We headed over to Felicia who laid there by the poolside like a lazy kitten. I watched Kirk swallow and tugged at the neck of his shirt nervously.

"It's alright, Kirk. Just take a deep breath. I'm with you on this." I offered him a reassuring smile. He nodded and he continued our walk across the poolside and not long after, Drakos emerged from the main building.

He wore his usual business attire, a quarter-pitched white collared shirt, heather grey slacks and black loafers. His hair was slicked back, emphasizing his wide but not too wide, forehead. His autocratic brows drew up upon his approach.

I tried my best not to salivate as he took long, sensual strides towards us. Every step he took was like a fuel to my already horny ass. Our eyes connected and I gulped, hoping he wouldn't catch on to Kirk's motive.

I couldn't let him ruin Kirk's moment so I thought fast and altered my course. Kirk was startled at first but I quickly inclined my head for him to go on as I met Drakos halfway. A satisfied grin tugged on his lips as we neared each other.

"You're looking lovely as ever," He smiled, placing his hands in the pockets of his slacks.

I rolled my eyes at his compliment, placing my hands on my hips. "I've heard that a lot."

"Then you haven't heard it enough." He replied, unaffected by my snide comment.

This guy and his tactics to woo are actually cute. But I'd rather bite my own leg off before I admit that to him. He's been missing in action for almost an entire day and now he shows up doling flattery? He must be feeling himself.

"I'm hungry," I whined, changing the subject from all the crappy fluff.

He cocked his head to the side, studying me with a smile, "I can order from the Chinese restaurant across the street. Would you like to dine in or take out?"

"You know my lazy ass won't be struggling to make it across the street today. I'd rather eat take out and you know what's special dish." I continued to sass him away.

He merely smiled and ran his hand across my cheek tenderly, "Anything you ask for, I'll give it to you and you know that."

The tenderness in his eyes made me want to scoff in disgust. I have no time for this lovey-dovey shit. All I want is to stuff my throat right now. "Whatever, can we just go now?"

His smile faltered and the felicity in his eyes died. He slowly withdrew his hand and I sidestepped him, not lingering to witness the wistful look on his face.

I strolled into the lobby and made my way to the elevators, pressing the button to bring the elevator down just as the adjacent one opened, revealing a grinning Falcon. Stephon probably sucked his soul from his balls this morning because this is the happiest I've ever seen him.

He paused after exiting the elevator and his expression dropped slightly after spotting me but it revamped soon after. It's obvious he doesn't favor me. How could I blame him? At times I dislike myself for being so foolish.

We stared at each other for several seconds before Drakos' approach severed it. He glanced at his brother, his face beaming with joy.

"What is it, Falcon that has you so joyous?" He quirked a brow, stopping beside me.

"Brother, you wouldn't believe it," He said excitedly.

"I bet I would," Drakos deadpanned, used to Falcon's hyperactive behavior.

Falcon rolled his eyes and released a sigh, grabbing Drakos by the shoulder and shaking him with wide eyes. "Guess what?"

My patience wearing thin, I snapped out, "Your public hair grew in assorted colors? You wouldn't believe when I shave my ass, the hair is quite thinner than--"

"Asche!" Drakos scolded, running both hands down his face. Falcon looked absolutely affronted, regarding me with a concerned stare.

I raised my hands in surrender, settling to stay silent.

"I apologize for his abrasive conduct. But truly, what is it that you want to say?" Drakos said, casting me a warning glare.

Falcon stepped back and exhaled, a pleasant smile curving on his lips. "You're going to be an uncle."

"Well coming to America." I couldn't help myself. I wasn't ready and my snide remark wasn't ignored as they both stared at me in disbelief. Then, Drakos shifted his gaze to Falcon and Falcon smiled further with tears swimming in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes, disgusted by the fluff and I was saved by the bell when the elevator finally reached our floor. Drakos was stunned by the exciting news so he was occupied with Falcon, when he eventually caught my movements from the corner of his eye, he called out to me, taking quick steps towards the doors but I had already pressed the button for the doors to close, flipping him the bird as it shut in his face.

Fatigue and shock consumed me and I slid to the floor and wrapped my hands around my knees, expelling a shuddering breath. Stephon is pregnant. He's having Falcon's child. Kirk has the hots for Felicia. That's good but his ass is in danger of catching afire from Drakos' fury if he finds out.

I ran trembling hands down my face as my breathing came out in quick, short breaths. Just relax, Asche. Be calm. This doesn't change anything. Just go to your room and take a nap. By the time you wake up, this will all be shoved in the back of your mind.

Yeah-fucking-right.

I pushed myself up and angrily shoved my thoughts away, feeling a stabbing sensation in my chest as my thoughts trailed on what Falcon said. Why am I feeling like this? Why am I even wasting my brain cells on that traitorous bastard? So what if he's knocked up? Maybe he can stay far away from me now since he'll be too occupied with the child.

Fuck all of them. I'm going out by myself to find something to eat and probably have a glass of wine since whiskey isn't 'safe' for me to consume.

I grumpily exited the small matchbox and headed down the hall to the room we shared. I thought this was supposed to be a getaway. This is a fucking nightmare. And it was getting worse I thought bitterly as I banked around the corridor and found Stephon standing at the door.

I went to turn around and walk into the opposite direction but he called me and I froze, whirling around slowly to face his approaching figure. It took all the strength in me not to punch his face in or kick his balls straight into his ass. Whenever I look at him now, a bad taste comes into my mouth. I couldn't believe we were once very close friends.

"What do you want? I asked irritably.

"Can't you stop bitching just for a second?" He sighed, running his hand through his curly hair.

"No, because I am the bitch and bitching resides within me. Now spill it so I can be on my merry way." I folded my arms over my chest, tapping my feet impatiently.

"Asche, are you going to condemn me for the rest of our friendship?" He gave me a sullen look and I rolled my eyes not feeling an ounce of forgiveness for him. What baffles me about Stephon is that he knew how I have trust issues and the fact that I hold grudges for long and yet he deceived me in the most hurtful way ever. When I felt cornered, he helped to push me further into it. Now I don't trust him at all and what's worse is he's fucking the brother and he's pregnant for him.

I'm going to see a lot of him in the near future whether I liked it or not. But that doesn't mean I have to deal with him. I'm planning to dip out anyway, so it doesn't matter either way.

"Stephon what do you want?" I repeated between gritted teeth, wanting to get away before Mr. Dick Almighty resurfaced.

He looked absolutely wounded by my nonchalant reaction. "So this is how it's going to be? We pretend that all those years of spending precious time together meant nothing?"

Something in me snapped. I don't know if it was his stupid look of guilt or the way my stomach burned with hunger but I snatched him up by the collar of his polo shirt and brought him to me face to face. He was shocked but he didn't try to pry himself away.

"Listen fucking up. I don't care how you feel and I don't care about what you're carrying." When his eyes widened I chuckled mirthlessly, "Yes, your dickwad of a husband ran his guts out to us downstairs so I know everything and news flash, I don't give a fuck. Why should I when you didnt give a fuck about how I feel? When nobody did! Nobody cares about how I feel and what I'm going through! I needed you Stephon and you threw me to the dogs! And you know what? After all that shit you did to me, a part of me still cares, a part of me wants to forgive you but I'll be showing weakness and you'll only take advantage of that. All of you." I didn't know when I started crying. The warm tears ran down my face fluidly and I shoved him away, sniffling. "Congrats by the way, be the best father that you be."

I quickly walked away from him, blocking out the tears that trailed down his cheeks. I have to harden my heart. I have to not care. I can't fall in love. Humans are evil, lying bastards with hidden motives.

What'll happen to my baby if he or she is left to be raised by those dragons? I hurriedly unlocked the door and slammed it shut, stripping my clothes and running into the bathroom, locking the door. My body suddenly felt hot and I scrambled into the shower and turned on the spray to douse the flames burning inside me.

Suddenly feeling emotional, I broke down to tears, sobbing as I leaned against the tiles. Why didn't I just keep my ass to myself? Now I'm up shit creek. All of this could have been avoided. But I'm a stubborn daredevil at heart, so this was bound to happen.

The burning feeling slowly subsided and I sank down on the floor, drained and sleepy. I didn't realize I dozed off until there was banging on the bathroom door. I pitched awake, my heart slamming in my chest. How long was I asleep?

The banging got louder and Drakos' voice sounded from beyond the door, "Asche, baby, please open up!"

My body trembled from being under the cold water and I struggled to get out of the shower, grabbing a white towel and wrapping it around me with trembling fingers. I reached for the door and unlocked it, yelping in surprise when it was shoved open, and it almost hit me.

Drakos came rushing in with fear written all over his face. He snatched me up in his arms and embraced me so tight, I had issues breathing. He stroked my hair and nuzzled my cheek, speaking in his foreign language which actually began to soothe me or to be more precise, the baby. At one point, I felt it ball up but when Drakos spoke in his language, it relaxed.

I trembled in his arms as the cold air from the air conditioning creeped into the room.

"You are cold." He said with concern. I couldn't speak. My teeth chattered and I quaked uncontrollably. I could only muster a nod and he took me in his arms, scooping his arms beneath my legs as I held on to him and placed me on the bed, drying my body with the towel and tucking me into bed.

He climbed in beside me, taking me against him, sighing in relief.

"You're safe," He whispered, kissing my forehead and holding on to me tightly.

Damn him for making me soft all over.

***