Baby Steps

Chapter One

Present . . . 

     Positive. Double lines. 

     My eyes stare onto the pregnancy test as I sigh, trying to remember when did this happen. I've never had men over my apartment in months now and work has been on my mind for most of the time. However, I cannot deny nor forget that this happened exactly seven weeks ago—the night of Kate's birthday. 

      s**t. Damn it. I breathe.

     After throwing away the pregnancy test and exiting the restroom, I immediately step back into my office before glancing back at my schedule. I'm free for the rest of the day. 

     ''I'll be leaving early today,'' I speak through the intercom, letting my personal assistant know in which she responds back quickly. ''Call me if there's anything important.'' 

     ''Noted, Bella.'' 

     Leaving the building and finally getting a breath of fresh air feels like I've been trapped for too long when I had just came in at nine. My headache hasn't gotten any better and my mind doesn't seem it would be clearing anytime soon. I have other things to think about, my future, my career and myself—pregnancy is nowhere near in my thoughts. 

     That night was a blur but I remember the slight details. The kisses. The great s*x. 

     It doesn't change the fact that it was a one night stand. This wasn't supposed to happen. We were supposed to use a c****m and I couldn't remember if I had taken my birth control or not. I am never this reckless, never this irresponsible. This is not me. 

     ''What the f**k?!'' Zara exclaims, as soon as I tell her. 

     The two of us decided to have lunch when I called her and said there's something important. She agreed and here we are, having lunch at this new restaurant. We always wanted to try it out but I guess the pregnancy needed to happen first. 

     ''You don't need to be so loud,'' I mutter before taking a sip of my water.

     The amount of people in the restaurant that turned around to look at us doesn't really bother me. I have an unresolved issue which is about the baby inside me. My friends need to know so we can solve it together, at least they would give ideas, they would back me up.

     ''I'm sorry,'' She gazes around. ''But, what the f**k, Bella?'' 

     ''I know. I know. What the f**k,'' 

     ''When did this happen? Who's the baby daddy?'' 

     ''Seven weeks ago, at Kate's birthday party. And I don't know,'' 

     She blinks a few times, ''You don't know? As in, you don't f*****g know?''

     ''What's with all the cussing?'' I groan.

     ''Oh, I don't know! The fact that you're pregnant with some guy you don't know or that you forgot to take your birth control or that you guys didn't use protection. There's a lot of 'what the f**k' things right now,'' She shakes her head. ''We need to find out who's the baby daddy,''

     ''What for? For him to say 'just get an abortion'?'' 

     ''Well . . . is that a choice?'' She raises an eyebrow.

     ''I'm capable of raising the baby on my own.'' 

     ''You are. Financially capable. Emotionally? No.'' 

     I frown, ''Why not?''

     ''You're just not ready,'' She grabs hold of my hand, ''Look . . . Bella, this is news.'' 

     Of course, this is news. Everything about that night was a blur except for those mesmerising brown eyes and cheeky smile. It was foolish of me to act the way I did and now I'm left with the biggest decision. I barely even know the guy, I don't even know his name. 

     ''Even if I want to tell him, I can't. I don't know anything about him,'' I respond. ''We were wasted. I was. He could be anybody and I was so stupid to even invite him over to the hotel,'' 

     ''It happened. We just need to find a solution,'' 

     My eyes gaze out the window, trying to recall anything from that night. It's all clear to me of his appearance, his voice and his smile. I am immediately surrounded by the memories of his hands grabbing onto me, his lips trailing kisses down my body and his breath mixing with mine. It was one hell of a night; I'd give that. Wouldn't exactly turn back time and change anything.

     The way he licked his lower lip. 

     The way he kissed down my neck. 

     Weeks have passed yet the burning sensation can easily be recalled. Regardless of the things I felt that night, it was a breeze—a one night stand in which I didn't have in awhile.

     ''You're smiling.'' Zara mutters, ''Was he that good?'' 

     I roll my eyes, sighing. ''We just need to look him up online,''

     ''How? You don't know anything about him,'' 

     ''Hey, Adam!'' Someone shouts from afar, causing me to turn around and see a teenager walking towards his group of friends before they start a conversation. My eyebrows furrow at the name, realising how it sounds very familiar despite how common that name is. 

     ''Adam,'' I mutter under my breath. ''His name is Adam,'' 

     ''Adam? That's cute,'' 

     ''Yeah, it's Adam.'' 

     That night was not exactly a blur. I didn't really forget everything. We had a conversation, a short one but it was enough for me to realise that we didn't straight away kiss when we got back to the hotel—we were talking as we were undressing. As I was undressing. That's why his voice is so clear, vivid. 

      ''I can't believe your name is Adam,'' I scoff.

      ''Why? It's very common,'' He smiles as I wrap my arms around his neck, ''You probably know an 'Adam' too.'' 

      ''Nope. No Adam in my contacts,'' I begin to kiss his neck before letting his lips meet mine as we both walk towards the bed. My eyes glance up at his face as I breathe, seeing him staring back at me with the same intensity—how can this stranger be so attractive? Why can't I find someone attractive sober?

      ''You want to be in my contacts?'' I utter.

      ''I want to be in you.'' 

      I laugh, ''That would be very nice.'' 

      After everything, I remember seeing him holding my phone as he types in his number before proceeding to kiss me. 

     ''s**t! Oh, shit.'' My eyes widen, immediately grabbing onto my phone.

     ''What? What is it?''

     My hands shake as I see the name. 'Adam' being the first in my contacts, admitting that I've never known anyone named Adam. This must be the Adam I slept with that night. ''I have his number, Zara. I have his number in my phone . . . this whole time,'' 

     ''Oh . . . s**t, are you going to call him?'' 

     ''I don't know. I'm—I'm confused,'' I stutter.

     ''Maybe, we should wait for the girls to—what are you doing?'' Zara's eyes widen as she sees me typing on my phone before hitting send. It was an adrenaline rush and it was my gut telling me to get it over with, I didn't hesitate. I typed what I wanted to say and I clicked 'send'. 

     ''You're right. I want to tell him,'' I look up.

     ''What did you send?''

     'I'm Bella. Can we talk?' Simple. Clear. Now I just have to wait for him to respond.

     My phone rings and I look down to see his name appearing on the screen. Both Zara and I have our eyes wide as we look at each other, not expecting for him to respond this quick or call me instead of replying to the text message. ''What should I do?'' I panic.

     ''Pick it up! Pick up!'' Zara points at my phone.

     I pick up the call and place the phone near my ear as I wait to hear for his voice. 

     ''Hello? Bella?'' Adam says through the other line, his voice clear but a bit nervous.

     ''Hi.'' I respond.

     ''It took you awhile to contact me,'' He chuckles before clearing his throat, ''How are you? You're doing okay?'' 

     ''I just want to get things straight.'' 

     He stays quiet for a few seconds, ''Of course. What's wrong?''

     ''I need to say this in person. When are you free?'' 

     ''Um . . . I'm free the day after tomorrow. Is that okay with you?'' 

     ''Perfect. I'll meet you during lunch.'' 

     ''Okay, Bella. I'll text you the address,''

     I hesitate on what else to say as I look up at Zara, seeing her staring back at me as she waits for me to respond. This man, Adam, is a complete stranger and it's better to tell him because he deserves to know—that's it. I will leave, make sure he has no part in this and everything would be fine. Whatever happens next, is all my choice and my decisions. 

     ''Right. Goodbye,'' I immediately hang up.

     Zara looks at me, ''What did he say?'' 

     ''I'm meeting him the day after tomorrow.'' 

     ''Wow . . . you okay?'' She asks.

     I smile. Trying to get myself together; everything is going to be okay. I'm a big girl with my own responsibilities. I've been handling myself just fine for the past few years. There is nothing in this world that can come in between, stop or hold me. 

     I'll just let him know. And leave.