New Year's Eve Baby

Chapter 9

Chapter 9: Revelation

Knight’s P.O.V:

I watched over Elena for the rest of the evening. She was dazzling onstage. Everyone seemed to be enchanted by her; the staff, the judges and even the students. She walked the stage like she owned it, yet, her face radiant, her skin glowing. I even saw a few of the male teachers looking at her with interest.

I curled my hands into fists. No one was getting near her on my watch! Elaine might think that the conversation we had was enough to drive me away, but it wasn’t. Now I knew she wasn’t responsible for that photograph and it just made me want her even more. And I wanted her back in my life, in my bed, by any means possible.

Elaine walked another round on the stage and then she turned back, disappearing behind the stage. I knew this was supposed to be a break for her so the students could ask her tips and get ready for their walk. I took the opportunity to get up from my seat at the Judge’s panel and follow her to the green room.

“Knight.” A voice from the seat beside me stopped me in my tracks.

“Robert,” I smiled at the elder man and held out my hand for him to shake. “It’s nice to see you here.”

“I wish I could say the same,” Robert said, smiling without humor as he shook my hand.

I winced at the firmness of his handshake. It seems Robert was out to crush my hand as well as my company. Robert’s fashion house has been my enemy and rival in business ever since I started my company, so I was expecting the harsh behavior, but for some reason, his behavior today was harsher than normal.

“Have I done something to offend you, Robert?” I asked once I’d freed my hand from his clutches.

“Elaine is like my daughter,” he said in a hard voice, eyes dead serious. “Don’t ever come near her again.”

I felt my jaw lock into a harsh line. “That’s none of your business Robert. She’s like your daughter, she has her own mind, she knows what she wants.”

“And that definitely doesn’t include being another notch in your bedpost.” He spat out. “For now, getting her is only a game for you, but you have no idea what if feels like for a father to watch his precious daughter hurting! You’ll know when you have a daughter.”

His statement was both surprising and infuriating. “You’re right, I don’t know that, and I hope I never do.”

Robert burst out into humorless laughter. “You’re naive for a man your age, Tyson. You’ll find out soon enough.” With that, Robert turned his back to me and strode over to where his wife, Helena, was waiting for him.

I looked after him in confusion. What the hell did he mean by that? And where did this sudden talk about daughters come from? I get that Elena is like his daughter, but what does that have to do with-

You’re sick, let me help you. Did you eat anything stale?

Why do you care all of a sudden?

My eyes widened as realization hit me like a slap back to reality.

Elena had thrown up today. And she no longer walked the runway for the entire duration of the show.

The music came on that instant, but instead of Elena, another model with red hair started to walk down the runway. I’ve seen her before with Elena on different shows, but she wasn’t here until a few seconds ago…could it be? Was Elena…?

Well, there’s only one way to find out now.

****

Elena’s P.O.V:

I changed into the short dress I’d worn today and pulled my hair into a messy bun on top of my head. I’d already washed off all my makeup with my face wash and changed into more comfortable shoes.

I’d thought I’d be able to get through this show without feeling sick but aside from the nausea, now I felt like I could drop dead right at this instant. Why was I so damn tired?

“You’re pregnant.”

I whipped my head around to the source of the voice, my heart hammering so fast, it felt like it’d burst out of my chest. “How did you find out?” My voice was barely above a whisper.

“I’ve been watching you these past three months.” He told me, coming inside the green room and shutting the door behind him. “You never stayed for the entire show. And don’t tell me it’s because you want to stay away from the limelight. I’ve seen all your shows and you’ve always completed them before. Then today, I saw you throw up.” I winced as he said that, but he kept on going. “And just now I had a lecture from Robert that one day I’d learn how it feels like when someone hurts my daughter.”

“Robert told you!” I asked with my eyes wide. Unbelievable! How could Robert just go ahead and tell Knight before discussing it over with me?

“No,” Knight shook his head, coming to stand in front of me. “But I connected the dots.”

I lowered my gaze to my lap, my insides felt all messed up. “It’s not yours.” I lied.

“Of course it is!” I looked up at him as he made that bold statement. “You thought I wouldn’t find out?”

“You’ve been stalking me!” I accused. How could he? Hasn’t he done enough already?

“I want you back in my life Elaine, by any means possible.” He said firmly, kneeling down in front of me so I didn’t have to crane my neck to look up at him. “Our conversation earlier only made it clear that you didn’t sell that photo, but I never said I’d let you go.”

“But you-“

“I won’t hold that tape against you anymore, because I don’t need to.” He tentatively placed a hand on my lower abdomen, spreading his fingers so that the warmth of his skin could seep through. “This child is as much mine as it’s yours and I want to be a part of its life.”

I clenched my hands into fists, not liking where this was going. Now that Knight knew about the baby, he could use it against me; even drag me to court for custody if I refused to let him be a part of my baby’s life.

This child is mine, Knight Blaze Tyson. I’ll never let you be a part of its life.

I remembered the oath I’d taken for my child and only now realized how selfish it sounded. My father had dated several women before he’d met my mother. But in the end they fallen madly in love with each other and had me. I couldn’t imagine my life without my stubborn, strong and loving father. I still remembered the day I’d moved from Canada to LA, how he’d held on to me at the airport as I’d cried on his shoulders. Now I couldn’t imagine my baby not having the love and comfort of a family.

But was Knight really that person? Could he really provide the stability our child needed?

I shook my head. “You can’t.”

“What?” He removed his hand from my abdomen, looking at me with startled eyes.

“You say you want me now, that you want to be there for the child, but…how long before you grow tired of me? How long before another Ava comes into your life and you go chasing after her?” I asked. “Right now, I’m your new obsession, a shiny new toy you’re dying to play with. But I refuse to be that toy, Knight. I won’t be another notch in your bedpost, someone you can discard after you’ve had your fill. I want my child to grow up in a house where he or she’ll know that they’re loved. They need stability and they’ll need someone who’ll always be there to catch them when they fall. And I can’t see you in that role.”

Knight stayed quiet for the longest time. I thought he’d finally give up, that he’d leave me alone, but he seemed t surprise me yet again. When he finally raised his head to look into my eyes, I saw renewed determination and I knew I was fighting a losing battle. But what he said to me next was something I’d have never expected from Knight Tyson.

“Marry me, Elena.”