I'm pacing back and forth in my bedroom, wondering what the hell I should do next. I want to know if Darren is home or did he have a nightcap with this Juju character. Damn Caroline for telling me anything pertaining to his whereabouts and whom he was with. I pick up my phone only to put it back down. This is crazy, I'm crazy for even feeling this way. I should just stick to what I said before, but I can't.

"Knock knock," Cassie says opening my room door. "Oh, you're about to go to bed?"

"Yes and no," I admit.

"What's bugging you?" Cassie lays across my bed. I lean against my vanity thinking of the words to say next. "Just be honest. I can see the wheels in your head trying to find the logic behind whatever it is and then you will find an excuse to justify that thought. So just say it without thinking. On the count of three. One. Two. Three."

"I'm losing my mind thinking Darren could possibly be sleeping with another woman right now. I have no right to feel like I have some claim to this man."

Cassie rolls over on her side and looks at me strangely. "I mean you kind of do, you're having his child."

"No, I don't. Me having his child has nothing to do with him and me being in a romantic relationship nor me telling him who he can and can not be around. That's crazy talk. I will not--"

"Seriously, Alise? You're literally working yourself up over this." she's starting to get annoyed with me. I can see it on her face. "First. you were going on and on about Charlotte and might I add you were on another level. Like the level of insanity. Now, it God knows who. If you want Darren to yourself—you should make it known. You should let him know and set some ground rules."

"Insanity?" I repeat. My feelings towards Charlotte were on another level. The only person besides Cassie who has been a supportive person during my pregnancy thus far and I was ready to rip her head off for multiple reasons. I know she has a good heart, but the thought of her and Darren together more than friends made me dislike her. I can't stand being around her now. Yes, they haven't even remotely stepped over the line of friends to lovers but still.

"Yes, insanity. If she knew the things you said about her and called her. I don't think she would want to be around you. I know wouldn't want to." She mumbles the last part more to herself than me.

"I thought there was something." I defend myself. "Their friendship was too weird."

"So I should assume you slept with Kelvin when I was dating him. I mean you two hung out more with each other when I wasn't around. Remember that time you two went to go see that Marvel movie and didn't even invite me. Or the time you two decided to skip going to lunch with me to day drink. I never accused you two of anything. Do you know why? I trusted you both." She sits up looking me straight in the eyes. "Should I have accused you?"

"What? No! I would never! You know me better than that." My eyes widen. "Kelvin and I were like best friends before you two started talking and then eventually dating. I saw him like a brother—wait."

"Exactly." She gets up from my bed. "Just think about everything and then if you feel like what you did to all parties involved—ahem mainly Charlotte go talk to her and apologize. After all, she and Darren were friends way before you and I were born. Kidding but you get where I'm coming from."

"I do." I sigh heavily.

"Well on that note. Good night. I have an early day tomorrow." She winks at me before exiting my room and closing the door.

What Cassie said made more sense than I would have liked her too. Now that I think about it Kelvin and I would look like a couple to people who didn't know us and then we also probably looked like a cheating boyfriend and backstabbing best friend to the people who did know us.

Wow.

Without thinking I grab my crocs and keys, rushing out of the apartment. I need to see Darren. I need to make things right. The entire drive to the Croakington Estate all I keep thinking about is how will I fix this. Would Darren even want me the way I want him? Would Charlotte forgive me? I pull up to the front gate and the guard motions for me to roll down my window.

"Good evening miss, the estate is closed to any visitors tonight. May I get your name to direct it to the home you are trying to reach, in the morning." He says. Closed to visitors? What? I never had this problem before.

"I'm here to see Darren Reed. My name is Alsie Alexander." I huff in defeat.

"Oh! Ms. Alexander, you're free to go in. I'm sorry for the confusion. I wasn't aware—sorry ma'am. You can go through. I'll let Mr.Reed know you will be coming up." He says nervously.

"Oh please don't tell him. I'm here to surprise him." I rush out as he was turning towards the booth.

"Okay." He smiles. "I need to give you the new key fob. Mr. Kramer changed all the security systems throughout the Estate." He walks into the booth before coming back out with the new key fob. "Here you go."

"Thank you," I say as the gates open up. Now my nerves want to jump all over the place as I near his home. Just keep your cool Alise. I see the lights are off, maybe he isn't home. Wait I think I just saw his bedroom light cut on. I pick up my phone to text him. I don't think I can stomach calling him and hearing another female's voice if he wasn't alone.

Are you busy?

Everything okay? Is the baby okay?

Everything is fine and the baby is doing well. I would like to see you.

I'm about to wash up, but I can head out to wherever you need me right after.

I slide out of the car and rush up to his doorstep. The last thing I need is for him to be in the shower and me sitting out in my car waiting until he was finished. If you know Darren then you know he showers like he is doing a full-length concert. I ring his doorbell.

"Who is it?" He calls out.

"It's me," I respond. The door quickly opens and he has a surprised look on his face. I guess he can't believe it either—hell I'm still trying to believe my actions this entire ride here.

"Well, that was surprisingly quick," He says stepping aside to let me in. "Are you sure everything is okay?" I can see he is slightly nervous right now and he keeps checking out my stomach. I walk in not taking a seat, but I head straight down the hall and he follows. "Alsie, what is going on?"

"Nothing, I told you everything was fine. Can you stop asking me that question?" I get on his bed, tucking myself in. Why can't I just be normal and talk to him? Instead, I come over and do this. "Can you cut the lights off?" I ask.

"Alsie, what are you doing here?" He takes a seat at the edge of the bed. "Don't tell me it's nothing, I know something is going on with you."

"I just wanted to sleep in peace and quiet tonight. Can we talk in the morning?" I yawn.

"You're not going to take any answer other than yes, so I'll just go get in the shower and sleep in the guest room." He huffs.

"You can sleep in here tonight. Good night." I yawn once more, closing my eyes. I just pray tomorrow's conversation will be a good one.