OUR BABY

OUR BABY 5

ALEX

I am in London at my parents' house, getting everything ready to return to LA. It was a productive week, and between the meetings and preparing the information for Elizabeth, I didn't have time to think about anything else, which is a relief. These days, I was able to spend time with my aunt Claire, her husband, Mr. Walker, and my cousins, Daniel and his sister Abbie. Abbie is very different from the first three; she is actually nice. I also visited our office facilities here in London. I can say that Daniel and his father have done a good job.

I took my luggage to leave the house. A company driver will take me to the airport. I get in the car and get lost in the incessant rain of London. It has not stopped raining since I arrived in this city. I can say that it has become part of its charm.

My flight takes off after an hour of waiting due to the weather. Several hours later, I arrive at my destination when it is night. I go to my apartment in a taxi, go up to my room, and simply take a shower and go to bed. I am exhausted.

It takes me a little while to get up because of jet lag. I have to arrive on time for the meeting with my father and the engineers. It is necessary to discuss the details of the trip. I got ready with a dark blue textured suit, blue tie, and white shirt, light brown dress shoes. I comb my hair back, take my phone, and go down to the first floor. I noticed that Selene already had my breakfast ready.

"Good morning." She nodded at me.

"Good morning, Selene, thank you." I have breakfast and leave for the office in one of my cars. I already miss driving.

When I arrived at my office, after greeting Lety, my secretary, I entered the meeting room. My father greets me affectionately. We are a very close family. After greeting everyone present, I explained the details of my trip to my father and the engineers, who seemed pleased with how well the projects are going so far.

I go back to my office, sit behind my desk as I turn on my laptop, and I just happen to see, in the news section, a photo of Aithana next to an article about the foundation. I rub my forehead. I had just arrived, and she appeared out of nowhere.

"I think I need a drink," I muttered quietly to myself.

"There's my favorite cousin." Angie walks into my office with a big smile and leaves a loud kiss on my cheek while looking at the photo on the screen.

"Don't tell me it's her?" Angie walks around me and brings the screen closer to read the news.

"Her?" My eyes went in her direction.

"The girl my aunt told you about the night before the trip. The one who has you in a bad mood." Her gaze remains on the screen.

"It's her. She's married. It's a long story, and I don't think you have time, since I see you haven't brought this week's reports."

She raises a finger, agreeing with me and rushes to call her assistant. She talks to her and hangs up. "You're right. I don't have time now, but I want to hear that story. Alex, look at you. I don't know you. It's the first time I've seen you like that because of a girl. I'll buy you a drink tonight. You'll tell me everything. Everything." She emphasizes the word.

"Okay, now I hear you," I say, looking at the folder that her assistant hands us. She has just arrived. Half an hour later, with a satisfactory report, our meeting ends, and my cousin tells me where we will meet tonight.

When it's time to leave and darkness covers the sky, I decide to go to a restaurant for dinner and then to the club to meet Angie. I order a drink, barely making it to the bar in the private area and taking a sip when I get a message from Angie telling me she's not coming. I shook my head, putting the phone aside. I decided to stay. Anyway, I wanted a drink.

The night goes by between suggestive glances from striking women, which I ignore, until it becomes difficult for me to ignore one—of course, she is not like the others.

"Elizabeth?" I asked, thinking I was wrong. She doesn't look like a club girl.

She turns around and looks at me, her cheeks turning red, which I find adorable. I'm worried about seeing her alone in this sea of people. I decided to accompany her to her place at the bar. She introduced me to her friend. A dark-haired girl, not very tall, curvy, nice. After a few minutes of meeting me, she asked me to take care of Elizabeth. I accept without hesitation. I feel the need to do so for some reason.

The night goes by, and the drinks become more frequent. I feel good next to her, she makes me forget everything. I find something in her eyes, something that attracts me.

There comes a time when Julia, Elizabeth's friend, offers us a drink. We drink it and I feel a very strong taste in it. At this point, it is the last thing I am interested in. I let myself go, with the music and the moment. I enjoy the company; when it is time to leave, I offer to take them home. I don't know why, but I feel that something is not right, and I confirm it when we are in the car and I have a strange feeling. It is not just alcohol, it is something else. I feel my skin heat up, and my instincts are on edge...

I wake up in an unfamiliar room, covering my eyes to avoid the sunlight.

"s**t!" I said, touching my head.

I got up to find myself in boxers. I look at my clothes on the floor and start to put them on immediately. I go to the bathroom to improve my appearance and then get out of here. It had been a long time since I drank like this.

I went back to the room and, a little cautious, I opened the door. I walked down the hall trying to recognize something. At the end of the hall, I find several family photos, and in them, I see a face that I recognize. Well, it has some childish features, but it's Elizabeth. It reassures me to know that I'm not in a stranger's house or anything like that.

I went downstairs to say goodbye to her. I feel ashamed, and it bothers me not to remember how I ended up at her house. I had to leave them; I wasn't going to stay.

I find her at the table with a strange expression. s**t! If I didn't have a headache right now, I would ask a little more about her condition, but that will be another time. And I just saw the car outside; James spent the night there.

I said goodbye to her, not wanting to cause any more inconvenience.

"Good morning," James greets, and I get in the car.

"Good morning, James. You must have come home."

"You told me you wouldn't be long." He started the car.

I rubbed my forehead, not understanding my behavior. "I'm sorry James, I don't know what time I decided to stay."

"Don't worry. You'll pay me overtime."

I smiled in denial and closed my eyes during the trip.

When I got to my apartment, I asked James to go and rest. I go up to my floor and take a bath, trying to activate the lost thoughts of last night; however, nothing comes to my mind.

I throw myself on the bed and close my eyes, and as reflections, I see some vivid images of a naked girl. I open my eyes and feel a strange sensation in my chest.