Chapter Three: Old Connections

It's been several months since the gala. Things are as they usually are. Work, charity, and then home, wash, rinse, and repeat. I hang out with my friends a bit when I can because Chris barely tolerates them. I wish we all could be one big happy family, but Chris won't ever let that happen.

A high school friend moved back after being gone for several years. Jessica Niles was a friend of Chris and I back in high school. She is fairly slender with brown shoulder-length hair and dark eyes. She usually wears big-rimmed glasses but has started wearing contacts more. She has average looks and easily follows a leader. She and I never had any clashes so I maintained our friendship over the years.

We've all spent a lot of time catching up. We are all hanging out at my animal hospital because I wanted them to see the red pandas that I was caring for. I got to deliver four beautiful cubs. I love my job and my coworkers!

Hailey comes in with a beautiful bouquet of roses, “My queen these came for you.”

“Oh, they're lovely and perfect phoenix colors too!”

I look for a card and then at Hailey, “There's no card!”

Hailey shakes her head, “No and the delivery guy wouldn't tell me either, but they all checked out fine.”

I look through them a bit. Tucked down by the gathering is a small pin, “Quite lovely as well.” It is a white gold brooch with an opal phoenix on the front.

Jessica asks, “How'd you know that was there?”

“I didn't.” Honestly I just have this sixth sense sometimes. Over the years I've learned to trust it. I flip the pin over and on the back there's a small engraving.

“Curious,” I say as I read the inscription, “A man may challenge you, but he should never keep you down. Always rise!”

I look at Ardin because this is so thoughtful and something he would send, “Ardin?”

Ardin grins as he replies, “Not me but I'll take the credit!”

I look at Chris and he scoffs, “I have better taste than that.”

I roll my eyes because I know he doesn't. He's not that romantic. He only brings me gifts as show to make him look good to others and I only get flowers when he fucks up.

Crystal laughs as she claps her hands, “I say whoever it was deserves a date!”

Chris yells, “Watch it bitch!”

Crystal is just happy that someone is showing a genuine interest in me that isn't Chris. She tried to like Chris after I chose him when Bastian left. Chris was the comfortable choice and I didn't want to be the only one in school without a boyfriend.

“Hey! Uncalled for!” I chastise Chris.

Chris rolls his eyes, “Whatever.”

He's really been more of an ass than usual. I thought bringing in Jessica as a playmate would've eased things a bit, but it hasn't much. I just found out that I'm pregnant too. Crystal guessed by just looking at me, but I told her that I wasn't. My birthday is coming up too so I thought about telling everyone then. But I decided to tell Chris first so I made a plan to tell Chris on New Year's Eve. What could be better than starting

the new year as new parents, right?

Jessica’s POV

I swear Lynn has everything. She's got a career, charity, awesome house, husband, and men sending her gifts all the time. Her places are full of gifts and cards too. She just takes it all for granted. Just like she did this delivery! That pin is pure gold. It wasn't cheap! The flowers weren't cheap either. Roses aren't in season right now and those look extremely fresh. She doesn't deserve this life. I do.

End POV

Hailey smiles, “Also my queen, I'm still getting requests for you to sing at events.”

“I told you to tell them no!”

Hailey begs, “I am they're persistent mistress.”

“Well I'm more stubborn than they are persistent!”

Crystal laughs, “So fucking true!”

“Hey ho!”

Crystal rolls her eyes as she laughs, “Whatever.”

Ardin asks, “What are we doing for your birthday?”

Chris says flatly, “We're doing dinner. I already have it reserved. I'll get you all the details in a few days.”

“Sounds good. Thank you hun.” At least he is making an attempt like he does every year. I sigh as I put the flowers in a vase on my desk. I pin the brooch onto my inspiration board behind my desk. I look at it one last time before we leave my office. Whoever sent this knows me fairly well and I hope that this isn't the last that I hear from them.

Before I know it my birthday is here. We all go to dinner. He even invited the Steele's and some of my coworkers. I was pleasantly surprised by that because he hates my coworkers more than he does my friends, but little did I know what would happen next. In just a few moments my life would change completely.