CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

                                    

                                          
Carter Gilmore
Adelaide has been in bed for days refusing to come out even to shower. I wish all of this wasn't happening to us. I should have never let myself fall for my daughter's best friend. I practically ruined her life. I walked into my bedroom. She has been sitting with Jack watching movies all night making me feel like a third wheel in my relationship and bedroom, but Jack makes her feel better so I allow it.
I think it's time for some tough love. It's the only way she's going to get out of bed and start living her life again. She doesn't notice me at first but then a few seconds later she turns and meets my eyes a smile plastered on her face. 
"Hey babe. We just finished the Harry Potter movies and they are amazing. I can't believe I haven't seen them before," she exclaims.
I crossed my arms to let her know this was a serious talk. Her face falls.  Jack tries to excuse himself but Adelaide stops him. "Whatever you have to say to me. You can say to him," she states.  
I cleared my throat and tried to use my best boss voice. "It's time for you to go back to work or you will be fired," 
Her eyes went wide.  She immediately got up and walked towards me. "You can't make me do this, Carter. I don't want to." she throws a fit. I can't stand her throwing herself deeper and deeper into her depression. I need to do something. I need to do something before she sinks deeper. 
"If you don't go to work today. You will be fired and that is final!" I demanded. She looks back at my brother for help but I can tell she's with me. I smiled at him for the first time. He knows I want the best for her. 
  I turned away from her and walked out of the room. I know that I am doing the right thing, but it hurts to see her hurt. Don't back down, Carter. You're doing the right thing.
I immediately go into the shower and let the water fall on me. The moments I can't escape ran through my mind at high speed. I put on my best suit to go to work. As I look in the mirror to see how my suit is looking. I felt a hand on my chest. Adelaide is standing behind me with her hands against my chest. 
"Adelaide. Don't think you can seduce me into changing my mind," I immediately said removing her hands from my chest.  I turned to look at her. She's smiling at me, biting her lip. I can tell she was well hoping I would change my mind, but I won't. I won't back down on this. 
When she realizes she can't seduce me into changing my mind she screams, "You're being unreasonable. I am pregnant with your child and you won't even give me a break for a couple of days?" 
If only it was a couple of days. It's been more than a week. 
"It has been fucking days, Adelaide. I can't watch you sit in bed not taking a shower. I can't stand you getting deeper into a depression." I yelled back. I wish she would understand. I get that she's going through a lot right now but, she can't shut herself off from the public. She needs real help and I don't care if she hates me as long as gets the help she needs. 
"Or you can't stand me being close to your brother? Does it drive you crazy that I am closer to your brother than you?" she yells, venom in her voice. Does she think I'm jealous of my brother? Really? How does she not see she needs help?
I close in on her and she starts walking backwards until her back hits the wall in front of me. She knows she crossed the line. She knows that my brother and I are enemies. Why the hell would she use that thinking it would do anything less than make me angry?
"I don't give a shit about my brother and you hanging out. You are mine and I'll be damned if you try to use my brother to make me mad."
She swallows, and an apologetic look covers her face. I know she doesn't mean it. She's desperate. Why is she so desperate to not go to work? what's the hell is going on? 
I walk towards the bed and sit down. She sits down next to me. I grabbed her hand and held her hand. Either of us wants to speak first. I can see the sadness in her eyes and It kills me piece by piece. 
"What's up, Adelaide? What's going on with you? please talk to me" I begged. She looked away from me. I grabbed her chin and turned it to me. "Please," I begged again. She can barely look me in the eyes. They are filled with so much sadness. Was she always sad and I hadn't noticed before?
"I can't-" she replied, her voice cracking as if she wanted to start crying. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a tight hug. I wish she would talk to me about how she's feeling. Instead, she locks herself away. 
I pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Baby, You know no matter what I love you. I can't-" my voice breaks so I take a moment to breathe. I can't believe I'm getting so emotional right now. I pulled away and looked straight at her. 
 I start again. "I can't stand you sitting here day in and out. Wasting your days away like it's nothing. I can't watch you lose yourself. It's hard Adelaide," 
"It's hard for you?" she interrupts me screaming at me. She's standing in front of me. I stayed sitting down. " You're not the one who got kidnapped and almost died if it wasn't for your brother saving me, you're not the one who had to deal with the emotions of you changing your mind every day and playing with me like a fucking toy, You're not the one who has to deal with everyone staring at you because you got knocked up by your boss"
And the truth comes out. Everything that has happened in the past months comes back to bite me in the ass. I stood up and wiped my face with my hands. I wish I could change the way we started but I never regretted a moment. Ever.
"I'm sorry, Ade. I wish things could be different for us," I stated. 
she whispers under her breath, "Me too."