Page 66 of Mister Stark

Suddenly, my best friend’s face appeared. My breath quickened and I couldn’t contain it. I couldn’t fathom what was happening, and everything just changed in an instant.

“Celeste? What’s wrong?” Paisley asked immediately as she took in my frazzled demeanor and was concerned.

“I didn’t know what else to do.” I admitted as I tried to gain control of myself and took some deep breaths.

“You didn’t know what to do about what, sweetie?” Paisley asked, puzzled by my craziness.

“I have something to tell you.” I breathed as I held up the pregnancy test without another moment’s hesitation and waited for her reaction. “I’m pregnant.”

Shock took over Paisley's face. “Is that what I think it is?”

I looked over at the test that held all the truth and back at Paisley. “Yes, Pais, it’s exactly what you think it is.”

“You’re pregnant? Oh my god! Congratulations!” Paisley announced as her mouth went agape and she bounced with joy. “Oh, I bet Dylan is just over the moon!”

I put the pregnancy test down and frowned. “He doesn’t know.”

Paisley immediately stopped the celebration and narrowed her eyes. “And why doesn’t he know, Celeste?”

I blew out a long breath and knew it was time to come clean. “Because I just found out, and he may not be the father.”

Paisley stared at me wide eyed and said, “What did you just say?”

And I repeated. “My fiancé might not be the father of this baby.”

I let her sink it in. It took several moments as I watched her face change from shock and then back to normal. Her mind processed everything and tried to grasp the reality of the situation. The same way I tried to do, but I freaked out instead.

Finally, Paisley breathed. “Oh, my god... I knew something was going on.”

I squinted my eyes and shook my head with confusion. “What are you talking about?”

She pointed her finger at me with suspicion. “This has something to do with that night you stayed in the presidential suite with Dylan’s father, doesn’t it?”

I didn’t speak a word, but knew she was piecing the puzzle together as we spoke. She knew me better than most people and it surprised me I kept the truth from her this long. Paisley was anything but polite. She was a nosy genius.

She got closer to the screen and whispered to me. “Girl, did you sleep with his dad?”

I bit my bottom lip, closed my eyes and spoke the truth. “Yes, I slept with him.”

I opened my eyes and felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. The truth felt great to let out, but there was still so much to be told. This didn’t even graze the surface.

“I knew it!” Paisley exclaimed and smiled. “I just knew something more went on! Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”

“Because it was wrong, and I wanted to forget it happened.” I admitted and hung my head in shame. “I swore to myself it wouldn’t happen again. But then Dylan booked us a surprise getaway to make us get along. We were all alone at a cabin in the woods and the temptation was just too high and...”

Paisley cut me off. “You had sex with him again?”

I gazed up at her with defeat and admitted my double betrayal. “Yes, I did.”

“This is quite the mess you’ve got yourself mixed in, Celeste.” Paisley breathed as she shook her head and looked me straight in the eyes. “But you need to come clean and tell them the truth.”

I repeatedly shook my head with fright. “No, no, they can’t find out. This could destroy everything. The company, Daxon’s life, Dylan’s secret and so much...”

Paisley stopped me. “What do you mean by Dylan’s secret?”

Oh, no, I let it slip.

I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone and now it was too late. She wouldn’t let this go and would pry it from me till the bitter end. I couldn’t keep it from her now.

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