The Bachelor by David Dower (read along books TXT) 📖

accept it,” he added.

To close his speech, he clasped his hands together and looked at everyone, turning from left to right, and finally stared at Chloe and Pauline.

“I enjoyed my stay here with you, I honestly did, but I don’t want this charade to go on any further when I know for sure that I will only be hurting either one of you if I let tomorrow happen. I would just eventually not choose anyone because I will be off to chase Jules wherever she might be.” He looked straight in the camera and said, “Jules, if you’re watching, wait for me.” He smiled and walked out of the room buzzing with silence apart from Pauline’s sobs.

 *****

Julianne was gaping at the screen just a few meters away from her. Kim’s continuous cussing on the phone wasn’t even entering her mind. She just couldn’t freaking believe that Zach would do that.

Was it the consequence he was talking about with Liam?

It should be. She knew Zach and never had she imagined he could do something like that to Chloe and Pauline—not that she objected to it, but it was not just Zach to do that.

And the last message addressed to her made her heart pound against her chest with excitement and alarm.

Was he really coming over?

That light, tingly feeling in her gut swirled like a maniac. She started to get restless. What should she do? What would she say when Zach eventually got here?

At that very moment, she was very certain he would be coming.

All of a sudden, that light weight in her gut started to rise up and she ran to the bathroom and threw up.

 *****

As soon as Zach reached his room, his phone started ringing.

He sighed when he saw who was calling.

“Mom,” he spoke first without giving his mother a chance to talk, “I know what I did, and you can tell dad—”

“Zach, what are you talking about? Your father’s in the hospital. We’ve been trying to reach you since this morning and—”

“What? What happened?” alarm rose to his throat. It couldn’t be because of what he did just now, right?

“He had a sudden heart attack—nothing major,” his mother added when he was about to bombard her with questions. “And he wants to see you,” his mother added in a whisper.

Well, that was a coincidence, he thought. “I just happen to be free of the show just now,” he announced. “I’ll be home tomorrow. He’s okay, right?”

“Yes, he’s okay. He’s scaring me though. He insists on seeing you.”

“Okay, I’ll be there tomorrow.”

 *****

Julianne thought that the sickness she felt last night was just because of the show, but it wasn’t. Not when she threw up again that morning.

She half-expected Zach to be at her door by the time she went out of her room, but there was no sign of him. What could have happened?

If she would be optimistic and rational, knowing Zach, she was sure that he’d be at her door by now with a bunch of flowers and his usual boyish grin. His absence told her something must have gone wrong.

Or maybe he changed his mind, the other part of her said with bitterness.

Julianne knew she was having some problem not just emotionally but physically as well. Just this morning, she already threw up twice.

You’re pregnant, one part of her suggested.

She planted her hand on her abdominal area and a series of thoughts came to mind. She counted the days and the months. She should be having her period by now, but it didn’t alarm her days before since she has an irregular cycle.

No, it’s impossible. It was only that one time, she argued, remembering that night at the cabin.

Oh my God… she groaned. It’s too early for this…

The first thing she did was to call Kim.

 *****

Zach was just about to get out of the house when he heard his name. He turned around and saw Chloe walking towards him. Because of what happened last night, the productions staff had to make some adjustments. They would be making another episode to make up for the one that would be impossible, which was the Rose Ceremony, and that included Chloe and Pauline staying for another day at the ranch.

“Chloe.”

“I see you’re leaving…” she looked at the small bag in his hand. “That eager to go to Julianne?”

“I have an emergency,” he rushed on. “If you have anything to say, just say it. I need to be on the road. The plane’s waiting.”

“I just want to say that you’re an ass and that you were right,” she said with her chin held up high.

For a moment, he frowned and when her words sank in, he grinned. “Glad you understand.”

“You made perfect sense and I appreciate your honesty. Honesty is very important for me.”

“I know and that’s what I like about you. Just remember what I said,” he winked and gave her a small hug.

“Good luck, Zach,” she smiled faintly at him. “I really thought we could have made it.”

“Well, we didn’t. I just hope you find the right guy,” he answered and walked away. He didn’t know where Pauline might be, but he was certain the lady was somewhere crying her eyes out.

He had a long drive to the airport. It seemed that Julianne would have to wait another day. Right now, he had to fulfill his obligation as a son.

 *****

“This is not really necessary,” she told Kim as they waited outside the doctor’s clinic.

“The test was positive, it’s not something that can just wait,” her friend told her dryly. Kim reached for her hand and asked, “Did Zach call yet?”

Julianne shook her head.

“I’ve been trying to call Jack last night and he hasn’t called back since. Maybe they’re busy with something. Zach doing that thing on live television must have shocked everyone.”

She knew Kim was just trying to calm her down or to reassure her, but she was thinking of the worst possible scenario. Hell, blame it on her possible pregnancy and the hormones that came with it, but she was almost certain that Zach was not coming for her.

When the previous patient with a bulging belly came out of the door, the receptionist called out, “Ms. Grey? You’re next.”

Julianne’s heart started beating. She clasped the piece of paper she was holding and the pregnancy kit she used earlier. She stood up and let go of Kim’s hand.

“It will be all right,” Kim whispered with a smile. God, she just hoped it would be okay. Chapter 32

Zach heaved a sigh of relief when he entered his father’s hospital room. The man looked like he was ready to go skiing. But why did he want to see his son all of a sudden? That really scared Zach. One, he was not ready to lose his old man yet, and two, he was not surely ready to take over Astor Industries.

“The doctor said you we can’t stress him out,” his mother whispered beside him.

“He looks okay,” Zach pointed out.

“Of course I’m okay,” his father almost exclaimed, hearing his words. “I wanted to see you for another reason.” He fixed Zach with a serious look.

Not his usual what-did-you-do-again kind of serious look, but something like, I-need-you-do-me-a-favor kind.

“I want you to get out of that show,” his father ordered.

That was shocking, Zach thought. He looked at his mother. “You didn’t tell him?”

She looked away and said, “It’s your story to tell, not mine.”

“Tell me what?” his father demanded.

“That I left the show.”

His father gave him a look of doubt for a moment before saying, “And?”

“And what?”

“Where’s Julianne?”

Okay, that one was more of a shocker.

“I don’t know for certain,” Zach said irritably. “I would know the answer to that if you didn’t make me come over here just to order me to do something I already did.” Really, his father could have just called him if he really wanted him to leave the show. But Zach also knew that the old man might have planned to take his hospitalized state to his advantage to make his son do whatever he wanted in case Zach didn’t agree to his demands.

“You don’t know where she is?” his mother gasped, clutching her chest. Really, she was doing so much drama that he almost rolled his eyes. “You should have gone after her the moment she walked out of that show!”

“Mom, I would have if you didn’t call me!”

His mother’s jaw dropped and she looked at her husband.

“Well? Is there anything else?” he asked.

“It’s about the company …” his father started.

“Can it wait?” he asked patiently.

“Are you going to handle it?” his father asked.

“I like the ranch better, but I’ll try.”

His father sighed, “Just as I thought so…”

“Well, it’s a good thing Liam’s ready and you’re fine…” his mother told her husband.

Mr. Astor just nodded and when he looked up and saw his son still standing there, he frowned. “Why are you still here?”

“I…” Zach fought hard to contain his outburst. He ordered his son to come here, flying all the way from the ranch, just for some useless family meeting? But there was something different in his father’s eyes.

Maybe the old man really thought he was dying and he wanted to see his son for the last time.

He sighed and smiled at his father. “It’s good to see you well, dad.”

Mr. Astor just nodded, his lips twitching in a smile.

Zach turned to his mother and added, “See you later, mom.”

“Go get her!” his mother emphasized her cheer with her fist.

Zach shook his head and walked out of the room.

He wouldn’t wish his father did not call for him because he was glad he came and saw for himself that he was okay. And now that he was certain of that, he had to go to Julianne.

 *****

When Julianne reappeared outside, Kim was anxiously waiting for her with an expectant look.

“Well?” And there must be something in her look that made her friend stare at her with a worried look.

She nodded her head and burst out crying. So okay, she wanted a baby, but not this way!

Kim rushed towards her and enveloped her in a hug. “I’m okay, I’m okay…” she wiped her face with her hands. “Let’s go get some coffee…”

As they walked, she couldn’t help but notice Kim stealing glances at her with a smile.

“What?” she asked.

“Did it happen that night of the storm?”

Julianne suddenly realized she never really told Kim about how she actually got pregnant. It was just assumed by both of them that Zach was the father. Somehow, she felt guilty about it.

“You don’t have to be sorry, really, it’s nothing to me. I was into Jack that time and it’s nothing. Oh God, the girls must be pretty pissed once they find out.”

Julianne smiled at her friend briefly but the worried look on her face returned all of a sudden. “What if he doesn’t what this? I don’t think I can tell him.”

Kim stopped walking and looked at her dryly, “Julianne, the man’s completely dying in love with you and I think he’d be very happy to know that you’re carrying his child.”

“I don’t know Kim, but I’m afraid…” Julianne uttered, her eyes going up the ceiling to stop the tears. She was getting very emotional right now.

Everything happened so fast and she worried about a lot of things at