AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 19
Love isn’t complicated. People are. - Anonymous
Natasha
It's been two weeks since I found out I was pregnant. It is date night, and I'm supposed to be meeting Anton after he takes care of some business at one of his restaurants that he owns. I am in the car with a goon driving as usual. I am thinking this might be a good night to let Anton in on the fact that I am carrying his child. I am for sure nervous about it, and to outweigh that nervousness I decided to put on something super sexy. After all, I might as well wear what I want when I can get away with it. At 7 weeks pregnant I am feeling all the symptoms, and I know soon my stomach is going to start growing along with those. I won't be able to wear things like this anymore.
The car stops in front of the restaurant, and we have been to this one before. Actually, it is my favorite of all the restaurants I've seen that he owns so far. It keeps dim lighting and it is very romantic. There are small sections kind of set away from everyone else, but you can still see everyone from where you are. So, you don't feel like you're all on your own.
Candelabras sit in the middle of the tables, and the wait staff will burn them if you ask. And the food being exquisite doesn't hurt either. Though, I am partially afraid that I won't be able to keep it all down. My morning sickness has been bad. I had to call my doctor about it because I really didn't know what to think of it. It turns out the sicker you are the healthier they think the baby is going to be… fun.
I sashay into the restaurant; a goon is arm and arm with me leading me inside so that I can find Anton. I think it is more about protection or possessiveness than it is about me finding where Anton is sitting.
I spot him, and his eyes go up and down me immediately just as I suspected. My dress is a pale pink, and it ties up at the back around my neck, there's a long ribbon that extends from the right-hand side. The left side has a gap just below my breast leaving part of my stomach and back showing, and the skirt is very tight with a daring split at the right-hand side right where the ribbon drapes over it. It gives the illusion of being naked but covers all the essentials in a better way than that white dress he gave me ever did.
I smile as Anton takes over for the goon, coming around to pull my chair out for me and then push it in. “I hope you don't mind but I've already ordered for you. We are going to be having a four-course meal. I know you'll enjoy it. I hope you're not mad. I wanted to do something special for you.”
I nod at Anton and smile. I know now that he means well when he does things like this. In fact, it makes me feel more secure about having a child with him under the circumstances. He will never let anything happen to him or her. He will protect the both of us, whatever it takes.
The waiter comes over to bring the food and check on us, and I immediately order water with lemon. I can't exactly drink the wine that's in front of me. That would hurt the baby.
"This is all very romantic. What's the occasion?" I ask him as I eyed the appetizer; shrimp cocktail, something I will not be eating. I just hope Anton doesn’t notice my sudden disdain of fish. Something about it just makes me want to hurl, I guess that is bound to happen though.
Anton smiles, that smile I love of his and also hate at the same time. Is that possible? "Well, we are engaged, aren't we?" I give him a look under my eyelashes.
"Technically there is no ring on my finger, " I say. But that's when he pulls one out of his pocket. It is a small ring box, actually, that lets me know exactly what it's for. I can't help but gasp when he opens it in front of me. The diamond is huge, and it is surrounded by tiny sapphires. They are the same color blue that he loves me to wear. “It's a gorgeous ring,” I let him know as I allow him to slip it on my finger. The finger that tells everyone I am engaged. Now I feel obligated to tell him about the babytonight. I feel like everything is more official now.
I am about to tell him, when I spot someone coming in the door. My eyes narrow at the man who helped bring me into this world.
He left Miami. I didn't expect to see him again for a long time, if at all. Especially after the way he left things. And yet, here he is in a restaurant owned by Anton. This can’t be a coincidence.
I look down my nose at Anton suspiciously. I don’t know if he’s got anything to do with this or if he knew that the man was coming. It's hard to believe that Sergei Kolosov himself is in public for no reason.
Anton follows my gaze to look behind us. That's when he sees him. I realize, observing the look on Anton's face that he did not know Sergei was coming. So, I guess I can't be so angry at him about the fact that my father suddenly showed up when we're supposed to be on the date when the ring is finally on my finger. It reeks of something businesslike, or of something sinister.
He saunters over to us as if it's nothing, and he looks at us with big eyes like he had no idea we would be here. I know better than that, and I cross my arms over my chest. I'm not having his bullshit today. I'm going to make sure he knows it.
The waiter comes over and asks us if we want Sergei to sit with us. He tells the waiter to get him a chair that he's definitely sitting with ustonightthat we would be pleased see him. I roll my eyes, and Anton looks weary.
"What are you doing here, Daddy?" I ask with sarcasm dripping off the last word. He's not my daddy, he is not my father, he is not anything but a sperm donor at this point to me.
"Can’t a father just come visit his daughter and her fiancé?" he asks innocently as he is brought some wine and a menu. Our entrees are out now, but I have lost my appetite. I am not buying this act for a second.
"Mr. Kolosov," Anton greets my father with a bow of his head. Anton has to show him respect regardless of how he feels about him personally. They have a deal, a deal that involves me. It almost makes me want to be mad at Anton again, but I look down at the ring on my finger and remember why we are here. We do have actual feelings for each other, and I am carrying his child. Hating him is not worth it. I can direct all my anger at my father just fine.
“Anton, so lovely to see you. I see you finally put a ring on my daughter's finger. It looks like the deal is being held up well. If you need any help for wedding planning, please let me know. I will only accept the best for my daughter.”
“As I only accept the best for my clients,” Anton reminds him. “In fact, I am wondering if that is what you were here to do; to personally foresee the first shipment.” My father is clearly insulted; however, they have a business deal, and he is not going to say anything unless the business deal is broken. I'm not breaking the deal, at least, not my father's end. So, there's no reason for Anton to be in trouble for this. I'm just trying not to laugh. I did not expect Anton to finally stand up for me.
My father clears his throat to say something just as the waiter comes back up to take his order. He orders something small and sweet. He's clearly not going to stay here very long, just long enough to stir up some shit. It sounds like my father to me. Once the waiter is gone, he looks over us with judgmental eyes, a half smile on his face. I know he's up to something. I just wish I knew what, so I could stop it before it blew up.
“Well I will admit I do have a specific reason for being here. You see, I am here to give a congratulation to my daughter Natasha as well as her fiancé on their pregnancy.” I instantly glare at my father. I hope he sees the nasty look and gets the point. He needs to shut up, and he needs to shut up now. I planned on telling Antontonight. I have not had a chance yet because my father came and rained on our parade here. This is not a good way for Anton to find out that I'm having his child. From my father of all people. Who, by the way, I did not even tell.
“It looks like the two of you don't waste any time. But that's probably best considering I will need an heir eventually, and Clan Constantin is in need of one now. So, how long until you find out whether it's going to be a boy or a girl?” Sergei asks, knowing very well that I probably haven't told Anton yet. He is doing this on purpose. Fuck.
Anton looks at me as if trying to get a silent answer from me. He is questioning in his head what the hell is going on. Then he looks to Sergei and asks him instead what he is talking about. My father reaches out and grabs one of the rolls left over from our appetizer on the table.
“She didn't tell you?” He mumbles the question through his chewing, and I don’t know whether to be disgusted most morally or physically. My stomach rolls as I watch him openly chew. Then, he continues. “She found out 2 weeks ago.”
