It didn't help to improve my mood either when I stepped outside the subway to encounter the rain. The way my life is going I really ought to have known better than to think the weather would cooperate. A wry glance at the dense cloud-packed sky confirmed that the rain wasn't likely to let up. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. I had no alternative than to get soaked in the rain as I walked.
By the time I reached my former office, I'm drenched wet to the bone, my cream shirt and black skirt, no doubt liberally splattered with dirty rainwater spots. I don't know what I'm going to accomplish once I meet Raphael, however, in my current mindset I would probably stab him with his pen that's always neatly placed on his desk.
Once I entered his floor, my eyes landed on none other than the woman who was cast alongside Raphael in the picture. She was lounging casually on the couch outside his office, doing her touch-up. Why, oh why? Can this day get any worse? Oh, how have the roles been reversed?
Her eyes were assessing me in a very critical and condemning fashion with far more intense scrutiny than warranted. Of course, my wet clothes were to partly blame. Whereas she glistened with the kind of clothes designed to impress her avaricious temper, I resemble a drowning rat in need of shelter. My presence here, right now, may have raised her hackles enough to unsheathe her claws.
'Saw the rumors? Aren't we quite a couple? They are naming us as 'Power couples. What do you think?', Elizabeth asked while closing her compact (she was putting on her lipstick). She started circling me while speaking in what she thought husky voice, 'Marriage between rich people is common, darling. The world expects it. They rejoice in it. You see, people like me are meant for marriage, whereas people like you...you are meant to be kept as the mistress. Don't confuse one thing with another. Just because he took you to one event doesn't mean you are going to be the next Mrs. Sinclair. You must dream within your limits darling', she said sophistication oozing out as if she is bestowing sisterly advice upon me. 
Why are we listening to her? My inner diva asked.
I can't take this right now. So, I punched her...right on her face. Probably broke her fake nose. She screeched with fury, that would have put cats to shame. 
'You broke my nose. How could you?', she screamed.
'Sure, you want me to show you one more time?' I drew leisurely.
She backed away quickly at my threat, clutching her bleeding nose she threatened, 'I'm going to sue you. I will tell Raphael all about this. How dare you punch me! I will end you for this. You fit-for-nothing slut', she ranted.
'Yada...yada...yada. Are you done? Now leave quietly and think before you approach me again. Because next time babe, your nose won't be the only thing which will break', I said slowly with a dramatic effect.
Should have done that the moment our eyes landed on her, my inner diva suggested.
She must have detected my seriousness as she practically ran for the lift. I didn't turn back to see whether she left or not. I have more important things to do, like a certain CEO to kill.
I turned towards Raphael's office and barged inside not knowing the fact that wherever the fine fabric is clinging to my body it had become virtually transparent. 
'You! You sleaze-bag! You are dead meat', I shouted at Raphael, who doesn't look surprised by my presence.
'If your idea of intimidation is barging into my office looking like that, then by all means feel free to do it anytime. However, I would prefer if it's done more privately, without making a spectacle of oneself', Raphael said pointedly looking at my cream color shirt.
Great! I just gave a free strip show to who knows how many of the gawking onlookers. Yup! This day could get worse. See the silver lining...at least, no one pointed out to you in the middle of the street, said my inner diva trying to assure me, which was an epic failure.
'Stop acting cool as if nothing serious happened. Your distraction tactics are not going to work on me anymore. I'm going to kill you', I growled pacing nearer to his desk.
'I'm cowering in my boots. Please have mercy on me', he mocked me with a straight face.
That's it. I gave a warrior scream that any amazon would be proud of and pounced on him. This time he was prepared for me. He was waiting for my outburst. His provocation guaranteed that. Before I could scratch or hit, he cleverly manoeuvres me on the carpet of the floor, by pinning my hands above me and lying flat on me without putting his weight behind it.
'Release me. I'm going to kill you. I'm serious, Raphael. How dare you to post that news? Here I'm puking my guts out while carrying YOUR baby and you dare to play 'bachelor!'
'What if I say it's true? The news, all of it?', he enquired.
I say the man has gone mad, replies my inner diva.
I felt a tiny twinge in my heart, but I discarded it as heartburn. 'Then I will say best of luck. You both need it. What with her frivolous nature and your manipulative one.'
'Sometimes I forget how young you are', he said, deviating from our discussion.
'Young yes. Not naive and immature'. The heat and weight of his body were like an impenetrable wall, pressing into mine made me aware of our position. Suddenly, the air between us cackled with the sexual tension which reminded me of reminiscing about events that would have led to deeper intimacy. However, with the rumor still freshly in mind, I tried to bring my hostility to the forefront.
'Let me go', I said shakily.
'You don't want me to', he remarked provocatively.
'I have nothing but contempt and disdain towards you', I said more firmly.
'Liar', he suggested and kissed me. This was the first time he kissed me since the big reveal. A blast of fury and bitterness made me pull away from the pressure of his mouth.
'No', I forced my rejection out of my lips. 
'Erica, you don't mean that', he went to capture my lips again but I cut him out by saying, 'I mean it, Raphael. If you try to kiss me one more time, I will scream so loud, the entire staff would be heard before I was silenced'.
'Very well, Ms. Anderson. You made your point. If not to reconcile why have you taken upon yourself to darken my doorsteps?'
'I'm pregnant', I blurted out the obvious. As he must have paid the bill, I believe the Doctors would have told him about my condition, yet I want it to be out there between us.
Nice communication skills there, my inner diva interjected sarcastically.
'I'm aware of that fact', he said not knowing where I'm going with that statement.
I lost what little common sense I gained with that statement. 'You are an arrogant, pig-headed bully, you know I'm pregnant, yet you never... not once... visited me. You know I'm angry at you. You knew I'm seething with rage, yet you arrogantly assume I would let you touch me. I hate your assurance that I would come back. I hate your supercilious superior self. I hate you', this time my launch surprised him. Ha! Take that. I gave him a good solid punch in his stomach before I grabbed the nearest thing available to hit him with. Which coincidentally happened to be his pen? 
Oh, gods of the pen, give me the strength to kill this man with this weapon, my inner goddess prayed, while disguised as Wonder Woman.
'I'm going to stab you, you swine!'
'Erica, please, put your mighty weapon down and let's talk like rational people'
I gave a baleful stare at him, showing him what I thought of his suggestion.
'Talk! Now he wants to talk, folks! Our entire relationship was remiss with your Long silences and my blabber to cover it up and now you want to talk!' I said sarcastically, my temper reigning my words.
'Erica-', he started again, no doubt to butter me up.
'No, Raphael. I don't want to hear it. I want to know why you didn't visit me? We made a baby Raphael. A baby. Your baby. A life. This must mean something. Yet you never took time out of your schedule to call me? Visit me. For three weeks, nothing but silence. It was me who must be angry. It was you, who have to beg for my forgiveness, yet you manipulate me in this too', I said bitterly.
You tell him, girl, cheered my inner self.
'I would have done all those things if you have welcomed it. But you are not ready to hear me then. So, I waited. And don't think as I neglected you. You were under 24/7 surveillance. Your doctor was under orders to contact you daily and update me with his notes. Your every move was recorded and sent to me. What you eat...where you go...whom you meet...when you sleep...everything'
Stalker alert...stalker alert, my inner b whispered.
I snorted, 'except how I feel! Don't you ever get tired of your god-like complex? Next time, consult me before you design what is best for me.'
'So, you agree that there would be next time', he smirked with satisfaction.
'Dream on', I said, my adrenaline rushing out of me. I collapsed on the nearby couch which we christened not so long ago. He took his place, by leaning on his desk with his arms folded over his chest, giving me a glimpse of his bulging biceps.
Once I cooled off my brain cells worked enough to point out what he must have done. So, I asked him, 'Why have you posted that fake news?'
'How do you know it is fake?', surprise evident in his gaze.
'One, you are not that stupid. And two, If it would have been real, that bitch would have been here and me there. And before I forget, I hit your barbie out there', I said oh so casually.
'No doubt she deserved it. God, Erica, what am I going to do with you!' He pinched his nose as if I'm a bad pupil in need of discipline.
'So, why this drama? What else do you want from me? You have your surveillance records to be content with'.
'Now that would have been an extremely leading question or a naive one. What do you think I want from you?'
'I'm not giving you my baby', I shouted at him.
'I'm not asking you to give up our baby. What do you take me for?'
'A manipulative, ruthless, selfish, arrogant businessman with a god-like complex. Did I miss anything?', I listed his qualities.
'Yes. Sexy and passionate'
'Haha, very funny. Seriously, Raphael, I'm tired. My clothes are soaking wet. My last meal is long gone. I'm cranky, I'm hungry and what not! So, I ask you again. Why did you manipulate me here?'
'Just as I said. To talk'
'What else is there to talk about? We talked all we have to say in the last meeting'
'No Erica, last time you assumed, and I didn't correct you. Thinking it would be better when you have cooled down. Now that I realized my mistake of delaying the inevitable, I want to tell you my side', he explained.