Chapter Two
“Goddammit! Where is that woman?” Falcon threw his cell onto the bed in exasperation. He must have called Carla a dozen times in the past month.
He glanced at the stack of documents on his desk waiting for his signature. The pile had grown since he arrived two days ago. His private secretary at Manchester Global brought them over probably hoping he could give it his attention. Falcon picked up a document and tried to focus. It was useless. He tossed it back to the pile.
He walked to the glass window and tried to calm his mind. He never knew how tedious French laws were about foreigners owning property in their country. He was glad for the team of lawyers he had hired.
Unfortunately, it was the constant traveling that agitated him now. Each time he thought his schedule would finally allow him the chance to call and see her, another urgent matter would crop up. This was his fourth trip in less than a month. It frustrated him that Carla wasn’t taking any of his calls. Even his messages were left unanswered.
“I should have called her sooner, he muttered. “I’m such an asshole.”
He really intended to, Falcon swore, remembering that particular night. She was gone when he woke up with a massive hangover. The stack of empty wine bottles in his living room was enough proof that they had a wild night. He was surprised that despite the wine, every detail about the sex was so clear in his mind. So clear that it gave him a hard on just thinking about her.
Then he received that call from his lawyer in France informing him of a problem that needed his attention. He headed straight for the airport and the urgency to make that call was forgotten.
Falcon ran a hand through his hair wishing he didn’t have to go now. He wanted desperately to see Carla. But the deal was coming to a close. The French lawyers promised him the final documents for the sale was now awaiting his signature.
His private jet was waiting at the hangar and the pilot warned him about an impending storm that needed a different flight plan. If they missed the scheduled take off, he would miss the 8 a.m. meeting at the office of the French Notaire Fees. It was the final step. The deed would be his.
Falcon was torn about leaving again. Then he sighed and realized how much time and effort he had already invested in Riquewihr.
“I’ll fix this,” he vowed, imagining what Carla must be thinking.
It’s been nearly a month since that night and they haven’t talked or seen each other. He was aware of the implication. “Carla probably feels humiliated,” he thought.
He fought the frustration that simmered in the pit of his stomach. It felt lame making his dream of a winery an excuse for abandoning her after a wild night of sex.
An idea formed in his head. He knew the owner of Brighton and Young, the company she worked for. They were always on the lookout for flagship projects, something they could boast in their promotional brochures. He would ask his secretary to call James Brighton and ask for a private meeting. It probably wouldn’t work if Carla refused. That worried him. He needed James on side without letting on why.
The whole concept was a wild one but for now it was enough to give a spring to his step as he left for the airport.
***
In a small cubicle at Brighton and Young, Carla paced the floor, her mind still in a whirl. The words of Dr. Beasley back at the clinic echoed in her memory.
The doctor looked her straight in the eye. “I know this was totally unexpected but I want you to know that you have other options.”
“You mean terminate the pregnancy?” Carla retorted.
“Most women go towards that direction. But you can give it up for adoption after you give birth. You’d be surprised how many couples out there want what you have but cannot.”
“I never planned this,” Carla replied bitterly.
The doctor shrugged, “Most babies come as a surprise even to those who want them. It is difficult raising a child but the joy they give in return cannot be measured.”
“You won’t approve then if I decide to get rid of this?”
“Its not for me to approve or not because that will be your choice entirely.” She paused then added, “There’s still another option open.”
Carla stared intently hoping the doctor had a miracle solution.
“You can always tell the father and decide to raise the baby together.” Dr. Beasley said.
Carla sagged. “I can’t. I haven’t heard from him since-since that night.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “He’s really in love with my friend. They broke up. He was celebrating a successful venture and I was happy to hear from him again. I guess we celebrated too much and ended up in bed.”
Dr. Beasley nodded. “You can raise the child on your own, you know.”
Carla smiled bitterly and replied, “I had dreams of putting up my own practice. I planned to work my ass off raising the money to do that. Now I have to shelve all my dreams in favor of a baby I never planned for.”
Dr. Beasley sighed. “I understand. When it comes to a choice between career and a family, the former always seems more important than the later. A job represents financial security that every woman wants. A child just feels like financial obligation. Money you probably haven’t saved for. But they can also be a source of inspiration. A reason to keep on going. I’m not saying you keep this baby. But I want you to know where your heart truly is.”
Carla stopped pacing. The doctor assured her she still had time if she decided on an abortion.
“How can I do that? This is Falcon’s baby.” Getting rid of it meant betraying Falcon in a way she couldn’t really explain. Nevertheless, she came to a decision. “No. I’m keeping it,” she decided firmly.
Dr. Beasley said she probably won’t be showing for months. Small consolation. She could keep on working. She still needed the money- badly now- more than ever. Then she would disappear until she gave birth, return to the city and start all over again. It wasn’t going to be easy but she could still pursue her dream, couldn’t she?
Carla wanted to wail and scream, lash out at the complicated turn of events in her life. It was all so unfair. She drew in a sigh to relieve the tightness in her chest.
“This is my fault too. Wanting a man who never felt anything for me. Even worst is having that one-night stand. I’m so stupid! He’s a friend and now I can’t even have that without fearing he will find out. I just know he won’t want any part in this. He isn’t in love with me. That’s so clear. So why did I go to bed with him?”
Carla didn’t have the answer on that one. The “one-night-stand’ tag stung. It made her angry at herself and angrier at Falcon. If she saw him now she’d probably give him the finger and tell him to shove it up his ass. To hell with him.
But the words of Dr. Beasley returned. On hindsight, Carla supposed Falcon was where her heart truly was.