Rose’s POV
Two months later.The smell of the spaghetti and meatballs in the bowl in front of me was disgusting. It suddenly made me so repulsed that I physically cringed and pushed the plate away. It was weird, because I usually loved to eat pasta.I had been facing such unusual problems all week. I would wake up from bed, but be unable to get up because I just felt too lethargic to even open my eyes. Other times, I could not even take anything into my belly because the smell of certain foods made me want to hurl.At first, I thought I was sick, until right now, as I walked away from my lunch in disgust, another possibility flashed through my mind like lightning.I paused, and gasped. Immediately, I shook my head and rejected that thought. There was no way. Just the thought of it filled me with so much dread that I physically began to shake. As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, my phone vibrated. I raised it to my face and saw a text from Kayla."Sleepover at my place tonight. Be here by 8."I lowered my phone slowly, realizing that I could not have any peace of mind until I was sure. These symptoms I had been experiencing, I had to make sure my fears were not true. Steeling myself, I raised my phone again and ordered a home pregnancy test kit.I knew I could not be pregnant, but I just had to ease my panic. I was just falling sick, nothing else.When I arrived at the sleepover, Kayla and Jade seemed to be in high spirits. There was soft music blasting through the apartment, and Jade was flicking through the TV to choose a great movie for us to watch."Rose, want some hot chocolate—" Kayla was asking, tying her pink robe tighter around her body, but she paused as she took a good look at me, "Why do you look so pale?"I managed a small laugh, touching my cheeks with one hand. "I think it's just my makeup."Jade snorted, opening a bucket of chicken wings, "Why are you wearing makeup to a sleepover, bitch?"The smell of the fried chicken should have been delicious, but this time, it hit my stomach the wrong way. I had to suppress the urge to throw up all over Kayla's shiny floor. It reminded me of the pregnancy test stick in my purse, waiting patiently for me.By the time the delivery man arrived with it, it was almost time for Kayla's sleepover. So I got scared, and decided to use the test here instead. After all, having my friends close by would give me the courage to go through with it."I have to use the bathroom real quick, I'll be back, girls," I said quietly, and walked out of the living room.In the bathroom, I peed on the stick and anxiously waited for the results. It was a cool night, yet I was sweating buckets. My breaths were choppy, and I kept whispering to myself that I could never be pregnant. Life could not mess with me like that, right?When it was time, I picked the stick up, sucked in a deep breath and peered at it. There were two lines staring back at me.The entire world went so cold in that horrifying moment. I blinked countlessly, making sure I was not seeing things. But it remained the same. Two unforgiving lines. I was pregnant."No!" I screamed so loud, louder than I even intended.Despair bubbled up inside me, as my soul seemed to shatter. Pregnant? It was just a one night stand! How could this happen to me?!"Rose?!" I heard my friends call outside the door, meaning they had heard my scream. "Rose, what's wrong? Open the door!"Tears were streaming down my cheeks as I stumbled to the door and pulled it open. I fell outside, and sank to the floor, sobbing and shaking my head hysterically. I was so scared. I did not want any of this. Why were they happening to me?Kayla shook my shoulder. "Rose? What happened—""Oh my god," Jade cut in, picking up the pregnancy test stick from the ground beside me. They both glanced at it and gasped, staring at me with alarm.I cried harder. "What do I do? I don't want to be pregnant!"Jade shook her head, frowning. "Then you'll have an abortion. I can't believe your first time having sex got you pregnant. If you don't want it, we'll go with you tomorrow to get rid of it.""I'm sorry, this must be so scary." Kayla rubbed my back. "Getting impregnated by a stranger is not what any girl wants. We're here for you, Rose. Do you want to get rid of it?""Yes!"I didn't want a baby whose father I knew nothing of. And I didn't want to bring a baby to the world, only to dump it like my parents did with me. I quickly took my mind off the thoughts of my parents as I felt the days of my staying at the orphanage and running away blinked at me in the eyes."Then we'll head to the hospital first thing in the morning."I was so grateful to my friends as they led me through the cold hallways of the hospital the next morning, because my legs could not even move out of dread. I had never been this scared in my life.The nurse had approved my request, and now we were going to the ward so I could get prepped for the procedure."It'll be over soon, okay?" Kayla whispered to me when she noticed I was trembling.I nodded, but I was not really listening. Last night, I had been so sure I wanted to get rid of the seed planted inside me by some stranger. But now, as we got closer to the hospital ward, I was not so sure anymore. The thought of having tools inside me to remove the foetus was so frightening, that I could pass out at any moment.And then, for some reason, I felt my hand rubbing my belly protectively. That is when I realized that I didn't want the abortion anymore. The urge to show myself that I could do a better job than whoever my parents were took over me. Amd even though I kept trying to tell myself that I was poor and might not be able to take care of my baby adequately, I still wanted to protect him or her -something my own parents didn't do for me.I stopped, and said, "I can't go through with it. Please take me out of this hospital."Kayla and Jade stared at me in shock, but they must have seen something fierce in my eyes, because they both sighed in resignation. Then they took my hands, and turned away from the ward.Rose's POVI sighed, looking up at the night sky. The chill of the night sky made me shiver, but I embraced it.The hospital region looked so different from the places I was used to, but the sky always remained the same.I had stayed in the hospital for four days now. Even though in theory there was no longer any need to. Real had insisted on the hospital staff who allowed me to remain here, even without the needs for medical attention.I was grateful for it, and I was sure he knew why I didn't want to step into the mansion again.And so my nights were spent within the place, no dankehs in sight and Real being a constant presence. Despite staying in the hospital, he brought food from the pack house daily which I accepted.Adian visited another time on one occasion, and Rael stood by, acting more like a watchdog. Amidst their jabs I could see what I had been blind to for so long. The easy camaraderie between them. And Rael seemed lighter than I had ever seen him before.Now, four days
Rael's POVTracing her contact and the texts she sent was the hardest part, everything aside from that was easy.Location in hand, I arrived to find him, said ex boyfriend, sipping tea in the cafe waiting for her. I stepped in, facing him.I could tell that he was one to be easily intimidated, proven by how he palmed immediately after he recognized me. In no time, he scrammed out of the cafe, garnering many looks for a moment. I waited in silence for the main reason for my presence.It took almost twenty minutes, before Jade stepped in, eyes searching through the tables. Despite her almost innocent appearance, she was definitely sharp minded. The moment she spotted me, surprise flitted onto her face before morphing into dislike.She indeed loathed me. I had never been close or bothered with any of her friends aside from listening whenever she talked about them, but whether I caught it or not wouldn't have mattered either way if not for this.I partly expected her to walk away or try t
Rose's POV Rael left shortly after bringing me breakfast, leaving me with a kiss on my forehead and whispered promises.Full and completely awake, there was no way I was going back to bed anytime soon. With nothing left to do, I walked around the large hospital room I had been given, admiring the skyline view in peace. I tried not to think too much about Jade and whatever measures Real was going to take, only hoping that both of them were alright. Instead, I looked down at my belly.A baby was growing in there and I never noticed. Slowly rubbing it, I smiled to myself at Rael's past words. Indeed, this baby was resilient to have gone past the alcohol and malnourishment, only to remain healthy.Strong, but that didn't mean I was going to let anyone harm it. “I don't know what will happen between your father and I, but I promise you I'll protect you the best I can. Even if it costs me.” Shutting my eyes, I repeated it several times, keeping it etched in my bones.I would do my best t
Rose's POVWhen I woke up, the sun was up and it was far warmer than before. Yawning, I looked around as it eased upon me.The chair Rael was on was completely empty. I properly looked around at the surroundings.The place was large, filled with couches and chairs with a dining setting right beside them. Save hospital beds, it looked more like a hotel.This definitely wasn't cheap.I let out a sigh, shaking my head. There was nothing I could do about it now.Even with his absence, I could still hear his words.He loved me.There were still plenty of things to deal with, especially with my pregnancy on the way. But instead, I laid back on the mattress, closing my eyes. At this moment, I was content.I spent my time taking deep breaths, lost in the blank zen state when a sudden vibration pulled me out.Blinking, I looked around for the source, only to see my phone in surprise.‘He'd taken it too, I reasoned. I looked at the screen in surprise. Jade was calling.I gasped, recalling how I
Rose's POVI squinted in the face of the blinding lights, taking time to adjust as I slowly returned to reality.Beeping filled my ears, closer than ever. The sting of disinfectant woke me up even further.‘Where was I?’ I faintly wondered as I drifted out of dreamland. I tried sitting up when suddenly a pair of warm hands circled me.“Wait." All vestiges of sleep erased at his voice.His words and our unfinished discussion before my fainting still rang clearly in my mind.‘Of course,’ I thought. He was the one who no doubt brought me here.I remained silent while he helped me sit up, avoiding eye contact. Tingles grew from his penetrating stare, but I ignored it.“Where am I?" I asked, breaking the tense silence.“You're in the hospital." He said, confirming my thoughts.A slight twinge of relief filled me that I wasn't back in the mansion, no matter how much my heart lurched for it. This was more neutral ground.Those thoughts went away once I remembered why I was in the hospital.
Rael's POVPanic grew in my throat the moment I caught her in my arms. She was out cold, her breaths shallow.Damn it all. I hadn't thought about her condition. The fact that she hadn't been eating for the past few days.None of that will do. I had to take her to the hospital.Hefting her body up, I moved against the fallen bodies in the hallway. That would be taken care of later.I had rushed in, feeling the warning instincts. She wouldn't forgive me if I left her friend there.‘She may not forgive you at all.’ Ny hands tightened on her at the thought.Rose's friend was knocked out cold on the floor, but otherwise, she was safe. No doubt she would wake up in a matter of hours.Laying Rose on the couch, I picked Jade up, tucking her into her bedroom before leaving just as quickly.Picking her up again, my gaze was fixated on her face, how peaceful she looked even now.Without another word, I sped back to my car.Driving into the hospital gave the feeling of deja vu, but I ignored it i