“Good luck dear.” Bill waves at me as I get out of the car – it takes a while and Bill getting out of the car to come help me up but I get there. “Make sure you get what you need.”
“Thanks.” I smile wearily as I close the door. I check my phone to make sure Bills number is safely stored. It is. Part of me is thankful that I met such kind people in a place where I know no one but the one man who is likely going to toss me out the moment I walk back in.
I take a deep breath and look at the daunting building that is Touchés. Bright white contrasted with a deep red stands before me. Glass doors line the entire bottom floor of the building and a bright black design with neon red letters reads Touchés like some angry monster.
“Well here goes nothing.” I mutter to myself and walk in the front door. I step inside, the air conditioning hitting me in the face immediately. It is cool, but not cold and there are a few people scattered here and there in the cosy lounge chairs.
A guy that is tall and well-built that looks strangely familiar in a way walks past me with a smile and a tray of dirty glasses in his hand. I smile back but stand there stupidly.
The guy comes back a few moments later and I’m still in the same spot so this time he stops. “Are you alright miss?” He asks gently and he looks at me with a hint of curiosity.
“I’m looking for a friend.” I blurt out.
“What’s their name?” He asks. “I work here so I might know where they are.”
“Him.” I sigh. “It’s a him. His name is Hugo Baker.”
The guy sucks in a breath. “Hugo Baker?” He repeats looking from my eyes to my belly. I suddenly grow very self-conscious and wrap my arms around my stomach as best I can.
“Yes.” I say lifting my head in defiance.
“As in Tall, looks a little like me, but with brown hair Hugo Baker?”
“Err… yes.” I say worrying about who this guy is now. “Is he around?”
“He’s out at the moment but I’m his brother Jaydan.”
“Oh you’re Jaydan!” I exclaim, relaxing. Hugo spoke a lot about his little brother and how he is a hard worker and in love with a girl who has no idea he is. “Hugo had told me so much about you.”
“Well no disrespect or anything but he hasn’t mentioned you at all.” Jaydan looks down at my stomach with a raised eyebrow.
“My name is Anna-Beth Pearson.” I follow his gaze to my stomach. “He doesn’t know yet. It’s why I’m here. To tell him.”
“You left it a little late?” Jaydan has no judgement in his tone but I feel the slap anyway.
“We agreed we would go our separate ways, didn’t exchange contact information.”
“Oh.” Jaydan nods, still no judgment. “Well that would explain why he hasn’t mentioned it but your name sounds familiar?” He taps his chin, deep in thought.
“We spent a week at Grama Resort last year together.”
“Oh yes!” Jaydan exclaims. “You’re that Anna!” He grins at me and I get nervous.
“Should I be worried?” I ask as he gives me a knowing look.
“Hugo is very private about you.” Jaydan grins even bigger. “Which usually doesn’t happen. So you must have made an impression that is all.”
“Fair enough.” I say not sure how to respond. “Do you know how long he will be?”
Jaydan looks at his watch. “He had a meeting with a supplier an hour ago. He should be back soon if you want to wait?”
“I do.” I nod enthusiastically.
“I figured.” Jaydan nods. “Come let me find you somewhere a bit more comfortable then in front of a door to sit and wait.”
“I don’t want to be a burden.” I say quickly.
“Anna – can I call you that?”
“Of course!”
“Well Anna as much as we don’t know each other from a bar of soap your family now.” Jaydan points to my stomach. “And family looks after family.”
I burst into tears and he just pats my shoulder as he escorts me through the onlookers to a lounge near the bar.