The baby contract novel Chapter 23

   Carla threw him a glare and smiled at Marvel " It's fine Marvel, take your time please "
  Marvel laughed " No it's fine, I'll go get you your food. We have a lot to talk about anyways " She said with a wink in Carla's direction and left. 
 She sighed " Why did you have to bring up the topic in a restaurant? "
 He frowned " Topic? What topic? "
 " Our engagement of course! " She exclaimed, exasperated. 
" What's wrong with that? She's bound to find out sooner or later, and besides she's my friend so I don't understand why you would get so worked up over it "
" Or didn't you tell your friend too? See Carla, enough of this childish stuff, we're more mature than that " He added coolly. 
 She didn't have any answer to that so she looked away. 
 Marvel came back, accompanied by a waitress who kept throwing seductive glances in Liam's direction. 
" Thanks Angel, you can leave " Marvel finally spoke up when the waitress made no move to leave. 
" Okay ma'am " Angel replied quietly and turned on her heels with a sad expression on her face. 
 Liam was right, she enjoyed every bit of the delicious meal but she wouldn't admit it to him. 
" So? Do you like it, sweetheart? It's tasty, right? " He asked expectantly. 
 She shrugged " It's okay but it's not my favorite " 
 He glowered at her " I don't remember saying it was your favorite, I just said you would like it "
 She nodded " Hmn, but how do you know I liked something like this anyway? "
 He grinned " Instinct "
" So when is the wedding? " Marvel butted in and Carla choked on her drink. The couple looked at her, surprised that she was still with them. 
" Next week " Liam said without batting an eye. 
" Next week?! Why?! " Marvel exclaimed, looking surprised. 
Carla smiled into her cup, hoping Marvel would come to her aid this time and talked sense into Liam. 
 Liam shrugged " Nothing, we just wanted to get married quickly "
" Is she pregnant?! " Marvel blurted out in a hushed whisper.
 Carla choked on her drink the second time " What?! "
" Why would you think that, Marvel? " She added with a nervous laugh. 
 Marvel smiled sheepishly " Uh... That's just the only reasonable thing for you to get married so fast " She ended her words with a small shrug. 
Liam smirked " We're gonna make one soon, right baby? " 
 Carla blushed and buried her face into a cup. 
" Stop Liam! You're embarrassing the poor girl! " Marvel said, laughing.
       **********
" Bye Carla! Make sure you come again! " Marvel yelled as Liam opened the car door for her. 
 " Sure! Bye! " Carla replied with a wave. 
She heaved a sigh of relief and closed her eyes. 
" Did you enjoy the meal? " He asked as he drove out of the parking lot. 
" Yup " She answered with her eyes glued on the road. 
He checked his wristwatch " It's late, should I take you home now? "
She eyed him " And leave my bag in the office? No way "
" Oh sorry, didn't know your bag is still in the office " He didn't look sorry though. 
 She rolled her eyes " Coming from the mouth of someone who practically dragged me out of the office " 
He didn't reply because he knew she just set a trap but he wouldn't take the bait. They got to his company and like a gentleman again, he opened the door for her. 
 She eyed him suspiciously " If you think doing this would.... "
 But Liam cut her off " Shut up for once, Carla! You should cultivate the habit of keeping mute for once! " 
 She rolled her eyes and preceded him to the company. She felt all eyes on her again, some looked at her curiously while some had on a harsh look. What was wrong with them anyway? Just a walk with the boss and they were already staring at her like she committed murder. She wondered what they would think of her when they finally found out she would marry him. Oh my! I can't wait to see the hostile look on their faces, she thought gleefully.
Her phone rang that moment, jolting her out of her reverie. It was Jenny. 
" Hey baby, what's up? " She asked cheerfully but noticed right away that Jenny didn't sound as cheerful. 
" I'm cool " Jenny said but her voice was dull. 
 Carla frowned " What's wrong? " 
 Jenny sniffed " Where are you? " 
" At work, what's wrong Jenny? " Carla asked, starting to get worried. 
" Just come home quickly, will you? " Jenny said and the line went dead. 
She went into the office in a hurry and met Alex sitting lazily on Liam's chair. 
" Hi baby, how are you? " He asked in a quite, cheerful voice. 
" I'm good, Alex. I'm sorry, I have to leave right now. We'll talk later, okay? " She said hurriedly and got her bag. She was gone in seconds. 
 Alex frowned, had something happened between she and Liam? Did they get into a fight? He shrugged and busied himself with his phone. 
 Carla met Liam on her way but she almost passed by him absentmindedly but he held her back. 
" Whoa! Future wife, where are you running off to? " 
She looked up, startled " Uh? Oh, my friend is sick so I need to go home now "
 He shrugged " Okay, it's late anyway. Should I give you a ride? " 
 She shook her head " No I'll manage, thanks "
" I'll call you, okay? " He searched her face. 
 She nodded quickly, wanting to be on her way already. Before she knew what hit her, he had kissed her on the lips. 
" Take care, hmmn? " He asked softly. 
 She nodded, still shocked by the kiss because it was unexpected. 
 They looked like a real couple from anyone else's view. 
" Go on now, will you? " He urged. 
" Or do you want a deep one? " He asked in a teasing tone. 
 Her eyes widened and she dashed out.