Chapter 8 LIFE

JACE POV

" We are here" I announce when we arrive at the pack border after an entire of shopping.

I look to my right and immediately spot the cap I ordered for Cleopatra earlier.

I quickly alight from the car, opening the door for Cleopatra's descent.

I then gesture to the cap driver to offload her stuff from the boot and he quickly does so.

" Thank you Jace" She gratifies upon alighting from the car

"And thank you for the gifts you benevolently forced on me" She teases with a smile that accentuates her large white teeth.

She is really cute, especially now that she seems to be unbothered by her facial scar.

" Well, if you didn't want them, you shouldn't have looked half as good as you did in each of those outfits" I inform with small smile formed at the side of my lips.

This is so unlike me, not being able to control my excitement and spurring out nonsense like a teenager in love.

" Maybe we should have sticked to buying only baby stuff like I advised" She jokes still smiling

" What fun would that have been. I did promise you I was going to spoil you silly, remember?" I question simply

" You did a great job by the way" She confesses, and my chest quickly flares with that warm fluffy feeling.

The same feelings I only have for my death mate Lilan.

There's just something about her that I can't place a hand on, I mean we have barely known each other for 2 days, yet I feel like I have known her my entire life.

I would say it's love but I know better. My heart belongs to only one woman, my girlfriend Diana, Guess this feelings might just be due to the fact that she is carrying the child I always wanted.

I look down at her and our gaze meet, but before I can say a word the cap driver interrupts.

" Miss, we can leave now" He informs upon transferring all Cleopatra's groceries and shopping bags.

" Guess that is my clue to leave" She says with an abject smile as she hops into the cap "Good night Jace. I had a great time"

" I had fun too" I confess sincerely.

To think I actually hate going shopping.

" Good night Cleo. Call me when you get home, okay?" I request with a neutral expression, as the cap drives off, before I took take my leave.

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My mind is filled with excitement and images of what my future baby will look like, as I walk into my room.

I'm quickly greeted by darkness.

I fumble for the light switch, and when the room is illuminated, I'm surprised to see Diana sitting on my bed, her eyes fixed on me with an intense gaze.

" You are late" She says cold with a frown, not moving an inch from her position

" Hey, you're here. I wasn't expecting you" I ask, trying to sound casual despite the feeling of unease that's settling in.

Diana was never one to pay me a visit without letting me know, her being here could only mean one thing, trouble.

" Where have you been ," Diana says, her voice low and husky. "I've been waiting for you for hours."

" Why? You should have just called me" I remind, displeased by her thoughtlessness as I proceed with taking off my jewelries.

" Why didn't I think of that?" She ask with a voice full of sarcasm

" Oh!!! I did, but someone was too busy with his other woman to answer my call" She adds anger etched on her face as she walks towards me, her arms folded over her chest.

I gaze at her, doubt forming in my mind as I search my pocket for my cell. Immediately I tap on the screen I am confronted by 13 miss calls from her.

" I am so sorry. I didn't hear my cell ring. It must have been on silence or something" I apologize, cursing my stupid but she seems unphased.

"Or maybe you switched it off so you and your mistress won't get interrupted" She spits venomous.

I shrug, trying to downplay the situation.

"You know I will never do that. I went shopping with Cleopatra. I told you about her, remember?"

Diana's eyes narrow

" Yes, I remember. You told me about your Cleopatra. The girl who's suddenly became the center of your attention. The one who is pregnant for your, right" She says taking me back

I sigh, feeling a sense of frustration. "Diana, I would not be insulted. How dare you suggest something as rediculious as me having sex with an 18 year old"

Diana's voice rises. " Rediculious you say. You're spending all day with another woman, buying her gifts and taking her shopping, despite hating shopping and you think it's normal "

At this point my blood is boiling but I don't flare up, instead I take a deep breath, trying to calm her down.

"Diana, I love you. You know that. But Cleopatra is carrying the child we need. I have to make sure she's okay."

I explain trying to hold her but she pulls away, anger flashing in her eyes.

" Again with that child nonsense. You are the only one who desperately wants kids, and we all know that you're only using that as an excuse. An excuse to spend time with her. You're falling for her, aren't you?"

I hesitate, unsure of how to respond. Not that my word would fall if I tried.

Diana's words have struck a chord, and I'm forced to confront the reasons for all my actions recently.

'Why did I go shopping with her?

Why am I so talkative when I am with her?

Why does my chest hurt when she's around?

Could I a 37 year old man be falling for an 18 year old kid?' _ I wonder to myself before summoning the perfect reply

" Think whatever you want" I say simply, walking out of the room. She tries calling out but I don't respond. I refuse to give her opportunity to spur out more nonsense.

' I am not in love with Cleopatra and I never will be '

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CLEOPATRA

A week has passed since I and Jace met and I most confess it has been the best week of my entire existence. If I were to die now, I will die a fulfilled woman.

I must confess, I might have probably fallen in love with him already, but who could blame me? he threats me so well. He spoils me silly like I am a baby. It's no wonder women love dating older guys.

I honestly wish I stood a chance with him but I know deep down he is only being kind because he wants my baby.

Gosh! Why wasn't I older, prettier, more classy. Maybe I would have captured his attention. 'Dawn, he looks so handsome in his black shirt'_ I wonder, moving my eyes upward to his face ' His eyes are so beautiful. His pink lips look so soft, I almost want to kiss them'

" Cleo, Cleo" I hear him call out, consequently pulling me from my trance "Is something wrong. You keep staring, is something on my face"

I snap back to reality, that's when I remember that we are standing in front of my house at 2 am on the 1st of January.

" Sorry, I am just so tired" I respond, bowing my head in shame. I can't believe he noticed my stares.

" Thank you for inviting me for your church service. I enjoyed the cross over" He confesses with a small smile, consequently sending a wave of excitement over me.

" I knew it. I told you, you would love it" I say, feeling contented. I had convinced him to go for the cross over service with me, in hopes that he would open his door this year but I had my doubts that he would take it to heart.

I am glad he had an encounter with the creator, God.

" And you were right" He confesses excited, and that's when I remember the gift I made for him. I quickly shuffled my bag for the bottle of wine I made him

" I got you this. I made it myself" I confess handing him the bottle.

" Thank you" He gratifies reluctantly, as though having doubts about the bottle's content.

" Don't worry, it's clear, and very good too. I am one of the very best at home made wine, you can even ask the alpha himself" I add upon noticing his doubts remain unwavered " Just try it first and if you don't like it, I would do whatever you want for the next week"

" That sounds interesting, and what is in it for you?" He questions folding his arms

" I don't know, you decide" I confess simply, I can't think of anything more I could want from him.

" Let's see. I will be yours for an entire week" He says nonchalantly, making my check burn.

My heart is racing.

' I will be yours'

I don't think he realizes what he just said.

" I have to go now" I inform, trying to avoid further conversation.

" Sure good night" He says, trying to give me his regular good night kiss but this one lands on my lips.

His lips are so soft and tender.

It's quick, but it makes my body shiver.

It feels like a circus of butterflies playing in my stomach.

" That was a mistake....." He tries explaining but I cut in

" It's fine, good night" I say, running in as I turn red.

Immediately I get in, I shut the door, and hear his car drive off.

The room is fairly dark since the light are switched off.

' I can't believe he kissed me'

I grab my lower lip gently squeezing it, as I close my eyes to relieve the experience.

It is officially. I am in love, the drum in my chest says that much.

" Is that your new catch? He is cute" I hear an unfamiliar masculine voice whisper in my ear.

I quickly open my eyes, only to confront my a white handkerchief to the nose.

It seems to be laced with some kind of suffocating substance. I look up to see Victor's face.

" Let's see how you would keep that thing in your womb" He says with a nemesing smile.

His face laced with hate, and anger.

My blood goes cold, as my hair stands on straight ends.

I try screaming, and try prying his hand off my face but to no avail. With every passing second my body grows weaker, till my limbs stop responding.

' God please help me, I don't want to lose my baby'_ I pray to God as fall to the floor, before drifting off.

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