Un-intended: Chapter Eighteen
"Miss Spears, your debt has increased to ten thousand dollars. I advised you to make payments that way we wouldn't have encountered this situation. I'm sorry, but there's nothing that I can do, it's out of my hands."
"I know, I just need two more months. I can get it to you in two months, I promise." I begged.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible. When debt exceeds ten grand, it gets moved up to someone higher than me. Your deadline is next week on Wednesday. Failure to adhere to this will result in the loss of your business. I'm sorry Miss Spears."
"I understand. Thank you for your time." I sighed while standing up and grabbing my purse.
"How far along are you?"
"Four months today." I smiled. "Twins."
"Congratulations."
"Thank you."
***
"Dallas, you're doing it all wrong. Move girl." Jorja hip-bumped her out of the way. "My Lulu! How was your appointment."
"What was the appointment for?' Dallas questioned.
I remained quiet before setting my purse down. Jorja gave me a confused look.
"I have to be honest with you guys." I started. "In a week from today, I-"
I stopped before wiping the tears falling from my eyes.
"We won't have the bakery anymore."
"What!" Jorja exclaimed.
"Wait, Lulu. What are you talking about?' Dallas questioned.
"I'm in ten thousand dollars of debt and I owe the bank by next week. I don't have that kind of money lying around, so the bakery has to go."
"And how long have you known about this, Luna?' Jorja questioned.
"Five months." I lowered my head.
"And you didn't say anything? You didn't let us know? We could have helped. We could have put together a fundraiser or something that could help us come up with the money." Jorja scoffed.
"I thought I had everything under control, then the twins happened and I just forgot. I'm sorry."
"But you could've come to me Luna, to us. You know we're there for you. How could let this happen?" Jorja shook her head.
"I'm sorry, it was a mistake. Please, I just don't need a lecture, okay?"
"I'm not lecturing you Luna, but do you understand what this means for everyone? We won't have jobs, you didn't even give us the luxury of time to find one. We all work here Luna and now-" She stopped herself. "I need to go."
"Jorja, please-"
"Just give me a moment." She took off her apron before walking out of the kitchen and out of the bakery.
"Luna-"
"You can go to Dallas. No reason to keep open a dead business." I sighed.
"I'll be back, okay?" She hugged me. "I'm gonna go check on Jorja."
"Do you think she's mad at me?"
"I don't think she's mad, maybe overwhelmed."
I nodded. Dallas left out the kitchen.
I never meant to hurt Jorja or anyone for that matter. Jorja was my rock, always has been, and always will be. I should have said something sooner, but I was scared. I didn't want to come to the terms that I was losing my bakery. My outlet. The one thing that connected to my grandmother. All of it's gone and it's my fault.
"Sorry I'm late, you know today is the anniversary so I spent some time with Jordan this morning." Pierce huffed while setting down his designer bag.
"It's fine, I'm closing the shop today. And since you haven't heard the news it's only right for me to tell you." I said. "In a week from today, the bakery is closing because I'm in debt. I'm sorry, I should've told you sooner."
"That works out. Jordan pulled some strings and got me a job at an editorial company!"
"Oh, congratulations!" I squealed. "I'm so happy for you Pierce!"
"What are you gonna do Luna?" Pierce questioned.
"I don't know." I shook my head. "And I can't ask Luca."
Pierce pouted before placing his hand on my shoulder.
"I promise, everything will work itself out."
"Thank you, Pierce." I smiled. "Hey, what anniversary were you talking about?"
"Of the accident. It's the sixteenth year."
"Oh fuck. I have to go check on Luca."
"You think he's at work?"
"Maybe. I'll check with his assistant."
***
"He's been in his office all day. He canceled all of his meetings." Enid scanned her badge, allowing us into the tall skyscraper.
The building was unusually quiet. People walked around quietly, not daring to say a word. Usually, it's filled with busy conversation, but today...it was quiet.
"Miss Spears?"
"Yes?"
"Don't tell him told you this, but he's not doing good. He lashed out at a couple of people, so just be cautious." Enid warned.
She pressed the elevator button and we stepped in. I pressed the top button.
"Did he seem sad?" I questioned while watching the elevator doors close.
"Just cold. Numb. Meaner than usual." Enid said.
I didn't know what to expect going into Luca's office. Would he be upset at my random pop-up? I didn't want to be overbearing on such a sensitive day, but I didn't want him to be alone.
How could I console him in a situation like this? I honestly have no idea what I'm going to say. I just knew that I had to be there.
The elevator doors open. We walked to the big black doors. Enid knocked before pushing it open. The room was dark but the sunlight escaped in.
"Mr. De Santos," Enid spoke meekly.
"Didn't I tell you not to interrupt me?" He stood staring out the window with his hands in his pockets.
"Misses Spears is here to visit you."
"Luna?" He turned around.
Enid walked out before closing the door.
"Hi! I can leave you want to be alone."
"No." He shook his head. "You're the only one I want to see."
He walked over before embracing me in a hug. I squeezed him tight. We stood like that for a minute before he was released.
"Thank you for coming."
"Of course." I slipped off my jacket.
Luca smiled while staring at my stomach.
"It's growing by the day." He said.
"Yeah, it's starting to actually feel like I'm pregnant. Not bloated." I slightly stretched. "How about we get out of this office? I can cook and we can watch movies. Sounds like a plan?"
Luca gave me a soft smile before nodding. "Yeah."
***
"I never realized how different the north and south are." Luca chuckled while digging in his pocket for his keys.
"I think Alabama just has its unique slang. Very interesting people down there." I laughed.
"I see. You have to teach me more so I'm not confused. At the last doctor's appointment, Lola warned me to not get skippy with her. What does that even mean?"
"Don't catch a 'tude," I responded.
"What's a 'tude?" Luca said while unlocking the door.
"An attitude."
"Country." He responded before pushing the door open.
"Hey! Alabama isn't just yeehaw and-"
"Viola?" Luca questioned.
"Lukey." The blonde girl stood up. She had tears welling in her eyes.
He quickly pulled her in a hug. I recognized her. She was Luca's older sister. Jorja and I stalked her Instagram one night. She was extremely beautiful, it looked like she came out of a catalog.
"Sorry, Luna this is my sister Viola. Viola, this is Luna." He introduced us.
"Nice to meet you, Luna. I didn't mean to oppose, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I know how you get on this day."
Luca looked down at the ground.
"Well, I hope you both don't mind me staying a couple of days here while I'm in town." She softly said.
"How about I make dinner?" I questioned.
"That would be lovely." Viola smiled.
***
"Thank you, Luna." Viola smiled as I gathered the plates.
"No problem."
"You know Luca, it's very sweet of you to allow your staff to eat dinner with you." Viola let out an exasperated sigh before placing her napkin down.
"She isn't the staff." He furrowed his eyebrows.
"Oh! Well, I apologize. I just assumed since she prepared the food and is now cleaning." Viola shrugged before clearing her throat. "So, what are you two, friends?"
"No, we're together and she's pregnant."
I softly smiled. I guess we're together now? I didn't hate the thought of that.
"I'm sorry, what?" Viola's eyes widen. "You're pregnant?"
I nodded. "With twins."
Viola happily squealed before hopping up. She ran over and embraced me in a hug. I stumbled aback a little bit.
"Sorry, I'm just so excited! Twins! Like you and Louis." She turned towards Luca.
"Yeah." Luca smiled.
"I'm overjoyed! I'm going to be an aunt!" She happily said. "Oh, thank you Luna for this news! I definitely needed it for today."
I gave her a soft smile.
"I'm beat from traveling. See you guys in the morning?" She questioned.
"Night sis." Luca nodded.
"Night Lukey. Goodnight Luna." She gave a warm smile before exiting the kitchen.
"I'm sorry about that. Sometimes she can be a little...dense." He let out a stiff laugh.
"It's okay! Seems like she took the news great." I brightly smiled.
"Those dimples..." He trailed off. "They do something to me."
I blushed while looking down. "So, we're together now?"
"I told you, I wanted you." He said.
I was shocked at Lucas boldness. The first time we met, he couldn't care less to remember my name. After Dubai, things progressed quickly. I can't say that I don't like the idea of that. Of us.
"Thank you again for coming to check on me. You don't understand how much that means to me."
"Anytime."
He pulled me in a hug.
"Spend the night with me?"
I nodded.
***
The next day had rolled around. Luca went in for work but begged me to stay till he got back. It was the evening and I finally managed to get out of his comfortable bed.
I walked towards kitchen, opening the fridge. I didn't feel like cooking and honestly I was too nauseated to eat.
I closed it back before turning around. I jumped seeing Viola sitting at the counter.
"Oh Luna, I didn't mean to scare you!" She placed her hand across her chest.
"Oh, it's okay. I jump easily." I let out an awkward laugh. "I see you went shopping."
"Yes! I had to check in with my stylist back when I lived here. She had so many luxurious brands, like Brunello Cucinelli. I'm sure you haven't heard of that." She let out a sigh while playing with her hair.
"Actually, that's my mom's favorite designer."
"Okay look. I don't want to play nice for too long, that's not who I am." She took of her shades before tossing them on the counter.
"Excuse me?"
"I see right through you, Luna Spears. Born in a small town in Alabama. Both of your parents are doctors and own a practice back home."
"Woah, how do you know-"
"Luna Spears currently lives in a ran down apartment. Luna spears is ten thousand dollars in debt. So what does Luna Spears do? She purposely gets knocked up by a billionaire so she can earn some cash. If it even is his. How pathetic."
"You've got your story wrong." I crossed my arms.
"I think I have it quite figured out." Viola stood up, slowly walking closer to me. "Luca has never stepped outside of his comfort zone like this."
She looked at my hair.
"People like you leech off of successful, hard working people. I won't allow my brother to bust his ass working, while you sit and collect child support checks."
"The difference between me and you Viola, I worked for everything I have. Yes, my apartment is ran down, but I worked for that. It was given to me."
"Not hard enough."
"What's your problem?"
"I'm just being a big sister protecting her little brother. People see an orphan rich boy and aim immediately for him. Poor Luca is too naive and doesn't know right from wrong."
She grabbed her purse before retrieving a white envelope.
"One-hundred grand. So you can save your little bakery and get out of my brother's life." She waved it infront of me.
I grabbed the envelope before ripping it up.
"I like Luca for him, not for his money." I said.
"It's not going to last, Luna. You don't belong in our world, so it's best you leave." She grabbed the shopping bags from the corner. "Before it gets ugly."