Chapter 2 My Encounter

Chapter 2: My encounter

Chapter 2: My Encounter

The taxi slowed to a stop, and I stepped out onto the familiar sidewalk in front of Jake's old apartment building. My heart pounded against my ribcage, each beat echoing with anticipation. A storm of emotions swirled inside me-nervousness, fear, hope. I had just come from the hospital, reeling from the news: I was four months pregnant.

I stood still for a moment, clutching my bag tighter. How would Jake react? Would he be happy... or feel trapped?

With a deep breath, I pushed through the front entrance and climbed the stairs to his apartment. I knocked, my knuckles grazing the wood, waiting, hoping. Silence.

I knocked again, harder this time.

Still nothing.

A strange sense of dread began to spread through me. I pulled out my phone and dialed his number-voicemail. I sent a text-unread. My chest tightened.

Where was Jake? Had he moved without telling me?

I stumbled back outside, blinking against the bright sunlight, my mind a blur. I couldn't give up-not now. I needed to tell him. He deserved to know. The baby deserved to be known.

My fingers clenched around the paper in my hand-Jake's forwarding address, hastily scribbled by his neighbor. A rush of resolve surged through me. I would find him.

The city passed by in a blur as the taxi weaved through traffic. My thoughts spiraled. For two weeks, he'd been gone, without a word. I'd been consumed by exams and never noticed he'd disappeared. Why hadn't he said anything? Why would he just leave?

The taxi finally slowed in front of an enormous mansion-so vast and immaculate it left me breathless. It looked like something out of a dream. A marvel of modern architecture with floor-to-ceiling windows, white stone walls, and a rooftop garden that kissed the sky.

I stepped out, paid the driver, and approached the circular driveway, heart hammering. The entrance loomed ahead-two grand wooden doors, carved with intricate detail, gleaming under the sun like something out of a medieval fairytale.

Before I could knock, the doors opened on their own, revealing a cavernous foyer flooded with sunlight. The marble floors gleamed beneath my feet. Sculptures lined the walls. The ceiling soared like a cathedral, and every inch of the space whispered luxury.

I hesitated, stunned. Who lived here? And more importantly-what was Jake doing in a place like this?

A woman in her mid-fifties appeared, elegant in a dark blue dress. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied me.

"Can I help you?" she asked politely.

"I'm looking for Jake," I said, forcing calm into my voice. "I'm a friend from school. I was told he moved here."

Her expression flickered with surprise. "Jake? Oh... you must mean our boss." A soft smile tugged at her lips.

Our boss? Confused, I handed her the address. She glanced at it and nodded. "Yes, you're in the right place. Come in. You can wait for him if you'd like."

I nodded, mumbling a quiet "thank you" as I stepped into the sitting room-and felt like I'd walked into a palace.

The room was exquisite. Soft gray walls, elegant gold accents, and a crystal chandelier that scattered light like a cascade of stars. Cream-colored sofas sat gracefully atop a patterned rug, and a dark wooden coffee table held a vase of fresh flowers in full bloom.

Every detail was deliberate, every piece carefully chosen for beauty and refinement. I sat down slowly, trying not to wrinkle my dress, trying to still the flutters in my stomach-some from the baby, others from pure nerves.

A young woman entered with a tray of cups, the rich scent of coffee drifting toward me.

"Would you prefer tea?" she asked kindly.

I nodded, grateful.

Moments later, she returned with a steaming cup. "Thank you," I murmured. She nodded and gave me the faintest smile before disappearing.

I wrapped my hands around the warm ceramic and took a sip, savoring the brief comfort.

Then I heard it-footsteps. Loud, confident. Coming from upstairs.

My breath caught.

Was it him?

But the figure who appeared wasn't Jake. It was a woman-tall, elegant, and striking. Her silver hair was cut into a sharp bob that framed her high cheekbones, and her green eyes glittered with an unreadable expression.

She was dressed in a silk blouse and burgundy trousers that clung to her frame like they'd been tailored by a private designer. She carried herself like royalty-poised, graceful, commanding.

Her voice was smooth, like warm honey. "Welcome," she said, extending a manicured hand. "Please, have a seat."

I stood quickly, smoothing my skirt and placing the tea down.

"You must be..." she trailed off, waiting.

"Valerie," I answered, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it.

She smiled again-but this time, it didn't quite reach her eyes.

And in that moment, I had a sinking feeling deep in my chest-this encounter was about to change everything.