I woke up at 5:00 am sharp. I showered quickly and changed into a blue blouse and jeans. Choosing to wear white sandals, I hurriedly brushed my hair, grabbed my purse and went in the kitchen for something to eat.
Less than 10 minutes of having breakfast, I dashed in the bathroom and threw up my breakfast. God I hated this morning sickness.
This was Malcom’s baby after all, you thought he/she would leave you in peace?!
No, this was my baby, only mine!
I grabbed a pack of crackers and hurried out. I had to reach Malcolm's penthouse before the given time or else my baby and I were screwed.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I walked inside the lofty building my hands clammy with nerves. After asking the man at the reception about Mr. Bennett's apartment, I walked to the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor.
The elevator opened and I shuffled out. I really didn't want to come here but I had little choice in the matter.
I rang the bell, put my paints on the floor and hurriedly checked my wrist watch. I sighed in relief when I realized that I was 15 minutes early.
When the door opened I expected a housekeeper or maid, but I was surprised when Malcolm himself answered the door. My jaw dropped at seeing him shirtless. I mean I had seen him shirtless before, but seeing him like this again after so long brought out unwanted feelings in me.
"Hello, Mr. Bennett," I said formally making sure to keep my eyes on his face.
"Good morning, Ariana, I didn't think you'd actually show up," Malcolm remarked leaning against the door.
"Oh believe me I didn't want to come, but you didn't leave me much of a choice," I replied bitterly.
"Come on in, I'll show you which rooms to paint first and the colors," Malcolm turned and strode inside leaving me to follow. I picked up my supplies and trudged inside Malcolm's penthouse.
His penthouse was huge. I suddenly started fearing for my baby's safety, wondering if Malcolm had me paint every nook and cranny then I would end up exhausted.
Malcolm quietly led me in one of the many rooms. This room had brown and white walls, giving the room a very dull look.
"I want you to start with this room first, I was thinking maybe you should use navy blue and white on the walls, and I want you to paint a fresco of the fires of hell on one of the white walls," he told me calmly, totally oblivious to the fact that I was full on panicking now. Fresco!
He wanted me to paint a fresco! Didn't he know how difficult it was to paint frescoes, not to mention time consuming.
"Mr. Bennett, maybe a fresco is unnecessary, the blue and white walls would be perfectly fine," I suggested meekly.
Malcolm turned and captured me with his gaze. "Ariana, I want you to repaint these walls and paint a fresco, and you're going to do exactly that, I didn't ask for your suggestion nor do I want it, so shut up and get to work," Malcolm replied coldly, his eyes hard.
I nodded afraid of the consequences. "Pardon me, sir, you're right, I - I'll get to work immediately." I turned and opened the paint can that contained the color white. As soon the strong fumes slithered up my nose my head begun to feel heavy, the world spun in front of me causing me to clutch the wall to prevent myself from falling.
"Ariana, are you alright?" Malcolm asked. I swear I heard a hint of concern in Malcolm's tone, but I probably imagined it. The man hated me to the core.
"Yes, I'm fine, Mr. Bennett, just a little dizzy, the smell of these paints is strong, no biggie," I said nonchalantly, but I could see that Malcolm didn't buy it.
"By the way, how is the baby?" Malcolm questioned.
"My baby is fine," I told him while holding my tummy protectively, Malcolm followed the movement.
"Have you had your first scan?" He asked making me wonder why he was suddenly interested in knowing about my baby.
"I - I haven't had it yet," I told him softly. I really wanted to have my first scan but I didn't have the money for it.
"Why not? It's crucial to have a scan during pregnancy, what if there's something wrong with the baby?" Why was Malcolm acting so concerned, this was my baby, he told me clearly he didn't want anything to do with the baby.
"Mr. Bennett, why I didn't have the scan yet is my problem not yours, this baby is mine and I know very well how to take care of him or her, so please mind your own business," I told him in the most respectful tone I could muster.
Suddenly Malcolm left the room and came back in less than a minute wearing a t-shirt and jeans. Without saying a word he grabbed my wrist in a tight hold and dragged me out of his penthouse.
"Mr. Bennett let go of me, stop it." I tried to twist my wrist to break out of his hold but my attempts were in vain.
As soon as we reached the parking lot, Malcolm dragged me to a sleek white car and all but threw me in the passenger seat before closing the door and getting in the driver's seat himself. He quickly started the car and peeled out of the apartment complex.
"Mr. Bennett, where are you taking me, let me go," I shouted earning a harsh glare from Malcolm.
"Keep your mouth shut, Ariana, if you want your baby safe." Malcolm's threat was enough to shut me up.
Satisfied with my silence, he continued to drive to God knows where.