I turned around as I looked at the source of the voice.

I couldn't believe it, after all this time he was standing in front of me. I hated seeing his face about as much as I hated hearing his voice.

Gerald was standing in front of me.

After everything that happened, he was standing in front of me. I didn't feel anything for him, not even hate. Now that I think about everything that had happened, I can't believe I wasted so much time with him.

"Are you surprised to see me," he said breaking the silence.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

I balled my hand into a fist, everything about him angered me.

"How else does a person like me get invited to a place like this? Alex invited me." He spoke.

Alex would never do that; he didn't even know him. I don't know what his plan was, but he definitely wasn't going to provoke me.

"Are you that pathetic that you had to lie," I said.

He let out a laugh.

I've always wanted to end my relationships on a positive end, but with him it could never happen.

"You are the pathetic one here, it's sad that you have reduced yourself to this. You weren't this pathetic before." He spoke.

I must have been more pathetic if I was in a relationship with him.

I wasn't going to stand around for this. I scanned the room for Alex, maybe he could get him out of here before I did something stupid.

"You are just desperately after a guy who is just trying to get rid of you. He doesn't even want you. I would have thought that after all this time you would finally be able to take a hint." He mocked.

"You not even worth my time," I said.

As I turned to leave, I gripped my arm forcing me to stay.

I about to yell that he was harassing me, but I managed to contain myself. I had to constantly remind myself to be calm for the sake of my baby.

"Aren't you curious as to the real reason I am here? " He whispered. "For old times' sake, I think you deserve to know the truth."

I pulled my arm away from his grip. By now I noticed people were starting to stare.

"I don't have time for your games, I'd be happy enough knowing I never have to see you again. Goodbye." I spoke.

This time I was determined on leaving, but his next words stopped me in my tracks.

"A few months back, Alexander contacted me." He spoke. "Well... his private investigator did. And he offered me a lot of money, you wouldn't guess what it was for."

He had his signature smirk. He knew he had managed to get what he wanted, to torment me.

"He is planning on taking that precious baby of yours, as soon as its born and kick you out of their lives. He was willing to do anything it takes, even if it means using your past to make sure you never see that child again. As you know your list of offenses are quite lengthy, even if none of it is official. He has enough proof to prove how unstable you are. I'd start saying goodbye to that baby if I were you." He spoke.

He had to be lying. This was coming from a person who couldn't be trusted, who constantly lied to me. Why would he choose to be honest now, Alex would never stoop that low?

"You are lying," I managed to say.

"Okay, why don't you go and ask him? About the lawsuit he is planning for you. He has you exactly where he wanted you, to keep you close while he stabs you in the back. Just because he invites you to this fancy party doesn't mean that you are anything special to him." He mocked.

He pulled out his phone. He then began showing me emails between himself and a lawyer with regards to him. All the emails were dated at least six months back. I didn't want to believe it, but it was true. Alex was planning on taking my child away, this time he had gone too far.

"Do you want any more proof of all the ways that he has stabbed you in the back," Gerald said.

I couldn't find the words to speak. I knew I didn't trust Alex and I hated myself for not trusting him because it was the reason, we couldn't have a functional relationship. I should have known I was right not to. He has crossed all lines before, but this was just unforgiveable.

"I could tell you the rest of the details if you'd like. I just want you to know that when I have to say all of those things in court, none of it is personal." He smirked.

I was so mad that I couldn't even cry, I wanted to kill Alex. If I was going to be put in prison for that then I'd gladly serve my time, I'd be doing humanity a huge favor.

I looked at Alex, he was chatting with some people and laughing.

It's ironic how someone could have an angelic face like his and be this cruel. Since he cared so much about his reputation how about I expose him right in front of everyone? It still wouldn't be anywhere close to what he was trying to do to me, but it would make me feel better.

I stormed off and headed towards Alex. Just as I was a few meters from him, I felt another grip on my arm.

I turned around to find Sebastian. Great! Just another snake.

"Don't do anything stupid." He warned.

He released my hand from his cold hands as he kept his gaze on me. It was as if he wanted me to be afraid.

"I must say, you made quite the upgrade. From that guy to my godson, I'm impressed." He chuckled. "I know everything." He added.

How many more people I didn't want to see was I going to meet today?

"I have something urgent I need to do," I replied.

Alexander was going to hear it from me today, he had crossed all lines.

"You are not going to go there and make a scene now. Your presence has already done enough damage," He warned. "I knew this whole thing would be a mistake from the start, if it was up to me I would have you disappear."

He was finally showing his true colors, he wasn't even pretending to be nice anymore.

"You should feel very ashamed yourself, you are always lying and scheming behind Alexander's back." "What would he do if he finally found out this is really who you are? What do you think he would do to you?" I warned.

He chuckled.

"Trust me, I do it for his own good. There are things that Alexander should never find out about. I am just looking out for his interest." He spoke.

"Zoe," I heard Alexander's voice. "I didn't think that you would still be here. I see the two of you are catching up." He spoke.

Sebastian looked at me in a challenging manner, as if to say, 'don't do it,'. He was waiting for the moment I explored. But I ended up surprising myself.

"Yes, you really are lucky to have Sebastian. He was just telling me about how amazing you are." I faked a smile.

Alex looked at us with both eyebrows raised.

When you are surrounded by liars, you learn to be just like them.

The only way to beat Alex was to beat him in his own game, do the same thing he has been doing. Scheme behind his back while pretending to be his friend. I needed to be just like him. I couldn't afford to get emotional or irrational. This was the only way I would win.

"I think Zoe here is the one whom you are lucky to have," Sebastian laughed.

He placed his hand on my shoulder, pretending to be sincere.

"You are too kind," I said to Sebastian. Right now, I felt like I could get an Oscar, I was giving some of my best fake smiles.

"When you two are finally done praising each other, Zoe Steven would like to see you." He spoke.

I nodded at Alex.

"You two should go right ahead," Sebastian said.

I walked away with Alex but not before giving Sebastian a warning glare.

I had no idea what I was doing, all I knew was that I should be shouting at him right now but instead I was pretending to be his friend. I was calm.

I also had to stop for a moment and think. Alexander was immensely powerful and influential; he could win any court case. Not to mansion the fact that he owned the building I was renting for my café. He could leave me with nothing if he wanted. I really needed to think things through, I didn't want to risk losing my child and with the amount of evidence he probably had on me, it was most likely to happen. The only way I could win was if I had an upper hand on him.

We stopped in front of a middle-aged woman. I knew I recognized her. She was Steven Anderson's wife.

"Where is Steven?" Alex asked.

"You just missed him dear," Lisha said.

For a moment I couldn't believe that I was standing right in front of her. She looked just as glamorous as she did in all those tabloids. Sure, she wasn't anything like her husband, but it must have been nice living with a genius.

"I'll be right back," Alex whispered over my shoulder. He then disappeared into the crowd. 'Don't leave me' I wanted to say.

"So, you must be Zoe," she said. She said it as if she had tasted something bitter in her mouth.

"Yes," I answered.

"You are the woman of the hour, the one everyone is talking about. I might say, I was jealous for a moment." She continued.

I didn't know what to say. Was I supposed to take that as a good thing or a sad thing?

"I've always wondered how that baby happened, how did your relationship with Alex start? Before you got knocked up by a billionaire, no one even knew who you were." She spoke. "It must suck being the other woman. The obstacle between high school sweethearts Alex and Cindy. It must suck knowing that you'll always be the woman who will never measure up to him." She continued.

For a slit second, I was hurt by her word. I knew everyone here hated me but at least they had the decency to say it behind my back. I wasn't any less of human just because I didn't belong in their social class. Besides, I deserved a lot more than Alex. I was relieved with the feeling of knowing Alex and Cindy weren't actually together, but it still hurt knowing that everyone thinks they are.

When the hurt was gone, I just wanted to choke her. I might end up accidently removing an implant. Maybe even punch her in the face.

"So how far along are you now?" She asked.

"About thirty weeks" I managed to answer. The moment I did I knew she was going to try and use it against me.

"You unfortunate thing, when that baby pops up you are going to have to lose a lot of weight. Looking at you now, I doubt you'll ever look the same again." She spoke. I had reached my limit with her insults.

Just then, Alexander walked in with an elderly gentleman at his side.

Steven Anderson my mind screamed. Let's just hope he wasn't as rude as his wife.

"You wouldn't look like that if not for all the surgeries you had." Alex joked. "Zoe will look just fine." He then winked at me.

Steven laughed looking at his wife.

For a moment I felt butterflies in my stomach but then I remembered I was supposed to hate him.

"Zoe," Steven said extending his hand. "I've heard so many wonderful things about you."

I shook his hand with a smile.

"I was at your café a few days back. I must say, I was impressed. You added a special touch to it. It made me remember my childhood days and I must say I haven't had that feeling in years." Steven continued.

I don't know what was more shocking, the fact that he had just complimented me; had visited my café or that he was among a few rich people who weren't talking badly behind my back.

"I'm honored. I wish I had been there to host myself." I spoke.

"I must say, you have an excellent stuff." he added. "Those cakes were exquisite. I would really love to have a collaboration with you. There is a great market who would be interested, it would be a great deal for the both of us. I have a few suggestions to add."

I could tell Lisha wasn't happy about any of it by the way her eyes tried to stab daggers into my soul. But she wasn't having my moment.

"I'll be off on a trip for the next few days, but I'll have someone send you an email as soon as I return. We could discuss it in my office." Steven said.

Alex raised his hand to object but was cut of my Lisha. "Why don't we just invite her to our house tonight. We could discuss it then." Lisha suggested. "Besides, it's not that late. That way things are done sooner. I'm sure Zoe here wouldn't mind." She added.

What was Lisha so afraid of, that I'd get knocked up by another rich guy? Clearly that was too late.

It was nearly twelve p.m. I just wanted to go home and continue hating Alex. As much as I appreciated this opportunity, right now I just wanted to hit my pillow. I was just going to have to respectfully decline.

"Zoe, I think you should start getting home. With your condition, you must be exhausted by now. You have to take diligent care of that baby." Cindy walked. She then wrapped her arm around me as if to seem protective. "She has much more important things to do, she is making a whole human." Cindy added.

I took that as my cue. I really wanted to leave by now.

"Yes, I probably should get going." I smiled.

"No one expected to see the two of you like this." Steven said. "Everyone was expecting you to hate each other." He joked.

It's true, I didn't like her at first but that was only because I didn't know her.

"Why would I hate her? She is putting on the weight, so I don't have too, I'll always be able to fit into my cloths. Besides, not everyone looks that good with a baby bump." She spoke. "That baby will be like my child too; she just gave me a good excuse not to have any children. There is already one on the way." She added.

Everyone laughed.

"That just gives me an idea, why don't the three of you join my wife and I on our trip? We'll be going to Italy. It's a great destination plus we could also discuss our deal." Steven suggested. "It would only be for a week."

Being stuck with Alex and Cindy pretending to date was no fun. Not to mention, I was still mad at Alex.

"I don't...."

"Please, I insist." Steven cut me off.

I looked at Alex for help.

"I think it's a great idea." Alex finally spoke. I should have known he would stab me in the back, again.

"Then its settled," Steven said.

What had just happened. The men decided and now I was just supposed to go with it. I didn't have time for a vacation, I needed to get information about Alex before this baby came out.

I'd just have to use one of my pregnancy cards and tell them I couldn't go when the day comes. That always works, right?

"Why don't we get some drinks to celebrate?" Lisha suggested.

"I'll be going now, I'm really tired." I spoke.

"It was great to meet you, I look forward to our trip." Steven said.

A trip which I wouldn't be showing up for. I didn't want to be stuck with Alex for a week.

I smiled wearily.

"I'll walk you out," Cindy said.

We exchanged our final goodbyes.

The air outside was cold as it sent shivers across my open back.

"Everyone here really hate me," I whispered to Cindy.

"They are just intimidated by how gorgeous you look." Cindy said. "They were expecting something... less. Instead, you walked in. A smart, capable woman who didn't need to fit in with the rest of them. Every one of them are just envious"

"I doubt it," I whispered.

"Believe me you are lucky. Not everyone manages to get Alex's sperm all in just one short. Believe me when I say many people have tried and failed." She joked.

That didn't make me feel any better. Instead, it just brought disturbing images to my brain. I didn't want to think about how many people Alex had been with.

"I think this trip will be really fun, maybe we could visit Alexander's mother's hometown. He hasn't been there for years." She spoke.

"Her hometown?" I asked.

Suddenly there was a light bulb in my head.

"Yes," She confirmed.

This was the opportunity I needed. To finally get something about Alexander that would destroy him. With so many skeletons who knows what I might find.

"I have to get back inside," she said.

She left me in front of a car. I didn't know how I was going to get home. I couldn't get a cab at this time.

That's when Alex showed up.

"Let's go," he said.

"I'm not going home with you," I protested.

"Come on, it's already late." He spoke.

I folded my arms glaring at him. I felt like telling him what a backstabbing liar I thought he was.

"Are you scared to be around me?" He whispered taking a step forward.

"No," I answered stepping back.

Though the air was quite chilly, I suddenly felt hot. I needed to put as much distance between us as possible.

The more I stepped back the more he moved toward me.

Suddenly I was pressed against the car, with no were else to go.

He kept his eyes on me. I couldn't tell what he was thinking, something told me I didn't want to know.

"Finally, I get a moment alone with you." He whispered; his hot breath fanned against my cheeks.

He placed his hands on either side of me, trapping me in position. We were so close I could barely make any movements.

His hand moved to my cheeks.

I froze not knowing how to respond.

How did we get in this position? It was as if all the common sense I had was knocked out.

A formed a smile as his face moved closer to mine. All the while he kept staring into my eyes. It was as if he was unraveling me. My knees felt weak, I felt a warm sensation in my chest.

What was he doing to me? I needed to remind myself that I hated him. He was trying to take away the most important thing to me.

"I think we should get going, it's getting late." I whispered.

He turned to reality as he moved his hand away from my cheek.

"Yah," He answered.

I moved past him and entered the car.

I couldn't afford to be weak around him anymore.