Five Months Earlier.

Vary’s POV

“I’m fine, Keenan, it’s bad you made me quit my job, but I’m not an invalid, I’m only pregnant” I lament as Keenan carries me in a bridal style up the stairs and into our bedroom and when he gets in, he walks to the bed and carefully lowers me down on it. He pecks my lips before sitting down and putting my legs on his lap and helping me pull off my shoes.

“You are my responsibility because we are expecting our first baby.” He replies, massaging my feet and my eyes close slowly as I enjoy what he is doing. 

For the past two and half months, Keenan has made it his duty and responsibility to treat me like a Regina (queen) as he’d call out when we argue. I can’t say I don’t love the affection and tenderness he’s showering on me. I’m just not happy when he does everything alone.

“You know we still have six to seven and a half months till the delivery day. Think you can keep up?” I cock a brow at him.

He chuckles and I see the way his blue eyes dim a little as he thinks and after a while, he replies, “Not sure I can keep up till six months,” he admits and when I’m about to, back up the point I was trying to make, but he continues speaking, “but I’ll keep doing this every day.”

“You were talking about having a party over the phone. Is it supposed to be a surprise party or...” I say, only to stop when he goes completely quiet.

His cheeks heat, and he focuses his attention on my feet. “I was supposed to break the news to you when the time was right, but it seems you overhearing it on the phone.”

I roll my eyes at the obvious way he tries to hide the news. “Well, then you would need to lower your voice next time you make a call to Rory, especially when you’re not speaking Italian. Now tell me what party that is about?”

He releases my feet and leans up to kiss my lips. The kiss is short and quick, yet it’s savoured and sweet and that makes me almost complain when he pulls away from me.

He lies beside me, with his eyes looking up to where mine is fixed, on the ceiling, “I want to throw an engagement party and it should have been a surprise.” He answers in one quick breath.

I steal a glance at him to be sure he’s not just joking, but the look on his face tells me he isn’t and it surprises me. “An engagement party?!”

He turns to the side to look at me. “Yes, why?”

His eyes are intense, and I feel the heat from the corner of my eyes. “We are already married. Why would you want to have an engagement party?” I ask, wondering what it is I am missing.

He takes my hand and brings it to his mouth and kisses it, “Because I want us to decide our fate sweetheart, we weren’t given a choice when we got married and so we didn’t make preparation or arrangement for it.”

“We would never have arranged even if we have the chance to because we didn’t love each other than so it would have been preposterous to begin.” I put out, not completely agreeing with his words.

“I know,” he nods in agreement, “but I love you and I want us to have all that now. What do you say?”

I frown a little and turn to him, “You didn’t ask for my opinion before, so why now?”

His eyes locked on mine. “Because if you say no, I’ll have no other option but to cancel the party. I would not want to force you for any reason.”

I make a quick calculation in my head before asking, “What if I say yes?”

He crawls on top of me again and, looking into his beautiful blue eyes; I see the brightness, desire, love and tenderness as he looks down at me.

“If you said yes, then you will make me thrilled and good things happen when I’m happy.” He lowers his lips and takes mine in for a fleeting kiss. I kiss back and open up when his tongue meets my teeth, and it sweeps into my mouth.

Every kiss we’ve shared has always been special and so does this one, too. It’s tender, and it expresses what words can’t.

We kiss for what felt like forever and when we pull away; he licks my lips and pecks my forehead before getting up.

“I need to make preparations. I’ll be right back.” He brings out his phone from his pocket and goes out of the room.

**

The engagement party.

Trust Keenan to make a simple engagement party into something else. He’d promised to make the party between just families and friends, but from what I see, he seems to have invited the entire state except, of course, he is also going to call these people whom I don’t know as families as well. There are familiar faces in the crowd of people I notice as Keenan leads me through and I greet them.

“Are we still expecting more guests?” I ask wearily as the meeting of guests becomes endless and I’m getting tired.

He laughs richly and his hands on my waist tighten securely, “No we aren’t, do you want more?” He cocks a brow at me, as his voice drops to a teasing manner.

I make a grumpy face, “No, of course not! There are so many. How did your family become so many?”

He pauses his lips before explaining. “Once they heard I was having an engagement party, everyone wanted to come.”

So we have families, friends and others present then. Damn you, Keenan, for leaving me in the dark for so long.

Some of Keenan’s businessmen walk over to him and I walk alone to greet some faces I recognise. Among the crowd of guests, I spot Levi discussing with someone and I approach them. Levi is wearing a black three-piece suit and matching trousers, his hair neatly styled to the side and I also notice beside him a young blonde lady about my age in a red silk long sleeve gown, with red heels on and keeps clinging unto his arms now and then as though scared he’ll run away once she let go.

When he sees me, he unhooks his arms from the blonde lady, making her frown in dissatisfaction, and he walks over to me with a wide smile. When he is close enough, he wraps his arms around me and hugs me tightly.

“I’m glad to see you too,” I chuckle as he pulls back.

“You get even more beautiful with the passing day.” He breathes out in surprise and awe.

I smile warmly at him. “The same goes for you. How did you know there was an engagement party?”

“Bethany told me, she gave me a card,” he answers slowly, “I don’t understand why I didn’t get invited.” He says, acting in a disappointed tone of voice.

“I was going to invite you, but I was never given a card.” I sadly reveal it to him. “So, how is Bethany doing at the gym?”

It was almost three months ago that I recommended Levi's gym to her and though I’ve seen her a few times since then; I haven’t asked how she’s doing. I have noticed, however, that she’s losing a bit of weight also, which shows improvement.

“Great, she’s determined and I love her spirit.” He admits honestly and then looks up with a happy eye. “She says you are expecting a baby with Keenan. Is that true?”

I blush and solemnly nod. “Yeah, I’m ten weeks pregnant. I would have told you if Keenan didn’t choose to do everything for me and treat me like some freaking invalid, I couldn’t even talk to Alian.”

He beams at me, and his eyes drop to my flat belly. “I expect nothing less from him. He loves you and you two are expecting your first baby together, so it’s only natural for him to feel responsible.”

Typical male defending the actions of another male.

I roll my eyes, “Oh, I forgot you studied human behaviour!” I joke and he laughs.

As we yet speak, the blonde lady approaches us with a slight frown and when she comes to Levi, she hooks her hand in his and leans closer to lay her head on his arm affectionately.

What a showoff.

I wonder why Levi hasn’t introduced us yet? Maybe that’s why she’s trying so hard to throw herself at him to get his attention.

Levi turns to her with his eyes squinting a little from her action and this only happens when he’s confused or lost. The Lady pulls her head back from his shoulder and pouts a little.

“You didn’t introduce me, hun,” she informs with a jovial tone, but I know it’s so far from a friendly tone. “I felt left out.”

I feel your pain, girl; I feel your pain.

Levi sighs deeply and nods, “Becky, I want to meet –”

“I know who she is.” She rudely answers, cutting him off before she can finish.

If Levi feels angered by the lady called Becky's rude attitude, he doesn’t show it. Instead, he introduces her.

“Well, Vary meet Becky,” he proceeds in a calm voice as though nothing happened, “a friend and business associate.”

Pain flicked in the lady’s hazel eyes and she grit her teeth as Levi introduced her as only a friend and I can’t be happier.

I may not be dating him or in his life anymore. That doesn’t mean that I will not be concerned if he dates someone, especially someone with her rude character.

He does deserve better.

“Nice to meet you, Becky,” I say, nonchalantly with a dark smirk before turning to Levi and I continue like Becky wasn’t around. “So is there any Lady I should warm up to now? One that has your heart in check?”

His eyes lighten and a deep blush appears on his face and I smile, ignoring the glare Becky cast my way as if it were a good cheer.

“So tell me. Who she is?!” I prod curiously and his eyes dart out across the room.

I follow his eyes and see the place it lands, and it does on Bethany, who is having a talk with Keenan and having a good laugh. Slowly Levi's gaze drops before murmuring, “She’s kinda out of my league.”

My heart breaks a little. I remain optimistic, “Or maybe that’s what you tell yourself to stop yourself from taking a step.” I wiggle my eyebrow at him.

He smiles a little, “I just don’t want to get hurt again.” He admits, his blue eyes losing their bright light even as he makes this admission.

My eyes drop a little, understanding his point. He went through hell or maybe even worse with me after everything that happened between me and Keenan and it’s natural to be vigilant and careful with who he gives his heart. 

He tilts up my chin so I can look at him. “I’m not gonna stay away forever, just want to be careful. It’s okay to be single until the right person comes along, right?”

“I want you to be happy. You deserve that and even more.” I hug him again before walking away from him.

I hurry to go meet Keenan and his father, who was having a good laugh at the side of the room. I must have been too caught up that I don’t see when I bump into someone.

“Oh! I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” I apologised to the man and try walking away, but he takes my hand into his and I turn to look at him rather startled. I try to see if I can recognise him. He looks tall, with blue eyes, dirty rough blonde hair, a stubble beard, and not dressed in a party manner. I can’t say I’ve seen him before, but maybe he does.

I feel a little startled by his disruption. “Sorry, do I know you?” I ask.

“No, but I know you, Varisha Klean Hilton. I see evil days coming, your worse fear will be revealed, but never forget that he will love you.” He speaks with so much conviction and truthfulness, and I’ve never seen anyone say such things before. 

“What does that even mean?” I ask in panic and fear because, as much as I don’t understand what he’s saying, there is truth and certainty in his eyes.

He pulls my hand closer and places it to his own heart so I can feel its slow beat and I almost yank it back before he behind to speak. “You will be shattered and let down, don’t cast him off completely out in your hour of pain and grief. They are going to be his hour of pain and grief as well. Learn to trust him and together you will win, but alone you will both fall.” 

When he says this, he let go of my hand and walks into the crowd of guest and I’m not sure if I’m supposed to go back to Keenan or run after the stranger and demand answers.

I am torn and in need of answers. What days are to come? What grief is it talking about? I do not know.