil her actions. She was a capable woman who can take care of herself. He only began monitoring her activities and the people around her after she told him she was pregnant and she’s keeping it despite the father’s absence in their lives. He was furious and cursed the bastard for his lack of a backbone.

Paige took deep breaths and reached for his arm. She held him as things began to unravel in his head.

One year and five months. So, she got together with a man seven months after they parted ways. Here, his rationality returned. Wait a minute. A woman’s pregnancy lasts nine months. His heart raced even more as he sharply turned to face her.

“He’s one year and five months?” He needed to confirm.

“Yes.” Her voice trembled as she knew the inevitable has come.

“Is he mine?” Calculating back the months, she’s already two months pregnant before they ended their agreement. Did she not know, then? He knew for a fact that she wasn’t with another man during that period.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” He asked somewhat harshly. If he’s the father, he has a right to know. Why didn’t she inform him? Raising a child is a decision two people has to make.

She deflated under him. “I . . . I wasn’t sure if you would want me to keep the baby. I didn’t want to ask because I already decided to keep him. I didn’t want to argue about it. Also, you were already focused on your business. I knew you were very busy. I didn’t want to distract you and hinder your progress. I knew being responsible for a baby might set you back, so I decided not to tell you.”

Anthony was at a loss. If his daughter didn’t mention it, he would never have thought that this man is actually the bastard who got her pregnant. But from what he’s hearing, it was his daughter who kept it a secret from Austin. He knew nothing. His reactions were quite realistic.

“f**k, Paige. You just decided on your own?” He couldn’t help his rising tone. He felt terrible, not knowing about this part of his life. He got up as he began to feel restless.

“I’m sorry.” She sounded weak and helpless.

Anthony didn’t know how he should support her in this instance. He doesn’t feel good witnessing their exchange. He can understand the man’s concerns and he did feel his daughter was in the wrong here.

“You didn’t think I would want to be part of his life?” He directly asked her.

“That’s not it. I just thought you would want to focus on your business.” She stood as well and reached for him. She hoped he would calm down.

“f**k that! One year and five months. Isn’t he old enough to remember he has no father until now?” This was a real concern for him. He didn’t want his child to remember he wasn’t there in the early years of his life.

“I’m sure he wouldn’t remember. He’s still too young.” She tried to assure him.

“If I hadn’t come to you, were you planning to tell me? When did you plan to tell me?”

Paige got quiet. It was true that she hadn’t really planned to tell him anything. She took a moment to give her answer. Austin felt a little impatient.

“Maybe if he asked. If he wanted to know who his father was, I would have told him. And if he wanted to meet you, I would find a way. I would arrange for the two of you to meet up. By then, I would have told you.”

“Damn it, Paige! When is that? When he’s old enough remember he didn’t grow up with a dad?” Austin was truly angry with her reply. She cut him off. She effectively separated him from his son’s life. The news was a shock to him, but his stand was clear. If he knew he has a son with her, he would have been there for him. For them.

Paige swallowed hard, bothered by his reaction. She’d never seen him angry and this was the first.

“I-I’m sorry. I really am. I just didn’t know what I should do back then. I just did what I thought was best. I’m sorry that I assumed wrongly. We weren’t exactly in a relationship. I didn’t know what your opinion on kids was. It was something we never discussed. I was afraid to tell you. I thought for sure you wouldn’t want to be involved. You were ambitious and I truly wanted to see you succeed. I didn’t want to burden you with a kid.”

“He’s my kid, Paige.” His expression showed his sorrow and regret.

“I know. He’s yours. If you’re ready to be his father, then you can . . .” Tears already lined her cheeks. She was crying as she felt guilty. His questions hit her hard. She acknowledged that she was at fault and they couldn’t turn back the time. They already lost that.

Austin took a step back and moved away from her. f**k! He needed time to properly think about all these. He knew he wouldn’t be able to think well when he’s charged with various emotions.

“Austin . . .” She went to approach him but he gestured for her to stop. He shook his head.

“I need time to think about this.”

“I understand.” She truly does.

He took a deep breath and faced the man of the house, “I’ll excuse myself. Sir.”

He merely nodded to Paige before heading for the door and leaving.

“Austin, wait!” She tried to stop him but it was useless. When she reached the door, he was already in his car and driving away within seconds.

“Let him be.”

“He shouldn’t be driving. That’s dangerous, especially when he’s upset. He might not pay proper attention on the road.” Her concern was legitimate and the old man perfectly understood.

“He’ll be fine. He’ll probably drive just a few blocks away. There’s no need for him to go anywhere far.”

“I’m still worried. What should I do?” Paige turned to him. Anxiety was written all over her face.

“Give him time to think things through. He just realized he lost more than one year of his son’s life. It sounded like he would’ve taken responsibility if you told him.”

“I also felt that he would, but as I said . . . I didn’t want to bother him. I wanted him to focus on his business.”

“Did you hear yourself? Do you understand why he’s upset?”

“Yeah. I do. And I truly am sorry.”

“Well, it’s good that you acknowledge what you did wrong.”

“Do . . . do you think he would break up with me? He was angry. I’ve never seen him like that.”

“What do you think? His reaction implied the he wanted to be part of your son’s life. I doubt he would run away, especially now that he knew. I say he has more reason now to stay with you. He’s probably digesting everything. He’ll come up with a plan. A businessman like him feels more confident when they have an effective plan to execute.”

Paige almost smiled at his words, “You’re a businessman. Are you the same way?”

Anthony chuckled. “Why are you asking me? You’re one, too. Have you forgotten?”

She took deep breaths as she looked outside. Where did he go? When will he come back?