DRAMA NOVEL ONLINE Sexting the Don: Chapter 27
The next morning, I’m leaning against the cool exterior of our apartment building when the rumble of an engine turns my head.
Rolling into the lot comes a sleek, forest-green Land Cruiser, the same one Enzo had loaned to Mom a few days before. Two guys hop out. They’ve got that tough, no-nonsense vibe, dressed in impeccable suits and dark sunglasses.
The taller one strides over with a business-like air, handing me the keys.
‘Car’s been cleaned up and checked for bugs, the full service. It’s safe,’ he assures me with a nod that’s all professional.
Mom throws them a warm smile. ‘Need a lift back?’ she offers.
‘No, thank you, ma’am. We’re set,’ replies the other, polite but brief, and just like that, they turn and head off, melding into the cityscape as smoothly as they arrived.
Keys in hand, I motion for Mom to follow me to the car. We’ve both got jobs to get to, and I’m dropping her off before I hit the gym with Natalie.
Mom starts in, her voice dripping with admiration. ‘Enzo’s really on top of things, huh? So considerate.’
I pull into the morning traffic, half-thinking about Enzo’s no-detail-spared approach.
‘I guess he’s pretty thorough, isn’t he?’ I chuckle, shifting gears. Mom’s got that look in her eye, the one that’s gearing up for more than just small talk.
“You know, sweetie, a guy who goes to this length … he obviously likes you. Think this might go somewhere serious?” she probes, a playful nudge to her tone.
‘I don’t know. Enzo’s full of surprises,’ I reply, the possibility hanging in the air. But I keep it cool.
The truth is, inside, I’m a swirl of emotions. There’s a lot more tying me to Enzo, more than I’m ready to share just yet.
Internally I admit my feelings for Enzo aren’t just casual. They’re intense, complicated, and, yeah, pretty serious. But there’s another layer to all this, a secret that adds weight to every moment we spend together—I’m pregnant with his child.
It’s a reality I’m still grappling with, a truth that feels both terrifying and incredible.
Not to mention the fact that he plans to use my mother and me as bait to lure my piece-of-shit father out into the open, it’s beyond complicated.
For now, it’s all my secret to keep. As I drop Mom off at her restaurant and watch her head inside, the late morning sun catches on the horizon, casting long shadows and bathing the city in a soft, golden light. I’m left alone with my thoughts, the hum of the engine a steady backdrop to the racing of my mind.
I pull up to Natalie’s house and let myself in. As soon as I step through the door, the hum of a blender slicing through the air greets me.
I find her in the kitchen, a mad scientist surrounded by an array of fruits and powders, whipping up something with a focus that only Nat can muster.
‘Check this out,’ she beams, turning off the blender and pouring the vividly colored concoction into a tall glass. ‘I whipped up a prenatal and pre-workout smoothie for you. Packed with all the good stuff—kale, blueberries, banana, Greek yogurt, and a scoop of protein powder. Threw in some ginger, too, to keep the morning sickness at bay.’
She hands me the glass proudly, and I can’t help but raise an eyebrow. ‘Nat, you know you don’t have to go all mom mode on me, right?’ I tease, taking the glass.
She just shrugs, unabashed. ‘Oh, I’m totally going to fuss over you—it’s non-negotiable,’ she declares with that stubborn glint in her eyes that means there’s no point in arguing. ‘You’re going to need all the pampering you can get, and who better than your best client to do it?’
Taking a sip, I’m genuinely impressed—it’s delicious.
‘Wow, this is actually really good. You missed your calling as a smoothie chef,’ I joke.
Natalie laughs, leaning back against the counter. ‘Maybe that’s my backup career if this whole Hollywood thing doesn’t work out. But for now, I’m happy just keeping my favorite pregnant lady healthy.’
We carry our smoothies to the living room, setting down our glasses as we prep for the workout. Natalie keeps the vibe light, her occasional concerned glances making it clear she’s watching out for me without making a big deal about it.
‘Seriously, thanks, Nat,’ I say, lifting my glass in a mock toast. ‘For this and for just being you. It’s a huge relief.’
‘Girl, always,’ she replies, clinking her glass against mine. ‘Now, let’s destroy this workout.”
As we begin lifting weights and settling into a rhythm, Natalie checks in. ‘So, how are you feeling? You’re not overdoing it, are you?’ She eyes the dumbbells I’m lifting.
I flash her a confident grin as I complete my set. ‘Feeling great, actually. Eating right and keeping the weights reasonable, but don’t think you’re getting off easy. I’m still going to make you work your ass off today.’
Natalie feigns a pout, which cracks us both up, and we slide into our comfortable banter. ‘Oh please, as if I’d expect anything less from you,’ she laughs, shaking her head as she preps for her turn with the weights.
As we switch, Natalie’s face gets all serious. ‘So, are you still seeing him? The father?’ she asks, treading carefully but clearly dying to know.
I heft the weights again, a laugh almost escaping me. ‘I’m not sure we were ever really seeing each other, to be honest.’
Natalie knows the broad strokes but not the really complicated stuff, like how Enzo’s in the mob.
Natalie eyes me cautiously, then just goes for it. ‘Are you going to spill the beans to him?’
I set down the weights with a thud, grabbing a moment to breathe. ‘Honestly, Nat, I’m not sure. How do you drop that kind of bomb? Especially now …’ I trail off, the weight of my secrets feeling heavier by the second.
She gives me a look of concern. “Something wrong?”
How do I tell her that the father of my child wants to use me as bait to get at my dad, who owes him money? I feel overwhelmed at the moment, wondering how the hell my life ended up like this.
‘It’s just … have you ever had a moment where someone reveals a part of themselves that you didn’t know was there, and it makes you wonder if you ever knew them to begin with?” I sigh, feeling the gravity of it all.
“Oh yeah. Trust me, when you’re an actor, you get used to people putting on masks, onscreen and off, pretending to be someone they’re not.”
“I don’t know what to do. On the one hand, he deserves to know he’s going to be a dad. On the other …”
She stops her workout, coming over and placing her hand on my shoulder.
“I’m not going to pretend to know exactly what you’re going through, but don’t feel like you have to make a decision right now, either. Just think about it, you know?”
It’s a good point. Everything with Enzo, Jimmy, and Mom feels so intense. And it is. But there’s no reason I have to rush into a decision about my child’s future.
‘Maybe after the first trimester, if things look okay and I figure out what I’m dealing with here.’
Natalie nods, her face serious. ‘Playing it safe, smart move. Maybe you’ll end up deciding that he should know, but your safety and the baby come first.’
‘Exactly,’ I respond, feeling a bit more anchored with her understanding. ‘I have to figure out the right way—and the right time—if there is one.’
‘And hey, whenever you’re ready to tell him, I’ve got your back,’ she says, giving my shoulder another reassuring squeeze. A mischievous smirk erases the serious expression. ‘Enough with the doom and gloom, though. Let’s hit those squats. We’re not letting leg day slip by!’
I chuckle, shaking my head with a mock groan. ‘Imagine the tragedy of skipping leg day!’ I joke, leading us to the squat rack. After wrapping up our sweat session, I glance at my watch and realize it’s later than I thought. I’ve got a shift at La Serna tonight.
“You can stay and get ready here if you want,” Natalie offers.
“Thanks, girl. You’re a lifesaver,” I reply.
I hop into the shower in Natalie’s guest bathroom, letting the hot water wash away the workout grime. Afterward, I stand in front of the mirror, fixing my hair and dabbing on makeup—just enough to make those tips tonight a little fatter. You learn a few tricks when you live off gratuities.
Sliding into my server uniform, that classic black that somehow makes me feel both sleek and sharp, I can’t help but grin at my reflection. This is the same outfit I was wearing when Enzo and I first crossed paths.
Running a hand down the smooth fabric, I imagine what I’ll look like a few months down the line, rocking a baby bump in this getup.
I grab my things and head out, thanking Natalie again and waving as I leave.
Once at the restaurant I park the car, grab my bag, and head to the building. Halfway to the back entrance, a sudden panic hits—keys! Patting down my pockets turns up nothing.
Turning back, I retrace my steps. Reaching the car, I spot my keys on the driver’s seat, mocking me.
“Of course,” I mutter.
Keys secured, I lock the car and turn to go back to the restaurant.
A sudden shadow looms over me, instantly chilling the air, and my heart skips a beat.
My eyes widen as I spot Jimmy and another burly figure out of the corner of my eye.
Before I can react, darkness envelops me. A bag is yanked over my head, cutting off my vision.
Panic surges through me, and I scream, thrashing wildly, my instincts kicking into full survival mode. My bag and phone clatter to the ground, lost in the scuffle.
Jimmy’s harsh whisper cuts through my cries, ‘Shut your damn mouth, or he’ll knock you out!’ His breath is hot and foul against my cheek.
I freeze, terror rooting me to the spot for a split second—a second too long. They take advantage, one man grabbing me roughly by the waist while Jimmy keeps a tight grip on my arm. I’m powerless as they hustle me toward the sound of a trunk popping open.
With brutal efficiency, they shove me inside what I realize with a sinking heart must be their getaway car.
My mind races in panic as the trunk slams shut, plunging me into suffocating darkness. I’m left reeling, the muffled sounds of their voices barely penetrating the heavy lid above me. Seconds later, I hear the engine start.
The car rolls forward, each turn and stop a complete torment as I struggle to make sense of how everything so quickly turned into a nightmare.