CHAPTER 5
Adam busied himself with work over the next couple of weeks, and managed to avoid Chelsea altogether. He saw her waddle into the bookstore one day, and purposely walked in the other direction, but not before his eyes fixated on her very pregnant tummy as she disappeared into the store.
That's my baby in there, he thought at the time, with a mixture of wonderment, and sadness as he fought back the lump in his throat. He was missing out on sharing all the special moments with her- the doctor's visits, ultrasounds, late night ice cream runs, and just being able to rub her belly, and feel his baby kicking.
Truthfully, he didn't ever want her out of his sight, but it was acutely painful watching her with Dylan, and he needed the distance to sort out his feelings. Anger always bubbled to the surface when he thought about Chelsea, but was quickly replaced by feelings of love and a sense of wanting to protect her and their unborn child.
As much as he detested the thought, the fact remained that she had usurped his role and given it to another man. That bell wasn't going to be easily un-rung. First, he had to get her to trust him again, which was going to take some patience, something he sorely lacked, and a little finesse.
Still, Adam was nobody's fool. He may not be able to shadow Chelsea's every move, but he had enough wealth, power and resources to have someone else shadow her every move, and that of her fake baby daddy too. He knew nothing about Dylan, other than what Avery had disclosed to him. Chelsea may blindly trust Dylan, but he sure as hell didn't.
He also had another motive for having Chelsea and Dylan tailed. He felt he might be able to reach her through friendship. They started out as friends after all, so he knew how to be one to her. However, if he had any chance of becoming friends with her again, he would have to casually bump into her from time to time. He would have to know where she was at all times of the day or night. The idea of only being friends with her now seemed absurd, particularly because of the lascivious fantasies running through his mind.
Once he was able to come to grips with all the emotion he was feeling, he knew he was partially responsible for her irrational behavior, and couldn't lay all the blame at her feet. They could sort out the hurt feelings later, but gaining her trust was the most important thing to him at present.
Chelsea said she wanted him to move on, so he would convince her that he had done just that. Perhaps she would then let her guard down if she didn't think he was still trying to pursue her. He knew her like the back of his hand, and had a feeling she didn't think he had a genuine bone in his body, and that he only liked the thrill of the hunt. Only he knew what was in his heart, and nothing could be further from the truth. It took losing her to fully realize how deeply he loved her. He wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
….
Chelsea still felt badly about the way she inadvertently pushed Dylan away after her run-in with Adam. Things had been a little strained with Dylan ever since. He could sense something was off with her because she couldn't stop moping about what she had allowed to happen at the Athletic Club.
She finally resolved to focus on Dylan, and stop fretting about Adam. He was in her past, and Dylan was part of her future. In her heart, she knew that Adam would never be the kind of man she could trust. He was always going to be restless and driven to ambition, over the needs of a family. She would never come first with him, and neither would their baby. She knew what it was like having a parent who always placed their selfish needs over that of their child. She was a walking, breathing testament to shitty parenting. Her own mother raised her to work cons with her for Christ's sake! It didn't get much worse than that.
Dylan would provide the kind of stable, loving and secure environment she wanted for her baby. She loved him too. Granted, it wasn't the kind of love she felt for Adam, but that was so combustible, it burned both of them up in the process. In time, she was confident that Dylan would make her forget Adam Newman.
Maybe a cozy, romantic dinner out would get them back on the right track, Chelsea concluded. Fishing her cell phone out of her purse, she excitedly speed-dialed Dylan's number, grinning at the idea of spending a night out on the town with him. Who knew how many nights she would get after the baby was born.
"Hey you," Dylan answered cheerily.
"Hey you back! What would you say if I told you we're going out on the town tonight?" Chelsea beamed, as she was already feeling reenergized by her shift in attitude.
"Are you sure you feel up to it?" Dylan questioned. "You've been really tired a lot in the last few weeks."
Chelsea scowled at his words. She was due in eight weeks, and had definitely slowed down, but she had used the tired excuse quite a bit over the last couple of weeks just to appease Dylan and get him to stop questioning her moodiness.
"I feel great, and I think we both deserve a night out. Besides, we probably won't have very many opportunities in the first few months with a newborn."
"Good point. On The Boulevard? I want to discuss something with you anyway, so pick you up at 6:00?"
"You know where to find me," she responded happily.
….
Adam adjusted the collar of his teal blue dress shirt, and finished tucking it into his black Armani trousers. He was setting the first part of his plan in motion, starting tonight. His sources had reported back to him about Chelsea's dinner plans with Dylan, so it was time for Operation Friendship to commence. He hadn't planned on going out after a stressful day at Newman, but he needed to work fast.
First he had to find a dinner companion on short notice. He couldn't risk any more entanglements with Sharon, and besides, showing up anywhere with Sharon wouldn't score him any points with Chelsea. He immediately thought of Melanie. He still owed her after dumping her at breakfast, so he had a good excuse to get her to agree to go out with him. He needn't have worried though because Melanie eagerly accepted his dinner invitation. Almost a little too eagerly, Adam felt.
God, he would have to be cordial to that putz too, he supposed, annoyed with the idea. He didn't really have anything against Dylan personally, what little he knew of him, but he was encroaching on what should be his family, and would be again if he played his cards right. Just the image of Dylan with Chelsea, coupled with the newfound knowledge of her carrying his baby, had him fixing a quick drink before leaving to pick up Melanie.
"Nothing like a little liquid courage to kick off the evening," Adam uttered aloud.
As far as he was concerned, this was all for show, but Chelsea had to believe he was on an actual date. He would be lying if he said he didn't harbor some hope she might exhibit some jealousy seeing him out with Melanie again.
….
Melanie sat across the table from Adam and gazed at him appreciatively while he sat with his face buried in a menu. He could feel her checking him out, but he was too nervous about seeing Chelsea with Dylan tonight to care. He made sure they were seated where he would be able to see everyone walking in and out.
"Are you going to stare at the menu all night?"
"What? Oh, sorry, I'm just a little undecided between the salmon or filet. I take it you know what you want?"
"Oh, I know exactly what I want…to eat," she said suggestively, which wasn't lost on Adam.
"Have we decided or would you like more time?"
Adam glanced up at the waiter, when he spied Chelsea walking in to the restaurant ahead of Dylan. He literally felt like his heart was going to gallop out of his chest at the sight of her. How could he have ever taken her for granted? She looked so radiant it stole his breath. Maintain your poise Adam, he mentally cautioned himself.
He casually turned his attention back to the waiter, and ordered for both of them. He also ordered one of his favorite French wines, which he had arranged for the restaurant to keep stocked for him, a 1982 Chateau Prieuré-Lichine.
After the waiter left to retrieve the wine, Melanie lightly chuckled at Adam.
"Am I missing something?" Adam quizzed, furrowing his brow.
"Oh no…you didn't miss a thing, including your ex-wife." Melanie was smiling, but the smile never reached her eyes. Adam was very good at assessing people, and certain situations. He had an irritated woman on his hands, so it was time to break out the charm offensive.
"You think I still have a thing for my ex?"
"Well, don't you?"
"I thought you were a smart girl. My ego took a bruising from her, that's all," he coolly grinned. "Let's not talk about exes. I want to know more about you."
"What do you want to know?" She asked sharply, still feeling uncomfortably like she was an afterthought.
"Where are you originally from for starters?"
"I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, the youngest of three children to a working class father, and a stay at home mom. I got my undergraduate degree at Rice University in Houston, Texas, and my JD from UT in Austin, Texas," she stated crisply.
"Hook 'em Horns," Adam wisecracked, holding up only his index finger and pinky to signify UT's legendary salute.
The gesture brought an instant smile to her face. "So, are you a trust fund baby born with a silver spoon in your mouth?"
"Not exactly," Adam sighed. "I grew up on a farm in Kansas with my mother. It was just the two of us. I ended up leaving the farm to attend Harvard Business and worked for an investment firm on Wall Street, before landing here in the booming metropolis of Genoa City, Wisconsin."
"Victor didn't raise you?"
Adam looked down at the table, a little uneasy about laying his life bare to a stranger.
"I'm so sorry," Melanie blushed. "That is so not my business."
"No, it's…don't apologize," he retorted awkwardly.
He didn't deal well with probing, but he wanted her to feel comfortable around him. His thoughts turned to Chelsea again because she was the only one who really got him, and understood the damage inflicted upon him by Victor. She didn't want Victor within ten feet of him.
As luck would have it, Adam was saved by the waiter and his favorite French wine. Throughout the rest of the evening, he made sure to keep the conversation casual, and occasionally stole glimpses of Chelsea whenever possible.
After they finished eating, and had one more drink for the road, he stood up, extending his hand to Melanie. "Shall we?"
"We shall," she smiled, taking his hand, and following his lead through the restaurant. The path he took would lead them right past Chelsea's table. Showtime, he mused.
As they got closer to the target, Chelsea looked up and turned a light shade of pink upon seeing him. He couldn't remember ever seeing her blush before, but it buoyed his spirits to get under her skin in that way.
He stopped at their table, still holding Melanie's hand. "Hey, fancy running into you two here. Nice place, huh?"
Chelsea's eyes strayed to their joined hands for half a second, before she quickly recovered, and smiled brightly up at them. Adam saw her expression in that half a second, and it was definitely anger, and something else. He was euphoric inside.
"Yeah, fancy that." Chelsea licked her lips, her eyes fastened on Adam.
"Dylan," Adam extended his free hand to Dylan, which he gripped a little too hard. Asshole, Adam instantly thought.
"Well, enjoy. We were just on our way out."
"Uh-huh. Good to see you again," Chelsea replied evenly. "You too Melody."
"It's Mel-a-nie," she retorted, barely able to hide her annoyance. "Adam and I are just heading back to his penthouse for a nightcap."
Fuuuuuuck, Adam silently cursed. Well, if Chelsea was going to buy into this little charade, he supposed he had to play along, and create the illusion.
"Goodnight, enjoy the rest of your evening you two," Adam stated, smiling tightly at Dylan, and then softening as he nodded to Chelsea.
Chelsea returned his smile, which quickly faded into a glare as she watched him pull Melanie along behind him, and out of the restaurant.
….
"You've barely said three words since Adam left."
"Oh screw him," she muttered, as she pierced an asparagus tip with her fork.
"Is this how it's going to be? Dylan asked, exasperated by her attitude. "It's a small town Chelsea, so we're going to run into him from time to time."
"I know. You're right. I guess I'm still a little bitter toward him," she answered.
Dylan eyed her with trepidation. "Do you still love him?"
"What? NO!" She responded a little too loudly. Then, lowering her voice to a whisper, "No. Where would you get that crazy idea?"
"Is it crazy?"
"Yes Dylan, it's crazy," she glowered at him from across the table. "Adam and I are finished. Clearly, he has moved on, and so have I."
He continued to stare at her intently, seemingly unconvinced by her repeated denials.
"Dylan, I..love..you," she stated, enunciating each word slowly as if to give them more import.
"I love you too," he replied, reaching for her hand, attempting to push any negativity aside. "I know we're not married yet, but I don't want to wait any longer to become a family."
"What are you saying? I'm not sure I understand.."
"Come stay with me in the loft," he interrupted. "I know it's not much, and there's a lot of work to do on the place, but I really want you by my side, so I can take care of you.
Chelsea gave him a confused, half-hearted smile. "That's really sweet, but I can take care of myself."
"I'm sorry. That came out wrong. I want you to move in with me because I think we're great together, and I don't want to wait until we're married. I mean…it's kind of late for that, doncha think?" He joked, his eyes shifting downward from her face.
Chelsea hesitated slightly, and then giggled to mask her uneasiness. "Well, when you put it like that…"
"Then it's yes?" He retorted excitedly.
"Yes."
….
Chelsea was exhausted from the mental gymnastics she suffered simply for deigning to think she could have a relaxing, quiet dinner with Dylan. Seeing Adam for the first time since their kiss was hard enough, but then, ever the pig, he had that woman with him again..Melody or Melanie, or whatever the hell her name was. She grimaced as she pictured the two of them getting cozy in his penthouse.
"What is wrong with you?!" She angrily admonished herself. "Enough!"
She spent the next few minutes going through her nightly routine of removing her makeup, slathering on Kiehl's face cream and brushing her teeth. After applying some lavender scented body lotion, she pulled an XXL t-shirt from her top dresser drawer, pulled it down over her head, and crawled into bed.
She was just beginning to drift off when her doorbell rang. Padding to the door barefoot, and with nothing else on over the t-shirt, she opened the door to find Adam standing on the other side. They stood looking intently at one another for what felt like an eternity. His blue-grey eyes burned into her large, brown eyes, until she felt weak under his scrutiny.
Saying nothing, he moved swiftly, scooping her into his arms, and carried her over to the bed where he gently laid her on top of the coverlet. She sat up, as he stood between her legs, which were dangling over the side of the bed, and unsteadily began unbuttoning the teal blue shirt he had on at the restaurant.
She was struck by the intensity of his eyes as he watched her remove his shirt. She then smoothed her hand down his chest, to his tummy and the thin trail of hair that disappeared below his waistband. Breathing heavily, he followed the movement of her hands, as she made quick work of his trousers and boxers. His eyes then dragged from her slender, long legs, back up to her beautiful face, causing him to bite his lower lip as he anticipated what was coming next.
Desire was laced across his face as he slowly removed her t-shirt, exposing her full breasts and burgeoning mid-section. She wrapped her arms around her tummy, slightly uncomfortable and feeling a bit insecure of her pregnant belly.
"Don't," he whispered, gently tugging at her arms. "You're even more beautiful carrying my baby."
Her eyes filled with tears as he cupped her face, and gently molded his lips to hers. The kiss, which began soft and searching, slowly intensified, as he crushed his mouth to hers. He thrust his tongue between her parted lips, as she massaged his tongue with her own. She couldn't wait any longer. She had to have him now.
"Please," she whimpered, as she pulled him against her.
"Shhh baby, just lie back, and let me do the work," he murmured.
Suddenly, a loud, whimsical and repetitive chime filled the room, stirring Chelsea. She dazedly groped for the iPhone on the nightstand next to her bed, and stopped the incessant noise.
Now completely awake, the dream flooded her senses like a dam breaking. "Oh my GOD!" She screamed.
