Blair Monore
“I don’t have to go at all, it's optional” Zeke said to her as she lay on the bed...
Blair rolled over and hugged the bowl closer to her chest. “And what are you going to do if you stay here? Sit and watch me throw up?” she asked, motioning to the bowl grimacing..
Morning sickness had hit her hard. She'd been surprised to learn that it really should be called All Day sickness as it didn’t occur just in the morning. It actually seemed to be worse for Blair right before bed.
“I don’t like leaving you,” he said, softly. He sat on the edge of the bed and caressed her hair. She couldn't help but, lean into him. Even when she was so angry with him she still need his help and support..
“I’ll be fine,” she promised. “Honestly, I just want to lay in bed, drink the ginger tea you got me, and watch horrible, trashy TV.
Zeke rolled his eyes and then narrowed them. “You aren’t hyping the morning sickness so you could stay home alone and away from me are you?”
“Me?”Blair'’s eyes got big and innocent as she held up a hand to her chest. “I would never.”
“You so would,” he accused.
She then tried to put up a smile. “Possibly,” she admitted. Then she froze and turned a little green. The playfulness went out of her eyes and she reached for the bowl.
“You okay?” Zeke asked. He knew that it was just the baby hormones, but he still hated to see her like this.
She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yeah. Just tired but I'll be fine. She smiled up at him. “Go to the party. Have fun. I’ll be more comfortable here alone with my disgusting self.
“Seriously?” he asked as an upset look on his face
“Yes. Just give me this one, don't think am not still upset with you just because am hurling my stomach,” she replied.
"Am sorry"Zeke sighed as he brushed and carresed her face.
"I just wanted to know who Zuri was to you"Blair tries yet again to bring up the name for the 100th time that week
"I think am going to have to head out now. You sure you're going to be okay"He asks suddenly checking his watch and trying to flee all of a sudden..
Zeke had become a totally new different person the very day she had mentioned that name Zuri. She knew the story all to well, and unfortunately she had to find out about Zuri from Zeke's ex. She knew mentioning the name caused him grief and probably opened memories he would have liked to stay closed but Blair just wants him to finally come out from that level of darkness and grief he had decided to dwell in forever..
She needed him to tell her who Zuri was. Not some random stranger, she believes onces he's able to open up she could finally help him out of his guilt and anger...
"Thanks for nothing then but You are welcome to have fun for me. Because am just going to be home trying not to hurl my gut out while watching and enjoying every trashy ROM COM.
a look of guilt and something she couldn't describe engulfed his face, maybe he was feeling guilty for ignoring her for days after she mentioned that name. As thankful as the morning sickness had been, because thanks to it Zeke finally showed her concern she had thought she had succeeded in breaking him with just that one name...
“Just go zeke” she said, giving him a gentle push. “My show starts in five minutes, if I ever get the chance to watch it instead of being face down the toilet I'd be thankful...
“You’re sure?” he asked, one more time. He stood up slowly. “I could stay to take care of you and the baby.
"You’re going to have to start moving If you don’t want to arrive their late...'Blair says smiling..
"Our goal is to keep the investors happy isn't it"Blair chimes in, trying not to hit herself up. All week she had tried to get him to finally see her and now, when he seemed to have she's chasing him off to some kind of party..
“I’ll be home soon,” he promised, giving her one last kiss on the forehead.
She looked up at him, her eyes soft and full of love. “You look nice in the new suit,” she told him. “You’re going to break all the girls’ hearts.”
“As long as it’s not yours. I’ll break them all and come home to you.”He said and he was gone...
Leaving just Blair and her retching stomach...
______
Zeke Armani
It's been a tense week, he had tried to keep his temper in check and made sure he didn't blow up or act out in front of Blair. He knew how delicate her pregnancy was, they say pregnant women during their first trimester can be the most sensitive so he knew he needed to tread carefully to avoid anything like miscarriage..
He lost someone precious once and he wasn't ready to lose another one of his blood all over again because of his recklessness. When Blair mentioned "The Very Name" he had avoided the whole conversation because of the painful memories. He had froze, he fucking Frozed
and then he just ran off and never said a word to her untill now.
He knew he was a jerk but he didn't want to remember those painful memories. Zeke had immediately called Zoe to threaten and throttle her. How dare she cause trouble on her first day back in town, she had the audacity to spill out all that he had tried so hard to bury for years to his fiancee.
As confused as Zeke was he tried to enjoy the party but he just couldn't a part of him just wished that Blair was here with him. but even without her, he was trying to enjoy himself. Once upon a time partying and whoring around were his defense mechanism to pain, grief anger, self hate and a form for him to hide from his past.. His playboy lifestyle only started exactly 3 years ago after the incident, at that time he had realized that when he fucked random girls and drank himself to stupor he didn't hate himself so much, he didn't think too much about what had gone wrong or how it all happened...
Zeke was glad about one thing though, since he sticked to just Blair all he had were happy memories. She made him feel like he was a good man, and he was glad that he gets to go home to Blair at the end of the night tonight.
It took the pressure off. He was no longer hunting the crowd for the best girl to bring home. He wasn’t distracted by previous conquests, and no jealous husbands threatened to punch his lights out. Zeke was sure that his security team appreciated the change of pace as well.
Zeke stepped outside onto a porch overlooking the water. The party was held at the yacht club clubhouse, so the view was amazing. The second story porch jutted out over the docks where million dollar boats bobbed in the cool night air.
Most everyone was inside enjoying the party, but Zeke wanted was to call Blair to check how she was feeling..
“How your Morning sickness, better?” he asked when she picked up the phone.
“Yeah I think so. I actually was scared it wouldn't stop,” she replied.
“Sorry babe” he consoled.
“i feel it might be a boy,” she replied. “Boys were always a stubborn gender, that could be the cause of my constant vomiting"She replies with a happy sigh.
“Hmm, I think I would prefer a little girl?”He whispers his heart twisted with a pang.
“Oh I get it, a little girl you would take care of. Well I hope when she does gets a boyfriend you wouldn't shoot his brains out,” she replied laughing out loud but suddenly a flash back from three years ago shook him
Zeke was silent for a long while he had even forgotten he was on the phone, He shook his head and looked out at the dark water. Some of the docked yachts had people sitting out on the decks enjoying drinks and having conversations.
“Am sorry, it was only a joke"Blair replied with an apologetic tone.
He sighed and shook his head saying. "There's no need to apologize, you said nothing wrong"He quickly says,..
“So, how’s the party?” Blair asked. He heard the TV lower in the background as she tried to digress.
“It’s wonderful,” he told her. “I’m glad I came. I ran into an old friend and I have some wine for you to try later.”
“I can’t have wine for awhile,” she reminded him. “But thank you anyway.”
His heart skipped a beat. He was still coming to terms with the fact that she was pregnant. So much was going to change.
“Right. Next year then,” he said. “You sure you're feeling better?”
“The tea is helping. But laying down is helping the most.”
“How long is this supposed to last again?” he asked, leaning against the porch railing. “I’m having a good time, but I’d be having more fun if you were here.”
“According to the doctor, the nausea should stop in the second trimester. So, I have two more months of this crap. But, I should be good for all the Christmas parties, at least.”
“Then I will make sure you go to all of them.” He heard the TV volume go up at little bit . "you should go back to the party anyway"Blair says almost too reluctantly..
“I’m going to be home in a few hours"He replies..
“Okay. Wake me up when you get back. I...” She paused, stopping her words from coming out. He knew she was going to say, “I love you,” but since he hadn’t said it back yet, she didn’t want to pressure him.
“I’ll see you soon,” she said. “Have a great night. I love you.”
“You too,” he replied warmly. He clicked off the phone and looked down at her picture on his screen...
He sighed and looked out at the water again. He could hear murmurs of conversation on the various yachts and soft sounds of music and conversation from inside the club house. The stars shone down on the porch, twinkling in the darkness.
“Zeke motherfucking Armani” a soft feminine voice said from behind him. “Is that you?”
Zeke turned to see a famillar face with her young body jn a stunning red dress. It fit her every curve, hinting at smooth skin underneath. It was sexy without being slutty. Red gorgeous hair, and those Eyes..
“Zoey,” he replied, tucking his phone into his pocket.
“Oh my gosh.” She grinned and looked like she might bounce off the porch with excitement. “I was so hoping you’d be here tonight. I hope you got my message.”
Zeke gritted his teeth in anger trying not to pounce on her. "It's always drama and you" Zeke said as he tried to walk past her she says...
“That Blair girl” she replied, grinning and tucking a perfect curl behind her ear. "She's definitely not your class, who knew your taste in women would go bad"She says...
Zoey moves in to grab his hand but he released her hand. “It’s very nice to meet you Zoey, but what we had was past. Blair might be from a humble home but she's got way more dignity and a stable mental health than yours"He says cockily..
“I really do not have time for your theatrics, I know you've been plotting against me with Johnny. I wish I had time to even make small conversations with you but I do not" he said. “I was actually just on my way out.”
“You’re leaving?” She glanced out at the yachts behind him. “But it’s such a nice night. And isn’t one of those yachts yours?”
She tugged gently at his arm, turning him to look out at the water with her. She stood far too close for comfort. This used to happen all the time and he would let it happen. He wasn’t used to having to tell women no.
“I’m very sorry, Zoey,” he said, gently pulling his arm away from her. “But it’s time for me to leave. If you aren't ready to leave I am"
She frowned slightly and then moved forward, wrapping her arm around his neck and kissing him. The shock of it had him frozen for a second before he quickly pushed her off.
“What the fuck are you doing?” He spat, stepping away from her.
“I thought that’s how you liked it,” She replied, batting her eyelashes and doing the annoying lip-bite.
“Don't you ever do that again if you don't want a restraining order slammed on your face. Stay the hell away from me,” he said.
Zeke stared at her for a second before leaving the porch. He walked past her, carefully not touching her as he went back into the party.
He couldn’t believe the woman had kissed him like that. He hadn’t seen it coming at all. Something about it made him feel sick to his stomach, and it wasn’t just that he’d been kissed by her..
"He always knew Zoey back in town would be a problem"He needed to file for a restraining order, she wasn't mentally sane anyways and he definitely didn't need her negative influence right now..
He does even think Blair could handle another encounter with Zoey. Lord knows what she would do if she ever found out about the pregnancy..