*TRIGGER WARNING: Mention/Insinuation of Abortion

COURTNEY

"I'm sorry, Courtney, but the agency has no project that fits you right now. We only have the same photoshoots for lingerie, not maternity wear."

How stupid can I get? I should have known better when that irresponsible Jonas insisted on having sex with no protection. Starting today, I'm a bum. I don't know other jobs except for model lingerie wear. With this baby bump showing, I have no choice but to get rid of it. The more that I couldn't find the jerk of a father.

I'm not religious, but I wish someone would save me from this distress. I have bills to pay. My rent, credit cards, and food. How will I send money to my family in Connecticut? Terrible mess. I need to decide now. The morning sickness and the pregnancy hormones are unbearable. Living as a small-time model in New York can barely make me breathe with my daily expenses. How much more with a baby?

My mind is all over the place as I walk the streets of New York. It is fascinating that people worldwide dream of being in this city. Nobody can judge anybody by how they look. Who would think I'm broke as hell and drowning in my problems with my appearance? Yet, I can get inside this Tiffany's store and pretend I have the money to buy my heart's desire.

Before I could enter the store, a familiar man beat me to it. Another jerk to mess with my day!

"Excuse me? You should be a gentleman and allow me to enter the door first!"

"I'm sorry, miss. My flight is in two hours, and I must get something from the store. I didn't notice you at all."

We looked at each other, and I wondered why he looked familiar. I remembered him now.

"I know you! I'm Courtney. Don't you remember?" I extended my hand as his face scowled, trying to recall my name.

"Do I know you from somewhere, Miss?"

"Yes, it's me, Courtney, the model. We met at a bar. You came to pick up Mr. Waldon. The Cid Waldon!"

"Yeah, yeah. I remember. How are you?" As he took my hand, his eyes focused on my baby bump. I was about to cover it with my bag, but a great idea came to mind. Heaven-sent!

"Well, I'm not okay. As you can see." I pointed at my stomach and put my acting skills to work. "I guess this is fate. Meeting you here is perfect timing! I've been looking everywhere for your boss, the Cid Waldon."

"May I know why you direly need to see my boss?" His brows furrowed. I cornered him. It's my lucky day.

"I have something that he owns! He must see me in 24 hours if he doesn't want me to call for a press conference. I wouldn't mind airing his dirty laundry in public. And mind you, I'm very good at that."

"Are you sure about this? Cid was never irresponsible with women. We can sue you for slander and defamation!"

"You don't know what I'm capable of. Here is my number. Call me before the 24-hour ends. Either Cid Waldon comes to see me, or I come to see the press!"

I left the poor guy with his mouth wide open. His face was shocked, and he was about to have a heart attack. Desperate situations need desperate measures.

***
I have no plans of seeing that billionaire heir for an asshole again. My life needs saving right now. Seeing his assistant today reminded me of dollar signs. I guess hell heard my prayer. I will not keep this pregnancy for sure. But I don't have any choice since I need money before I can work again.

The Cid Waldon. I met him four months ago. He came with a bunch of spoilt rich A-holes in one fashion show I walked on. One model invited me to join them as they went to the bar. I went with them for free drinks and hoped more modeling agencies would be interested in me if the press saw me with the infamous heir.

I may be a lingerie model, but I have Jonas, my steady boyfriend—or should I say, ex-boyfriend. We've been living together for almost a year now. It isn't my style to hook up when I'm in a steady relationship, so I made an exception to join the Playboy billionaire's group that night. It was for my career. I was hoping for exposure.

But his image was a piled-up mess. It won't surprise me if he can't remember me. He was dead drunk. The moment we rode his party limousine, he jugged alcohol like his mouthwash in the morning and water supply for his lifetime. Before we got out of the limo, he was a walking dead. I was the only one sober when midnight came. That's when Cid's phone rang, and since he was drunk as fuck, I took the call for him.

"Cid, what the hell? Where are you, man? I already checked half of the bars here in New York!"

"Hello! Who's this?"

"Excuse me! Who is this? Where is Cid?"

"I'm Courtney. He is too drunk right now. I answered his phone for him."

"Are you in a hotel or a bar, Miss?"

"Excuse me, too! How about we come from the hotel and go to the bar now? Does that work for you? Jerk!"

"Well, thank you, Miss! Just text me which bar, and please do me a favor and keep him there until I come to get him. And Thank you!"

He was an asshole. They both were. When Cid saw me with his phone in hand, he yelled at me and accused me of stealing his phone. I knew he was too drunk to think right, but the payback is a bitch. His assistant looked at me as well as if I was a hoe. I bet he's too rich to feel the loss of whatever amount I can get from him.

***

As expected, the assistant, who introduced himself as Rick, messaged me hours after we met outside Tiffany's.

RICK: 12 NN tomorrow at the Garden Four Seasons. No press.

COURTNEY: Got it, asshole!

***

I came on time. The script I wrote last night was ready for execution. I did some research on the latest news about Cid. My goal is to play my part flawlessly. It will be a sure hit that I will get something. Online articles said he is in a serious relationship with a flower shop employee. Surprising! I don't think he would want to jeopardize his romance—not with a pregnancy issue. Today is my lucky day!

I strutted with my perfect walk for a dramatic entrance when I entered the restaurant. I walked directly to Cid and gave him a peck on the lips. His face was stunned. I walked around and sat beside Rick. It was too late when I realized that someone else was with them- a woman who looked so much different from all the other women pictured with Cid before. Her charming, bright face changed to a white, pale color. I felt a lump in my stomach when tears showed in her eyes. It's too late for me to back out. I came here for a purpose.

"Look, Baby, your Daddy, Cid Waldon, is here! We are now a complete family!" I massaged my baby bump afterward.

Cid was furious. When he banged the table, everyone's attention was on us. "What is this about, Courtney? Is this one of your stunts?"

"Cid, my dear, calm down! Is that the way you greet the mother of your child? You are scaring our baby!"

"That can't be mine! You know it very well, Courtney! So that ain't happening!"

"You should have thought of that before you pushed your dick inside my vagina."

"I don't believe this! I may have been a mess, but I was always cautious and used protection because I know women like you exist, Courtney!"

"Well, whatever protection you used then didn't work at all, Cid! Look at me now!" I felt nervous, but I didn't know how to stop anymore. Before Cid could flip the table, Rick butted in. "Calm down, you guys! We are here to talk about the situation. Let's discuss this as adults and come to an agreement."

"How much do you need, Courtney? Is this about money? Tell me!!! " he yelled with his fist closed. He looked toward the woman beside him. He focused on her, worried and devastated to see her disappointed state. The words that came out of me after were stupid and sickening.

"I don't need your money! We need you. Our baby needs a father, Cid!"

"That will not happen, Courtney! Rick will discuss with you how you will get financial support from now. Once you give birth, I demand a paternity test."

"Then you can keep all your billions, Cid, and I will make sure that the press gets a feast on the story that you decline to take responsibility for this pregnancy! You sure wouldn't want your father to have another heart attack!"

"You slut! I will only be a husband to the woman I love and vow to marry, and it ain't going to be you, Courtney!"

"And who could that be, Cid? It's your choice! The moment I leave this place, I'm not backing down! I will ensure you will regret the moment you say no to me! I hate this pregnancy anyway! What about Waldon Heir's abandonment led to Death of Baby for a headline in tomorrow's news?"

Everyone at the table was stunned. My words shocked me as well. But Cid provoked me by calling me a slut. I felt so sorry for the woman who I'm hurting right now. I had an idea who she was by the look on her face. What shocked me more were her words.

"You don't have to hurt an innocent child. Cid will take responsibility, Courtney!"

When she left, running away from us, I couldn't remember everything that happened or the words she said. I only remembered the hurt, disappointment, and confusion on her face and Cid's last statement before he left: "For once, be a decent human being!"

Rick stayed with me. After what I'd done, I felt like crying. Great, Courtney! You just broke a woman's heart! But I had to finish what I came here for. I needed to live, and I didn't have any other choice. Before I could say anything, Rick did his job.

"Here is an NDA. As you can see, Mr. Waldon is in a very committed romantic relationship. He can't offer you marriage. But he will subsidize you. The agreement states that the baby will undergo a paternity test once born. We assigned a lawyer on your behalf. Anything you need to communicate to him, you do it through the lawyer. You need to sign if you agree to all the conditions."

I didn't read it and just signed where my name was. Rick gave me a calling card for the lawyer and an envelope with a check inside. With no word, I took the envelope and left. With a heavy heart, not realizing it, I walked towards St. Patrick's Cathedral. Once I got inside, I cried and asked forgiveness for what I did.

I promise to ask for your forgiveness when I get the courage to face you again, Aya.

***