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Chapter 16 - Ashan

I waited for Jamie to leave before turning back to Leo. “What was that all about?” I spat at him. “She is mine, and as you know, I already married her.”

“Slow down, Ashan,” Leo stated as he rose. “I am very happily hitched, you know that. Man, I was just being friendly. As you said, she’s officially part of the family. I’m sorry if you feel I was overly friendly. Constrain that beast, it’s not a good look on you, and I’m sure she saw it as well.”

“Brother,” Luder said as he walked closer. “Calm down, as you have pointed out to me many times in the past; don’t lose your head over a woman.” Luder tapped me on the shoulder as he continued. “Follow your own advice here. Plus, do you really think Leo would make a pass at your wife, or anyone’s wife for that matter?”

“Get a grip on this Ashan, or you’ll lose her due to your actions, man,” Leo added as he moved around the desk.

Feeling my mood slowly changing, I grinned at them. “Sorry, Leo,” I said, walking back to my table. “It’s just, after Ana and everything with Pedro, I don’t know what’s gotten into me.” Lifting the bottle of whiskey, I continued. “Another drink?”

“Sure,” they replied again in unison. We laughed and I was glad to have them there. Luder has always looked out for me; I may need him now more than ever. We shared a couple more drinks and discussed growing the business on my end before Leo eventually left.

Luder and I visited a while longer, and soon, noticed evening creeping up on us. As he was about to leave, he stopped at the door and turned back to me. “Ashan, if you really like Jamie. It’s fine, and I’m glad for you. But please, don’t become an obsessive bastard. Make sure you treat her right and consider her in everything you do.”

I nodded, “Noted, thanks, Luder, you drive safe, and send Skyler my love. We’ll get together soon so everyone else can also meet Jamie.”

He waved before pulling the door closed behind him. After checking on operations throughout the den, I headed to the suite, eager to see if Jamie was okay. Once again, I had some explaining to do, I thought as I pushed the door open. Jamie seemed to already be sleeping when I got there.

Not wanting to disturb her, I decided we could talk in the morning. I quickly showered and moved cautiously as I joined her in the bed. I lay on one side briefly, then turned on the other. It was some time before I fell asleep as my mind replayed the last week and all that had happened in a loop.

Frustrated at myself, I considered getting up again. Turning over again, I lay watching her sleep. She was a vision, and sometime later, as I counted every movement of her chest, I drifted off.

I woke before her and ordered some breakfast and coffee for us. After taking a quick shower, I opened the door and waited for our food. Once it arrived, I quietly moved it into the room. I poured myself a cup of coffee and sat on the couch watching her.

Jamie looked like an angel lying there so calm and at peace. After what felt like an eternity but was more like five minutes, she moved. Turning to her back, she stretched out her arms and fluttered her eyes. I filled with a warmth inside as she turned and smiled softly at me.

She was safe here and she no longer appeared to be upset with me. As she pulled the sheets to one side and lowered her legs out of the bed, sitting up, I held out a cup of coffee for her. Jamie took the cup from me, closed her eyes as she brought it up to her lips and breathed in slowly.

Opening her eyes, she beamed at me. “Thank you,” she said softly.

“No problem, hun,” I replied, sitting back. “So, I was thinking,” I started but she interrupted before I could continue.

“You,” Jamie giggled as she spoke. “You were thinking. Well, that must be a first, I suppose.”

Grinning at her, I reconned that I deserved that. I had been out of control the last week and a half. Lowering my head I spoke out. “I’m sorry Jamie, yes, I’ve been a bit hardheaded and difficult.”

Looking up at her, I noticed her sparkle had returned as she responded while rubbing her chin and looking up. “Hardheaded and difficult aren’t the words I would have used but okay.”

“Tell me something about you?” I asked sipping some coffee before pulling the trolley in between us and opening the plates. “You hungry?”

Jamie’s smile lit up the room as she moved closer and picked up the croissant. “It’s not even Friday yet?” she said as she took a bite.

“No, but a little birdie told me you like these.” I watched her close her eyes as she chewed, completely absorbed in the taste.

“Well, what would you like to know?” Jamie inquired after swallowing.

“Anything you are comfortable sharing with me, I want to know you.”

She sat a while in silence enjoying her breakfast and I waited patiently. Once she had finished the croissant, she glanced at me and then flopped back on the bed.

“Before all this,” she said, waving her hands in the air in a circle. “I had hoped to someday work for a computer company, to learn more and teach young minds.” Jamie sat back up looking at me. “And you?”

This was a bit unexpected, and I was caught off guard. “Well,” I said, trying to consider my reply. “I plan on building a gambling empire someday and hope to make my family proud.”

Jamie smiled at me as she nodded. “What do you generally do for fun, in your off time, if I can call it that?” I asked, leaning forward.

“I used to play some online games, surf the net and so on. Nothing too exciting but since I got here, I noticed, I love swimming and chatting with the staff.” She grinned as she spoke of her old and new life.

This was a side of her I had not seen. She spoke with passion as we talked more about activities and people. After a while, I left for my morning checks. Jamie was going to get dressed and meet me for lunch.

I considered showing her around town afterwards and maybe taking her out. The rest of the day went smooth, and she appeared to have a good time. Returning to the den, I was notified of issues in the top floor restaurant.

Jamie went ahead back to the suite as I attended to what was needed. By the time I got back to the room she was sleeping. Not wanting to wake her, I carefully crawled into bed and fell asleep.

Over the course of the next four weeks, we spent less and less time together. The den was a hive of activities and clients which was leaving me with little time spare. Jamie didn’t seem to mind as her friendship with Cleo tightened.

It has been four weeks since the incident with Pedro and Jamie had settled nicely. Things at the den had also started calming and I had more time to spend with her again.

Luder and Leo had been on me to introduce her to the family, but I didn’t think she was quite ready. I decided I would take her out and ask her about it over dinner. We arrived a bit early, but our table was ready.

On our way home, I popped the question. “Jamie, Leo and Luder asked if you wanted to meet the family?”

Glancing at me, she smiled. “Maybe, I’m not sure, what do you think?”

Shaking my head slightly, I replied. “It’s up to you, whenever you feel ready.”

“Okay, maybe over the weekend.” She added before looking back out the window.

I accepted her answer and didn’t push it. We were both tired when we arrived back, and Jamie headed upstairs while I checked in with the guards. Entering the suite, I found her sleeping. After a quick shower, I also lay down for the night.

Opening my eyes, I noticed the blinking red light of the clock and read the time. Three o’clock, it was still early in the morning. But something woke me; there was a sound in the room or close by. Glancing at Jamie’s side, I saw she wasn’t in bed anymore. No, where did she go, I thought as I sat up, rapidly glancing around the room. I saw the bathroom door halfway closed and heard the sound coming from there.

Getting up, I went to see what was going on, as I felt sure that Jamie was there. Pushing the door open, I saw her seated on the floor next to the toilet hanging over it. “Jamie,” I spoke, feeling concerned as I walked closer. “Are you okay?”

She looked like someone who drank too much. Her face was only slightly lighter than usual, which I didn’t understand as she only had one drink and then juice. She glanced up at me only for a second and mumbled into the toilet. She was throwing up; could it have been something she ate?

Stepping closer, I squeezed her shoulder. “Jamie, are you okay?”

Looking up at me, her eyes appeared a bit glazy. “Not sure,” she mumbled and turned her head back down to the toilet.

“I’ll get some water; I’ll be right back,” I said as I hastily went to the kitchen and poured her a glass of cold water. Walking back to the bathroom, I wondered. If not the drink or food, what could be causing this reaction?

We’d only been together once, but could it be? After I handed her the glass, I watched as she sipped at it. Counting the time, I realized it could actually be seeing that it has been just over five weeks. I quickly went downstairs and asked one of the guards to go buy a pregnancy test. For safety, let’s rule out anything normal before I call the doctor.

A while later, I headed back up with the test in hand. Jamie was sitting on the corner of the bed, looking slightly paler than usual. I was sure it was from her session with Mr. Loo.

“Here,” I said, handing her the test. “Just to be sure, we need to rule out any possibilities.”

Jamie took the test and stared at it for the longest time. Glancing up at me she carefully shook her head. “No, can’t be.”

“Let’s just make sure, if not, I’ll call the doctor.”

She sat a while longer staring at the test. As she eventually stood, I noticed she appeared slightly distracted, her entire upper body was slouched as she shuffled back to the bathroom. This was understandable; so much had happened in a short period.

“I’ll just wait here,” I called after her. I was hoping for an invitation but didn’t want to intrude or push her. I had indeed done enough of that. She stopped at the door, glanced back at me, and nodded like someone sleepwalking.

Waiting for her to do the test and return felt like a lifetime passing. I was pacing the room, treading a line into the carpet. Then, the door finally opened, and Jamie came out, holding the test up in the air.

“Jamie,” I asked as she walked toward me, but she looked like she was in more of a daze than when she went in. I couldn’t read her, so I took the test from her as she plopped down on the bed. She still appeared a little off but now also seemed to have tears in her lovely eyes.

Staring at the lines on the test, I was shocked. We only had sex once, yet the results were positive. “We’re pregnant?” I uttered in disbelief. My mind went blank for a second and then flooded with everything that had to be done.

“This is phenomenal,” I said, pulling Jamie into my arms and turning a couple of times. Placing her back down, I beamed at her. “There’s so much to do,” I uttered, but she just stood there. “Jamie, aren’t you happy?

Hearing the door open behind us I turned to see Frank standing there. “Boss,” he said softly.

“Yes, yes, Frank, just a moment.” Turning back to Jamie, I hugged her again and kissed her forehead. I was overjoyed but wasn’t sure how she felt. Yet, the den was calling and I had to see what needed to be done. “Get back into bed, I’ll have someone check on you in a bit, okay.”

She didn’t reply as she took the test from my hand and crawled onto the bed. I stood a moment longer, watching her as my mind tried to grasp the situation. We were going to have a baby. I really had to talk to Jamie but needed to sort some things first.

Heading to my office, Frank walked with me, giving me all the updates. He informed me of Pedro’s progress and all developments around the den.

“Good, good, Frank,” I started as we entered my office. “Can you send the chef up and ask Cleo to come and see me? There is a lot to do. Thank you”

Sitting at my desk, I called the family doctor first, as Jamie and the baby deserved only the best care. Once an appointment was made, I started making arrangements for meals, clothing, and everything else needed.

Consulting the chef, I gave clear orders so he could only provide her with fitting meals and to let me know if any issues arose. I asked Cleo to visit a maternity store and get some new clothing suitable for a woman with a baby growing in her.

Staring out the window, still overcome with joy, I knew things would have to change but deep down, I was afraid. The next couple of weeks were going to be demanding, but I have never backed down from a challenge before, and I won’t do so now. Jamie and the baby needed me to be at my best.

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