Chapter 3

 BEGOTTEN AND ASTRAYED 

At the veranda, Fredo wrapped Liana's waist with lots of smiles exposed on his face...he wasn't able to hide a bit of it

"Tell me,why do you feel so joyful ? That I'm pregnant for you huh ? ", Liana questioned him

He wiped away the tears on her cheek with his bare palm

"Yes Liana, I am the most happiest man on earth….

"Everything has a reason Fredo, remember your family rejected me...not that I'm not happy that I'm bearing your child, but that's because your family Will never accept me even though I'm pregnant... how can we get married when your family aren't in support of it…. Vilfredo,I am an orphan...what if you leave me and the baby..? ", She screeched out in pains letting tears flow down her cheeks

He placed a passionate kiss on her lips, " stop sounding this way... look into my eyes and tell me from the depth of your heart... promise me that my family will never bring an end to our love.."

" I love you so much Fredo,but will never sound good if you reject me and the baby at last ", she stated amidst tears

Vilfredo gripped her palm so tight, " my younger brother is married but without a child and my parents are in a haste of having a grandchild from the two of us...but majorly from me... that's because my first child will take over the company after me. All this while,my parents have been in sorrow, but you've brought forth joy in my family "

" You mean your family will accept me with the pregnancy ? ", She enquired

He nodded with a smile, " Emeliana, you're bearing the one and only heiress to the Zoren's family...she that will take over the Zoren's wealth after me. She will be named after my grandmother, MARICAR "

Liana felt baffled, she stared at her stomach and then looked up to Fredo again

" This pregnancy is not up to two months, how then are you aware that I'm bearing a female ? ", she referred to him curiously

" Grandma called me secretly before she gave up the ghost, telling me that my first child will be a female and should be named after her ", he explained

Emeliana nodded while her eyes affixed on his chest, " let's go in, I'll need to have a rest "

He lifted her into his arms and then strode into the building straight to her bedroom

Liana slept off within minutes and he had the chores done alone after which he prepared her meal

When he was about to leave, he ascertained how flaccid she felt, not even a single strength was found in her

That alone made him change his mind to spend the night with her since the next day is the end of the week

He has her seated comfortably on his thighs while he slowly fed her

Liana felt haunted that he's still around but he assured her of everything to be fine

****************

Around 8am in the morning, the both left to go meet his family

Despite the assurance given to her by Fredo, she still panicked in fear of being threw out again

All she had concluded is to take away her life If the family ever regrets her the pregnancy

Even if she will regretted, but the baby should be taken care of by the family

Certain times she glances at Vilfred, she founds him smiling

*************************

The male housekeeper exchanged pleasantries with Vilfred before he stepped into the sitting room while wrapping Liana's waist

The anger that appeared on the faces of his family were so vivid

But that's not what he's after, the news must be told

"Only if I strangle her to death with my bare hands, you'll let her out of your life ", Mr Antonio referred to Vilfred annoyingly

He stretched his lips into a slight smile, " let everything be kept aside Dad, Emeliana is bearing my baby...I need us to get married within weeks "

Giberto stood from his seat forcefully expressing the exciting feeling on his face

"You mean we're going to have a child in this family huh ? ", He referred to his brother

"Yeah ! I'm also expecting such news from you soonest ", he stated and the both embrace each other

From that exact day, Liana was warmly welcomed into the family, every step she takes was protected

After two weeks had elapsed, it was announced round the country of the wedding occasion

The family was so overwhelmed with joy

************************

The humming sound of a music was heard towards the kitchen, Joana knew it's her friend

"Candida, Candida...why not respond to my call ", Joana sputtered taking long steps towards the kitchen

Candida dropped the Knife on her palm, she swiveled her neck to get Joana at the doorpost

" Hope everything is fine Miss, don't spoil my mood with your cock and bull stories ", she replied contorting her face

Joana moved towards her taking a seat, " did you attend Vilfredo's wedding occasion, he's married to a lady by name Emeliana "

"Yeah ! I knew he's getting married today and I attended just to capture the face of that silly woman taking my position in his life ", she replied

Joana shuddered, " you know what, it isn't the lady's fault, Fredo just loves her and that's all... so you don't have to blame her "

" Hey ! You're damn crazy for saying that...what the hell do you mean ? That I should seat and watch that wretched fool step on my feet, a poor orphan for that matter. Joana, have you forgotten my level of education, how trained I am ? That lady doesn't in anyway suit my Vilfred. Fredo is mine and will always be ", she shrieked out of anger

Joana got on her feet affixing her palm on her waist, " do you even realize that you're three months pregnant for another man, and you expect Vilfred to get married to you together with the baby. You must be daydreaming "

" Look, let this be a secret between the two of us.. I'm gonna make sure that lady leaves that family for every reason ", she referred to Joana who stared at her with mouth agape

A minute silence fell between them

" How are you going to do that ? Hope you aren't up to commiting murder because of an innocent woman, don't even think of doing that or the Zoren's won't spare your life ", Joana stated to her hearing

She chuckled, " Even if I'm to do that, they will be narrow minded that I'm responsible for it. Anyways, when I'm done with setting up my plans, I'll let you know everything "

Joana nodded and got seated back on the sofa

*********************

Eleven months later

**************************

Emeliana sat and watch her mother in-law clean up the baby, she couldn't believe the woman will ever love her

" A housekeeper said Candida visited you, it's that true ? ", Mrs Lolita enquired from Liana

She licked her lips while nodding slightly, "yeah ! She pleaded of me coming over to take a medicine that will help me become more stronger... I think I'll have to leave in the evening"

"That's good of Candi, are you leaving with Maricar ? ", She referred while staring at her

"Yes mother, she uttered I should come over with her ", Liana replied smiling

Mrs Lolita tapped her cheek, " you know, Candida us Fredo's childhood friend that we thought the both would get married. Despite the love Candi showered on Fredo, he rejected all the offers and never loved her back to the extent of getting married. But that's apart, she's so nice and a cheerful giver"

She rolled her eyes, " really ? Fredo had never told me of that "

"Hey ! Discard it off your mind, just take good care of yourself and the baby okay ", Mrs Lolita remarked

She nodded assuring her of doing so

In the evening, Liana got dressed after her baby...she notified her mother in-law of her leave and then boarded a cab to Candida's residence

There, she was offer a seat...the both sat opposite each other discussing on many issues...but Candi never brought up the topic of Vilfredo

When Liana was about to leave, she handed over to her a container that has three different tablets in it

She made Liana believe it's for lactating mothers and she will get one for herself when in the same state

Liana boarded a cab to the beach where she decided to spend sometime

She made Maricar seat on a baby seater, and then she had one of the three tablets chewed and swallowed

Within minutes,she dozed off into a deep sleep leaving Maricar all alone

After ab hour had elapsed, a hand tapped her leg

She got up with her heart beat faster,but couldn't ascertain the reason behind it

Her eyes darted round the corner in search of Maricar, but she was nowhere to be found

Her heart sank into her belly

"Joana,did you see Maricar when you came over here ? ", She questioned Joana curiously

She shook her head, " oh no ! I didn't, I was so baffled seeing you laid on the floor "

"Maricar, Maricar... Maricar... where are you my baby ", she yelled out amidst tears while searching round the corners

For over thirty minutes, Maricar was nowhere to be found

"Emeliana, you're bearing the great and only heiress to the Zoren's family, she that will take over the Zoren's wealth after me.. she will be named after my grandmother, MARICAR ", the past voice of Vilfredo spoke into her ears again

Hot ball of tears rolled down her cheeks, she swiveled her neck to find out that Joana is missing

Fear and sorrow filled her heart instantly

"Maricar my baby, my heiress please where are you ? ", She continuously screamed out in pains

She grabbed her phone from her pocket and contacted Fredo explaining the details of all that happened

All that roamed in her mind is the action the Zoren's will take towards her on hearing this awkward news