Fulfillment(67)

We made our way to the City Towers front office and Bryce made me take a seat next to the water feature that sat in the middle of the extravagant lobby. I took deep breaths but felt a sudden surge of helplessness course through me.

“I think you’re having a panic attack. Just breathe.” He began rubbing my back and I noticed him motion Charlie over.

“Yes, Sir?” he asked, as he awaited Bryce’s instruction while looking at me concerned.

“Can you please get Alexis a glass of water?”

“Of course.” Charlie hurried off.

Almost instantly, Abigail was crouched down at my side, Samantha standing beside her and Chelsea next to Bryce.

“What’s wrong, Dear?” Abigail asked.

I couldn’t answer her. I tried, but my mouth wouldn’t open. I honestly felt that everyone was staring at me, secretly thinking that my losing the baby was a result of Karma, and they thought I deserved it. It filled me with such dread that I started to feel light headed then, all of a sudden, there was black—nothing.

***

We I came to, I was laying on the sofa in our apartment. Bryce, Abigail and Janette were all standing in the lounge room not too far from me.

I opened my eyes. “What happened?” I murmured, confused.

Bryce came over and sat on the seat next to me, gently moving the hair out of my eyes. “You had a panic attack. Your blood pressure dropped and you fainted.”

I tried to sit up.

Janette moved closer. “Stay there, with your feet up. At least until your blood pressure returns to normal, it is still a little low. I will take it again shortly.”

I closed my eyes again, briefly remembering what happened downstairs. “Everyone was staring at me, I didn’t like it.”

Bryce dragged his knuckle along my jaw and my eyes re-opened. “No, Hunny, they weren’t.” He smiled at me. “Then again, you are incredibly beautiful, so you could be right.”

I returned the smile, but only with a minor one. “I thought they were all judging me,” I explained.

“Why would anyone judge you?” Abigail asked.

“I don’t know.” I brushed off her question. I didn’t want to honestly answer it in front of anyone.

The door buzzer sounded.

“I’ll be right back.” Bryce kissed my forehead before he stood up and went to the door.

I tilted my head and watched him leave when Janette stepped into my line of sight. “Okay, let’s take your blood pressure again.”

She placed the stethoscope in the crook of my arm and began to pump the pressure cuff that was still attached to my bicep. The cuff tightened then slowly relaxed and loosened back out again. “Good, it’s going back up again. You can sit now, but do it slowly. No fast movements or actions, okay?”

I sat up just as Bryce entered the room, opening the door for Jessica. Oh, fuck no. Why not invite, Chelsea, Gareth and the bitchy mum from school. We’ll have a ‘we hate Alexis convention’. She better be here to see Bryce.

They made their way toward me and it was quite obvious, she was not here to see Bryce.

My eyes widened and pierced Bryce’s. “No, Bryce!” I said sternly. “Definitely not.”

“Alexis, you need to speak to someone, clearly.”

“Okay, I will, but someone else. No offense Jessica.” Actually, yes offense. Plenty of offense for you.

“Alexis, please let me help you,” she said kindly. Oh my God. She is like a mix of Glenda the Good Witch of the North and Cruella DeVille.

“I don’t need any help. I’m fine!” I snapped.

I hadn’t noticed in that short space of time that Abigail and Janette had been escorted out of the room by Bryce.

“You are blaming yourself for the miscarriage, are you not?” she asked, or more accurately stated. Her tone was still kind though.

“Not,” I answered quickly, while looking around for my crutches. Where the fuck are my crutches? I’m going to fucking kill my Mr. I’m-Carrying-You Clark.

“You feel guilty.”

“No.”

“You’re scared.”

“No.”

“You think you deserve punishment.”

“Yes.” I answered this not realising what I’d said. Shit! “No, I mean no. Bryce, where are my crutches?”

He shrugged his shoulders.

“Don’t fucking play this game with me. I want my crutches, now!”

He looked down at his hands.

“Bryce, please,” I begged him.

“I’m sorry, Alexis. I love you and want you to talk, to heal. Jessica can help.”

“No, she can’t.”

“Yes, she can.”

“No,” I screamed at him.

“Give her a fucking chance, Alexis,” he shouted back. “I don’t want to see you lying unconscious anymore. I can’t handle that, it fucking kills me. Please just talk to her. Fuck!” He got up and stormed to the elevator then turned back to face us. “Jessica, make her talk to you. Do what you have to. I don’t fucking care what it takes.” He slammed his hand on the button. “Alexis, I fucking love you.” He stepped into the lift and left the room.