Chapter 7

FOUR MONTHS LATER

“Thank you, Rico,” Alessa said with a smile as he stretched her income towards her, and she smiled a little as she took it.

“You are welcome and this is for the baby,” he added and gave her a few bucks. Alessa smiled and nodded at him.

“Thank you,” she muttered.

The past four months have been really hard for Alessa, she did multiple jobs to survive. She finally got a little place to stay a month ago after sleeping on the streets for three months.

Things started to get better a bit when she started working for Rico, who owns a little grocery store close to where she lives.

He hired her immediately after she came begging for a job because she was pregnant.

Alessa’s bump was now visible. She cries every night when she thinks about how her life changed so fast months ago. She couldn't get over what happened and she never thinks she will.

Moving to the rural areas of the city made things easier for her, not everyone could recognize her, and the few that did mocked her of her situation.

Rico knows about her story, she told him everything that happened and he felt so bad for her.

The cheers outside the store caught Alessa’s attention. Everyone was running which confused Alessa.

“Rico, do you know what is going on?” she asked as she turned to him.

“Oh, you didn't hear about it?” Rico asked and she furrowed her brows, confused.

“Hear about what?” she asked back.

“Your ex… Mr. Hart is coming to the central hospital today. Judging by the present situation, he is there already, having a press conference.” He replied and Alessa’s eyes widened in shock.

Before Rico could speak, Alessa rushed out of the store and ran towards the central hospital which wasn't so far from the store.

She had no idea why she was heading there but she was sure of one thing, she just wanted to see Bryan.

Her heart was racing as she ran. She couldn't wait to see him, despite the pain he put her through, she still loves him. She isn't even mad at him for what he did.

If she gets a chance to see him today and he sees her state, maybe he will take her back. He can't let her suffer, he isn't a bad man.

Alessa was willing to let go of everything if he tried to talk to her, she was ready to ignore the pain she had gone through these past few months.

Alessa got to the central hospital, and he exhaled heavily as she saw the crowd in front of it.

She took in a deep breath before entering the crowd, and somehow, she made her way to the front.

There he was, looking handsome as always in his well-tailored tuxedo. Tears welled up in her eyes as her heart raced in excitement, She was happy to see him.

He seemed to be rounding off with his speech and Alessa felt bad that she would only see him for a few minutes.

He ended his speech and the crowd cheered, Alessa also clapped her hands. He was about to walk away when his eyes fell on Alessa, he froze as she held his gaze.

Alessa felt her heart beat rapidly as he stared at her. She was surprised he saw her.

Alessa could swear she saw a flicker of emotion in his eyes but they disappeared almost immediately. The crowd was starting to notice, including the reporters.

Bryan hurriedly looked away and his guards escorted him away.

Alessa exhaled heavily as a tear rolled down her cheeks. She sniffed and wiped it off immediately.

The crowd slowly started to leave. In minutes, the front of the hospital was empty but Alessa remained in a spot.

She could bring herself to move, she kept thinking about what just happened. The look in his eyes, the long stare, she couldn't get everything out of her head!

‘Did he miss me?’

‘Does he care now?’

‘Does he regret his actions?’

Different thoughts kept popping into her head.

Alessa snapped out of her thoughts after a few minutes. She turned away from the hospital to head back into the street.

“Ma’am.”

“Ma’am.” She heard a voice call repeatedly, and she turned to see a man whom she recognized immediately. It was Bryan’s bodyguard.

Alessa was confused.

“Excuse me, ma’am, Mr. Hart wants to see you,” he said. Alessa’s eyes widened in shock.

“Me?”

“Yes, ma’am. Please come with me.”

Alessa nodded immediately without a second thought, and she followed the guard into the hospital.

As they walked in, Alessa felt her heart do a happy dance. He cares after all! He is going to take her back! Finally, her suffering has come to an end, and she will be happy again!

The guard took her to a private wing in the hospital and stopped in front of a door.

“You can go in ma’am,” he said. She nodded then opened the door.

Bryan was standing in the middle of the room with his hands in his pants pocket, he looked up at her as she walked in.

“Bryan,” she called and rushed to hug him but he took a step back from her. She paused as he did.

“You… you stink and you look dirty.” he said and Alessa mouthed an ‘oh’ before letting out a nervous chuckle.

“Yeah. Sorry about that,” she muttered and wiped her hands on her clothes. Alessa looked down at herself in the process, she was in ripped jeans and a dirty sweatshirt.

“Sit,” he ordered and she slowly nodded as she took a seat on one of the chairs, he sat opposite her too.

Alessa stared down at her fingers and played with them nervously.

“I… “

“I forgive you, Bryan, you don't have to apologize. I forgive you.” she cut him off and looked up at him Bryan furrowed his brows confused.

“Apologize? I am not here to apologize to you,” he replied.

“Huh?”

“I called you here to warn you to stay away from me,” he said. Alessa felt her heart shatter into pieces.

“Wh… what?” she asked with her voice trembling.

“That conference was live and you almost ruined it. You weren't supposed to show up.”

Alessa’s lips parted in shock, and she shook her head in disbelief as tears welled up in her eyes.

“I look dirty and I stink. I am struggling to survive which you can see and this is all you can say to me?” she asked.

Bryan ignored her statement.

“I am here to make you a deal. I will give you money to start a new life outside the country, you… “

“No, no, no. I don't want your money.” she shook her head as tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Bryan, this is not fair. I am pregnant with your child and you are treating me like trash. I barely survived the past few months. Why are you doing this?” Alessa cried.

Bryan kept a straight look as he watched her cry.

“Bryan, please.” Alessa fell to her knees and crawled to him. She held his feet and Bryan stared down at her.

“You have to take me back, take me back Bryan. I don't mind living like a slave in your mansion, I will do anything to get off the streets, please.” she cried as she held his feet.

“Look at me,” he ordered but she didn't look up at him.

“Look at me Alessa,” he ordered again and she looked up at him in tears.

Bryan held her gaze watching how her ocean eyes glistened due to the tears.

“I don't care about you Alessa and I never will. I don't care that you are pregnant and I don't care if the child is mine. You mean nothing to me Alessa and you never will.” he said softly and raised his hand to her hair.

Alessa couldn't believe her ears, This isn't the man she was married to. He kept a straight look as he said hurtful words to her. How did he change so fast?

He slowly tucked it behind her ear as he stared at her, he trailed his hand to her wet cheeks and held it softly.

Alessa exhaled heavily as she closed her eyes and leaned on his hand. She missed his touch so much.

“Take the money, Alessa. Start a new life away from here, you don't have a place in mine anymore,” he said.

She opened her eyes and sniffed.

“Bryan, please… “

“Not another word.” he cut her off and she gulped.

He pulled his hand away from her and stood up.

“The guard outside will be with the cheque, in case you change your mind,” he added as he stared down at her. Alessa looked at him in tears.

Taking one final look at her, Bryan walked towards the door.

“Goodbye, Alessa.”