Chapter 2 Dare To Come In

Brennen didn't like what he just heard.

"Why the stigma around food delivering? I mean, isn't it just a hands-on hustle to make a living? Supporting a kid shouldn't be too difficult."

Emilee responded with a dismissive snort. "I'm a Lewis from Enceridge, and you should be well-versed in my family's standing in this city."

Brennen nonchalantly shrugged. "The Lewis family? Yes, I'm aware. Big deal, though. What's it to me?"

"I happen to be engaged to the heir of Enceridge's wealthiest tycoon," Emilee declared. Her teeth clenched as this unfolded--her worst nightmare materializing.

"What sets the heir of the richest man in town apart from any other man? Got two heads?" Brennen questioned, unfazed by Enceridge's opulence.

Emilee found herself vexed by Brennen's breezy demeanor, convinced he was nothing more than an audacious commoner.

It appeared reliance on him was futile.

Soon enough, they pulled up at the hospital.

Rather than hastily exiting the car, Emilee remained lost in contemplation, gazing out of the window.

Brennen unfastened his seatbelt, urging, "Come on, why the hesitation?"

Emilee shot back, locking eyes with Brennen. "Are you genuinely ready to step up?"

As Brennen swung the car door open, he asserted, "If the kid is indeed mine, I'm on board. But I won't be the fall guy, raising someone else's baby if it's not mine."

Emilee emphasized with conviction, "The child is yours!"

Brennen felt a twinge of irritation; the situation seemed too serendipitous. The likelihood of a one-night encounter resulting in pregnancy was exceedingly slim.

To his astonishment, following a series of procedures, Brennen soon realized this wasn't any regular check-up for expecting mothers.

"Hey! What's your plan?" Brennen interjected.

Emilee icily declared, "Abortion."

"If it's my kid, let it see the light of day!" Brennen responded without missing a beat.

Emilee locked eyes with Brennen, sneering in silence.

"Emilee Lewis!"

A nurse called out.

Emilee gazed upward with vacant eyes, red from emotion. She rose and approached the nurse, but after a few steps, she halted, pivoted, and cast a glance back at Brennen.

Ultimately, she entered the operating room.

Emilee lay in the sterile environment, and the doctor, armed with a long tube, readied to perform the surgery.

Suddenly, Emilee intervened, declaring, "I won't go through with the abortion! Allow me a moment to lie here quietly!"

Respecting Emilee's choice, the doctor set aside the equipment.

Meanwhile, Brennen occupied a seat in the corridor.

Feeling confined in the corridor, Brennen turned on his heel and stepped outside for a smoke.

As Emilee emerged from the operating room, her disappointment surfaced upon not spotting Brennen. She swiftly deduced that putting her trust in a man of such ilk was a futile endeavor.

Navigating with unsteady steps, she headed towards the exit.

Surprisingly, just as she approached the door, Brennen returned, hastily rinsing his mouth while rushing back.

Spotting Emilee, he reached for her purse and gently took hold of her arm in a supportive gesture.

Although a small act, it offered some solace to Emilee's heart.

"I feel a bit frail. Could you drive me home? Are you up for it?" Emilee inquired.

Brennen snatched the car keys, delivered a swift kick to the wheel, and exclaimed, "Why wouldn't I be able to handle a damn car? I've even piloted fighter jets!"

Emilee shook her head in a mix of amusement and helplessness, sliding into the passenger seat.

As Brennen settled in behind the wheel, Emilee began, "This car isn't your run-of-the-mill vehicle; it's--"

Before she could finish her sentence, Brennen deftly ignited the engine, propelling forward with a forceful press of the accelerator.

Emilee remained in stunned silence for a few heartbeats.

For the first time, she regarded the delivery guy with a hint of astonishment.

Driving a luxury car of this caliber was leagues apart from the ordinary.

One would naturally assume that someone in the food delivery business would need to toil relentlessly for a lifetime to afford such opulence, let alone possess the skill to navigate it.

"Where do you live?" Brennen inquired.

"B19, Wyvern Villas," Emilee disclosed, and then she closed her eyes momentarily.

Brennen's pocket buzzed persistently, prompting him to fish out his phone.

A call from his father flashed on the screen, and he promptly answered.

"What's going on?" Brennen inquired.

"We have a bidding meeting tonight at the Elite Building. Securing this project in the new district is crucial for our future business strategy. I'll allocate one billion for it. Attend in person and ensure its success," Clayton instructed.

"Got it," Brennen affirmed.

"By the way, Archie Ward, the president of the Prosperity Chamber of Commerce's branch in Enceridge, is in our circle. He'll follow your lead," Clayton added.

"I understand," Brennen replied.

The car smoothly glided into Wyvern Villas, the epitome of opulence in Enceridge.

Legend had it that the priciest villa in the area had been snagged by an enigmatic magnate for a cool 170 million.

Considering Emilee's status as the Lewis family heiress, residing in such lavish surroundings seemed par for the course.

Exiting the vehicle, Emilee appeared lost in her thoughts throughout.

Brennen extended his hand, waving it in front of Emilee until she snapped back to reality.

"We've arrived," he said.

Emilee nodded, before, out of the blue, suggesting, "Would you care to come in and have a cup of coffee or something?"

Brennen, toying with his lighter, quipped, "Aren't you worried I might pull something?"

Emilee sneered. "You got me pregnant once, remember? What else here should I be afraid of? That you'll knock me up again?"

Brennen leaped out of the car. "No way! Knock it off! Goodbye and hope our paths will never cross again!"

Emilee swung the car door open and stepped out. However, her mind had been preoccupied the entire day, leaving her less than steady on her feet. In an unexpected turn of events, she tumbled to the ground, spraining her ankle.

Brennen, on the verge of lighting a cigarette, witnessed the mishap. Setting aside his lighter, he approached Emilee, offering a playful jab, "You, my dear, are a walking disaster!"

Emilee scowled, shooting a fierce gaze at Brennen.

"Try saying that again!"

"Total klutz! Ugh! Damn it!" Brennen exclaimed.

In an outpouring of frustration, panic, and helplessness, Emilee sank her teeth into Brennen's shoulder.

Yelping in pain, Brennen's response was swift-- a resounding smack on Emilee's perky buttocks.

A loud sound echoed-- the impact against the tight skirt accentuating the moment.

A masterful touch.

Emilee, finally releasing her pent-up emotions, let go.

Brennen yanked open his collar, revealing a bloody tooth mark on his shoulder.

"Oh, damn! Are you a dog?" he exclaimed.

Emilee, wearing a look of vengeance, hobbled through the door, nonchalantly remarking, "I've got the first-aid kit at home. Dare to step inside?"

"To hell with fear!" Brennen retorted, promptly following her.

As Brennen tended to his shoulder, he observed Emilee awkwardly trying to apply medicine to her ankle.

Without hesitation, he snatched the tube of cream and took over the task.

Taking hold of Emilee's sprained foot, Brennen discovered that her feet were as exquisite as the rest of her body. Delicate and smooth, her small foot captivated his attention.

Despite Emilee's attempt to retract her foot, Brennen held it steadfastly, a subtle blush gracing her cheeks.

While gazing at Brennen, Emilee found herself once again lost in thought. The impending marriage into the wealthiest family in town, the Patels, weighed heavily on her mind.

Unexpectedly, the door swung open at that very moment.

Emilee's mother, Dolores, and her best friend, Clare Ward, entered together.

The scene that greeted them was Emilee and Brennen in close proximity.

"Sweetie, what's happening?" Dolores inquired.

Emilee promptly stood up, and Brennen, holding a tube, began to explain, "She sprained her..."

Before he could conclude his sentence, Emilee interjected, "I sprained my ankle."

What caught Brennen off guard was Emilee's subsequent remark--"That's why my boyfriend is applying medicine for me."