Double Trouble: A Billionaire's Secret

Emily's POV.

“I'm pregnant,” I said staring at the floor.

“You're pregnant? How? When? For who?” My best friend Betsy asked in a frenzied shock, and stared at me as if I had suddenly developed two heads. I was mute. I lowered my head slowly.

“Start talking!” she shouted still in shock.

“It's…it's Nathan,” I muttered. “Nathan? Who is Nathan? Which Nathan? Nathan who?” she asked again.

“Nathan…Gates,” I stuttered.

“You cannot be serious!” she said in utter disbelief and continued,

“The Nathan Gates? Vice Chairman of Vaughan and Co Law firm? The same Nathan who is getting married next week? The wedding rumored to be the wedding of the year sort of?” I nodded silently in affirmation. Shocked would be an understatement to describe how Betsy felt, rage and confusion were better words.

“But I do not understand, I have never seen you with Nathan before. How did your paths even cross? Where did you see him to begin with in the first place that you are now pregnant by him? What business do you have with him?”

“It was a one-night stand. After Fred broke up with me, I was in a bad place and you were out of town so I just went out for a few drinks at Sherwin Hotel…in order to clear my head and I met him there,” I replied dejectedly.

“You met him and decided to have sex with him, unprotected one at that. Emily, you can't be serious! What have you done to yourself?” she asked again for the umpteenth time.

“I was not thinking straight Betsy…I had a few drinks and we both went to his hotel room. I passed out after and when I woke up, I was unclad,” I explained.

“Then what happened next?” she asked again impatiently.

“He was still at the hotel room and he thanked me for keeping him warm and gave me some money, ten thousand dollars,” I answered.

“What? He gave you ten thousand dollars? That means he slept with you and the money was the payment for the services you rendered. This is unbelievable. So why didn't you tell me any of this happened? If you weren't pregnant you would never have mentioned it. Did you even go to the hospital to run some tests on yourself? Because why would he even give you ten thousand dollars, that is a lot of money and it is very suspicious,” Betsy explained.

I continued staring into the air utterly confused.

“This man is getting married next week and the news of his wedding is all over tabloids and newspapers even billboards. You know who he is getting married to? Belinda Vaughan, the only daughter of Senator James Vaughan, he is a member of the House of Lords,” she explained exasperating and continued,

“What is your next line of action now Emily? Will you inform him? Do you even know how to reach him?”

“No, I don't have his contacts neither do I know his exact company address,” I explained.

“His office address should not be a problem, we can just check it online. You intend to tell him about the pregnancy right?” I nodded.

“What if he tells you to get rid of it? Because trust me, that is exactly what he is going to tell you to do. He will then give you some money, then tell his security men to walk you out of the company's complex,” Betsy explained.

“So what do you suggest I do?” I asked with pleading eyes.

Betsy was quiet for about ten seconds.

“You still have to let him know, but the problem is how to get across to him directly. He has a lot of security around him. It will also be impossible to see him without booking an appointment beforehand,” Betsy explained.

“Should I just undergo an abortion then?” I asked. “What? You will do no such thing. What if you die in the process? What if something goes wrong? What if you're unable to give birth in the future? You will not undergo an abortion!” she exclaimed.

“But it's my body what is it to you? I am just twenty four, do you expect me to be a single mother at this age? Or become a baby mama to a married man? How am I going to take care of the baby all by myself? Do you think it is easy? I am not going to go and see him. He does not need to know. I will go to the hospital and try to get rid of this pregnancy and get it over with once and for all. I am not going to put myself through constant humiliation,” I said blurting out all my suppressed emotions. Betsy scoffed.

“You would rather put your own life in danger for something you did not do alone? Make it make sense Emily!” she said still visibly angered.

“What do you want me to do then? I followed him into his hotel room in my own volition…”

“Yes, you did! But you were drunk and you were not in your right senses!” Betsy interrupted me.

“The point is, I don't have a case, I chose to get drunk, I followed him to his hotel room and if I tell him about the pregnancy, he will definitely tell me to get rid of it. So why would I stress myself and go through the long route of trying to reach out to him first?” I asked again. The tears on my face had dried up.

“I am your friend Emily and I would not watch you intentionally put yourself in harm's way. It does not make any sense to me,” Betsy explained.

“I know you care about me Betsy and I really do appreciate you but I have my whole life right in front of me and I won't jeopardize my dreams and goals because of an unwanted pregnancy,” Betsy sighed loudly. “Should we go to the hospital to check how far gone you are?” she asked. “I don't care how long gone I am, I just want to go to the hospital and get rid of it,” I said defiantly. “Okay, let us go together then.” Betsy offered leading the way out of my room.

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The drive to Everton Clinic was a quiet one, twenty minutes from my house, and in no time, I had parked my Toyota Camry at the clinic’s underground parking space and Betsy and I had sauntered towards the entrance of the three-story white painted clinic building. At the reception, we waited for approximately five minutes before one of the nurses directed us to the doctor's office.

Betsy and I entered the office and saw Dr. Murray, he was a middle-aged man. He stood beside his table. His stomach seemed to house a set of triplets. He ushered us in with a bright smile urging us to take our seats while he did the same.

“You're two months pregnant, Miss Emily…with twins,” he said handing a medical report to me. I took a look and gave Betsy who was also curious to see it.

“Twins?” Betsy and I shouted exchanging glances. This could not be happening.

“Congratulations,” he said again. I shook my head slowly trying to conceal the tears that were threatening to roll down my cheeks. “This is not a congratulatory news doctor. This is bad news,” Betsy intervened.

“Why is that? If I may ask? Is the father of the babies not going to be available?” He asked in curiosity. “Doctor, is there anything I can do? I don't want this pregnancy. Do you have pills or anything that I can take to just remove this pregnancy?” I asked pleadingly.

“Well, Miss Emily, I am going to be very honest with you, there's nothing we can do at this stage of this pregnancy. You're three months gone. The fetuses are fully formed already and if you try to undergo an abortion, it will be injurious to your health, there is also a high chance of you not surviving at all. It is very dangerous and I cannot guarantee your safety,” he said on a tone of finality. Betsy sighed loudly.

“I said it, I knew it was going to be dangerous. I knew it,” she said.

“So what do you suggest that I do now Doctor? This pregnancy is a mistake. There has to be a way to get rid of it somehow,” I insisted. “Miss Emily…the test we carried out on you showed you have fibroids. It is even a miracle that you are pregnant. It is very rare for women with fibroids to get pregnant, I'm sure you know this. If you undergo an abortion now, chances are that you may either not make it alive or your womb may be completely ruptured, thereby undermining your chances of getting pregnant again. In simple terms, you won't be able to give birth to any child again,” Doctor Murray explained. The office was quiet for fifteen seconds.

Dr Murray sensed the tense atmosphere and said, “Unwanted pregnancies can come as a shocker, I know, especially for young ladies who have unprotected sex. But two wrongs do not make a right. I advise that you contact the man responsible for your pregnancy and you can come up with a plan that works best for the both of you, but remove abortion from the equation. That's all I have to say. Good day. I have to see the next patient in ten seconds."

“Thank you Doctor,” Betsy said standing up to her feet and holding my hand. We both left the clinic.

I bowed my head on my stirring wheel and started crying uncontrollably. My life was falling apart right in front of my own eyes and I had no idea how to get it back on track or fix the mess that I had put myself in. Betsy patted my back as we sat in silence for ten minutes thinking of the next line of action.

“You have to tell, that's the only way out. We thought it was just one baby but now see…they're twins,” Betsy said sighing loudly.

“What if he tells me to still get rid of pregnancy? What do I do then?” I asked amidst my heavy sobbing. “Then we will handle this ourselves, I am your best friend, I will help you. I will not leave you to go through all of this alone. I'll be right by your side. But first things first, let him know,” Betsy advised.

“How am I supposed to get across to him without a prior appointment?”I mumbled out loud.

“You would just go there like you have a case and you want him to represent you in court and you will insist that you want him as your lawyer,” Betsy suggested.

“Okay,” I replied.

“So when will you go? Will you go tomorrow?”

“Isn't that too soon? I think I still need to mentally prepare myself for that,” I opined.

“What do you mean too soon? Didn't you hear the doctor? You're already two months pregnant and in no time, your baby bump will soon start being visible, so the earlier the better,” she replied.

“Okay, fine…I will go tomorrow, I will go and see him tomorrow,” I muttered again.

“That's better, go and see him and tell me how it goes so that we can plan our next line of action. We are in this together,” Betsy told me reassuringly, patting the back of my hand. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. I reasoned.

Nathan's POV.

I sat in my office signing some contract paperwork that needed to be given out when my secretary called. I picked at first ring.

“Sir, a certain Emily Collins is here to see you,” My secretary said.

“Do we have a prior appointment?” I asked into the receiver.

“No, Sir. This is your first meeting with her and she claims that it is quite urgent,” she said again.

“All right, let her in,” I said.

Two seconds later, Emily Collins was in my office. I raised my head slowly and stared at her. She was smartly dressed in a green top and blue jeans. Quite beautiful and she stared at me nervously.

“Good morning,” she said nervously as I ushered her to sit on one of the bespoke leather armchairs in my office.

“Hi, good morning,” I answered offering my hand for a handshake to which she politely declined bowing her head instead. I wondered why and continued racking my brain to know why I found her face very familiar.

“Have we met before?” I asked with a smile curled up on my face.

“Yes, we have, that is why I am here,” she replied nervously.

“My name is Emily and I met you at the Sherwin Hotel sometime last month. Do you remember?”

“Yes, I remember. We met at the lounge downstairs,” I recollected.

“I came to tell you that…” she said still nervous and then stopped. I looked at her urging her to continue what she was saying.

“I…have been ill for some time now and vomiting too so I went to the hospital and it was confirmed that I am pregnant,” she said.

“You're pregnant? For me?” I asked in disbelief.

“Yes, you're the only man I have been with since that time,” she answered.

“Since the night that your boyfriend broke up with you? That night we met, you told me your boyfriend broke up with you so how are you so sure that this pregnancy belongs to me and not him?” I asked shooting a quizzical look at her.

“What are you trying to insinuate? That I am a liar?” she blurted out. “How else am I supposed to think about it then? You walk into my office to tell me that you're pregnant for me when I am clearly not the only man that you have been with, make it make sense to me. How would I believe you?” I asked in a raised tone. Tears were welling up her eyes. “You have to believe me, these babies are yours.”

“Babies?” I asked confused.

“I'm pregnant with twins,” she said allowing the tears to flow freely down her cheeks.

“Emily, do you know how many ladies walk up here to tell me they are pregnant for me on a daily?” I asked again rhetorically.

“Well, you should try to zip up more then, it's not my fault that you are a playboy,” she muttered.

“What?” I asked unbelievably.

“Look, I am not here to ask for money or anything from you. I recently found out that I am pregnant and when I went to the hospital to get rid of it, the doctor told me that it would be injurious to my health because I have fibroids. I am just here to tell you that I am pregnant and you're responsible for the pregnancy. Whether you choose to support me or not is not a problem. I will be fine with or without your help,” she said standing up to her feet about to take her leave. I held her hands.

“Where are you going?”

“I am going home, I have done my part. It is left for you to believe me. But I will not sit here and wallow in self-pity or allow you to make me feel less of myself,” she said.

“Look, I'm sorry if I said any harsh words to you, that was not my intention. I'm not that kind of a guy. I was just surprised,” I said in my own defense. She was quiet.

“Okay, let's agree that this pregnancy is for me, what do you want me to do about it? I am getting married next month to my fiancee,” I explained.

“I do not have any business with you or your fiancee nor am I interested in ruining your wedding plans. Left to me, I would have gotten rid of this pregnancy but I cannot, based on my health grounds. I just wanted you to know that you are responsible for my pregnancy. I am equally as confused as you are because I never envisaged having a baby let alone two out of wedlock,” she said.

I thought hard about what to do.

I leaned back on my chair running my hands through my hair.

“We need to figure something out Emily and we need to do it very fast.” She stared coldly at me.

“I am not undergoing an abortion, I won't jeopardize my health for the success of your wedding. Just leave me alone, I am going to take care of myself and my babies,” she said.

“If you were going to take care of them yourself why then did you come to meet me in the first place?” I asked again.

“I was advised to. Left to me I won't come. Because it looks like I am giving off desperate energy to be with you,” she replied.

“Look Emily, this is my fault. Okay? I own up to it. You were drunk and I took advantage of it. I felt guilty afterwards that's why I paid you. I thought you were going to use it to take care of yourself and get some morning-after pills,” I explained.

“If this is about your money, I still have it untouched, it's here in my bag,” she said bringing out a white envelope full of money.

“Because of my drunkenness, I had a one-night stand with you and now my life has taken a drastic turn. I don't want any more problems or go through anything else that will cause me pain. Just leave me alone, I will be fine,” she said dismissingly.

“I cannot leave you alone Emily if you're pregnant for me. We did this together so let us figure out a way to solve it together,” I opined.

“But you are getting married in a few weeks, we cannot be together and you certainly cannot help me without being found out,” she said.

“Yes, but you're carrying my babies.”

“Oh, so now they're your babies?” she asked rhetorically.

“I know it was a mistake, that night was a mistake but I am not going to allow you to through this alone,” I said. She sighed.

“What about your fianceé? Your parents? What will they say?” she asked again.

“They don't need to find out. We will keep it a secret. But I will protect you. Nothing bad will happen to you or the babies,” I told her in reassurance. “Do you need me to get you anything?” I asked her again.

“No, I'm okay,” she said using her flower petals handkerchief to wipe her face.

“Thank you for choosing to support me and not asking me to get rid of the pregnancy. I just hope your wedding plans are not disrupted because of me,” she said again.

“My wedding plans will not be disrupted and you're not getting rid of any pregnancy. I will handle all of that myself. But I will not leave you to go through this alone. I was not trained to be irresponsible,” I said again.

“But this pregnancy will…” she said again and suddenly the door opened. Belinda walked in.

“Who's pregnant?” she asked chewing her gum loudly. I stepped back fidgeting a little. Belinda Vaughan was my fianceé.

“Oh babe, hi,” I said giving her a little peck on her cheeks.

“Who's this?” she asked again unperturbed shooting Emily a nasty look.

“She's a client of mine. She has a custody battle going on currently so I am helping her with her case.” I explained again turning to face Emily. “You can leave your contact address with my secretary and I will get back to you on the issue.” I said as Emily nodded in affirmation and stepped out of my office.

“So how has your day been?” I asked Belinda.

“Hectic, I am just coming from the nail salon and those nail attendants ladies were so rude, I almost got them arrested,” she said leaning back to the armchair. I let out a dry laugh.

“So what's up with you? Why did I think you were flirting with that lady who was here some minutes ago? When I barged in, you were startled, why?” she asked with a focused gaze. There was a stunned silence. “I wasn't startled or flirting. I was having a client consultation and was quite absorbed in the discussion that's why,” I explained.

“Oh I see. Anyway, I just came to check up on you since I was in the neighborhood. Your secretary, please fire her. I don't like her face. I told her I was coming to see you and she still had the effrontery to ask me to wait till you were done with your meeting.” Belinda blurted out.

“I am sorry but you know she was just doing her job. It is not a big deal,” I intervened.

“I don't care, the next time I come here, I don't want to see her,” she said on a note of finality.

“All right your Majesty,” I replied and she shot me a coy smile.

“Let's go on a date this evening, I already made reservations,” she said.

“Sure, I will pick you up by eight pm,” I said. She left.

As I sat in my office, I wondered how the events of the coming days would unfold. I was going to be a groom to one woman and the father to two children by another woman. I drummed my hands on the table thinking of the next line of action and wondered how drastically my life would turn. I picked up my phone and called James, my best friend of five years.