Chapter 21
Jolie was pacing the floor of her office. She’d been debating for the past few days, deciding whether or not to tell Margaret yet; but she knew she had to. After the twelve pregnancy tests she took, and after her discreet visit to the doctor’s office…there was no denying it anymore, she’d been pregnant for several weeks.
This would change everything. Not only would she have to take leave from work, it would also completely change her lifestyle. Having a baby and raising it by herself, would mean that she wouldn’t be able to work the hours that she was working now. No more working late and no more working on the weekends; which could all have a devastating effect on her career. Didn’t Margaret give her a lecture on putting herself out there and making a life for herself outside of the office? Well, she’d done it now. She’d screwed up everything!
Jolie rubbed her hand over her face and shook her head. How was she going to be a mother? She was terrified of the idea. The only experience she had with motherhood, had been with her own mom and there was no way that she was going to raise her child like that.
And it wasn’t only motherhood that was the scary bit…it was Brandon too. Just when she thought that she had finally moved on with her life, that she would be able to forget him! Now, having his child would mean that she would never be able to move on. She would always have a part of him with her. What if the kid grew up to look like him? What if she wasn’t able to keep the secret hidden forever? What would people say? How would her mom react?
Jolie sat down on her chair with a thump, realizing that she had begun to sweat profusely. She hadn’t been able to concentrate on work since she found out. It was already affecting her life!
She was beginning to feel alone, like she wasn’t going to be able to do it. Telling Brandon was completely out of the question…she would have to live her whole life without letting him know. He could never know. The last thing she wanted was to screw up his life, especially since he had made it abundantly clear to her that he wanted to stay apart.
Jolie shook her head as she stared at her computer screen. Peggy’s new article stared back at her; something she hadn’t even spent a few minutes on yet. She had to come clean with Margaret. She needed to let her boss know that she wasn’t being able to operate. She would have to quit!
Jolie jerked herself out of the chair and with her head held high, she marched straight out of her office and knocked on Margaret’s door. It was now or never. There was no point in delaying matters. The baby was going nowhere.
“Who is it?” Margaret’s clipped voice came through.
“It’s me, Jo,” she called out.
“Ah, Jo! Come in, come in,” Margaret said, her tone changing immediately and Jolie turned the knob and opened the door. Her heart was thudding in her chest. This meeting was going to change the course of the rest of her life, and it was only the beginning.
When she stepped in, she stopped in her tracks, her knees nearly buckled.
Margaret was seated on her chair as usual, and across from her; was seated Brandon Calloway, and they had both turned to look at her.
“Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt,” Jolie fumbled with her words and Margaret arched a neat eyebrow at her.
“Don’t be silly, Jo. Mr. Calloway’s come to see you, and I was just about to send for you. So, it’s perfect timing,” Margaret said and Jolie could feel the back of her neck burning up.
Brandon was on his chair, sitting as casually as ever. It seemed like the more time passed, the sexier he got. His dark hair was fashionably brushed back, his beard was trimmed and shaped as neatly as ever. He was in a dark suit which accentuated the width of his strong shoulders. His brown shoes were brilliantly polished and matched his chocolate colored tie. Crystal cufflinks glittered at his wrists.
“He’s come to see me?” Jolie turned to Margaret with wide eyes, stopping herself in time from dropping her jaws.
“Yes, I understand that you two know each other?” Margaret said, looking a little confused now because of Jolie’s own confusion.
“Yes, of course, yes, we met earlier at the…yes, we know each other,” Jolie knew she was making an utter fool of herself.
Brandon took in a deep breath and stood up from his chair, quickly buttoning up his suit jacket as he did so.
“Thanks for the chat, Margaret. I’ll be sure to put in your name on the guest list for Friday,” Brandon had assumed a charming formal tone, which Jolie wasn’t accustomed to…but which he clearly used in meetings of this sort.
“Jo, shall we have a chat in your office?” he turned to her then with complete confidence, while Jolie felt like she was going to melt into a puddle in her shoes. His deep green eyes were focused on her without apology.
“Okay, sure,” she said and turned on her heels and led the way towards her office.
Down the corridor, she could hear her heels clicking against the marble floor. She was aware of Brandon’s presence directly behind her. Did he have any idea that he was the father of the child she was carrying? How could he?
Jolie pushed open her office door and Brandon stepped in behind her. Without a word, he had locked the door behind him and then turned to face her.
“Hello, Jo, you look as beautiful as ever,” he said, with a soft smile grazing his lips.
“What are you doing here, Brandon? Where is my mother?” she snapped, feeling overwhelmed by the torrent of emotions coursing through her body.