Working With Temptation

Chapter 23 part 1

Sorry it has taken so long but I’ve finally finished all my exams (hooray). You may have noticed that before I wrote in past tense and just suddenly started writing in present- it’s because I don’t want it to be in past tense anymore. I’ll edit when I’m done which won’t be too long from now. Anyway here chapter 23 part 1.

“Because she’s pregnant!” he shouts. I feel the anger drain from me as his words begin to sink in. “Isabelle is pregnant and the baby’s mine.”

 “What?” I whisper.        

 "You heard me! Isabelle’s pregnant!” he shouts again. God, why is he being like this?

 “How?” I croak. He promised me that he only slept with her once and that was before I even met him.

 “Come on Rosetta, I don’t need to describe how two people have sex. You’ve done it enough times to know.” I gasp at his statement. He never uses my full name unless he’s serious.

 “So she’s pregnant,” I say trying to process it.

 “Yes, haven’t we covered that already?”

 “Why are you suddenly acting like this James?” I ask, reaching out to touch his arm and he flinches like I’m a disease. I begin to breathe deeply; trying not to cry.

 “Acting like what?”

 “Cold, not like you at all.” He gives a humourless laugh.

 “You don’t know me.”

 “Yes I do”

 “No! You only know what I wanted you to think. I could hardly get you into my bed if you knew the kind of man I really am.” I shake my head.

“You’re lying. I know who you are and I know that you love me like I love you.” I grab his hand as I say this but he just shakes me off.

“You think I love you. You actually believed me?” Tears began to fall but I couldn’t stop them.

 "James don’t do this.”

 “What? I’m only telling you the truth. I don’t love you; I never have.”

 “I know you do; I could see it in your eyes every time you told me.”

 “Well I must be a better actor then I thought because I don’t love you.

 “Then why did you make love to me?”

 “You still call it making love. It was just sex. Anyway, to answer your question, I only had sex with you because I’m always busy and so is Isabelle. I can’t always go home to her beautiful, model quality body so why not settle for my secretary who’s at my disposal. It wasn’t that hard. Just told you a few nice words and you were mine for the taking.” 

“So you used me,” I whisper feeling all the energy drain from me with every second that passed by.

 “Pretty much, yeah.”

 “And now Isabelle’s-” I take a deep breath trying to control my emotions, “now Isabelle’s pregnant you don’t want me anymore.”

 “Yeah.” I look up and I swore I saw a pained expression but it was gone before I could blink. It was just wishful thinking. He doesn’t really love; he never did. You couldn’t say what he’s saying to me if you did.

 “So it’s over?” I ask.

 “Yeah.” I wipe away my tears as he reaches into his inner coat pocket and pulls out a check book and a pen. “Don’t worry; I’ll pay you generously for your silence.”

 “No,” I say regaining my composure.

 “Name your price,” he says looking me straight in the eye.

 “I. Don’t. Want. Your. Money,” I spell out feeling deeply insulted.

 “Look, here’s a check for one million dollars. Think of it as a gift,” he says putting it in my hands. I rip it up and throw it at him. I can’t believe I never saw the man he truly is. I mean, why would he want me more than a top model? I’ve been in dreamland for too long so it’s about time that I wake up. Straightening my back I look at him with a cold glare.

 “Get out of my office.” He quickly leaves but hesitates at the door before closing it. The sound of the door closing is enough to bring me crumpling down. I crash on my couch with a river of tears streaming down my face. I gave James my heart in exchange for his but now it seems he’s got his back leaving me empty. I loved him; love him.

 “Hey, I heard screaming. What just-” Liz takes in my state and comes rushing to my side. “Rose, what happened?” she hugs me to her letting me rest my head on her shoulder.

 "I-”

“Stop you can tell me later. Right now let’s get you home.” I get my stuff and we leave my office. I honestly didn’t know how I could ever come back.

Please vote and comment (1 word comments are fine).