Chapter 8

• Celine's POV
• Coming here instead of going to work for my morning shift is a big mistake. I thought Bryan and I could talk like adults. I came here purposely so that he can give me a chance to see my son and I can beg him till he gives in to my demand but Bryan won't cease to amaze me.
• I have never met any man as stubborn, cruel, and dangerrous as him. His aura emits wickedness and his unsmiling face adds to it. 
• The fear of falling for a wicked man like him made me lose interest in getting the contract done before leaving, even before I figured out I was pregnant.
• Sometimes, I feel stupid for being this way. I feel like an idiot for agreeing to all of this shit but as much as I try to blame myself for being in this position, anytime I think of my son, I feel happy. 
• Jason is a precious gift that I got from the contract as a replacement for my loss. But I can't help but feel stupid for the tingling feeling I feel whenever I think of him. 
• Bryan is someone I am supposed to be miles away from. I am not supposed to be seen around him anymore. But his awareness and hostage of Jason is making me come closer to him despite my intention to be far away from him.
• I sigh loudly, making his PA flash me an apologetic smile. I nod at her with a smile and spin around to leave so I can go to work. I know Bryan works with appointments but I thought he would give me the chance to see him since I am not visiting him in his mansion. 
• The PA had told me without mincing words that he doesn't want to see me. Nothing about Bryan can surprise me. I don't expect him to suddenly become a kind and less rigid man after just four years of being apart from each other.
• "Stella..." I hear his husky voice call and I stand frozen. My palms suddenly become sweaty as it begins to tremble. 
• Is this out of fear or what is this feeling? I ask myself as I stand with my back to him.
• He gives instruction to his Personal Assistant and I wonder why he isn't acknowledging my presence. I twirl round to face him but he walks past me abruptly. I realize he is shunning me intentionally.
• "Bryan", I run after him down the staircase. He did not stop not turning back to look at me. I keep following his long strides, hoping to catch up with him before he is out. 
• His bodyguards are outside and he will have them throw me out once we are out in the parking lot where they are on standby.
• "Bryan, please listen to me", I try to catch up as I walk faster, breathing heavily from the small run. He is quick to enter the elevator as I stop to catch my breath. 
• Before I can run to enter, the door closes and I curse under my breath before turning back to take the long staircase downstairs.
• I once worked here and I know the ins and outs of this company. 
• I was once his secretary and I don't have any difficulty finding the parking lot. My shoes are making the clanging sound as I hurry downstairs, wishing the elevator will stop halfway for me to be out before Bryan is out too. 
• I know my stubborn baby father won't wait for me. He will go before I get there and I need to talk to him now that the opportunity is here. I need to give it a try, even if he doesn't succumb to my wish eventually but I will know I tried my best.
• I have been having weird feelings since yesterday and my curiosity to know about my son's welfare intensified. I can barely do any chores at home, without thinking of Jason. 
• Everything reminds me of him and now that Paxton is giving me a cold shoulder, I feel all alone in the world. Jason is the only relative I have and he is the only one I can rely on to give me the unconditional love that I want and need.
• Bryan will take care of Jason, I know this but I still feel Jason needs me. He needs his mother. I have been with him for four years and I know him better than anyone else. I know what my son wants and what he doesn't. I know what to do to pacify him when his mood swings pop up. I know how best to put a smile on his cute face and I know what he likes best when it comes to his eating habits.
• I almost stumble to the ground on the last staircase but I am quick to grab the banister of the stairs, ignoring the strange look I am getting from the people turning to look at me. I exhale deeply and race out of the door to the parking lot to see Bryan walking to the car waiting for him.
• "Bryan wait", I plead, rushing to his side so I can stop him from entering the door. 
• Once he is in, I know I can't get his attention because the Bryan I know is capable of telling his driver to drive away, not giving a care in the world if I stay out of the way or not.
• "Bryan", I shout and block his way. Our eyes meet and hold each other for a while, with me breathing heavily like someone who had just done a marathon race. He is quiet as he watches me catch my breath and even it.
• I drop my stretch arms and gulp loudly, blinking and thinking of the first thing to say to him to get his attention and have him listen to me.
• "Bryan...", I call but I am cut short by his grunt.
• "Can you please get out of my way? I am in a hurry to go somewhere", he grits his teeth in anger. I am not stunned that he is angry at me because Bryan is always angry when it comes to issues that have to do with me. 
• The first few months of our marriage were hell. I know I was unwanted and at the same time wanted for a reason but he didn't need to make it obvious. Bryan and I never had a real conversation throughout my stay in his mansion. 
• He acts snobbish to me, even when I try to summon up the courage to strike up a family conversation. He always looks angry, making me think I am doing something wrong. His face is never friendly when he is home, despite how handsome he looks.
• "Please, Bryan", I force myself out of my trance. "Please, let me see my son."
• As I plead with my hands clasped together tightly, I eye the bodyguard behind him. They look like they are ready to throw me out once the order is given by their boss.
• "Your son or mine?" He demands, with a smirk. He is enjoying the game he is playing with me. I know I will be punished when he gets to know but I never thought it would be this way.
• "He is my son, Bryan...."
• "Your son?" He cut me short, peering at me.
• "Yes. Ours", I point at him and he chuckles lightly. 
• My face burns with embarrassment for admitting that Jason is his. Jason is ours but I never wanted this to be out. I never wanted him to know but now that he knows, there is no point in hiding the truth from him.
• Bryan is not demanding for DNA because of the striking resemblance between him and Jason. He needs no soothsayer or medical evidence to know that Jason is his.
• "Get out of my way!" He commands me. I kneel immediately and touch his legs. He kicks me away. I stand up again in a hurry.
• "Bryan, please forgive me", I cry and kneel in front of him again.
• "Maxwell get her out of here", he orders his bodyguard. 
• With no hesitation, Marcus grabs me roughly, making me stand on my feet as I shed tears of another lost opportunity of convincing him from doing my bidding.
• As they drag me out of the parking lot, I cry and turn back to see Bryan enter the car and the car drives off.
• "Bryan!" I scream.