Chapter 5 Vanessa's Scheme

Lila's Point of View

I halt my motion and fix my gaze on the gleaming object in Vanessa's hand. It is not a knife; it is a small silver key that shines in the office lights. I can not breathe because my heart is beating so fast. Ethan's shoulders are tense as he stands in front of me, ready to hit me. Mia grabs my hand under the table and squeezes it tightly. Vanessa's smile is mean, like a cat that has caught a mouse, and her blue eyes are looking at me.

What do you want, Vanessa? "Yes," Ethan replies in a raised, low voice. He does not look at Mia or me; he looks at her.

Vanessa's blond hair hangs over one shoulder as she twirls the key in her hands. She says, "Ethan, I found something you lost," in a sweet yet piercing voice. "Thought you would want it back." She gives me a bigger smile. "But first, why is she here?"

My stomach turns. I can not say what I need to say. Mia speaks loudly and leans forward. "Lila is at work today. "What is wrong with you?"

The sound of someone laughing is icy. "Work?" Indeed. Isn't Lila always there? Getting in the way all the time.

Ethan clenches his fists and steps toward Vanessa. "Leave her alone." "Say what you came to say and leave."

I feel like my baby is growing inside of me. I felt more at ease after placing my hand there. Vanessa should not see how afraid I am of her. I sit up straighter and tighten my grip on Mia's hand.

Vanessa is holding the key. "This is the beginning of something significant, Ethan. Something you require. I will give it to you if you come to see me alone tonight.

Ethan narrows his eyes. "What game do you have on?"

Vanessa approaches him and declares, "No game." "Just business." Eight o'clock at the old warehouse on Fifth Street. She looks at me once more, her eyes as cold as ice. "Do not bring her."

My heart beats faster. Why is she so against me? What is the function of the key? What question do you wish to pose? Ethan is speaking already. "Fine," he says. "Now leave."

As she leaves, Vanessa clicks her heels and smiles. As the door closes, I release a trembling breath. Mia's large green eyes gaze at me. "Lila, that woman is bad news. "Are you okay?"

I agree, but I am not feeling well. My hands are sweating, and my head is spinning from these thoughts. Ethan gives me a more compassionate look. "Sorry, Lila. She is someone you should not have to deal with.

"Why does she dislike me?" I ask in a low voice. "And who is Marcus?" "Ethan, what is going on?"

He turns his head away and rubs his neck. "It's... tough to explain." Do not go near either of them, please. "This place is safe for you."

Safe? It does not feel safe to me. Not with Marcus's scary face or Vanessa's mean smile in my mind. As I think about my baby, I touch my belly again. I do not know how to keep us safe.

Mia gets up. "Ethan, you should tell Lila what is going on." "She is not stupid."

Ethan sighs, and his tired green eyes look away. "I understand. But it is not easy. Lila, put your work first for now. "I will take care of Vanessa."

I want to fight, but his face tells me he is not going to say anything else. I stand up and nod. "All right." "I am going back to my office."

Mia grabs my arm. "I am going with you." I am not going to leave you today."

Ethan gives a nod. "All right. Stay together. For a second, his eyes get softer as he looks at me. "After work, I will check on you."

I am not sure if I believe him, but I nod again. When Mia and I leave his office, my legs are shaking. People are talking and typing in the hallway, which is noisy, but it does not feel crowded. Vanessa's key and her mean words keep coming to mind. Why does she want Ethan? Also, why does she talk about me all the time?

Mia holds my hand on the bus ride back to work. Lisa, you need to tell Ethan soon that you are going to have a baby. He seems strange, but he cares about you. I can tell.

I shake my head. "Mia, he is so cold. What if he does not wish for the child? "What if he sends me away?"

Mia makes a face. "He is not going to." However, you must not keep this secret forever. Vanessa is also doing something.

I am scared, but I know she is right. When I look out the bus window, the city is hard to make out. I smile a little and feel my stomach flutter again. My child is there and needs me. I need to be strong.

Sarah is ready at the office. "Are you okay, Lila?" "You look very pale."

I fake a smile and say, "I am fine." "Just had a busy morning."

She nods and looks at me closely. "Do not stress out, okay?" "Your work is great, but do not work too hard."

I am drawing balloons for the toy ad at my desk. Even though my pencil is moving, I am thinking about Ethan and Vanessa. I keep seeing that shiny, bad key. How does it open? Something that Ethan needs. Somehow, Vanessa is getting close to him with this.

I eat my lunch in the break room with Mia sitting across from me. While she eats her chips, she is quiet. "Lila, I am scared," she finally says. She is not just mean, Vanessa. She is making plans. Also, that Marcus guy is bad news.

I say in a low voice, "I know." "What should I do?" "Ethan will not tell me anything."

Mia moves forward. "Perhaps we can find out on our own." Find out what other people know about Vanessa.

I shake my head. "That is dangerous." "What if she finds out?"

Mia smiles. "Then we will be sneaky." Lila, let us work together.

I smile and feel a little braver. Mia is right; we can do this. My mind is going crazy as I finish my sandwich. I might not be able to talk to Ethan yet, but I can still watch and listen.

I am back at my desk that afternoon, drawing. There is a text message from Ethan on my phone. "Be careful, Lila. "Do not go anywhere by yourself." My heart skips a beat. Why does he worry so much? What does he know?

"Okay," I text back. I think I mean it, but I am not sure. It has been too long for me to wait for answers.

I am at home that night, eating soup on the couch. It is quiet on my phone, but I keep checking it. In my mind, Ethan and Vanessa are meeting at the warehouse. What does he have to do now? Is he okay? I feel a strong flutter when I touch my belly. I whisper, "We will be fine, little one."

When I try to sleep, shadows and keys keep showing up in my dreams. My heart is beating fast when I wake up. It is early in the morning. When my phone rings, I pick it up. The text message comes from a number I do not know. "Lila, I know what you are hiding." Do not talk to Ethan, or everyone will find out. My hands shake. This is Vanessa. She is aware of the child. How? What is she going to do next?