Jason was not sleeping well these days. He could not believe that he was feeling this way about a woman who apparently did not feel the same way for him and who had been avoiding him.

He had been the one to avoid her before but the tables were turned now.

He wanted to see her more but she was not ready for that.

On one occasion, he had asked her if she was scared of him and she had denied it but that was the only logical explanation for the way she was acting towards him.

Another source of concern was that Rebecca was now working closely with him. She had come up with another business deal. He had at first been sceptical. thinking that, that was another way she was trying to get close to her but it turned out to be real and his competitors had been eyeing such a contract.

He had to accept to do it for her and those she was representing.

It had been very profitable this far. He had worked on the project relentlessly. Not only because that was how seriously he handled his business but because he also wanted to be distracted from his emotional turmoil.

On the one hand, Rebecca was still trying to get him into her bed while they worked together on the project and he could not wait to finish it so that she could be gone from him but most times he had had to smile and pretend that he enjoyed working with and for her.

Any on looker would think that they made a good team. He was careful though when they were not within prying eyes to put her in her place.

Having deduced this, she took advantage of making him feel very uncomfortable by getting close to him when they were in public. Making the press and others draw whatever conclusions they wanted.

This helped his business but kept him miserable. He tried to adopt a non challant attitude but the irritation of her constantly throwing herself at him in public places where he wanted to main his image of an impeccable gentleman held him back from embarrassing her but he did not know how long he would keep himself from making a scene. That was why he was anxious for the project to end as soon as possible.

On the other hand, was Nancy who must think that he was the flirt of the century.

'There is nothing between Rebecca and me. It is plainly business and work. Nothing personal', he had tried to explain to her one day after seeing her reaction at the way Rebecca had been a ting towards him in public.

He knew how it must look to her and getting her to trust him was already difficult. Add Rebecca's behaviour and one would understand that the distrust would only increase.

'It is none of my business what you do with her or with your personal life. It is your life and I cannot tell you how to live it'. She had said smiling and it had felt like a slap on the cheek.

He got home that fateful day, very tired. The time he had spent working on the project was really exhausting with Rebecca wiles.

He had made it clear to her times without number that she was just wasting her time but she just seem not to get it. She probably thought that if she kept coming close to him, it would rekindle the flame they,no he once foolishly felt for her.

A thought once occured to him. And that was that Rebecca must have noticed that he felt strongly for Nancy and was trying hard to make her jealous and come between then, hence ending any relationship they may have going. She would of course think that she, Rebecca had an edge over other women,having been married to him before and knowing it was like to be loved by him.

After his shower, he wanted to go straight to bed but found out that he was famished.

He was the type that rarely goes for lunch break.

He came downstairs and ring the bell for his dinner and was served immediately.

The cook and her help had been waiting for his summons.

He had barely finished his meal, when Phoebe was announced.

'Oh God. Not this too!' he thought to himself.

He felt that it was time he broke off with her. He was no longer interested in the relationship with her.

She came in and they exchanged pleasantries.

'Jason, it has really been so long. You seem to be avoiding me and I keep asking myself what I have done wrong'. she said.

'Well you know it is business and you of all people should know that, having started one of your own. You see how he tic it can be if you want to succeed. You have to put in your very best.

But what brings you here, I was just about to retire for the evening. I am more than exhausted'. He said yawning to drive home his point.

'Well then,I must not waste your time. I just have to say what I have come to say to you and leave so that you can have your rest'.

Jason thought that she was referring to the loan he had given her.

'If you are going to talk about the loan, you are free to use it till you are able to refund it. Afterall what are friends for but there is something that I seriously need to tell you'

It gave Phoebe pause and she decided to listen to him first before throwing her bombshell.

'What is it Jason, hope it is nothing to be concerned about?'

'Of course not. It is just that I would like for us to change our relationship and be platonic friends. Let's stop seeing each other. I am not comfortable having any affair with you anymore. Let's just be friends from here on out. It is best. I do not think it is fair on you being in such relationship with me. You are still young and should find yourself a young man to get married to and have a family'.

Phoebe started thinking that he may know about Romeo. That must be the reason he was saying this. Setting her free to get married to her lover as though she wanted to be set free.

And Yes, she wanted to get married. Very much but not to just anybody but to him. To Jason. He had become her obsession.

'Why are you saying this? Have I done anything to annoy you?'

'No,no. You have not but this is a decision I have reached. Ours was a relationship that was open to other partners from the start. So now, I just don't feel inclined to continue and I thank God love is not involved, so that no heart is broken nor hopes crushed. We shall remain friends of course but that will be it and no more', he said decisively, not expecting any opposition.

'Well that's too bad because you see, I am already carrying your baby!' she said.

Nancy had come into the house and had wanted to talk to her boss about some issues about the office. As she opened the door to get in, she heard Phoebe's declaration and stood rooted to the spot.

Pregnant? With Jason's baby?

Pregnant? It was like a bombshell in Jason's ears as he echoed Nancy's thoughts.

'What are you saying?'

'I am saying that I am pregnant with your child'.

'My child? How so? We had always taken precautions!'

'Yes. But you see this things happen. There are always exceptions and mistakes And when it happens, we cannot run away from it'. she said looking worried.

'When did this happen?'

'I do not know but I found out today. I had been ignorant other wise. I had felt dizzy at the office and collapsed. The doctor was sent for and she confirmed it. I am about a month gone'.

'So, what do you want to do about it?'Jason asked confused.

'What do I want to do about it? What kind of question is that? I should be asking you what decision you ate going to take about it'.

'That's true but how do you know that it is mine? Afterall, ours was an open relationship and you had other partners and you just found out today. So how could you just conclude that the baby is mine and not any other person's?

'I knew immediately that it was yours because for about a month, I have not really been with any other man but you. So it couldn't have been someone else's'.

'Well if you are sure of that, we shall find a solution to that but right now I am exhausted and I have to think to arrive at a decision. Goodnight!' he said and stood up. She stood as well.

'Of you need to eat,you can ask Potts to make you something but I can barely keep my eyes open'.

'That's okay. I do not need good. I shall go home. I am tired as well and the pregnancy is making me weak. You need time to digest this information and I need time too to think about it. It came as a surprise. I need to get used to the idea as well, do some soul searching, and make some life changing decisions. Goodnight'.

She stood as well and left.

Nancy had already left. She could bear to listen to more.

Mrs Potts saw her leave and was shocked at how white she looked.

She tried to call her back but she waved her away and flew to her quarters.

Not long after that Phoebe came out and left.

And she heard her boss climb the stairs, as he retired for the night but Jason knew that he was not going to sleep that night or any night soon til he was able to resolve the issues besieging him.

Pregnant! Incredible. How was that even possible?

Was Phoebe trying to get him hooked to her by traping him with pregnancy?

What if what she wanted was money? She had said that marriage was not in her agenda at the moment, so maybe she wantedore money to further her business. Women can be very greedy. He had had one life experience that would last him for all his lifetimes, even if he reincarnated a million times and the slut was trying to get him back into her life.

If it had been just a few months after her betrayal, he knew he would foolishly have forgiven and accepted her back gratefully without thought but he had had time to overcome his hurt and had thought about the whole event logically. He felt that he should even be grateful to her for showing him her true colours as early as she did. If it had been later, it may have been worse.

Now, Phoebe had thrown her bombshell. 'She was pregnant with his child!'

He tossed and turned. But he could not seem to be able to sleep. How could he when he could not forget the discussion he just had with Phoebe.

Or did she say that because he had indicated his decision to make their friendship platonic?

He felt in his bones that she was hiding something. Something was just not right.

They had an arrangement and she was on the pill and he had never been with a woman without sheathing himself, so how could she have become pregnant?

And how was she sure it was his?

She had said that she had not been with any other all through the past month and that made him responsible for her pregnancy but how often had he been with her in the past month, what with the work with Rebecca that was taking his time as well as other business ventures.

He had not even had much time with Nancy lately. Though she had been avoiding him.

What would Nancy think when she heard of this new development? There would then be no hope of them ever coming together.

He did not know why it should bother him that much but it really did and he had started considering her baby his as well.

In any case, he was hoping to bring a good uncle to him or her. Or a father figure.

Her pregnancy had started showing..

Phoebe, what have you done?

The idea of having a child of his own was not really repulsive but what he could not accept was the person who was going to be it's mother.

He realised that if it had been Nancy, he would not have raised much objections. In fact he would have been very happy.

What was so special about her?

She was not pretentious and tight from the time he had met her, she had not wanted his money. She preferred to work for her pay.

When he had given her the quarters to live in, others would have jumped at the offer but she had not and to pay in the way she could, she helped around the house like a hired hand. She was so humble and hardworking. And she was pretty as well. Her beauty was a natural one not enhanced by the use of make up.

Thinking about Nancy brought him peace and he forgot about Phoebe's announcement.

He would have to consult with his doctor. He had to find out alot of things and then in the guise of a medical check up, he would ask his doctor to conduct a pregnancy test to confirm of she was really pregnant.

Having decided that, he felt a bit relieved and still keeping the thoughts of Nancy, he fell into a deep sleep, exhaustion taking over his troubled mind.

Nancy flew to her quarters, not wanting nor waiting to chat with Mrs. Potts her good friend.

She did not even remember to wish her a good night.

Only one word kept ringing in her ears.

'Pregnant! Pregnant! Pregnant! Preg...'

She could not understand why she was feeling so restless and tearful. Afterall she was pregnant herself and would be due in about five months. So why was she so upset about someone else's pregnancy?

She could not deny it. She knew the reason the news bothered her. It bothered her because of the involvement Jason. The father of the baby was her problem because she had foolishly fallen in love with him and with the recent developments between them, she had hoped that he was beginning to like her as well but his ex wife was always with him and from the look of things,Jason liked working and going out with Rebecca his ex wife. She would not be surprised if they had become intimate and would soon remarry.

She had been consoling herself with the thought that it could just be business and nothing else like Jason had taken the pains to tell her.

At that time, she had pretended not to care what they did with each other behind close doors and had told him so but his reassurances that it was just business and how he acts as though her touch irritated him on some occasions when they thought no one was watching had gladdened her heart and given her hope, fool that she was.

Now, this! She knew that Jason was an honourable man and would do right by Phoebe and Nancy knew that if he did anything less, he would fall from the high pedestal she had placed him but that would also leave her with a broken heart!

But she was not selfish enough to want what happened to her to happen to another. She knew the pain and humiliation, she had had to go through but putting someone else through that was not going to be because of her of she could help it.

Jason had cared for her as though it was his baby she was going to have, it hurt to think how he would care for the woman who was really carrying his own baby.

She did not think that she could endure seeing them together and yet she would not want him to abandon Phoebe and knew that Jason did not have it in him to abandon Phoebe and definitely not in such a vulnerable condition.

So, she was no t going to stick around and see how they got married. She was going to leave the house and after a few months of working, maybe till her baby was born, she would not go back to the company after her maternity leave but look for a job else where.

She just must have been jinxed

She was not meant to find true love and be truely happy.

Having decided on moving, she started looking for possible places that would be good enough for her to dwell comfortably with her child.

She knew it was yet too early but she felt that the earlier she started looking, the better. And if she got what she was looking for, the right kind of place, well then, she would not mind moving into the place immediately. Afterall, what was the use procrastinating? When her heartbreak would endanger her health and that of her baby once she kept being anxious and bothered about the activities near her?

After tossing and turning, she wanted to go for a dip in the pool to help her sleep but she was scared that she would meet Jason there and the pool encounter would be repeated and she just couldn't risk that happening again, not with the present developments and she could not possibly ask him what he was doing in the pool, afterall, it was his house and he had all the right in the world to his pool.

After the last encounter, Jason had apologised profusely but had been sincere to tell her that he could not deny the fact that he was attracted to her and wanted her but that had not been the word she was looking for.

The other person she had loved in the past had just wanted her body and when he got it, could not stick around to share the responsibilities of the consequences of their lust with her.

He abandoned her to care for herself and her baby because she refused to abort the baby and continue to be his bed mate.

She was happy that she was rid of such a nuisance and her baby was better off without such a father anyways.

Then how could she put herself in such a similar position again?.

The jewelry Jason had bought to placate and show her his interest was not accepted.

She had told him what to do with the expensive gold and diamond necklace.

'I cannot be bought with money, Jason. I am not a prostitute. And I do not need your money nor your Jewelry'.

'Then what do you want from me? You had said you didn't want to be my toy, but I can assure you that that was not what I had in mind'.

Nancy of course could not tell him what she wanted from him if he was daft enough not to realise it for himself.

'Then what do you have in mind?' she asked, her heart beating rapidly, thinking that he was going to say that he loved her and that it was possible they would get into a permanent relationship like marriage.

'I will keep you satisfied in everyway. You only need to ask me whatever you want. Provided it is within my capability, you shall have it and your child would have a father figure and live a secured life' he said feeling that she could not possibly reject such an offer.

She looked away and he could have sworn that he saw tears in her eyes before her lashes his them. He assumed they must be years of joy and was expecting a favourable response. His mind already making plans of how they would live.

'I cannot be your mistress, Jason I am sorry. I tried that once and see where it got me?

Once the man found I was pregnant, he asked me to abort it, and when I refused be ause I reminded him that there was no need for that since we were going to get married in any case, he abandoned me but not before he accused me of plotting to trap him with my pregnancy and informing me with great merriment that it was good while it lasted but that he couldn't continue with me since he already had a wife whom he loved dearly and four adorable children. He was just having his fun with me, you see while professing love to me and promising me marriage.

He also gave me lots of gifts and jewelry because he was rich. Though his money was not what I had been after but his love.

So please, take your jewelry and give to one of your numerous lovers, because I cannot be one of them or you sell it and give the money to charity. They will appreciate it more. I do not want it. And please do not add to my troubles, I have enough as it is'.

This discussion had taken place one day on their way to work. Jason had specially asked her to make sure she waited for him so that they could go together and by the time she was through with her speech, he had driven into the company's premises. She opened the door and walked up into the building without a backward glance and she knew that Jason must have been looking after her, shocked that anyone could reject him.

She had not spoken to him since then except at the office to tell him his schedule and answer his questions until she decided she wanted to make some suggestions concerning some issues about the office and had stumbled into Phoebe's pregnancy announcement.

She felt that she had thought enough, forcing herself to stay away from the pool, she soon fell into a troubled sleep.