Chapter Sixteen

Song for the chapter: You Are The Reason by Callum Scott

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Andrew's POV

They really did look good together, but I'm sure we looked better together.

Today is the day I face my fears and meet her. I've been watching her since I got to New York, waiting for the perfect time to talk to her.

Miles is always around her and it's hard to see her go thirty minutes without him around. As I sat in my car parked around the corner, I watched Miles step out of the house and he got into the car.

He was supposed to leave to hang out with his friends but the way he dressed definitely meant he was going elsewhere.

Were they going out together? Like an event. After all it is a Saturday evening, the weather perfect for an event, whatever it may be.

He sat in the car for close to thirty minutes before Victoria stepped out of the house and Miles met with her halfway. She was wearing sweats and her tummy which was gradually protruding was evident.

I couldn't hear what they said between themselves but he followed her inside and I sighed in defeat. I was hoping to get to talk to her privately. Even though Miles would give us the space we need but it wouldn't feel the same if she were alone.

The front door opened again and this time Miles stepped out of the house, got into the car and drove off.

I sighed in relief once again and waited for five minutes before getting down from the car. I checked my reflection on the tinted glasses of the car and I nodded at myself.

I held a bouquet of her favorite flowers in one hand as I took one step after the other to the house. I said a silent prayer, hoping that this doesn't blow up in my face and she gives me the audience I need.

All I need is five minutes. Five minutes to apologize for being a coward and an asshole. Though I'd give anything to have her take me back but the major goal here is to get her forgiveness and the chance to be in her life once again, if not as her lover but as her friend and in this case, baby daddy.

I was just by the fence when I heard the front door open and Victoria stepped out of the house, still with her sweats on. I moved out of sight and watched her. She opened the garage, got into the second car and I watched her drive off.

I sighed in defeat once again. Let's hope she'll be back soon. I went back into the car and waited.

About an hour later, I watched her drive back and as she walked into the house, she held shopping bags.

Right, she went to the store.

I quickly got down from the car with the bouquet in my hand and stood in front of the door, ready to knock and at that moment the door swung open.

She looked way more beautiful up close.

Her mouth was on the floor and different emotions flashed in her eyes. I really fucked up.

I couldn't take my eyes off her, not for a second.

"Victoria," I called.

I was at the brink of tears. I really don't deserve her, not even in my wildest dreams. She is my everything, the person I can't be without and I let her slip through my fingers, just like that.

"Andrew, you're here." She stated in obvious disbelief.

I nodded, "I'm here." I assured her that this wasn't a dream. It's real. I came back for her.

"Come in," she stepped to the side, giving me room to step into the house and I did. "How did you find me?" She asked as she led me to the living room.

Your mother, and yeah, I've been stalking you.

"Here, these are for you." I gave her the flowers and it took her a few seconds before she reached out and took them from me.

My fingers touched hers and I heard her suck in a breath. I just wanted to hold her and never let go.

"Thanks. I'll go put these in water." She left me in the living room, obviously to the kitchen.

This is it Andrew, it's now or never.

I gave myself a little pep talk as I nervously adjusted my shirt. It was getting hot or maybe I'm just really nervous.

What was I thinking though, wearing a turtle neck in this heat?

I scanned the living room. It was nicely decorated but I wouldn't in my twenty three years of living imagine that Victoria would live in a house like this.

It was lacking, what would she call it again? A semblance of feminity. If someone told me a woman lives here, I'd probably laugh in their face.

It was neat and had nice furniture but it was somewhat dull. No paintings or cute plants that even though I hated, Victoria loved having them around so I never complained when she brought a new one home.

She is the epitome of an American mum, just with a Nigerian history is all.

It's either I broke her so much that she didn't care about placing a few plants here and there or Miles is really persistent and had his way.

"Tea, wine or beer?" Her voice brought me back to where I was and why I was here in the first place.

"Neither, thanks." I declined the offer.

"Please sit," she gestured at the couch behind me but I shook my head and took a step towards her.

"What is going on?"

Was she scared of me? She should know I would never physically hurt her.

I got on my knees and with that she took a step back. "What are you doing Drew?"

Drew. She called me Drew.

I missed hearing her call me that. It always sounded different coming from her lips, especially when I had my cock or my fingers, buried deep within her, or my tongue circling her clit, meeting her pleasure points and making moans escape her lips.

Focus Andrew.

"What I should have done six months ago." I answered her question and looked up at her.

"Victoria Damilola Black." I started. I didn't know how I was going to express myself, all I knew was that I was going to apologize, however it comes out.

"I have been the biggest coward and fool and nothing can change that, not even if I apologize all day long or for years to come. I know I don't deserve you in my life, either as a friend or even as the father to our child but I need you to know that I'm deeply sorry. I have hurt you in more ways that words can describe, I have broken your heart over and over again, and I don't deserve your forgiveness, I don't deserve to be around you."

My eyes pricked and I let the tears fall. "I'm sorry Victoria, all of me is sorry. If you don't forgive me, I won't hold it against you but I am sorry, truly and deeply sorry."

I had so much more to say, so, much but with the way she shook with sobs I got on my feet and slowly pulled her to me. She didn't protest so I let her head rest on my chest.

"I'm sorry." I repeated.

She slowly wrapped her hands around my waist and pulled me to her. I really hurt this woman and nothing can change that but I'm willing to do anything to right my wrongs.

She suddenly pulled away from me and the look on her face as she looked at me almost got me recoiling.

"How dare you!" She spat. "Do you know how much you hurt me Andrew? Do you?"

I could feel her rage directed at me.

"I'm sorry," that was all I could say. "I'm really sorry."

"I know I wronged you Andrew. I know I did and I'm sorry. I cheated on you and that is despicable, I hate myself for it but did I really deserve you leaving me, for six months, six mother fucking months with your baby?"

"No you don't, you don't deserve it and I'm sorry." I took the bold step towards her and when she didn't move or recoil I took another step and took her hands in mine.

"I have a question for you, and I want your complete and total honesty Andrew." She sniffed and wiped her eyes with one hand.

I nodded, waiting for the question.

"If I didn't tell you the baby was yours, would you have come back for me?" Her eyes searched mine and my heart skipped a beat.

The answer to that question would make her turn away from me and she wouldn't give me the chance to explain, she'd run away before I can even say anything.

Nothing will change the fact that I gave up on her because another man swooped in and took her away from me and I'm a man of my words so I backed off.

The fact remains, I gave up on her, on us. She'll take my answer differently but she wants honesty and I'll give that to her. I just hope I'll get the chance to explain myself.

"No," I answered and I watched her face and whole world crash again.

It was like everything was in slow motion. She took her hand from mine and took off up the flight of stairs.

"Victoria please let me explain!" I yelled after her but she wasn't having it.

I wanted to sit back but I realized that if I let her go, the chance to explain myself would probably never come around again.

In my moment of hesitation the front door swung open and Miles walked in.

Fuck!