“Is she here?” I asked Sara as I walked into Hawk Industries. I waited anxiously until she ended her call and she looked at me all smiles.

“She’s already down in the studio.”

“And the others?”

“All are there.” Her smile turned wicked. “Should I call for backup?”

I laughed, however, it wasn’t such a bad idea. Then I remembered she was pregnant.

“No, this shouldn’t take long.” I stepped back into the lift when I heard my name.

“Britta, I’m cheering for you. Good luck.”

The elevator doors closed, and I prayed the outcome of this experiment turned out in Hawk’s favor. I wouldn’t deny, some selfishness came into play.

The door reopened on the fourteenth floor, and I stepped into the studio which was all set for the pregnancy photo shoot.

“Morning, Britta,” Gerrad greeted, knowingly. He hid his smile behind his camera.

“Morning, Gerrad,” I smiled back. “It’s going to be an awesome day.”

“I’m stoked to play a part in it.”

I made a mental note for Hawk to give our trusted photographer a pay rise.

I crossed over the set to where the models were changing into their selected pieces and having the final stages of makeup done. There were three models, Celeste, Tiffany, and Jason. Tiffany and Jason had already been prepped with the objective and each considering me a friend, and they did not hesitate to go along with the façade. Tiff was five months pregnant and a stranger to Celeste. And Jason? He was one hot spunk of a man who Celeste simply wouldn’t be able to resist sinking her claws into.

“Ladies and gent, how are we this morning?” I greeted, my smile beaming.

They each returned their greeting, all in a good mood.

“I’m just here to watch a bit of the shoot, but I can’t tell you how excited we are to launch this line. With such gorgeous models, in such beautiful states, it’s going to be a winner.”

Celeste’s face lit up, thrilled to be the center of attention once more. As far as she was concerned, there wasn’t anything between Hawk and I, and she saw me only as another employee of Carnage Industries.

“So, I’ll leave you to it and have fun.”

When I turned my back on the model, Gerrad winked. I set about busying myself, helping Kathy with hair and makeup and working the lighting, all the while keeping one eye on Tiffany and Celeste. Tiffany worked her magic, engaging in pregnancy conversations which Celeste happily and eagerly participated in. They shared stories, swapped advice, and once trust had been established, they engaged in the usual gossip between girlfriends. I stayed much longer than anticipated, simply because it took a while for Tiffany to get to the objective, but it was to my advantage. I blended in, and by the time a few shots and lingerie changes had been done, they barely noticed my presence. So, when Tiff and Celeste were helping each other into their new items, I snuck behind the curtain’s change room and listened.

“I’m so worried about Anthony, I’m not sure he’ll be able to care for us,” Tiffany began laying the seeds. “He’s been in a poor paying job for years now. Some weeks he can barely afford gas.”

“Mmhmm,” Celeste agreed. “That’s not a good situation to be in. Let me guess, you’re using all your modeling money to cover his ass.”

“I used to,” Tiffany laughed evilly, and even I was convinced. “But now, I don’t even tell him I have a gig. They have been few and far between being pregnant and all, so whatever I do earn stays in my pocket for when bub is born.”

“Smart move,” Celeste concurred.

Come on... give me something.

“Although, you could be smarter,” she continued.

Yes!

“Oh? How so?”

“Did you ever play around on Anthony... you know... around the time of conception?”

There was a pause, and I prayed Tiffany would continue. Lying like this wouldn’t be easy, even if it were just a narrative.

“I did actually. And let me tell you, this man... he was simply divine. A silver fox with healthy pockets.”

Good work, babe.

“Well, there you have it.” Celeste was elated her advice had the foundations working. “Turn up at Mr. Silver Fox’s workplace rubbing that gorgeous swollen belly of yours and tell him the baby is his.”

“What? No! I can’t do that.”

“Sure, you can. Women do it all the time. It’s called survival, babe.”

“Who’s to say he won’t kick me out?”

“Men have this natural instinct to protect what’s theirs. That extends to their unborn child.” Celeste paused for a moment and giggled. “Girl, your ass is going to be rolling in wealth in no time. No more loaning your man gas money.”

“Loaning? He never gave it back.”

They both laughed, and I hoped the conversation would continue. Tiffany didn’t let me down.

“So, how do you know so much about this? I mean, I don’t want to take this kind of advice if it hasn’t been tried and tested.”

“I can guarantee you it works. I’ve just done it myself.”

Bingo, bitch!

“Say what?”

“Yep. My bubs real father is a deadbeat who can’t hold down a job for more than a month.”

“So why sleep with him?”

Good question. Celeste is gorgeous.

“He’s my high school sweetheart. But being a high school sweetheart, and my baby daddy, are two totally different things. I need a real man to raise and protect my kid. So that’s what I did, I went out and found me my man. And it couldn’t have been easier. They turn to putty in your hands.”

It took all the strength I could muster not to launch through the curtain and crash tackle the bitch to the ground and then pound mercilessly on her face. And then I reminded myself, she’s pregnant. A hand rested on my shoulder and I started with fright. I hadn’t realized I’d been hunched over gripping the curtain. Like a resident sleuth, I was doing my best to remain unseen.

That was until I turned to see him standing there, a smile pulling at his lips.

He took my elbow and helped me straighten.

“You scared the shit out of me,” I whispered.

He leaned in close, so his lips grazed my ear. “I’ve been standing behind you for ages.”

“Pervert.”

“Absolutely. Call her out.” Hawk took my hand in his, and together we waited in front of the curtain.

He’d heard it all.

He’d heard the confession, and a giant weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

And now it was his turn to settle the score.

“Ladies, can I see you both for a moment?”

“Coming,” they both called before the curtain flung open.

Tiffany immediately walked out of sight, her part of the play now over. Celeste, however, was a different story. She stood, like a deer in headlights, wide-eyed and sprung.

“Here...” Hawk threw her a silk gown and she caught it. “Put it on.”

She did so, looking cautiously through her long lashes. It was then she saw Hawk’s hand holding mine, and she realized her game was up.

“Why be so malicious, Celeste?” I asked.

“I don’t see it as malicious.” Her voice was small. “I want a safe home for my child.”

“You can’t fool a man into believing a kid is his when it’s not. That’s self-serving.”

“Call it what you want.”

“Celeste,” Hawk began his tone even. “I was willing to give up everything I knew to look after the child you told me was mine. I was ready to love it and ensure it had the best family life possible. I’m sure if you told your high school sweetheart he was expecting a child, he too would endeavor to do the same.” Hawk was so calm and collected. Had I been in his situation I inevitably would have lost my shit by now.

Celeste remained quiet... for once.

“You lied to my face. You lied to my friends. You spun your lies so well you had us all convinced it was the truth. So much so, I hurt the woman I love because I second-guessed everything I knew.”

There was a pause and still nothing from Celeste. She reminded me of a school girl caught for stealing.

“Any contracts you have with Carnage Industries will be terminated. As an act of grace and because you’re expecting, I’ll keep this to myself, so it doesn’t affect your future employment.”

“Thank you.” She made moves to quickly retreat.

“And, Celeste...” Hawk stopped her, “... I wasn’t born into a wealthy family and look at everything I’ve achieved. Do right by your child...” There was another pause, and all Celeste could do was look at us both with her doe eyes.

Did she expect a handout?

Did she expect us all to hug and sing Kumbaya together?

“You need to get changed and leave. Immediately,” Hawk instructed.

Nodding her head, she disappeared into the change room.

Hawk pulled me away until far enough out of earshot. “I’ve got to go and deal with problem number two.”

“Is she here?”

“In my office.”

“Okay,” I responded nervously. There were many ways this could go. It would either dig the hole deeper, and the media would have a field day with it, and Rita could leave with her tail between her legs. Or the Renshaw’s could win and effectively destroy everything Hawk had created.

Hawk caressed my cheek, and I leaned into his touch. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Britta.”

I kissed his palm.

“I’m going to spend a lot of time making this up to you, Britta. I promise I will.”

I smiled, certain my dirty thoughts were written all over my smitten face. “You can start tonight,” I suggested.

“Britta Valentino, you are the right kind of naughty.”