Chapter Four

Charity lingered in the restroom, deliberately stalling for several minutes to make it look convincing, as thou she had truly taken the test. She rehearsed how her face will crumple, her voice will tremble, how her shoulders will sag beneath the weight of “shock”. Leon had a soft spot for vulnerability—she knew it—and tonight she’ll use that to bind him.

The tests were carefully sealed inside a small, transparent bag, her evidence. She gripped the bag tightly, staring at her reflection in the mirror.

“I hope this works”, she whispered underneath her breath, her nerves all but calm. Finally, she took in a deep breath, unlocked the door, and stepped out.

“Leon! Leon!” She cried, with urgency in her tone.

He shot to his feet instantly. “What’s wrong?!” His voice was sharp, almost panicking, as he rushed towards her.

“Come in here please” she urged.

Worry flickered across his mind, but he followed her into the restroom anyways. She clicked the lock shut behind him.

“Look at it”, she said, her hands trembling as she placed the test strips on the sink.

Leon’s chest rose and fell heavily. “Oh my God…Oh my God…” his voice broke as the truth sank in. He had known there was a chance, but he had not let himself believe it. Now it stared him in his face, undeniable. His heart beating faster than ever.

“Okay…okay. What are we going to do?” his asked, his voice shaky.

Tears started to drop down Charity’s face, fast. Practiced yet so convincing. “I don’t know. I still can’t believe this. I’m so scared, Leon.”

Without hesitation, he drew her into his arms, holding her tightly. Se buried her face into his chest, allowing the subs to wrack her shoulders. But deep inside, hidden from his eyes, the corner of her lips curled into a satisfied smile. She finally had him exactly where she wanted.

 “Let’s go up to my room” Leon said, gently. “You need rest. We’ll talk soon.”

“Okay.” She whispered, slipping the tests back into her bag. Together they went up to his room.

Charity had slept off easily, her breathing soft and even. But Leon lay awake, restless, his thoughts consuming him. The words, I’m pregnant replayed endlessly in his mind. Each time he shut his eyes, he saw her face—pale, trembling and fearful.

By tree a.m., he gave up the illusion of sleep. Setting up, he raked a hand through his hair, grabbed his phone and paddy quietly downstairs to the kitchen finally be along. With shaking fingers, he dialed one person he trusted above all else.

“Bro… do you know the time it is?” Pardo’s voice hoarse, heavy with sleep.

“I know” Leon said quickly, his tone low but urgent “I just…I need to talk. Is important.”

There was a pause, than resigned sigh “what’s going up.”

Leon hesitated, throat tight finally the world slipped out “Charity’s pregnant.”

The silence that fallowed is was suffocating. Then Pardo let out a long, low whistle “Damm you’re sure it will.”

“Yes.” Leon pressed a palm to his forehead, his voice breaking “I don’t know what to do, man. I care about her, but we are toxic. We have always be toxic. And yet… I just can’t vanish this time. Not where’s is more at stake, but…” is word faltered, shame creeping into his tone, “what if it ruins my life what if I’m not build for this?”

Pardo’s reply was calm steady “than don’t run. Don’t lie. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Just …show up, even when is ugly. Epically then.”

Leon poured himself a stiff drink from the mini bar and sat hunch over the kitchen counter. The silence of the night pressed around him, broken only by the echo of Pardo’s word in his mind show up. Don’t run.

Hours passed before Charity stirred. She roll over, reaching instinctively for Leon, only to find the sheet cool and empty.

“Leon?” she called softly. No reply.

Panic spark in her chest. She drew the curtain aside and peered at the balcony. Nothing. Her search carried her through the entire house – the poolside. The Livingroom, even peeking nervously into Mark and Daija room – but he was nowhere to be found.

At last she found him slumped over the kitchen table, reeking of whiskey, his cheek pressed on the wood.

“Leon, get up,” she whisper ungently shaking his arm. “You can’t sleep here like this. Come upstairs.”

He stirred groggily, still half drunk, his knees buckled slightly as he rose, arms flailing loosely. Charity slipped her arm around his waist, guiding him up the stairs until she finally got him back into bed.

By morning, Leon’s head throbbed with bull ache of is hangover.

He dragged himself downstairs in search of water, only to freeze as the aroma of bacon drifted through the air. None of his friends cooked.

Pushing open the kitchen door, he blinked in surprise.

“Finally.” Charity said, without looking up from the stove. “Do you even know what time it is? Anyway, I’m making breakfast. Sit down.”

For a moment, Leon forgot se stayed the night. Slowly, he got himself into a chair, as he couldn’t see as clearly.

Charity hummed softly as she plated the food, then set it on the dining table with a bright smile. “Come eat. Then we can discuss what we’re going to do next.”

Leon reached for his glass, but her next words stopped him cold.

“Oh, and your mum called this morning. I told her the news. She took it surprisingly well.”

The blood drained from his face. “You did what?” His voice rose before he caught himself, lowering it with effort though the anger still burned. “Why would you do that without asking me first?”

Charity tilted her head, feigning innocence. “I thought it would be easier. She’s always harsh with you, criticizing how reckless you are. But she’s sweet to me, so I assumed she’d take it lightly. And she did.”

Her eyes gleamed as she reached for his hand across the table. “We’re going to have a baby, Leon.”