Staying at home made me feel lazy, insecure and a little scared. During weekdays when Elvira had gone to work, I'm left at home. Thinking and swimming in the pool of thoughts and tears. The fear of passing out in the next minute slowly killed me.
'What if there's no one to help or take me to the hospital?' I thought and grabbed my phone.
I felt the urge to work, too. I'm only pregnant, not crippled. I can't remember the last time I smiled or even stepped out. Lost in thought, I took a shower and put on a simple white T-shirt and black trousers. I applied for jobs along the boutiques and restaurants along the street. Hopefully, I'd be able to earn and live like a human being. I knew some managers might not employ me because I'm in my trimester, but who cares? I just needed a life.
Luckily, I got an email from the two places I applied for. I didn't bother discussing this with Elvira because I know how much she's helped me so far. Truth is, I lost my job at Harlequin books publishing company because of these but I dare not tell my friend. She would be heartbroken.
That morning, after she left, I put on my new uniform and went to the restaurant. I applied for the post of a server and I got accepted. Luckily, I was asked to start immediately. Serving customers wasn't as stressful as I thought. At least, not until the second week.
There was this guy that always came to the restaurant for lunch. He placed his order. I served him a plate of hamburger, fries and an energy drink as ordered. About to leave, he held me back.
"What's it?" I asked mentally, as my eyebrows pulled up and furrowed at his. He pulled me forward again and his gray-blue eyes met mine.
Leaning so close, I perceived his beautiful scent of flower and earth. All I could think of was Damon and my body respond to his unexpected touch. I jerked away, he held me tighter. As if it was only the both hands of us there.
"Meet me outside in 5 minutes." With the look in his eyes, I couldn't help but to feel offended.
"W...why?" I stuttered, not knowing what else to say.
A sexy smirk spread on his full lips and he loosen the grip. I walked away, with my heart racing so heart. My cheeks turned red as I returned with the tray to serve other customers.
'I didn't know this guy. What have I gotten myself into?' The thought hunted me mentally while I avoided his mysterious gaze.
Five minutes later, he stepped out of the restaurant and sat in his Jeep. It was a shiny, black Jaguar F-type. He waited in it and I couldn't help but to feel tortured. The heat in my heart risen as a single sweat trickled down my neck. The guilty conscience was killing me.
'What if he does something unexpected. Guys like that would stop at nothing until they get what they want.' I swallowed down the burning pressure and decided to check on him.
Getting to his car, I gently tapped on his tinted windows and he opened the door for me. With courage, I entered. Closed the door behind me and took the passenger's seat.
His car froze inside, with his air conditioner on. One could perceive the strawberry fragrance of his classy vehicle, it did not move me a bit. Sitting beside him, He took off his dark shades and placed it in the side pocket of his black leather jacket. I realized the awkward silence and a shivering sigh escaped my lips.
"What took you so long?" He raised a thick eyebrow at me.
I just looked away, hoping no one was watching. "Who are you and what do you want?"
"I'm Jackson Ryder, but you can call me Jack. This is my card, just in case you want to meet up. We can talk and hang out during weekends." He deepened his hand into his side pocket and handed me a white printed card. I could feel the villain vibes coming from him.
"Like I asked.... Jack. What do you want from me?"
A mysterious grin formed on his lips as he focused his gaze on mine. He placed his hand on my thigh and squeezed it. I felt my heartbeats, racing a million times per second.
"I know you're not so innocent, so. I would just go straight to the point." With Jack's fixated grey eyes, he nibbled softly on his lower lips. I raised my gaze at him and felt his hot, minty breath against my skin. Then he tightened the grip. His fingers crawled up between my lap.
"It's been a week now. I'd had my eyes on you and I feel you're the one. You're the one for me, darling."
"As you can see, I'm heavily pregnant." I placed my hand on my belly and stared at his hand. "I have a husband."
"I know." He said reluctantly. "Your manager already told me about it."
"About what?"
"That your CEO husband ditched you. I'm sure he's with someone else as we speak so... Why don't you give me a chance? I want a serious relationship with you, Adeline."
"It's not Adeline." I corrected with held breaths. "My name is Adelaide."
"Oh, Adelaide it is." Jack blushed vividly. "That must have skipped my mind."
Abruptly, Jack's hand trailed on my breast. And he tenderly pressed my nipple into a circular motion. Even with my bra on, he knew exactly where to touch. I teased my head to the headrest and held unto my breath. Jack then grabbed my trembling shoulders firmly to make them steady. A hot sigh tore through my chest. He gently leaned in and to take a bite of the kiss.
In an instant, a rush of blood soared in my ears and my nails grabbed his raven black hair. I smashed his head out of the side window and it shattered on his head. Making him bleed from his forehead and nostrils.
"Ugh! Fuck you, bitch!" Jack grunted in pain and swiftly pulled a gun out of his glove box, I twisted his hand backwards.
"Look into my eyes, you motherfucker!" I grabbed the top of his shirt while he choked hard on his breaths. "I'm not your type and I would never be! If you do this again with me or with any of my colleagues. Without thinking twice, I would take your life. I'm a pregnant woman doesn't mean I'm an idiot!" I smashed his head against the steering wheel again and it made his car horn.
"Serious relationship, my foot!" I hissed at him and went back into Mac Donald's Restaurant, where I worked.
"We are you coming from? What took you so long" The manager, Mr. Willy, squinted his eyes at me. "Is that blood stain in your hand?"
About to answer him. I heard a loud ring in my ears as my vision suddenly turned blur. I held my head in pain and all I could hear was his echoing voice in my head.
"What's wrong with you? Are you okay?"
As I closed my eyes to gain stamina, the floor reeled before me and dark doodling clouded my vision.
A striking pain struck through my spine, and I felt the wetness between my legs. I didn't bother to look at it because I perceive the smell of blood.
I don't know what happened next. I just blacked out.
I woke up the next day, and Elvira brought me home. Immediately we got home, I took a seat on the sofa to rest, but the look on my friend's face looked different. As if it pissed her about something.
"Elvira, you look-"
"Don't call me, Ally!" she cut into my words. "Don't dare call my name! Tell me, what's your problem, woman? You've been acting weird since Damon ditched you! Honestly speaking, you are a disgrace to me. If you're not ashamed of this, I'm ashamed of you! Imagine my best friend working as a server!"
My gaze raised at Elvira as her voice heightened. Elvira has never raised her voice at me but now. Even though I'm a month older than she is, we treated ourselves with so much love and respect, but now, reverse is the case.
"Wait, don't you have any pride? No, that was the limit! You didn't just bring yourself down, you're brought the both of us down! I expected better from you!"
"Imagine if Damon walked into that restaurant with any of the sluts he goes out with. How would you have the mind to serve them? Or what would you do? Beg for him to accept you and your baby? If no one has ever told you, I'd tell you now that you're embarrassing me! Don't you know who we are on this street? Even if you don't tell me, I know you lost your job as an assistant editor, but that doesn't mean you have to downgrade yourself to this level! We are people of respect, and now you've brought us shame!" She urged.
The words didn't come, but I thought of what to say to defend myself. I knew she was angry. I understood she was angry. Her words made me more guilty. I never thought she'd react to it like this. I never wanted her to find out like this, either.
"Tell me, what do you want exactly? Tell me if I've for once asked you to pay for the rent, or for electricity bills? Have I ever asked you to pay for the food or water we consume? What have I ever asked of you? Did I say you're an inconvenience? You know how risky it is and what trouble we've been through in the last eight months! And what you think of, is working as a server or a saleswoman on my street? It's embarrassing! Suddenly, they'll say it's over for us! That we are unsuccessful now that Damon- has dumped you!" She stopped at the words, noticing my mood.
Listening to her, I grabbed my hair. I didn't know what to do or feel or even say, but with Elvira's words? I felt broken. No matter what I do or how hard I try. I'm still going to remain wrong and imperfect. A single tear trickled down my eyes. I sniffled and held back the painful feeling. I hated my situation. I just held my head and kept quiet.
"A.. actually, I didn't mean to snap at you like that. I'm sorry." She stammered and walked up to me.
"I didn't mean to hurt you, Ally. You deserve better. I know that." She gently placed her hand on my shoulder and I took off my hand from my head.
"I understand your situation. Don't be angry with me." Her voice cracked.
A quick intake of breath followed my lips as I looked up at her. Tears collected in my eyelashes made it difficult for me to see clearly. I took a blink, and the held tears flowed down my cheeks like the river escaping a dam. A hot sigh tore through my chest as I bled from the pain.
Elvira adjusted my hair and turned to me. "You know where I'm coming from. You know where we are both coming from. I know we weren't born with a silver spoon in our mouths, and I know how much you've sacrificed for me. The days we went to bed, hungry and the days you studied under the streetlights. You are a successful writer, Adelaide. Someone of your status, of your calibre, serving as an errand girl? What I'm shooting at is, I don't want you to get more depressed. You are a fighter and you deserve more happiness."
"Things get difficult." I mumbled on my words but more tears spilled. "Who am I impressing? Do you think I hate myself? I just want to live."
"I understand, bestie. Let me tell you something. This is just a phase and it will pass. A positive mindset brings positive things. You believe that what is coming is better than what is gone." She held my hands into hers and her words hits me differently.
"Like I've always told you, that in whatever situation you find yourself. Never lose hope. These won't last forever, Ally. Better days are coming and soon. We've been friends for over two decades now, so don't think I'd ever leave or forget you, even for a minute. You're my best friend, Ally. We're more than friends, we're sisters. So, we are in this together. We will fight through this. You're not alone. Don't forget that. Being stressed might cause a miscarriage, you know how difficult it is to get pregnant. Whether accepted or rejected, this is our only hope." She wiped away my tears and held me in a soft hug.
"I know." My voice crackled.
Tears spilled over the side of her eyes, but she wiped it off with her thumb, so I won't notice. She sniffled silently, hiding her emotions, too.
We held each other from the hug, and I caught a bright smile on her face. Elvira was a little slim, but she had chubby checks just like mine. She planted a soft kiss on my forehead and I reacted to it wish a blush.
“Sometimes, I think you're too beautiful to cry.” She said to me. “I love you.”
“I know, Elvie.” I pressed my lips together and swallowed nervously on my tears.
"Uh-oh, running out of breath, but I
Oh, I, I got stamina
Uh-oh, running now, I close my eyes
Well, oh, I got stamina
And uh-oh, I see another mountain to climb
But I, I, I got stamina
Uh-oh, I need another lover, be mine
Cause I, I, I got stamina
Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no
Don't give up, I won't give up
Don't give up, no no no" She sang the song and I couldn't help but to chuckle.
'The Greatest' by Sia was one of her favorite songs. Elvira was a pain in the neck, but she could be cute whenever she wants to.