Vanquished (The Encounter #3)(16)
“If I agree to follow your suggestion, when should I leave?” I asked, feeling nauseous at the thought of leaving my home.
“I have to be in New York tomorrow for two weeks then another two in Miami. You’re coming with me. You’re not leaving the hotel without me, not until I hire a security detail to follow you around.”
I knew he wasn’t joking about the security detail, either. Julien was going to go above and beyond to make sure I was safe and protected. I just hoped helping me keep this secret wouldn’t place him in harm’s way. If he was, I would never forgive myself for being so irresponsible.
“I don’t have my passport with me, Julien.”
“Give me the keys to your apartment. I’ll have my driver get it for you,” he said, as if he had thought it all out.
He probably had thought it all out. I knew how ruthless he was in business. It was the same trait as Hugo. Doubt wasn’t a word they normal toyed with.
I must hand my fate to him for at least a month while we both found a way to make my pregnancy a secret. And since Hugo had practically shut me out, I supposed it was safe to say that keeping this under the radar wouldn’t be such a hardship.
Wherever my fate planned to take me, I hoped the baby would be safe and unharmed. That was all that mattered to me now, nothing else.
Chapter Ten
Before I left, I sent a lengthy text message to Claire and Damen, the only two people who would become frantic if I turned up missing. Instead of confiding my destination to them, though, I made a hasty excuse that I was going back home to deal with a family matter. A voicemail was left in my manager’s inbox with my resignation in it. And as for school, my teachers were sympathetic about my fabricated situation and were willing to email me each week so I could still carry on with my education without needing my physical presence.
I was beyond thankful for their kind generosity. I was already halfway through the courses, so it would be tragic if I couldn’t make it and get those credits. Even after giving birth, I was determined to finish school. Whether that dream was accomplished five to ten years later, it wouldn’t matter as long as my education had a successful completion.
The stark reality of my impending future came the moment I descended the jet’s flight of stairs at JFK airport. Just as Julien had promised, he acquired two security men whose eyes were trained on me from the time we landed in New York City, reminding me of two panthers: skillful, highly intelligent, amazingly agile, undoubtedly fearless, watchful, and cautious.
They both were nice but lacked personality. Or maybe they took their jobs seriously and couldn’t do with irrelevant pleasantries. With Julien mostly gone for work, I only had them to talk to; however, they both remained business-like when dealing with me, which was rather frustrating.
We stayed in The Plaza’s magnificently opulent terrace suite, which was adorned in eggshell white that was highlighted by gilded gold and a touch of cornflower blue. It was a two-bedroom suite that boasted king-sized beds. The sight of it gave the impression that I was guaranteed a luxurious sleep, something I desperately looked forward to since the transatlantic flight hadn’t provided any shut-eye due to the fact that my mind was still disorientated and highly overwhelmed by the quick turn of events.
I had expected to be anxious since I was away from home, but I actually found myself quite relaxed. With that state of mind, I spent the first week indoors, indulging in the suite while I imagined what my life would entail as a single mother caring for a baby, doing it all as I raised him or her while I attempted to finish my schooling. Would I be a great mother? What if I was horrible at it? How would I know? I knew Claire would try to help as much as she could once she found out , but I wouldn’t have my mother or brother’s help since my father was still mental and would jump at any chance that could benefit him.
If he ever found out who the father of this baby was, he would gleefully rub his hands together, plotting another bribe. I would never place my child in that position, so it was best I kept my distance with my family until my father ceased to live. Only then would I approach Yannis and my mother. Keeping this baby truly meant all or nothing. As much as I loved my brother and mother, this tiny pea was my heart. I would never give it up, no matter the cost.
“Are you willing to see a doctor anytime soon, Isobel?”
Upon hearing his question, I peered at Julien through my lashes just as I was finishing my light snack of aged cheese, Sicilian olives, and water crackers. He had stridden into the living room of the suite that overlooked the beautiful Central Park and crowded energy that was Manhattan. It was a destination I had yet to acquaint myself with. The around-the-clock exhaustion, the puking, the odd pangs of hunger, and the ungodly hours of craving that never ceased to stop were all too much for me, yet I was dealing with it as best as I could.
Sending Julien a considering look, I made a pleasant smile before inquiring about his day and how it had gone.
“It went as expected,” he replied as he arched his brow at me, unperturbed. “Enough dodging the question, chère. I have already appointed a doctor who will discreetly take care of your needs. Aren’t you curious how far along you are? These facts could be essential while we’re still hatching a plan.”
Julien wasn’t one for endearments, though he had used them sporadically when he was adamant about something to be done, and in this instance, I knew he was right. But how could I explain to him that, by doing so, it made everything too real. By securing myself in this small, secured bubble, I could safely comfort myself without being slapped with the harsh reality that I had to embark upon. Although I had accepted my fate, it was still a difficult thing to comprehend.