ARE YOU SURE?

LIA'S POV

"I'm sorry, but, your baby has neonatal respiratory distress -- meaning his lungs are underdeveloped and has to be given an emergency surfactant now."

"But why? How is that even possible?" I panicked.

"Apparently, you didn't take enough nutrients during your prenatal stage and your baby survived primarily on water. It is not uncommon with struggling mothers but it is dangerous for the baby." The doctor explained sympathetically.

"Will he be alright?" I asked, unable to hold back the tears anymore and they fell. I had lost so much already and could not stand to lose my baby too.

Even though, a silent part of me wondered if losing him would be the worse thing yet. It reminded me of all the times i toyed with the idea of jumping in front of a speeding car just so i would lose the pregnancy.

Was i such a horrible person? Was this the universe paying me back for all my stupid wishes and efforts? I was hyperventilating now, trying my best to keep my heart steady.

"Yes, he will be, but it would cost alot of money." The doctor replied. I picked up my bag that was beside the hospital bed and took out my phone.

"I have some savings and should be able to cover for a part of it." I said, hoping this treatment wasn't bordering on millions already.

But unfortunately, when I opened my bank app, all my money was gone.

"What the f--"

A loan app I owed had taken everything from my bank and I was back where I started -- with absolutely nothing.

I shut my eyes to the word FUCK!! screaming about in my head.

My rent was almost expired and my friend, Grace, was probably busy at work and barely even had enough money fending for her own family.

I gripped the sheets tightly, as my vision began to blur.

"Are you feeling okay?" The doctor asked. I was certain i would pass out from the pressure i was feeling.

I took a deep breath and motioned for the glass of water on the table in the room and she handed it to me.

Everything slowed down for a moment and i took a deep breath.

"Maybe you should relax for a moment. I already instructed the nurses to start the procedure, it's the least we can do for now. However, I'll have the receptionist run a total estimate of what it would cost and we will see what we can do, but please, do not over exert yourself. We are here to help."

"Thank you," i managed to say. She nodded in response and turned to leave.

Leaning against the wall, i shut my eyes in a silent prayer i was certain might not reach the maker.

But as if on cue, my phone began to ring, i picked it up and it was Grace.

"Grace --"

"Girl, shut the fuck up! Where the hell are you? My six senses do not lie. What is wrong? And you better not say nothing."

I let out a deep breath as tears slid down my eyes.

She was at the hospital in less than thirty minutes. The door to my hospital room opened and my dark skinned, gorgeous looking, model of a friend barged in holding her ATM card.

Her normally long locs were packed into a tight donut, framing her oval face and making all her jewelry, including her gold nose ring stand out.

"I have thirty thousand dollars saved up in this account. You tell me who, when, where and how and I'm handing it over to them." She announced, without even letting me say a word.

"Where exactly did you get such an amount of money from?" I asked in shock. I mean i knew Grace had a side hustle because she was partially a latina and she believed she had the gift of fortune telling.

"You keep underestimating my hustle." She said, pressing the ATM card into my palm.

"No, i can't accept this, Grace. You've been working so hard to save this money for your mum's treatment and i can't take it from you."

"Mum is not dying anytime soon, okay? She just has a bad knee. Besides, her surgery isn't set until six months from now, and, i got her medications already before coming, so, you can't say no."

"Besides, what am i supposed to tell her happened to her grand child? That i let your baby die? Girl, bye."

Tears blurred my eyes and my lips quivered at her kindness.

"Tk, girllll" she grabbed me into one tight hug and i couldn't stop crying.

"You know i can't stand tears, and you are one person i have never seen cry, so, forgive me if i don't exactly feel like this is real." She muttered and i cracked up laughing, despite the tears.

"You're crazy." I sniffled.

"Yeah, i am, and what sort of bastard doesn't know how to drive a damn car and sends a woman into early labour?!"

She yelled angrily, and then it crossed my mind.

"Shit!" I blinked, suddenly remembering the crazy man and his offer.

"What is it?" Grace asked, and i told her everything about Judas-Caine and his insane offer to be his girlfriend for a couple of months.

Grace's sunset colored eyes blinked in shock.

"You mean a rich dude asked you to pose as his girlfriend, and you're considering it?" She asked again, and once i nodded, she started digging into her tote handbag.

"What are you doing?" I asked, watching her for a bit and then she pulled out her cards.

"Checking whether or not you are in your right senses, and if this man is any good." Grace placed her deck of cards on the bed beside me and i suddenly lost interest.

It was to no fault of hers, but seeking fate's opinion regarding my life scared the shit out of me, and it also made me sad -- she knew that.

And so, she put the cards back into her bag and sighed. "I can't say i agree with this, okay? I mean, i know you do really need a sponsor right now, and he can cover this whole shit with one word, but are you sure?" She asked.