2 weeks later

SARAH

The sunlight peeked through the hollow of the window, disturbing my much needed sleep. Groaning out in annoyance, I turned to the other side hoping to snuggle in Chase's warm chest, when my hand came in contact with nothing.

My eyes snapped open and the sight of an empty bed with ruffled sheets came in my vision. He wasn't in bed with me.

Again.

This was the fifth time in week he was out of bed without waking me up. Sighing out dejectedly, I slowly sat up and stretched out my cramped muscles. It had been 2 weeks since I found out that I was in love with Chase. I intended to tell him that very day. But I couldn't.

He had been extremely busy for the last 2 weeks, apparently business had been down recently for some disturbances he was facing with some of his allies. He was staying out of the mansion for more than 15 hours, leaving early in the morning before I wake up and coming late at night. I tried every day to stay awake, but was definitely not succeeding.

The pregnancy homes were messing with me very badly. I get tired easily and doze off every now and then. My eating habits had change drastically. One day I could devour the entire refrigerator, the next day I couldn't even bring myself to swallow a morsel.

But admist of all this, even they were so many things that were keeping Chase away from me never forgot to kiss me before going to sleep. No matter, how late he returned he always hugged me tightly in his sleep, making sure he doesn't apply too much pressure on my stomach. I had been way too tired to open my eyes, but I knew he was there.

And how could I forget about the day before yesterday. How he took care of me, even though there were dark circles beneath his eyes for not getting enough rest...

The darkness of night had already slipped and the mansion was dead silent. Keven was as usual on his duty on guarding my door. I was tired of telling him to come inside and rest. He was way too stubborn and always deny himself the right of sleeping at night.

I was snuggled up with Chase's shirts and blanket on our bed, trying to keep my eyes open, waiting for him to return. But a weird growl snapped my eyes open.

I looked down at my stomach, and gently caressed it.

"What is it baby? Do you want something?" I asked, giggling. It was swelling up slowly, but I loved to hug it.

My mouth watered suddenly at the thought of mango pickle. I licked my lips and sat up, opening the cupboard beside my bed. It had become my habit now to crave spicy things so I stocked up my room with pickle jar for emergency cases.

But unfortunately it was empty today. Reluctantly I climbed down from the bed, and opened the door of the room softly, trying to make the least noise possible. Keven's head was resting on the wall, and his arms were crossed on his chest. He had dozed off.

I tiptoed and walked away from him, descending down the stairs. He needed sleep, specially after running after me all through out the day.

Walking into the grand kitchen, I rummaged the cabinets when usually Melissa kept the pickle jars for me. But luck wasn't my side today.

I craned my neck to look up at the uppermost shelf where the pickle jar was hiding from the hungry ferocious beast aka me.

I stood up on mu tiptoes trying to take it down but my hand wasn't reaching. I tried again but mu fingers were just not even touching the shelf.

Tears of frustrations welled on my eyes and I sniffed. My stomach rumbled again, and I caressed it. How am I supposed to feed my hungry baby now!?

A pair of strong hands suddenly wrapped around my hips and I shrieked out in surprise.

"Shh," Chase gently cooed and wrapped his hand around my hips, nuzzling his head into my hair.

He softly kissed the back of my head and I leaned my body back into him. It was almost 18 hours I haven't seen him, and I was missing him terribly.

I raised my hand back and touched his jaw. His stubbled poked my fingers but I loved touching him.

"Why are you up so late, little bird?" Chase asked, in a low rumble, burrowing his head into my neck.

"Just a sudden urge of having pickles."

"What about the ones in our room?" He asked, and I felt his eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"Um, I finished them?" I asked, in a half embarrassed and half satisfied tone.

He chuckled out and his chest rumbled at the sound. I love it when he laughs, specially if the reason is me.

"Okay, let me get this one for you." He said, and left an open mouth kiss on my neck before getting the pickle jar.

My heart soared with love for him. How did I ever not not noticed this. This giddy feeling in me and the warmth in my stomach at just his mere presence. Of course, it was love. And I will finally tell him.

But as soon I turned to look at him and opened my mouth to talk my heart out, it clamped. Bags and dark circles were visible under his eyes and his hair was messy as if he and ran his hands though them several times. His shoulders were dropping and tiredness was reflecting on his face.

I kept the jar aside and stood up on my tiptoes to cup his jaw, and he immediately held my hips. His 6 days old stubble poked my fingers and I leaned forward to keep my forehead on his.

"You look tired," I said.

"I am a human afterall," he groaned in a roucous tone.

Even though he was tired, the power and strength he oozed was toe curling and so was his warmth and smell.

"Wanna talk?" I asked.

He shook his head and pulled me in a tight hug, cradling his face deep into my neck. His strong torso and defined abbs were presses against every inch of mine and I nuzzled deep into his warmth, wrapping ny hand around his nape, slowly massaging it.

"I don't want to bring the horrors and darkness of my work, home. It's the only place I get peace," he whispered in his rough voice and left feather light kisses on my shoulder blade to my jaw.

My eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "But don't you work form the mansion too?" I asked, genuinely confused by his statement.

"I didn't mean the mansion when I said home, love," he said and drew back from my neck and gave me an intense look.

"I meant you."

My eyes widened at his words and tears welled around my eyes. Every nerve in my body roared with blood and warmth seeped into my veins. My stomach fluttered and my cheeks reddedned.

Wasn't this love? No doubt it was.

I beamed at him and he rewarded me with one of his rare smiles. A true genuine smile.

"Let's go to bed," I suggested and he nodded in compliance.

As soon as we were near our room, I saw Keven running towards me, his eyes widened as soon as be saw me ans he heaved a sigh if relied.

"Sarah, you scared me," he said, and I motioned him to stay quiet. If Chase came to knew he was sleeping during his duty time, he would lash out at him.

"Why weren't you there with her, when she went downstairs?" Chase asked, his voice low and angry.

"He was on toilet break." I answered and signalled Keven to leave grabbing Chase's hand and pulling him into our room.

He gave me a kiss on my forhead and told to me to rest, entering into the restroom to freshen up.

I slumped down on the bed and groaned out in pain. My toes have swelled up and they were throbbing painfully. I whimpered out and tried to fold my legs but so that I could massage my toes but apparently by big fat belly here wasn't helping.

"Urgh!" I groaned out and sniffled, throwing my head back on the head test of the bed. Why did I had to have such a big belly!?

A tingling sensation shot through my body and my eyes shot open. My head whisked towards my legs and I saw Chase sitting near my legs, his hands doing wonders to my toes.

He looked at me and gave a soft smile, not before inching closer towards me and lifting my legs on his lap.

Slowly and gently he applied little pressure with the pad of his fingers on my pressure points. My tensed muscles relaxed and I dragged my body down on the bed, lying down on my back and closed my eyes, enjoying his massage.

There was a sense of opening in my body and tingling shot through my body. I moaned out when he pressed on a special point above my heel. My eyes snapped open when a strong, warm tingling sensation shot up from the back of my leg to my pelvic region.

That was amazing.

I sighed out, and my eyes started growing heavy as the pain was decreasing slowly. I tried to open it a few times and looked at Chase.

He shook his head, raised my right toe upto his lip and kissed it gently.

"Sleep, I will watch over you."

That was the last words I heard, before sleep engulfed me. The next day when I woke up, he wasn't there with me on the bed.

I climbed off the bed, and my eyes fell on the nightstand. 2 small capsules were resting on a small dish that was the covering the glass of water.

My lips curled into a smile. They were my daily intake of vitamins, and Chase never forgot to remind me to took them.

I pattered into the restroom to do my morning duties and came out after having a shower. Popping the medicine, I opened my the door of my room and saw Ares coming a cute adorable pout.

"Hey ducky, you are so lucky." he grumbled and walked pass me.

I chuckled at his rhythm and turned back to see him typing in his phone.

"What makes you say that?" I asked.

He raised his adorably scowling face towards me, and shrugged.

"Well, you don't need to wake up everyday at 5 am in the morning."

"Neither do you. It's not like you guys have any duty time."

"You have not idea how much bossy, the real boss can get. He drive me nuts!" he exclaimed, banging the wall behind him playfully.

I grimaced at him, and took my cue to leave him alone, before he started asking me for favors.

"Hey ducky," he called, as soon as I turned my back on him.

"Yes." I turned back half raising my eyebrow, trying to look nonchalant.

"You know, that you have boss wrapped around your fingers," he stated, cocking his eyebrows, keeping his hand on his hips.

"Umm, really. I have no idea." I gave him a thin lipped smile and started taking slow steps away from him.

Ares lost his smile and his face started scrunching into an grief stricken chicken, as if I had just pierced his heart with an arrow. My eyes widened and I stopped dead in my tracks.

"You guys are all so mean. I expected better from you, but you all are same!" he cried out, trying to erase his invisible tears from his cheeks.

"Hey, what did I do?"

"Can't you just talk to boss about me?" I knew it. But it was better if I act oblivious about it.

"No..." I grimaced.

His face again scrunched up into an adorable crying face, and he started wailing.

"Ares! Okay, fine. I will talk," I exclaimed out when his false crying was way getting too loud. I cringed at the high pitched sound.

His face broke out into a wide grin and he pinched my cheeks. "Thanks ducky, you are the best!" he said, and wiggled his hips.

I take a few steps back whining. They always do this. What was so attractive about my cheeks? Ares was giving me a sheepish smile.

"Don't expect too much. I am not promising anything." I warned him, narrowing down my eyes.

"Ares?" His face was still covered with a silly grin, when I heard Diana's voice from around the corner.

Out of blue his silly grin turned into a serious blank face, and his cocked one of his eyebrow up, turning his face in the direction from where the sound came.

Diana was standing there, a cell phone on her hands and she gave a fake smile.

"Yes sweetheart?" Ares voice instantly turned an octave gravelly, and my eyes were as wide as saucers. I gasped at his sudden change in demoneur.

What was that?

"Um, Keven called me to inform you that big brother said you don't need to go to the club today. They have it under control now."

"Wonderful. That means I am free for the rest of the day," he uttered in a deep tone and looked down, appearing really serious.

In a flash his head turned towards Diana and she gnawed at her lips nervously. He strode towards her and gently tucked a loose hair behind her ear.

"Why don't you get ready and we will go out today," he said, rubbing Diana's arms sensually.

Okay, what is going on here?

"Uhh. I really can't Ares. I have things to..." Diana seemed hesistant but Ares hushed her down, but pressing his index finger on her lips.

"Others will take care of it. Go and get ready," he said in a husky voice and kissed below her ear.

"Uh, ok...okay." Diana stuttered and scurried away.

Ares gaze still lingered at the retreating figure until she turned around the corner and he licked his lips.

"Ahem." I cleared my throat, attempting to gain his attention and he whisked his head towards me.

"What was that?" I whispered.

His lip turned into a smirk, which was so unusual of him.

"It's nothing. Now its time for my date," saying this, he shoved his phone into his pocket, rubbed his hand enthusiastically and went in the direction Diana just walked away.

I took a deep breath and leaned on the wall to analyse what just happened. Ares flirted with Diana.

Ares flirted with Diana!? And she agreed to go out with him.

This was news.

Shaking my head, I chuckled out in happiness. May be this would turn out to be good for both of them.

I descended down the stairs, and walked into the huge dining room. A series of chair were standing there like knights guarding the corridors of a citadel. A single huge figure was sitting on the head chair, his face covered with the newspaper.

"Andrew!" I called out and walked upto him, smiling.

He shoved the newspaper away and stood up as soon as he saw me.

"Oh, little one. Come here," he said and gave a light hug kissing my crown.

Over the weeks we had bonded more and he had started calling me little one. We usually had breakfast together, cause both of us had a habit of waking up late.

"Melissa! Breakfast!" Andrew yelled out and Melissa dashed into the room, carrying two plates.

She served us the breakfast and went on her way, but not before giving me smile.

The smell of eggs was so tempting that I grabbed my fork and started devouring it. Andrew chuckled out looking at me.

"Slow down little one. You eggs are not going anywhere." I just gave him a sheepish smile.

After we had out breakfast and I was cleaning. my mouth with the napkin, Andrew grabbed my elbow.

"Did you talk to Chase, little one?" he asked.

My lips thinned into a straight line and I shook my head negatively.

"No. I didn't get the time. I mean he had been very busy and stressed out all this week. I don't want him to fell pressurized. I wanna tell him when he would be in a much more relaxed state."

A look of disappointment plastered on Andrew's face and he shook his head.

"Little one, the only time I have seen him relaxing is the time you two are together. Don't think too much. Just go for it, okay?"

I wasn't sure about that. Every time I look at him those three words are always at the lips, but I couldn't bring myself to utter them. Something was holding me back.

I just gave him a curt nod, and climbed off the chair. Andrew also went his way.

I was really getting bored today. Melissa was busy at the hospital. Diana and Ares were on a date. Keven was out with Chase.

I really wanted to go visit the forest once, but I wasn't allowed to go alone. I wish I had someone...

"Ouch!" I shrieked out as I banged with a wall out of nowhere. These walls would split open my head one day.

A deep rich laughter resonated around me and I looked up to see the wall chuckling at me.

"Do we always have to meet like this?" Mark asked, and I poked my tongue at my silliness. I should had looked where I was going.

I gave him a sheepish smile, but they quickly vanished as soon as his olive green eyes bored into me.

Horrors inflicted on me by those terrifying eyes rushed back into my memory and I take a few retreating steps away from him on instict, gasping out in fear. Cold swear ran down my spine.

"Hey, hey, hey, it's me Mark. Mark. Not anyone else, but Mark," he uttered keeping his hands in surrender position. His eyebrows were furrowed and his mouth was open as if he would start panicking, if I don't stop.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, trying to bury the memories deep into my brain. Being with Chase, and spending time with him in the cottage always kept the monsters away.

After a few seconds my body relaxed and I sighed in relied. Opening my eyes, I looked at Mark and his face was blank.

"I am sorry that they always scare you away. Trust me if I can, I would myself burn them or change their colors. But I can't, they are hereditary," he murdered, turning his face away from me, appearing almost regretful of his eyes.

I felt terrible. It wasn't his fault that he shared the same eyes with my tormentor.

"Hey, please. Don't say like that. I should have stayed stronger."

He turned his face towards me, and gave a small smile. I rubbed his huge broad back, and he looked down at my stomach.

"How is the bun in the oven?" he asked with a smile on his face.

"Doing good."

"Do you wanna go somewhere?" he asked.

"I was hoping if you could me to the forest. I am getting bored staying inside the mansion all the time." I suggested.

"Forest it is."

Both of us chuckled lightly and started our venture towards the forest. We were almost out of the back door when a taunting voice stopped us dead on our tracks.

"Looks like you have got every man in the mansion wrapped around your finger."

Of course, she can't live a day without disturbing my peace. Ariadne.

I rolled my eyes and turned towards her, giving her a bored look. She was standing there, wearing a red thigh length dress, and stilletos. Her accentuating hips were looking so sexy that I almost appreciated her.

Almost.

Why does she has to look so good all the time?

She strode towards us, swaying her perfect hips, and with her signature smirk plastered to her face.

I probably looked like a zombie compared to her. With my messy hair, and this baggy shirt.

"I wonder, what is so special about you?" she asked, in her sultry voice leaning towards me.

"Her personality and nature is amazing. Unlike you," Mark intruded and pushed me back soflty, a little away from Ariadne.

She didn't look at Mark but gritted, "Did I ask you motherfucker?"

"I feel compelled to answer you, slut," Mark responded.

"You better watch your mouth or I am gonna break you teeth."

"Atleast it is put to better use than sucking every dick that comes in the way."

I gasped at Mark's insult. That was really harsh. My eyes glided from Mark to Ariadne, and then back to Mark.

Ariadne's face was red with rage, and she was clenching her jaw. She pushed herself right into Mark's face.

"Fuck off."

"I would gladly fuck you."

That was the last words Mark said, before a smack responded in the silent room. Mark's face was turned to the right and he was looking down.

She slapped him.

I gasped out again, my hands flew to my mouth.

In a flash Mark growled out, grabbed Ariadne's shoulders and pushed her on the walls behind her, slamming his lips on her.

What the...

Ariadne started struggling, punching Mark's chest trying to push him away, but he grabbed her hands and thrusted them above her head. His leg was in between her thighs and his other hand was caressing her thighs.

My eyes widened and my face felt hot. Heat was creeping into my face and neck at I looked away from them.

I need to go right now, if I don't wanna watch a live porn show right here.

I sneaked out of the mansion from the back door alone and was just about to go to the forest when Lexi's voice stopped me.

"Sarah, what are you doing here alone?" she asked, and I smiled sheepishly.

"You know right, we can't allow you to go there alone," she uttered and caressed my hair and I gave a sad nod.

"Well I have a good news for you. Actually two," she said in an excited tone and pulled me in the mansion.

"What is it?" I asked, with a wife grin on my face.

"Tomorrow is your first ultrasonography appointment," she shriked and I chuckled at the sight of her excitement.

"Oh my god! I will get to see a glimpse of my baby?" I asked, my nose stinked with emotions.

"Yes. And I have another news. Chase is here. He said he was done for today. Why don't you go and have lunch together at his office?" she said, and this time I shrieked.

"Thanks Lexi. I will go right now!"

I walked into the kitchen and sax Lily preparing the tray for Chase.

"I will take it from here," I told her and took the tray from her hand.

"Oh no, ma'am. I can't let you carry that upstairs. Mr. Morgan will fire me if he see I am letting you do any work," she cried out and tired to take the plate from my hands.

I playfully glared at her and she stopped.

"Go, it's my order."

"Okay. But I am gonna carry the try," She reluctantly agreed.

I ascended up the stairs with Lily behind me, the plate in her hand carrying our lunch. It would be so much fun. We didn't get to spend much time together in the last few days.

My stomach fluttered with happiness and the smile wasn't even going away from face. I hummed a tone, and was giggling all by myself at just the thought of spending some time with him. Warmth bursted inside my chest.

But my heart missed a beat and my breath hitched in my throat when I heard Chase's voice roaring in the corridor.

"Sarah is just a fucking surrogate!"

<<~~~~~~~~~~~~∆~~~~~~~~~~~~>>

Hello lovelies. 😊

Hope you all are doing good. 🤗
Welcome back and I hope that you like the chapter

This was more of a filler, to show that Sarah and Chase's relationship wasn't totally sexual, Sarah's relationship with others in the mansion and how she had won the heart of almost everyone in the Mansion.

Also, Ares and Diana seemed suspicious.

But things aren't going to smooth from here. Huge turn of events will take place, and things will go to go topsy turvy.

I have a humble request. Please please vote and comment. That's the only thing I aks for. Your comments makes my day. ❤️💖

Silent readers, please 🙏 Even a single comment from each one of you would do ❣️

Love you all ❤️😘 See you soon 💗

Thank You 😉