This can't be happening

MIRANDA

As the days went by, my life with Antonio grew more and more disturbing, to the point of filling me with nothing but boredom in his absence.

But that void was soon filled by Xander, Antonio's right-hand man, and guard.

Whenever Antonio was absent, Xander, who was left to watch over me, had a way of putting a smile on my face.

You can say he's more of like a clown.

I got to know the kind of person Xander was when Antonio scolded me one morning for no reason entirely.

He yelled at me to the point of depression.

When he left for work, I sat all alone at the dining table, thinking about my life and my future as Antonio's tool. That's when the heavens sent Xander my way.

He sat with me and planted a smile on my face.

"What's the difference between me and Mr. Dante? " He had asked one time while I was eating.

"Between you and your boss? " I asked, lifting my brow at him.

"Yep, what's the difference?" He asked, peeling an orange with a knife.

"Hmm, well you are a guard and he's the boss. That's the difference."

"You're right. But that's not the answer," he said, acting all smart.

"Really? Then what's the answer? " I asked, putting a stop to my meal.

"It's simple. I'm a man and he's Antonio." He smirked at me.

I felt confused at first, but I immediately grabbed what he meant. That got me laughing at his silliness.

"You're lucky that he's not here, otherwise you'll be in trouble," I laughed at Xander.

He chuckled, assuring me that Antonio didn't know about this side of him.

"He only sees me as one who should be violent like him. You know, wild like a lion. Roar!" Xander joked, and I couldn't help myself but laugh.

But that moment is ruined by Antonio. He suddenly stepped into the dining room, asking, "What's going on?"

Xander had to compose himself and tell him that he was checking up on me and decided to peel an orange.

On the other hand, I acted like I was busy eating my food.

I took a peep at Antonio and noticed how he glanced from Xander to me. He said nothing afterward but exited the dining room.

"Enjoy your meal, " Xander had said, dropping the fully peeled orange, exiting the dining room, following his master from behind.

I'm glad Xander was able to change the topic, otherwise he would have faced Antonio's wrath.

Lately, I've been taking note of Antonio's behavior.

Aside from being a rude and cruel man, Antonio is also a possessive bastard.

Whenever he sees me around his guards, his eyes will suddenly light up, leaving my heart racing in fear.

The day I noticed this attitude of his was when Don Vito came over again to see him for a business matter.

I had to stay in my room, sitting and thinking like always.

One of his guards came in to see if I was okay because he had noticed how silent I was.

The moment we began talking, Antonio came in, yelling at his guard to leave.

"What were you doing with him? " He had questioned, pinning me against the wall.

"We were just talking. What were you expecting?"

"If I ever get you looking at another man again, I will make you regret it. Mark my words, " He threatened.

That frightened me to the core.

"I own you! You belong to me. I have every right over you. Remember that," he sang to me.

That has been his anthem. He always uses that to remind me of where I am and why I'm with him.

He now makes it look like I was the one who crawled to him for help. He doesn't cease to make me look weak before him.

So, whenever I'm around a guard, especially Xander, I dare not act so sweet around them or else Antonio would lash out like the possessive beast he is.

**********

A few weeks later, I began to notice traces of weakness in me.

But it felt worse in the morning when Antonio woke me up, saying he'd be late from work tonight.

"Why are you running temperature?" He asked, glaring at me.

"I think I'm sick. I've been feeling weak lately," I explained to him, about to sit up. But Antonio told me to lie down back.

"It's not like you're doing anything in this house. I see no reason why you'd be sick, " he said coldly.

I didn't mind his words but laid back down, trying to understand why I felt so weak.

Not wanting to waste any time on me, Antonio sent a maid to watch over me while he left for work.

The maid did her best to take care of me, but it wasn't enough to take the illness away.

"Are you sure it's fever? " She asked, touching my forehead.

"I don't know. Besides, I didn't say if it's a fever. All I know is that I'm weak, " I answered.

But I couldn't help it. I felt so terrible.

I noticed the maid checking my eyes, looking at my body.

"Why are you looking at me like that? " I asked, finding her checkup disturbing.

Her eyes came settling on me, as she asked, "Ma'am, I know I shouldn't be asking, but are you pregnant?"

"What?!" I exclaimed, widening my eyes at her words.

"What makes you think that? " I questioned.

"Well, you say you're not sure if it's fever and I'm kinda..." She couldn't complete her statement, out of worry that I'll yell at her.

But why would I do that?

Even her question got me thinking clearly. When last did I see my period?

This got my heart beating, and I had to ask the maid for a pregnancy test slip. She went out and returned afterwards with the slips.

And when I ran the test...

"I'm pregnant?" I stared at the slip, seeing the double strip.

My body shivered, sending my back against the wall.

Fear took over me as I thought of the child I was carrying in my womb.

"I'm pregnant for Antonio. This isn't right. No, I can't be pregnant," I felt troubled.

The thought of bearing a child for someone like Antonio left me devastated.

How will it be to have a child for a ruthless mafia like Antonio?

"Oh God! I don't even know if I should tell him or not. What if he doesn't accept the child? " I panicked, holding my head in fright.

I can't even hide it from him. The truth will eventually come out soon, and I won't be able to hide it from him forever.

What can I do?