Underneath It All (30 page)

“Is that for real?”

“Yeah, you, Agata, plus me of course, and the rest of the expedition team.” A charming smile radiated from Caleb, adding to all his evident sex appeal. “Dimitri is waiting for you outside. It’ll be a good practice so just go ahead and enjoy your outdoor photoshoot.”

“Thank you, Caleb. I really appreciate everything,” I said sincerely.

“You don’t have to thank me, Agata. I just like seeing you smile.”

For a few seconds neither of us spoke but it wasn’t uncomfortable silence for once.

“Uhm, Agata, let’s go,” Dimitri called.

I gave Dimitri a quick nod. “I’ll see you later.”

“Later.” Caleb grinned widely.

The engagement photoshoot was held in the Los Angeles arboretum and botanic garden located in Arcadia, just a short drive east from downtown L.A.

The scenery was beautiful. I had never seen a collection of wild peacocks in this quantity that roamed free around a park.

We were able to take beautiful pictures of their plumage while the couple posed for the most romantic shots.

I stood there and felt a little envy. I grew up believing romantic love was such a nice thing, just like that of my parents and even if I didn’t want it right now, I still envied and longed for it.

The days went on and turned into weeks. All the while, things continued as they normally should. I would get up in the morning, have breakfast, and then go to work. I was more likely to be a person married to my work than anything else the way things were going.

There were still instances of vomiting the rest of the night and day. I wanted to go visit a doctor but afraid what the doctor might say.
What if I’ve only got a few more months to live?

One day, we were having a snack at the pantry with some of my colleagues when news broke on national television.

“After months of being in the center of controversy since he announced the demolition of Gates University, Reeve Gates has put a stop to the demolition and announced his upcoming wedding with Eve Cromwell.” I came to believe that the love of a woman is a man’s weakness.

My food dropped from my spoon.

Caleb came rushing inside the pantry. He must’ve known the news about the upcoming wedding was aired.

“Agata.” A look of concern on his face.

I weakly smiled at him and for that moment both of us was frozen in time, staring at each other. I broke down into a fit of crying and sobbing to my heart’s content. Caleb pulled me in and I cried into his shirt, not caring if I look like a wimp right now.

“Excuse me.” I rushed to the bathroom when I felt my stomach swish again. I was nearly tripping on my heels. Something was different this time. Something was wrong.

***

I had passed out and when I woke up, I was in the hospital. A dextrose IV was placed into the bend of my arm. I tried to get up and took the IV with me.

I opened the door of my room and saw Caleb outside. His back was to me and he was talking to someone over the phone. No, he wasn’t just talking; he was arguing with someone and I happened to overhear it.

“You can fool everybody else but you can’t fool me. This wasn’t part of the plan, Eve! Why the hell didn’t you tell me she’s
pregnant?
”

I stepped out of the room and walked a little bit closer to him.

“It’s hers, not yours. You falsified the result didn’t you? You and your aunt, Via.”

“You go to hell with Reeve. I don’t want anything to do with you anymore.”

“I’m glad you’re finally awake, Ms. Ferrero.” The doctor’s greeting caused Caleb to stop talking and turn around to face me.

When he saw me, his face turned completely pale.

“You shouldn’t be walking around. You’re still weak; it’s bad for you.” The doctor led me back inside the room.

“What happened to me?”

“The report says they found you in the bathroom…unconscious. They thought you’d hit your head, but you’re okay now, and so is the baby.”

“What baby?”

“Don’t you know you’re pregnant?” the doctor asked.

All I could do was sit there at the edge of my bed and stare at the doctor in shock.

“I had a pregnancy test before and the result said no.”

“The results won’t lie Ms. Ferrero. You are ten weeks pregnant, unless…”

“Unless my previous doctor lied,” I continued his sentence.

Caleb stepped inside the room. “Agata…you scared the shit out of me. You can’t pass out on me like that…you can’t do that to me.” He rubbed his palms up and down his face, ruffling his hair.

“Did I make you worried?” I frowned.

“I was terrified; I can’t lose you.”

I wasn’t even moved by his concern.

“I’ll leave the two of you to talk,” the doctor said. “Ms. Ferrero, just go back to bed and relax. You need a lot of rest.”

“Thank you, doc.” With that, he left.

“Agata…” Caleb swallowed.

“I heard everything.” I went straight to the point. “Now, I want you to tell me what’s going on and what you and Eve have to do with all of this.”

Caleb let out a wry smile. “W-what are you talking about, Agata?”

“Don’t lie to me!” I slapped him with all the strength left in me. “I’ve had enough bullshit! I want the truth, Caleb!”

Caleb held his jaw and slumped into the nearby chair.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured.

“Now tell me, when Eve announced her pregnancy, that was my result not hers, right?”

He slowly nodded his head.

“Eve and I have known each other since we were little. We both grew up here in L.A. She was my ex-girlfriend. She left me when she met Reeve when we were in our junior year,” he started.

I chuckled sarcastically. “So you don’t know her on a personal level, huh?”

“Reeve never really liked her. She was desperate to take him away from you. She saw me during the annual ball and noticed I was interested in you,” he continued.

“Motherfuckin’ bitch,” I cursed underneath my breath.

“She convinced me to draw you away from Reeve. It was all plotted, Agata. The convention, when we bumped into each other at the university, the newsletter and your phone. I deliberately took it from you when you weren’t looking.” He confessed everything. “But I didn’t know you’re pregnant. If I only knew—”

“It’ll make no difference now, Caleb. You both ruined my life and the family I always dreamed of.” Tears started to snake down my face. “Now book me a flight back to Boston; I’m gonna get my man back.”

Chapter XXXIII

Hang In There

The doctor signed my release papers and I immediately flew out of L.A.

Caleb handed me back my phone with completely zero messages in my inbox and no voice messages at all. What a complete jerk.

I turned my phone off and shoved it back into my pocket. Finally, I was going home.

I felt my stomach flip as the plane began to make its descent. I watched in my window as the buildings, houses, trees, and people became larger and larger. I stared at my watch counting the minutes until I would see Reeve again. The plane wheels connected with the runway and everyone jerked around as the pilot tried to steady the aircraft.

I stared impatiently at the seat-belt sign that would allow me to get out of my seat. It blinked off after a few minutes and I inched my way to the gate, bouncing in anticipation.

I stood in the aisle and waited for the people in front of me to walk. My patience was getting the best of me but I tried not to show it in front of all these people. I suddenly felt like I was back in the hallways of Gates University trying to creep around them but I couldn’t. The line began to inch its way forward and after what felt like an eternity, we eventually made it outside of the plane and into the tunnel that led to the airport.

After five and a half hours of flight, I had finally arrived in Boston.

I got myself a cab to take me to Dr. Cromwell’s office. I couldn’t wait to hear the truth from her. I needed her to testify. I needed her to get Reeve back.

“Just wait for me here; I just need to get something,” I told the taxi driver.

I knocked on the door of her clinic twice but no one answered. I tried to knock again, but still got no response.

“It has been vacated by the former occupant.” I heard someone speak. It was the janitor cleaning the hallway.

“Since when?”

“Just a week ago.”

“Would you know where they transferred?”

“Her assistant told me Dr. Cromwell is leaving the country.”

“What?” I asked in disbelief.

The janitor strode off and continued cleaning.

I was left standing still. Dr. Cromwell took off with my result…with my only hope that would bring me back to Reeve.

Would he believe me if I show up and tell him I’m pregnant?
It has been a month, Agata; he might think the baby is not his
.

Would he find it in his heart to forgive me after breaking up with him? God, I started losing hope.

I ran back to the cab and instructed the driver to take me to Sharon. I wanted to see my parents. I wanted to clear my thoughts of everything before I faced Reeve.

We arrived at our house and the driver helped me unload my suitcase and carried it in front of our porch.

I noticed the door was locked.

“Hey,” I called the driver. “Just wait for me for a sec.” He nodded.

I knocked a few times and called for my Dad but no one was answering my call. Where the hell are all these people?

I fished my phone out of my pocket, turned it on and saw that there was a text from Mikael, sent a couple of hours ago.

Mikael: We’re at Boston Medical right now, I rushed Rogue to the hospital. She’s having contractions. Agata, I can’t lose her.

It felt like everything was happening in a whirl around me and all I could hear was the pulse in my ears.

I told the driver to take me to the hospital and called Mik along the way.

“Mik, how’s Rogue?” I asked, my voice was already shaking in absolute fear.

“Agata, I need you to be here.” Mik’s voice trembling.

“I’m coming; I just arrived from L.A. I was about to surprise you all that I’m back and I’m never leaving again,” I assured him. “She’s gonna make it.” I took a deep breath and steadied myself. I needed to be strong for my brother.

I paid the driver and stepped out of the taxi. I ran up the steps of the hospital and through the door. I made my way to the nurse’s station and passed by several patients as they moved toward the elevators.

I looked for Rogue’s room as soon as the elevator opened. I saw Dad when I turned into the corridor. He looked up and met me with a hug.

I pulled away and asked, “How is she?”

“She’s hanging in there,” Dad replied.

“I thought she was due in June? Dad it’s too early; the baby is not ready. Rogue is only seven months.” My voice escalated in pitch.

“We have to be calm and be strong for your brother.” Dad laid a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“I know,” I answered, nodding my head vigorously as fresh tears started to spring from my eyes.

“Somebody want to tell me what’s going on?” I heard Reeve yell, talking to the doctor and I froze for a split second when I saw Eve with him.

“Excuse me, Dad, I’ll just go inside the room.”

Dad nodded and sat by the chair in the hallway.

I found the nurse checking her vitals when I went inside. Rogue was hooked up to a fetal monitor, IV drips, and other wires that were making her more uncomfortable. “How is she?” I looked at the nurse and the woman smiled.

“She’s halfway there.”

I nodded and placed a hand on Rogue’s head, pushing back her hair. “How are you feeling?”

She grabbed my hand and squeezed it as an intense contraction ripped through her. She released my hand when the contraction subsided and smiled at me.

“Just a few more hours and he’ll enter the world,” she smiled through pain as her whole body trembled.

The door of the room opened revealing the contorted face of Reeve. His focus was on Mik; I wasn’t sure if he even noticed me.

He grabbed Mik by the collar and pushed him against the wall out of anger.

“If something happens to my sister, you better go back to hell where you came from ’cause I swear I’m gonna make your life a living hell!” Reeve shouted in rage.

“Reeve!” I yelled to get his attention. I walked over to them and tried to stop him. “This is not the time to let your anger consume you! Your sister needs you. Please let go of my brother,” I pleaded.

Reeve did not move for a second. He eventually let go of Mik. He turned around and stared at me for a moment, his chest rising and falling from his heavy breathing.

He just walked past me and went to Rogue’s side of the bed.

“Hey baby.” He leaned down and kissed her head. “How are you feeling?”

“I’ll be okay…Arghhh!” she screamed, clutching onto her brother’s hand.

“Feel free to break my hand from squeezing,” he offered.

“Thank you,” Rogue uttered. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, Reeve,” she cried, wincing as the pain shot through her again. “Don’t be so mad at Mikael. He’s the father of my child and I love him.” Rogue extended a hand for Mik and he took it.

“It’s all right, I’m right here,” Mikael said encouragingly as he squeezed her hand and kissed her head.

“Just promise me you’ll survive this.” Reeve gritted his teeth and willed the tears not to fall.

The pillow that was placed behind her head had slipped down behind her shoulders and upper back. She was too tired and sapped of energy to move it. The following contraction hit her with greater force, causing her to cry out in pain.

I couldn’t stand seeing and hearing Rogue as the pain clenched her insides, so I stepped out of the room.

The smug look on Eve’s face welcomed me. She was standing in the corridor, doing something on her phone.

“Agata.” I heard a familiar voice call my name. It was Reeve’s mother.

“Amanda!” I exclaimed and hugged her. I was surprised and very happy to see her.

“I’m glad to see you,” Amanda said.

I introduced to her my dad and they both shook hands.

“It’s nice to see you again, Agata.” I heard Rufus Gates say from behind. He was in his wheelchair and he looked paler than before.

I smiled at him and looked at Amanda. Our eyes were talking.

“Yeah, after all that he did to me, I’m taking care of him. He deserved a second chance. We all deserve a second chance, Agata,” she stated as she squeezed my shoulder.

“I am so happy to see you free, happy, and with your family again.” I could feel the tears threatening to fall from my eyes but I quickly blinked them away.

“What a nice reunion,” Eve commented. I caught her rolling her eyes before she turned her back on us.

I forced myself to be civil in front of Dad and Reeve’s parents. I just brushed her off, though she was badly taunting me.

I breathed in and let out a deep breath. “You were saying something?”

“What?” She walked toward me and sized me up from head to toe. “Why did you have to come back?”

I took a step forward until we were inches apart. My arms crossed over my chest.

“I came back to claim what is rightfully mine,” I whispered.

She chuckled. “See this ring?” She brought up her hand and wiggled her fingers.

I was in danger of bursting.

“You’re too late,” she breathed in front of my face.

I wasn’t able to control myself. I got one hand free and slapped her face. Hard. It made a cracking sound in the stillness of the floor we were on. It was the same rage I had shown in Reeve’s room when I caught her with him.

I strangled her; I wanted to crush her airway, making the blood vessels in her eyes pop open and bleed.

“Honey, calm down.” Dad tried to pacify me.

“I’m not in the mood for pep talks today,” I hissed, as Eve gasped for air.

Eve coughed but there was no way I was letting go of her neck.

“Tell him the truth, you bitch! Tell him!” I screamed loudly, startling the nurses stationed on the floor and family members outside other patients’s room.

“You’re pathetic,” Eve choked out.

“You’re a fuckin’ liar! I am borderline dangerous right now; I swear I could kill you!” I was hyperventilating and crying at the same time.

“Agata, stop it,” Reeve said sternly, as he placed a firm hand on my arm.

My gaze was pulled forcefully to meet Reeve’s as he tried to drag me away from Eve.

“I’m not letting you get away with this, bitch,” I said dismissively, letting her throat go. My voice choked with emotion, the words came out in a hoarse whisper.

“Mom, take Eve away from here,” Reeve said. Amanda quickly moved and hauled Eve out of my sight.

Reeve’s eyes were locked on mine, his breath ragged and unsteady.

“Let go of my hand,” I told him.

“If I let you go, do you promise to stop behaving like a Neanderthal?”

I nodded my head, tears of anger pooling in my eyes.

Reeve slowly released his hold, and I remained quiet for several seconds. High-pitched wailing from Rogue filled the silence. All of us hurried inside her room. The nurse stepped out and called for her doctor.

“Rogue, breathe.” I held her hand and encouraged her. Reeve was pacing back and forth squishing his forehead. Mik kept one hand on her stomach while watching the heart monitor at her side.

The doctor walked in, snapped on a pair of gloves, and checked Rogue’s dilation.

“How much longer?” Mik asked.

“She’s now at five centimeters,” the doctor announced. “Once she has regular, painful contractions, each lasting about sixty seconds every five minutes for an hour, please call my attention,” she instructed me. “We’ll talk when I check on you again.”

“Why is she taking so long?” Reeve asked exasperated.

“Mr. Gates, I know her pregnancy hasn’t been easy and I’m so sorry that the birth has been proving difficult as well, but I would like to set your expectation. A pregnant patient with a prosthetic valve is at a high risk of fetal and maternal complications. Those complications include thromboembolic phenomena, valve failure, and bacterial endocarditis. Most of the time they do not tolerate major surgical procedures such as Caesarean sections very well,” the doctor explained. “Given a high rate of maternal risk associated with either vaginal or Caesarean delivery in most pre-term births, I will let you decide which route to take.”

“We don’t have any other option left.”

“Both routes are deemed dangerous for her,” the doctor stated. “If she hasn’t progressed, we might have to consider surgery, for the baby and her sake. Emergency C-section is the best option.”

“Let’s get him here safely; whatever it takes,” Rogue blurted.

“Let’s go for a C-section,” Reeve agreed.

Rogue cried out as another contraction hit her. Reeve looked almost ready to burst into tears at the sight of her so helpless and racked with pain.

“It’s gonna be okay,” Mik leaned forward and soothed her belly.