Chapter 6 : You can't get in!!!

A loud truck horn made Bianca open her eyes..She blinked groggily, trying to understand where she was. The cold air brushed against her skin. She had fallen asleep under the bridge after crying herself to sleep . Her body gave up long before her heart did.

Slowly, she pushed herself up, one hand instinctively cradling her stomach. She was hungry, so hungry it felt like the tiny life inside her was protesting the emptiness.

For a long moment, she just stood there, holding her belly and breathing slowly. Then one thought settled in her mind.

The penthouse..At least there, she would be safe. Safe for herself… and for her unborn child.

The journey took hours.

She begged for rides and walked when no one stopped. By the time she reached the South Beach estate, her legs were shaking. The penthouse sat high above everything, perched on top of a massive hill.

She climbed the long road leading up to it, breathless and exhausted but determined. When she finally reached the gate, her hands were trembling.

She pressed the security screen and entered the code.

It failed.

She frowned and tried again. Maybe she had pressed it wrong. The code was her birthday mixed with Charles’s, along with a date that once meant everything to them.

It failed again.

She pressed it a third time.

The screen flashed red and beeped loudly.

Access denied.

This time her fear grew fast and heavy, spreading through her until her breath felt tight.

She leaned closer, peering through the gate, checking the inside just to be sure she hadn’t made a mistake. But there was no doubt. It was the penthouse. The same exterior and the same design she had chosen herself.

Her hands shook as she grabbed the gate and rattled .“Hello?” she called out, her voice trembling. “Please… someone.”

After a moment, a maid rushed toward her, surprise flashing across her face.

“Ma’am.”

Relief washed over Bianca as she exhaled sharply. “Please,” she whispered. “Open the gate. Quickly.”

The maid hesitated.

Bianca saw it immediately. “Please,” she said again, softer now. “I just need to wash up.”

The maid shifted uncomfortably, avoiding her eyes.

“Ma’am… I’m sorry,” she said at last. “I was told not to allow you in.”

Bianca’s face changed.

“Not allow me?” she repeated slowly. “What do you mean? This is my place.”

The maid looked at her with pity. “Mr Charles Warren instructed us not to let you in.”

There was a brief moment of silence. Bianca was too stunned to say anything else. How much worse could it get? she wondered..The maid simply looked at her and waited respectfully, giving her time to process everything, until Bianca finally spoke and asked her to call Charles.

The maid rushed back with her phone...Bianca took it with shaking hands and dialed Charles’s number almost from memory. If he was going to be this cruel, then at least he owed her answers. Why? That was all she needed to know.

The call was almost about to end when it finally connected.

“Charles,” Bianca said quickly, her voice breaking through before she could stop herself.There was no response from the other end. She called his name again, her heart tightening until a voice answered but it wasn’t Charles.

“Ohhh, sweet Bianca,” Rosina’s voice came through the line, light and mocking. “Why are you calling newlyweds so early in the morning?”

Bianca breathed in slowly, forcing herself not to lose her cool.

“Please,” she said quietly, gripping the phone tightly to her ear, “can you get me in touch with Charles? I need to speak with him.”

Rosina laughed softly. “How did you get when they said two become one?” she teased. “You can tell me, Charles is still fast asleep after he was all over me last night.”

Bianca’s jaw tightened. “I need to get into the penthouse. Let him know that,” she said through clenched teeth.

All she heard in response was mocking laughter, followed by exaggerated ohh… ohhh sounds.

“You can’t go inside,” Rosina added smugly. “I told him I like that penthouse, and I want it all to myself.”

“Then where do you expect me to go?” Bianca snapped, her anger finally breaking through.

“Don’t shout at me, Bianca,” Rosina replied coldly. “You can go to hell for all I care.”

Bianca was just about to curse her out, ready to go boot for boot with that ugly attitude, when the call abruptly ended. Rosina had hung up.

With shaking hands, Bianca called back immediately, once, twice but there was no answer.

That was when the tears she’s been trying to hold fell from her eyes.

“Do you want me to get you something to eat and something to wear?” the maid asked gently.

Bianca nodded in appreciation, unable to speak.

In less than five minutes, the maid returned with fresh food. Bianca ate quickly, barely noticing the heat as it burned her tongue. She didn’t care…all she needed  was something in her stomach, for herself and for her baby.

Afterwards, she managed to change into a clean, fresh dress at the security quarters. She was deeply grateful to the maid for helping her, even though it meant going against orders.

“I’m so sorry I couldn’t do more for you, ma’am,” the maid said softly, bowing slightly and offering Bianca a comforting look along with some cash…something she desperately needed.

****

At the Warrens Mansion, Rosina paced the bedroom in her silk robe, fulfillment and accomplishment swelling in her chest. She had finally gotten what she had always wanted.

She tossed Charles’s phone lazily from one hand to the other, glancing at him as he slept, too peaceful and unaware.

“Tsk… too bad for Bianca,” she muttered with a small laugh , swaying her head slightly. “But really, who’s to blame?” She smirked.. “I’ve always wanted everything she had.......even when she had so little.”

She chuckled to herself...

Charles shifted on the bed, then suddenly stirred awake. His eyes snapped open just as he caught sight of Rosina moving back and forth.

“Is that my phone in your hand?” he asked, rubbing his eyes groggily.

Rosina froze just for a second

“Oh...yes, yes,” she stammered quickly. “I’m sorry. I needed to make a call. My phone’s battery is low.” She spoke fast as her fingers moved, swiftly deleting a contact.

But Charles abruptly sat up.

“I need to shower and head to work,” he said, standing immediately.

Rosina frowned. “Aren’t we supposed to spend a little time together before you leave?” she called after him.

Charles didn’t respond. He walked straight into the bathroom and shut the door behind him without another word.

Rosina rolled her eyes and tossed Charles’s phone onto the bed. That was all that mattered. If he wanted to give her the cold shoulder this morning, so be it. Still floating on cloud nine, wrapped in her victory. she crossed to the other side of the bathroom, the side that had once belonged to Bianca, and was now hers, just as she had planned.

“All mine,” Rosina muttered, lifting her chin as she stared at her reflection. Her face looked worn and tired but the smile that spread across her lips was wide...She tucked her robe tighter around herself

Rosina closed her eyes, as though making a wish and suddenly, a memory rushed back to her with startling speed…

A couple of months earlier…

Rosina lay still on the bed, butt naked beneath the sheets, pretending to be fast asleep while she felt Charles stirring beside her. Suddenly, he jolted upright, the movement so sharp it made the bed shake. His breathing was uneven, his hands trembling as he struggled to form words that wouldn’t come.

Rosina felt his panic and confusion.

Slowly, Rosina shifted, acting as though she was just waking up...She listened as Charles fumbled, dressing in haste, the rustle of fabric giving him away.

She pulled the covers up over her breast.

“Charles… you’re awake?” she asked softly, though she could clearly see how shaken he was.

He didn’t answer. He wouldn’t even look at her.

Rosina’s expression changed instantly. Her voice broke as she sat up clutching the sheets tighter, putting on a show of distress. “Are you trying to walk out like this,” she cried, “after taking my virginity so forcefully and harshly last night?”