MANNY
Early the next morning, Josie was parked outside of the house waiting for Manny.
Manny had also woken up a bit too early preparing every document she thought would be of use for the doctor.
The door opened ajar and standing there was Avery looking mad.
“You think just because your mum wants you to have a baby you'll be able to take over this fashion house?”
“I'll just be taking back what was rightfully mine. My mother just brought you here to help out or did you really think she'll hand over the business to you? Someone she barely knows?” Manny returned mockingly.
Manny chuckled lightly and went down to meet Josie as the look on Avery's face gave her some satisfaction.
“Where have you been? Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting?” Josie screamed, stomping her foot furiously as she leaned on her car.
“You will be lucky if you get there in time for your appointment.”
“Sorry, I had a little problem that needed sorting.”
“You always have something that needs sorting.”
Rolling her eyes, Josie joined Manny in the car and got on the road.
****
The drive to the hospital was very long
It was already afternoon by the time they got there.
Seeing as she was late for her appointment, Manny slipped some dollars to the girl at the reception allowing her to go on in while every other person waited for their turn.
Perhaps money does open all doors.
As she entered the door labeled endocrinologist, Manny came in contact with a middle aged woman who had a stern look on her face.
“Miss Larson, you're late. Your mother has called several times.” the doctor said with so much force as she put her eye glasses in place.
“So sorry the traffic was really bad.”
“Hmmm. Your mother told me you'll be in trouble but nevertheless, I've taken the necessary steps to start the process.” the doctor peered through her glasses at Manny waiting for a comment.
“We are starting the process now? My mum didn't inform me about this!” Manny said in a wary high pitched voice.
She looked tense and anxious all of a sudden. Going through IVF was something that you need to be mentally prepared for.
She didn't just want to rush into it but knowing her mother, she would have declined and said “the earlier the better.”
“Please miss Larson, lower your voice. We have patients here. Mrs Larson didn't tell you about it because she knew exactly how you'd react so please remain calm.”
“A healthy mind is the most important thing for becoming a mother and of course the earlier we get started, the better it is…for both of us.” the doctor stated looking more serious.
Manny had never seen anyone so scary.
“If you would please follow me so I can give you some medications before we get started.” the middle aged and stood up abruptly making Manny take long strides to catch up with her.
At the lobby, Manny saw Josie giving her a confused look but she had no time to explain as the doctor kept calling her name.
“Take this-” the doctor poured drugs of different colors into her hand. “- it will stimulate the ovaries and help us retrieve the egg successfully.”
Manny was never the one to like drugs but she didn't have a choice.
She closed her eyes and swallowed all the drugs at once, almost spilling them out.
After a while she was taken to a room and was sedated so the egg retrieval and insemination of sperm could take place.
****
The insemination didn't even take long, thirty minutes later Manny was out.
Manny was still slightly dizzy from the sedative. Josie had to hold her by the hand to the doctor's office.
“Luckily, everything went well but you need to be coming here twice a week in order for us to monitor the embryo and determine when to transfer it.” the doctor told Manny who was still trying to figure out how many doctors were in the room
She then turned to Josie.
“The effect of the sedative will wear out, just get her home safely and she should come back if there are any complications.”
Nodding her head in affirmation, Josie led Manny out of the hospital and into the car.
“You are so lucky I came with you today.” Josie said looking at her best friend pitifully.
Turning and placing a hand on Josie's shoulder, Manny smiled tiredly.
“What would I do without you Josie.”
And with that Manny fell asleep.
Waiting for her as she got back home was her mother.
The sickening smile on her mum's face made her want to throw up.
Or maybe the symptoms for the pregnancy were already showing she thought.
She plastered a smile on her face and hugged her mother as she reached the door.
“I’m so glad everything went perfectly well. I spoke with the doctor and she said you're perfectly fit to carry the baby.” Kari said, looking like she had just won a big business deal.
“Why did you do it mum? You should have told me I was getting started today. I wasn't even prepared.”
“The doctor didn't even run the necessary tests. What if I'm not fit enough to carry the child?" Manny yelled
She couldn't understand why her mother does things without speaking to her first.
Afterall it was Manny's life not kari’s
Kari gave a long sigh. She was already expecting the questions.
“You were already prepared. If anything goes wrong we can fix it. We have more than enough money for it.” Kari scoffed as she entered inside.
“Having the baby is what's more important. Now please go upstairs and rest. You'll be needing all of your strength from now on.”
Manny strode past her mother with a scowl on her face.
She just wants to deliver this baby and be left alone.
Later that evening after dinner, Manny decided to take a stroll round her huge mansion.
As she passed the water fountain, the memories of how her father gave her piggy back rides going round the fountain came to mind.
She missed her father so much. He was the only person who supported her decision.
They would go out and sneak in late in the night while her mother waited for them sitting on chairs like in the movies.
They were one happy family then but everything was different now that her father was gone.
She laughed as she fought back tears as all other memories came rushing back.
“Manny time for dinner!” she heard Avery shout from a distance.
Cleaning her tears, she rushed back in.
Dinner was quiet as usual except Avery kept throwing death glances at Manny.
Suddenly Kari's phone rang and she seemed bemused that the doctor was calling again.
Picking up the call, her eyes
widened in fear at what the doctor said.
“I’m sorry to disturb you Mrs Larson but there has been a mistake in the sperm insemination.”
ANDREWAfter seeing Kate's call, he couldn't bring himself to answer it. He hated how she made him feel vulnerable.As he drove home he thought of all the possible reasons that she would call. Maybe there was a chance that she was coming back.Getting home, he noticed a tiny figure waiting for him by the door. As he got closer, he saw his mother's large brown eyes staring at him.Overcome with so many emotions, his mother leaned into him crying. There were so many unsaid words at that moment.“It’s alright mum, everything will be fine." Andrew said, holding his mother tightly.He wished there was a way to ease the pain that she felt. He might have to stumble to the wish of his after. They stayed that way a little longer until she was tired of crying.Leading her by the hand, Andrew carried her to her room. “Andrew, come in here.” Mr Allen called from his study across the hallway.Andrew stiffened as he heard his father call out to him. He hoped it was not another one of his father's
ANDREWAndrew was relieved that everything was okay with CeCe medically. He didn't think he would be able to find someone else in a short period.Immediately after he reached the office, Andrew called CeCe informing her to be at his office as early as 10 am.They couldn't afford to be late for the appointment.That day, Andrew rapidly did all the necessary office work and asked that all his calls should go to his voicemail, even his father's.By 9:30 CeCe was already waiting in the lobby as Andrew came down with Jason and a few minutes later, they hit the road.The ride was silent and comfortable till Andrew threw a question at CeCe.“Why do you need the money so badly CeCe? From what I see, you look like you're well off.” Andrew said as he looked at her through the middle mirror waiting for her reply.CeCe balled her hands into fists with her nails digging right into her skin as anxiety took over.“I…I need the money for my sick mother.” she whimpered as tears threatened to come out.
ANDREWDoctor Harry didn't say much on the phone and so the next day, Andrew woke up as early as he could and went straight to the hospital. Andrew couldn't sleep throughout the night. All he kept thinking of was how the doctor in charge had done a terrible job and now he had to pay someone who might not even be carrying his child.Just thinking about it angered him.He then picked up Cece halfway through the drive explaining everything to her.“There was a mistake!" Cece shrieked, looking terrified. "So I might not be carrying your child? But you'll still pay me right?" Cece asked as she subconsciously placed a hand on her belly.A part of her really wanted to carry a child. She wanted to know how it feels since she doesn't plan on marrying.Andrew glanced at her briefly and turned his gaze back to the road. Was money the only thing she was after? She might not get pregnant because of a mistake and her only problem was whether she was still getting paid?“Yes I'll still pay you, you
MANNYThe next day after the incident at the hospital, Manny couldn't think straight, she couldn't even do her work properly.It was clear that the situation was bothering her.Whereas her mother on the other hand didn't even seem concerned.When she had explained to her mother everything the doctor said, Kari took it like it was nothing.“Carrying Andrew Cooper's child is way better Manny." That was what her mum said to her.Sometimes she thought it must have been a setup. Her mum was really angry when she tore up the contract that she and Andrew needed to sign.“I'm sure she planned it out with the Coopers." Manny murmured, getting her affairs in order.She paused immediately remembering how she had fainted and woke up in Andrew's strong arms.The image of his sharp hazel-green eyes staring down at her flashed across her mind.Manny shook her head as if deleting the thought she just had.She was supposed to hate him. No doubt Andrew would use any means possible to get the baby if she
MANNY“How? When? why now?” Avery asked dozens of questions all at the same time.She was confused.Why would Manny want a child now? and her mother approved of it?Unless… Avery thought.Kari had already decided to give her daughter the fashion house. A frown appeared on her confused face. “How is it even possible? You don't even have a boyfriend. No one agrees to date because of your appearance and you can't even get up from the chair without causing the table to shake." Avery pointed out angrily.She ran all the errands and now Manny was going to take her spot in the company? No way.Not wanting to hear the details, Avery quickly left Manny's office finding her way home.Manny clenched the side of her desk to suppress her emotions.So what if she caused things to topple over when she stood up? Couldn't she still have a family? A child?Manny tried several things to make her lose weight—dieting, exercising, detox—but nothing seemed to work for her.So she gave up and instead ate mo
Manny was speechless, as she turned to a squealing Josie. She beamed with joy.A week ago she didn't want the child and now here she was overjoyed that she was finally pregnant.She thanked the doctor, then she and Josie exited the office and left the hospital.All through the drive, Manny's hand never left her tummy, finding it hard to believe that she was pregnant.In a few hours, they reached Manny's house. “I will never get over the size of your house.” Josie said, her eyes roaming over the huge house.As they entered the house, Kari, Avery, and Andrew came into view. They were all waiting for Manny.Apparently, Andrew somehow knew that Manny had gone for a pregnancy test. He informed Kari who suggested that they wait for her and the result."Mum?” Manny called out, looking around suspiciously. "Did something happen?”"When were you going to tell us that you were pregnant?” Her mum asked, ignoring her question.Manny was taken aback by the question. Nobody knew that apart from Jos
ANDREW Andrew suspected something.Manny's behavior was odd and what was more odd was that she went to a different hospital to take the pregnancy test. Andrew sent out his men to watch Manny ever since he was told that she might carry his child. They were always watching her.One of his men had to pose as a nurse to get intel. They got the name of the hospital, but the doctor was a tough nut to crack.“Talk!" The beefy man towering over the doctor orders giving him another punch to the face.“Ms Larson must have paid you a lot of money for your silence." Andrew said, sitting down across the doctor with his arms crossed, the single light in the room casting a shadow on his face.“I can't reveal a client's information, it's the rule.” The doctor said through his bruised lips as he spluttered blood. He was a sorry sight.Andrew stood up calmly, motioning his men to finish the job. It was obvious that he wasn't going to say anything.Retreating back to his office, he called his PI to me
ANDREW Andrew went through the files smiling. Turns out Manny wasn't as innocent as she looked but all the information put together wasn't enough to get him what he wanted.He needed that last piece of information and Carter was taking too long.Going through the files again —carefully this time— his phone rang.Andrew expressed a sign, that he was tired of the phone calls that had been coming in since the day began.He picked it up without reading the caller ID.“Yes?" He answered, his voice rough.“Some information just came to light about Ms Larson sir.” A deep voice said from the other side.Andrew sat up straight away, his ears alert. It was about time his men gave him feedback, he wanted to know what Manny was up to.Yes he was spying on her, he had to know what and who he was dealing with and he became more suspicious after the incident that happened at her house.“Alright, tell me, what did you find?" “We followed her on that day like you asked, and we ended up outside the ci