Chapter 1
Melinda stood in front of the bathroom mirror with the pregnancy test in her trembling hand, she stared down at the test, hoping that the two pink lines that confirmed her worst fears would disappear. It did not. The two pink lines stared back at her as she clamped her hand over her mouth. She was pregnant!
Tears welled up in her eyes as she sank to the floor. She loosened her hold on the test as it rolled into the side.
The event of that fateful night flashed before her eyes. She tried to block out the thoughts, but she couldn't stop herself from remembering the piercing gaze from his dark eyes through his butterfly mask that seemed to see through her.
She had had too many drinks that night and when he had approached her for a dance she couldn't say no, now she was saddled heavily with the repercussions of her actions.
She was not one to give herself to any male but that night, his smile had shattered the invisible wall that was perched between them.
Few weeks ago
The air was filled with a jumble of music and noise from the people partying in the penthouse. Melinda sat at one of the tables, casually sipping from her glass half filled with one of their exotic wines. She was constantly adjusting her mask on her face and was cautious while adjusting it to not reveal even the slightest detail of her face.
"Ugh. Why didn't I pick one that actually fits." She grunted when she adjusted her mask for the umpteenth time.
She felt pairs of eyes nest on her body the moment she walked into the penthouse. The whispers were nearly unending as she walked majestically to her reserved table. What else had she expected when she was clad in absolute gorgeousness? Her dress was a masterpiece of silk and lace that shimmered in the soft glow of the chandeliers. Her dress accentuated her thick figurine and delicate décolletage, but the back of her gown was what really had her in the spotlight.
Delicate strands of pearls crisscrossed over her bare skin, creating an intricate pattern that left little to the imagination. She had been the subject of admiration for about an hour or two, but after that, everyone was back at their business without giving a single care in the world. But a certain pair of eyes remained fixated on her. The eyes followed every movement she made. And even when she had been intentionally static, the gaze never faltered.
Melinda lifted her head and was met with a pair of dark eyes. She swallowed hard. He was one of a kind, with his clothes barely covering his chiseled chest. She watched as his muscles rippled through the clothes as he laid his drink down on the table. Much to her expectation, the strange man stood from his table and advanced slowly toward her table.
"Hey there," his deep baritone voice filtered through her ears.
Melinda felt a knot in her stomach tighten as she caught a glimpse of his face. He sat comfortably in the seat across from her as their eyes locked in an intense gaze.
"You have such mesmerizing eyes," he said in a flirtatious tone.
"Come," he said, holding his hand out to her.
Melinda tried to subdue her nervousness as she placed her hand in his. He enclosed his hand and hers disappeared completely. He helped her to her feet and led her to the dancefloor.
For a whole new reason, eyes fell on Melinda. This time they settled on her. Melinda felt the world around her disappear as she danced into the night with this strange man. His large hand was on her waist, drawing her closer to him.
"Your steps are graceful," Melinda said to the man after they had made their way outside to cool off.
"And so are yours." The man replied. His face formed into a wide smile. He circled his hand around her waist and pulled her in. He kissed her neck lightly. The smell of his thick cologne filled Melinda's senses as she let out a soft moan when the man's lips grazed her skin.
He traced her lips with his fingers and followed it with his lips. His kiss was gentle, but when Melinda gave in to him. He intensified the kiss, sucking on her bottom lip.
He went to her left nipple and squeezed it. Melinda's moans grew louder. The strange man tried to muffle her moans with his kiss but his efforts were futile. He lifted Melinda onto him and she coiled her leg around him.
Without breaking the kiss, he carried her out back. Melinda broke the kiss and tried to peel the mask off the man's face but he stopped her, bringing her fingers to his lips, he sckd on each one.
"Take your panties off," he said to her in a low tone and she obeyed without saying a word.
"Good girl." He said, the smile settling in again.
Melinda wiped the tears from her eyes as she got up from the floor, determination coursing through. She was ready to face the criticism and judgment from her Friends and family and especially from her parents. She was ready to provide answers to the unending questions of why she had gotten pregnant without getting married first.
She took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom. She was going to keep the baby and raise it alone with her own resources. She knew the life of a single mother will pose to be extremely difficult for her but she was determined to face it head-on. But even in the face of determination, fear, anxiety, and uncertainty enveloped her. She wasn't going to be a victim of circumstance, she braced herself for the journey ahead of her.
She bent and took the pregnancy test, she looked at it one last time before trashing it and walked out of the bathroom.