Page 25 of The Bargain

I did look rich. I smiled at her. I would spend money today alright. Timmy would have the best there was.

“Hi. I have a credit line opened for Timothy Beaumont.”

“Ah, yes, of course!” Her eyes light up with dollar signs. “What is it you need?”

I looked down at Timmy and smiled. Be ready for the bill, Dean Beaumont. “Everything.”

I shopped for the next two hours, buying everything I thought Timmy would need for the next eighteen months. I even added paint and stencils to decorate the white clinical walls I hated so much.

By the time I was done, I was exhausted. I changed Timmy's diaper and fed him in the store’s state-of-the-art room I was sure was not provided to every mother. But I’d just spent five digits in this store - more than my yearly wage before tax!

When I met Dee, I was ravenous and so decided to treat us to a late lunch, using the credit card. I deserved that much for being Dean’s in-house punching bag.

We sat at a table at the back. As usual, Dee looked stunning, wearing a leopard-printed dress that molded her generous form to perfection. Her make-up was flawless, her deep-red lips matching her bag and shoes.

Picking Timmy up from his stroller, she kissed him on his forehead, leaving her usual lipstick mark there. “I’ve missed you, sweet boy.” She stroked his cheek softly. “How is he doing?” she asked me, rocking Timmy against her chest.

I smiled. “He’s doing good. The Doctor Dean took us to is a world-renowned pediatric surgeon and a nice man. He will fix Timmy’s heart, I'm sure of it.” I smiled fondly at the little boy starting to doze on his unofficial godmother’s chest. “He is still getting tired, but the new meds are fantastic. The side effects are barely there anymore. He can eat without getting sick and no more diarrhea.”

She looked down at him and brushed the top of his head with her nose. “That’s good. At least something good will come from this. This little boy deserves the best.” She looked up. “And so do you, sweet girl.” She detailed me as we ordered our food and drinks.

“What?” I asked subconsciously.

“You’ve put some weight on.” She nodded. “It looks so good on you. Just a few more pounds and you will be perfect.”

“I’ve only been gone two weeks, Dee, but yeah, I guess that’s what eating your fill will do to you, huh?” I’ve put on six pounds in two weeks. The constant dull ache in my stomach is gone. It was a luxury most people took for granted.

“How are things there? Really,” she asked as she settled Timmy back in his stroller and the waiter brought us our lattes.

I drank a bit, giving myself time to think of what to say. I didn’t want Dee to worry more than what she already did.

“The house is amazing. You should see this place. And the library is enormous. I think I’ve read more in two weeks than I have in five years!” I smiled. “The staff is very lovely too, Mrs. James, the head housekeeper, is teaching me how to cook. I know quite a few recipes already. I love cooking.”

She nodded, resting her chin on her knuckles, her eyes shining. I clearly had not fooled her. “How’s it going with the oldest Beaumont?”

I was grateful the waiter came then with the food.

I cut a piece of steak.” Well, I can’t say he’s a fan,” I admitted before putting a piece of meat in my mouth.

“Uh… Why do I think you’re hiding things?”

Because I am. “It’s not that bad, really.”Yes, yes, it is.

She detailed me silently, her lips pursed. “You know, honeybun, you don’t have to take whatever that man is throwing your way. Just because he’s rich and powerful, doesn’t mean he’s better than you.”

“According to society, he is.”

“And since when do I care what society thinks? Ain’t no time for that shit.”

I chuckled. “It’s not so bad, really.”

We ate in silence for a few minutes.

I sighed. I needed to know the truth. “Do you think she did it on purpose? Get pregnant by a Beaumont?”

Dee frowned. “Why do you ask? You’ve never questioned it before.”

I leaned back in my seat. “You do, don’t you?”

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