CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 5

Hades doesn't know what to feel or do, his mind was fully blank upon seeing the pregnancy tester with two red lines. He knows what those lines meant; his quivering lips turned into a thin line. Knowing Allison's pregnant with his child will surely render him completely dazed and surprised, but he knows she isn't. He still remembers that she had her menstrual period the day after the night they made love, he could even recall that he bought tons of pads for her that day, not to mention that he didn't release himself in her. Hades shook his head as he picked up the pregnancy tester from the stinky trash bin.

This must've belonged from a friend of hers, he thought as he strode back to his car, but then stiffened when a thought crossed his mind, the sacrament of matrimony.

The chauffeur opened the car's door let him in and he directed the driver to drive him back to the office, the latter nodded in response and started the car's ignition. The car started moving and Hades stared intently at the pregnancy tester in his enormous hand, asking himself why he picked it up, what is he going to do with it. He thought of it for moments before enclosing the thing within his fingers.

I guess I should keep this for a while.

"Hey." Brent greeted when Allison arrived while sitting comfortably on the couch, watching TV, eating cheesy lava pizza and drinking pineapple juice to his heart's content.

He seems to be in a good mood, Allison thought before greeting back, "Hey," with a smile, placing the bags down and taking her heels off. Shopping could have been way better if I was wearing flats, she thought while undoing the straps, her feet have been aching ever since.

"What took you so long?" She heard her best friend's voice asked with full curiosity. She looked up to him and noticed that his eyebrows were wiggling in a funny manner, "Don't tell me, you went on a date?" He continued.

She rolled her eyes in anticipation with a grimace on her face, "Impossible," because I just found Rebecca and guess what? I learned that she's pregnant with your baby. She added mentally. Up until now, she can't believe that Brent was going to be a father, without knowing it.

"You've never been out for such a long time like this, hun," he defied. Losing herself to Dane was once and losing her virginity to Hades was already enough for Allison to call herself a fool. She starts to get scared of dating after what Dane had done to her. She thinks of the man ill fully though, she can't define Hades like how she thinks of Dane since he only took her to bed because they were both drunk, not to mention, he took good care of her, cooked her breakfast, bought her comfy clothes and a pile of pads. She couldn't deny that she misses the beast that rendered her sleepless for nights.

"You and your silly assumptions, Dawson" Allison laughed as she placed the heels on the shoe rack. Their life had gone peaceful and normal days after that night. It was awkward for a few days because they were both moping for the same thing they lost but it soon went back to normal. Rebecca's absence made a hole in their hearts, but there was always Johnsy who could fill the hole but only for a temporary time.

Allison placed the bags full of Christmas decorations on the coffee table then ruffled Jojo's fur that was already dead to the world on the carpet. What am I going to do now? She asked to herself. She was planning to put the decorations tomorrow but her excitement to put the decorations into place was pushing her self - control to the limit. She stared at Brent in disbelief who was enjoying himself watching TV while eating pizza and drinking pineapple juice.

"What?" Brent asked with his eyes still focused on the TV when he noticed Allison's intense gaze from his peripheral vision.

"Nothing," she shrugged and ambled to sit beside him on the couch. Brent placed an arm around her shoulders and she snuggled herself closer into his chest, she almost groaned when she felt the warmth of Brent's body embracing her.

"Pizza?" Brent offered a slice from the box and Allison gladly took it.

"Thanks," she said before taking a bite. The scrumptious taste of mozzarella and ham invaded her tongue, making her moan in delight. She heard Brent chuckle and she smacked his arm that was coiled around her shoulders. "What?"

"Nothing," answered Brent between his chortles, "It's just that, you sound like a woman that is being fu—" before he could finish his sentence, Allison shut his mouth by covering his lips with her palm.

"Stop," she warned while glaring at him, her voice menacing but flushed. A few chortles slipped away from Brent's lips before he raised his arms in surrender and mumbling that he's stopping. Allison gave him one last glare before turning her sight on the TV and they both watched in silence. She looked at Brent and scrutinized his handsome features, his wonderfully shaped nose, deep blue eyes that could define the ocean. Smooth, white skin that can be compared to the snow and his soft, rich brown hair that is as russet as a bark of a tree. No wonder Rebecca fell in love with him, she thought.

Brent turned his face to look at her in the eye, "Is there something wrong, hun?"

"Nothing," she answered as she leaned her head down to Brent's shoulder. Brent didn't answer back, his eyes were back at the TV. The TV's show was grabbing his attention from Allison. Silence reigned for seconds and minutes, Allison began to ponder if she should tell Brent about Rebecca. That she already found the woman who stole Brent's virginity and the same woman who is bearing his child.

"I just miss Rebecca," she blurted out, hesitating to take it back. But she's too late now because she caught Brent's full attention. Brent stared at her for moments before looking away, saying, "Yeah."

She stared up at Brent and held his shoulder, her hand caressing his shoulder with full care, "Do you miss her too, Dawson?"

Brent groaned before answering, "That's not an easy question, Allison." Allison. He called her by her first name, the conversation's getting serious. Allison almost shuddered because of the coldness of his voice.

"Do you?" she repeated her question, snuggling closer into her best friend's arm. Brent was stiff for moments, his eyes seemed to be looking far away before he answered her with a shrug. Looks like Rebecca is still a sore topic for Brent. Allison wanted to stop herself from asking her next question but her curiosity is forcing her to.

"Will you be able to forgive her after what she did to you?" Allison carried on, almost sighing for letting her curiosity win over her self - control. She was able to stop herself from decorating but why not about how Brent feels about Rebecca?

"Where are you getting at?" he asked forebodingly, his eyebrows scrunching together, eyes glaring at her and face getting dark. It was clear on his face that he's purely pissed to the bone.

"N-Nothing, I was just asking," she stammered. Allison never knew that Rebecca's still a sore topic for Brent. He hasn't seen her for a month and would probably sorer if he sees her every day. Silence reigned once again, there was nothing She could hear but only the TV that was making the noise. She bit her lower lip unconsciously and glanced at Brent in-camera, his face was darker and his lips formed into a thin line. She must've pissed him off, wait, no, she really did.

"How about you Allison, will you be able to forgive the man who took advantage of you?" Brent's voice asked, his voice almost shaking in annoyance.

"He didn't take advantage of me because we were both drunk," she defied. It was true, she and Hades when they both had sex, so Hades doesn't take hold of any responsibility because it was her fault of making herself drunk that rendered her to lose herself and have sex with Hades without any protest. Brent was silent after her answer.

He's getting mad, she thought. She doesn't want an argument with Brent, it makes her feel alone and sad. She regretted asking him about Rebecca. She began doing slow, shallow breaths, earning the courage to apologize, thinking of what she should say.

"Hey," she tugged the sleeve of Brent's shirt, "I'm sorry... I let my curiosity control me without even thinking of how you would feel," she apologized with her voice pleading for him to forgive her and accept the small apology. A few moments passed before Brent sighed in defeat and looked at her in the eye with his russet eyes that are filled with sadness.

"I'm sorry, too. It's just that... it pains me to hear her name. After what she did to me that night," Allison can feel his pain as the words eluded his lips. She wanted to get mad at Rebecca because of what she did to Brent but she doesn't want to at the same time. Allison knows Rebecca's desperation of Brent's love even though he already dumped her. She knows the longing Rebecca feels because that what she been feeling for Dane after he broke up with her. But what was worse is that what happened to him and Rebecca was also a drunken mistake, like what happened between Hades and Allison.

"I'll make up to you tomorrow, I'll cook your favorite for breakfast even if it's hard to make" Allison promised. Brent chuckled lightly before kissing her on the forehead. Before, she finds the gesture heartbreaking because it reminds her of Dane but now, she finds it sweet.

"No need, hun, just accompany me on my shopping tomorrow and we're good," Brent told her, his eyes back at the TV.

"I thought we're already good," Allison pouted her lips even though she thinks it's very childish to do such a thing.

He chuckled once again. "Yeah, we already are good."

"Dawson." She grunted, almost rolling her eyes in aggravation. He's such a confusing idiot sometimes.

Allison woke up the next morning with a bright smile etched on her face. There's nothing that excites her more than putting decorations for Christmas. She has loved Christmas ever since she was a child. Her smile grew even wider when she remembered that she and Brent will be going home to their hometown for Christmas and New Year. It has been months since she saw her parents, she misses them very much, and especially her mom's home-baked pastries.

She got up from her bed and strode to the bathroom to do her morning rituals. After doing her morning rituals and prepping herself, she made her way outside her bedroom to cook breakfast for her and Brent. When she arrived in the kitchen, she saw Brent, doing what she was supposed to do.

"Good morning," she greeted as she sat down on a stool on the island counter. Brent turned his head to look at her and he flashed to her his signature killer smile.

"Good morning," he greeted then he gave her a mug of hot coffee and turned his head back to focus his attention on cooking. Allison sighed in delight when the sweet and hot aroma of the coffee wafted into her nose. She opened her eyes and scrutinized Brent's whole appearance, she noticed that he was wearing a grey shirt and white jogger jeans, he's really excited to go to the mall. Allison rolled her eyes, he is always excited to go to the mall.

"This smells nice..." she trailed off as she gripped her fingers on the cup. She stood up from the stool and strode to the living room. She scrutinized the view outside by the glass walls. The sun was rising up to its peak, slowly unveiling the facade of buildings with different girths and elevation. Allison lifted the cup to her lips and leisurely drank a small amount of the hot coffee, by the taste, she noticed it was white coffee. She stared at the smoking hot, white coffee, it reminded her of Hades.

A man who has such power and wealth, a man who can destroy one's life with just a snap of his fingers, a man who is both respected and feared, a man who gets anything he wants. Nevertheless, he was also the beast who held her like she's a fine piece of China, the monster who looks at her with so much love like she's the most admirable woman in the world, the swine who kissed, bit and licked her skin like she was some sweet candy, the brute who made her restless for nights because of his lingering touch and kisses. She fears him, of course, but she can't deny to herself that she misses him at the same time. She misses his gentle hands, his saccharine kisses, and his stormy grey eyes, those eyes that express his zeal and want for her. She can't forget what a gentleman he was, he cooked her breakfast, bought her pads and clothes when she had her menstrual period and he made her feel that even though she was just a one-night stand, he made her feel special and full with care.

Does he even ever think of like how I think of him? What is he doing now? she asked herself. Allison bit her lower lip, made a heavy sigh before sipping the coffee again as her pessimistic side suddenly came. Of course, he won't think of her because he doesn't remember her, she was just some one-night stand, a foolish woman who is deserved to be forgotten. He's probably busy now doing paperwork, signing proposals, reading reports, attending meetings, scolding, and firing employees.

"Hey! Breakfast is ready!" yelled Brent's voice from the kitchen that rendered Allison's bubble of thoughts pop into oblivion. Way to ruin the moment, she thought before she strolled to the kitchen and saw two plates of French toast, bacon and eggs on the island counter.

"Took you long enough to cook these," she told him before sitting down on the stool and began digging in. The scrumptious taste of the combined French toast, bacon, and eggs made Allison sigh in delight. Brent's a good cook, even though there was no chef in his family line, he cooks the food like he's one professional chef in a famous Italian restaurant.

"Why aren't you still dressed?" asked Brent with scrunched eyebrows when he noticed she wasn't her wearing her outdoor clothes on. Allison almost rolled her eyes in vexation, he sure is excited. Makes sense, he's gay and of course, shopping is and always will be his main addiction.

She made a huge gulp before replying, "I'm taking my time. Don't rush me, you know I always want to relish a good and decent breakfast."

"Whatever, just make sure we arrive at the mall early than on time. I want to see the latest men's clothes this season," replied Brent before digging in his own food.

"MHMM, I wonder what we should buy," said Brent while roaming his eyes around the mall. Who wouldn't roam his eyes around the place? It looks very marvelous! The whole place is already bombarded with Christmas decorations. Every wall, corner, and glass is filled with balls, miniatures, and garlands. The malls' staff are already wearing Santa hats. At the heart of the mall was a giant Christmas tree that stands at its best with the brightness of its lights and variety of its decoration. On the foot of the tree was a giant chair that looks like a king's throne because of its girth, carving and features and on that chair sat a man with a fat belly, long, white beard, red and white coat and pants, a man impersonating to be Santa Claus.

"You shouldn't really ask, Dawson. Once you see the thing that is the apple of your eye, you'll spend your cash on it without further hesita—" Allison wasn't able to finish her sentence when she saw a boutique, featuring on the window some baby paraphernalia and a mannequin that was wearing a pregnant mother's dress was holding them. The sudden thought of Rebecca and her baby surged into her mind.

"What's wrong, Drew?" she was taken aback by Brent's voice. She looked at him in the eye and she felt the sudden heavy weight of guilt in her chest. She doesn't want to hide any secrets from him but she doesn't want to break her promise to Rebecca at the same time.

"Nothing," she answered then wrapped her arm around Brent's. "Let's go and find some new bags, shall we?" she offered to him with a queer smile. Brent looked at her as if he was reading what she's thinking but then, he gave up and agreed to her offer. As they both wandered to a certain boutique, the hairs of Allison's skin oddly stood as she felt a stingy, tingling feeling of her instinct like she's being watched by someone. She roamed her eyes around but there was no one who's keeping their eyes at her. Weird, Allison thought before taking her attention back to Brent.

Hades couldn't take it anymore, he can't bear seeing Allison laughing, talking, and touching each other's skin with that person. He wants to be the one. He wants to be the only man who could make Allison laugh and smile. He wants to be the only man that Allison would look with her smiling green eyes. She's his, only his. No other man could touch her but only him. He looked at Brent's hand that was holding Allison's waist as he accompanies Allison who picking some bags. How he wanted to break it. He imagined how he would break every bone of Brent's body. Brent's sexuality was no excuse to have access to touch Allison. He spent the whole day following Allison and Brent in-camera, watching every move Allison makes, admiring the sound of her sweet voice whenever she talks to Brent, clenching his fist as his jealousy flourishes and scaring men who dare to check her out. He doesn't care about work anymore, he's the boss anyway. People obey what command, follow what he tells them to do, and opens their ears to what he says.

When he made sure that Allison and Brent had gone home safely, he directed the driver his desired direction and the driver nodded in response before turning on the engine. Hades removed his cuff links and unbuttoned three buttons of his dress shirt so he can breathe steadily, his jealousy can't take it anymore. The vile feeling was already strangling him on the neck and he's itching to remove it already, though there is only one solution.

Along the journey, Hades' mind was bombarded with thoughts of himself with Allison like seeing her walking down the pews of the church to the altar, saying their "I do" to the priest and their vows to each other that they will never leave each other and only death can part them. Making love to her for the second time in their honeymoon, his member tightened in his slacks when he reminisced how her tight opening made him feel good and addicted. He thought of what memories will they make together along with their child, he pondered of her stomach getting big as months pass by. Him, listening to her 6-month-old stomach when Allison feels the baby kick, and they both laugh as he feels the little one's kick too. A smile etched on Hades' face because of the illusions in his mind, never could he thought of a good future without Allison.

The car halted and the chauffeur opened the car for Hades and he made his way out. He dialed Jarred's number and pressed it on his ear while waiting for Jarred to answer.

"Sir?" answered Jarred's voice after a few rings.

"Check my schedule and cancel all my appointments that are set from 2 o'clock until closing time," Hades instructed.

"Yes sir," said his secretary, and Hades hung up the phone. He placed his phone in his pocket and stared at the façade before him. The house Mrs. and Mr. Jonathan J. Taylor, Allison's parents and his soon - to - be in-laws. He fished something out from his pocket and stared at it, looks like he's already at his worst.