"Hello Tessa"
The ashen face on Tessa couldn't have been more expressive, "saw a ghost?" Fred mocked.
Tessa held on to the door knob as she leaned against the door, "Fr..fr...Fred? How ddddi did you? Hhhow did you?" Unable to articulate her words.
"When did you start stuttering?" He curved his palm behind his ear, "sorry, can't hear you well, could you repeat that? How did I what?" He sneered as he relaxed on her couch.
He gestured for her to have her sit, "sit down, it isn't easy wanting to be a mother after all these years or trying to convince your baby daddy and his family to give you a second chance?" with a knowing smile, Fred cross his leg and tapped the space beside him, "sit!" He commanded.
Tessa jumped in fear, with a racing heart out of fear of what he might do if she disobeyed, she quickly sat on the edge. Fred grinned with satisfaction, "good girl, so how was brunch today?"
Tessa jerked her head sideways in surprise.