Making His Baby(150)

“My name is Olivia King. K-I-N-G. Maybe it’s a popular last name but I assure you I haven’t received any scholarships.”

Talking with my hands, I shuffle from one foot to another waiting for her to reevaluate her computer screen and recognize the error.

“Honey, I don’t know what to tell you; it posted to your account this morning. An anonymous donor set up the funding and you’re the only recipient in the whole school,” the gray-haired lady informs me.

The only recipient in the whole school.

It doesn’t take me long to piece two and two together and come up with Sebastian. There’s no way another stranger would feel inclined to randomly cover the cost of my education.

I’m stunned and angered by his interference all at once. He refuses to just leave me alone.

Magically, he found out about the new apartment I’ve been renting and huge bouquets of peonies arrive every other day. Each time, there’s a card attached with a straightforward message letting me know that he has no intention of giving up on us.

The same day I’d received my acceptance letter to nursing school, a brand new car was delivered to my doorstep. Not just any car — a shiny, red BMW with a bow on the hood to be exact. Upon opening the driver’s side door, balloons with the word “Congrats” written all over them floated up into the air.

As stunned as I was by the gesture, I haven’t driven it once.

No amount of expensive gifts can make me forget the pain he caused me. At least that’s what I tell myself. I’ve been second guessing my decision so much lately.

What if I overreacted because of the shitty day I was having? Sebastian had no reason to lie. Was he really telling the truth?

It doesn’t matter. It’s over.

“The scholarship covers your tuition for every semester, as well as a book stipend. So make sure you come back a week before school and we’ll cut you a check so you can buy your books,” she continues to go on and on, knocking me out of my reverie.

Numb, I thank the woman and turn just as she tells me congratulations.

A thank you doesn’t fall from my lips because I’m too busy rustling through my bag to find my phone.

This is enough. I’m calling Sebastian to get to the bottom of all this.

My stomach is attacked by nervous quivering as I hold the phone to my ear and wait for him to answer the call.

He does so on the first ring and I suddenly realize I’m not ready to hear his voice again. Especially surrounded by a crowd of strangers as I walk through campus to get back to the main road.

“Olivia?” his voice is as deep and sensuous as I remember. My knees nearly buckle at the sound.

I’ve missed him.

The urge to just hang up looms over my head but I can’t chicken out. I have to give him a piece of my mind. But all my bossy remarks have suddenly fled my mind.

I can only muster his name.

“Sebastian.”

“Olivia,” he says again but this time my name is a relieved sigh. As if he’s been waiting a hundred years for this moment and it’s finally happening.

“I-I, um.” Are you freaking kidding me? I’m stuttering like a fool. Clearing my throat, I try again. “Why did you pay for my tuition?”

The question sounds accusatory and in a way it is. I don’t need his money. I’d already won a million dollars from his company. Why did he feel the need to keep rubbing it in my face how much money he had?

“What makes you think I paid for your tuition, baby?”

My eyes slide closed and my heart constricts at his easy endearment. Thankfully, I’m waiting at a crosswalk by this time so I don’t get trampled by a rush of people.

“The lady said it was a scholarship fund set up by an anonymous donor. And I’m the only one in the school who received it. Don’t you think that’s a little too coincidental?”

“Hmm,” he hums noncommittally and lets me keep speaking.

“I don’t know anyone with that kind of money lying around. So it has to be you.”

He doesn’t say anything right away.

“Sebastian, you can stop throwing your money around. I can afford to pay for my own education, thanks to you. So I don’t see the need for you to keep showing off.”

“I’m not showing off, I’m investing in your education,” he snaps defensively.

Don’t ask me why but the anger in his voice is just plain seductive. I have to fight hard to keep my composure as I cross the street and head in the direction of my new apartment building.

“Fine, well what about the car?” I want to know.

“I thought you might need a way to get to school every day.”

“I’m okay with walking. It’s not that far,” I volley back.