Chapter 11

Isabelle

Gestational Hypertension. What did that even mean? Why did my life get harder with every turn?

I stared hard at the wall behind the Doctor until my eyes began to hurt. Tears welled in my eyes, just waiting for a chance to gush out.

I returned my gaze to the Doctor. "What does that mean Doctor? What is my fate and that of my baby?"

"Please be calm. So you don't escalate your condition."

I swallowed hard, pressing a hand to my chest as if it'd calm my racing heart.

"Have you been through severe stress lately?" He asked.

I nodded.

"Well, you need to stop doing anything that would stress you, physically and emotionally too. Make sure to have adequate rest. Do you understand me?"

I dipped my head again. I didn't know what else to do.

I was too afraid to open my mouth because I would just burst into a round of sobs.

"I'm going to write your medication and you'd get them at the pharmacy. Please, stick to the time I'd prescribe. Eat good food. Eat lots of fruits and have adequate rest. You don't want anything to trigger your blood pressure. If not, your condition will be critical for both you and your child."

He looked at me one more time, his eyes serious as though he were etching the information into my head. "Do you understand me, Miss Isabelle?"

"I understand." I managed to croak out.

"Alright. Do have a great day. Please, take care of yourself."

"Thank you, Doctor." I responded, voice low.

After getting my medications at the pharmacy, I walked out of the hospital building, my eyes stinging and a weight settling in my chest.

"Cedar Street." I said as I flagged down a taxi and got in.

I stared out of the car window, watching the town blur as the car sped along. I needed a distraction from me, from my thoughts, from everything that bothered me. Yet, the Doctor's words would not stop ringing in my head. The diagnosis. The warnings.

How would it be possible for me to navigate this phase alone without going through stress? How could I stop overthinking when things were going sideways?

I feared for my life. For my baby's safety. Still, I needed to come out of this situation sane. How would I do it?

My head throbbed painfully with these questions until my eyelids sagged as exhaustion crashed into me.

I leaned back on the car seat and closed my eyes. It was only a matter of seconds before I dozed off.

"We're here, ma'am."

"What?" I jolted awake, my heart racing. It took a moment for my mind to register the current location. It looked nothing like the quiet neighborhood where my apartment was.

My eyes squinted as I gazed into the busy street. "Where are we please?"

"Charley Dickens." The driver responded in a clipped tone.

"Oh my God, I must've slept off. I'm sorry. Can you take me back to Cedar street?"

His jaw clenched as he replied. "No, I can't."

"But I told you the location when I got in. You could have informed me when–"

"Get off my car, woman." He cut me off with a growl.

What the actual hell. Was everyone in this town this detestable?

I pulled out some notes from my purse to pay him. He snatched them from my hand and sped away. Gosh. Asshole.

I stood by the pedestrian walkway, scanning for a vacant cab, the sun's glare forcing my eyes into slits. The streets pulsed with life – cars honked and sped by, engines revving, while people chattered and streamed into open supermarkets.

My ears peeked up as I caught an interesting conversation, my head spinning in the direction of the voices. Just a few steps away, two women stood by a Black SUV, conversing.

"I've been seeking a receptionist for my store for a while now." said one of the ladies – a slender, beautiful lady dressed in a straight, plum dress that clung to her like a second skin.

"Oh, the position is still vacant? Thought you found someone promising last week?" The other woman asked. She was dressed in a black, flared gown with sun glasses atop her hair.

The first lady shook her head. "Nah. They didn't seem like the right fit for the job."

"Okay. I'll see if I can recommend somebody."

My heart skipped a beat in excitement as I eavesdropped on their conversation. Every disappointment was a blessing in disguise right? Perhaps this was how fate wanted me to grant me favour.

Should I meet them? Or stay back?

I really needed this. But would they consider someone like me?

My stomach dropped at the thought. If others couldn't qualify? What would I do differently to get the job? Plus I had faced three rejections already in other places. Would theirs be any different?

My expression turned grim as I faced the road again. Would I give up like this? No way.

I strode towards them before I could talk myself out of it.

"Good afternoon ladies." I greeted and they spun to face me, startled.

"Good afternoon dear. Can we help?" The first lady answered.

Thank goodness. They weren't snubs.

I flashed a polite smile which they returned to my surprise.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I overheard you say something about a job vacancy at your establishment."

"Oh dear. Yes, I'm in desperate need of a competent receptionist. Can you recommend anyone please?"

My heart pounded even faster and I took a deep breath to tamp down my anxiousness. "I wish to apply for the position ma'am. I promise I'd deliver my duties perfectly."

They exchanged glances, having in a silent conversation with their eyes.

She focused her gaze on me once more.

"Are you sure dear? I mean, are you alright? You seem a little pale."

"I'm fine ma'am. I promise I will do the job very well." The words left my mouth faster than I intended.

"Okay then. My store's just a stone's throw from here." She pointed at a big store by the road. A flashy billboard which flashed with fluorescent bulbs lights, hung above the entrance. It read: Maya's Cosmetics.

"Be here tomorrow by ten for a brief interview. I'd be waiting."

"Oh my God, thank you so much ma'am. I'd be there."

I could barely contain my excitement as I retraced my steps to point where I stood before. Something told me this was the beginning of a remarkable journey.