4

In the next few days at the hotel, my loneliness and poor health was crippling. Also, I was running out of cash. The few friends I had were an extension of Simon's and I couldn't reach out to them for support. I had to call Celine, my best friend, whom we haven't spoken for sometime because of an argument. I should have reached out to her before now but the thought of Simon occupied my mind.

I took a deep breath as I dialed her number. She picked up at the first ring. My breath hitched, heart racing with anticipation.

"Meghan, I thought you weren't going to call me." Her soft voice reached my ears.

"I'm sorry," was all I could say.

After a breather, she spoke. "Your voice, it doesn't like you're okay. I just can't place a finger on it-"

I broke into a sob, instinctively wiping my eyes with my hands. "Simon divorced me." 

"Are you serious?" Celine questioned, clearly shocked. "Wait, where are you?"

After revealing my location, she agreed to come over.

-

"You said you've been feeling this way for a while, don't you think we should run a test at the hospital?" Celine suggested, sitting opposite me on the king-sized bed.

I scratched my neck. "I'm trying to manage the little money left with me so I haven't considered going to the hospital."

"Simon left you stranded? He's such a wicked man."

"Actually I refused to collect the money he offered me." I frowned, as the memories of that day kept flooding my mind.

"Yeah if you had you would have proven his mother right."

"Enough of Simon please." I raced to the bathroom sink, releasing the contents of my stomach. I don't think I was ready to unpack my emotions regarding everything that had happened.

Celine stood up, glancing at her wristwatch. "You're going to get tested now."

"What?"

"I'll foot the bills, Meghan."

-

"You're pregnant."

The revelation came with a whirlwind of emotions that crushed my soul. Children were normally a thing of joy for people but I couldn't lie, joy was far from what I felt. I panicked, strings of worry attaching itself to me. How would I take care of the child, I had no support from anyone. I don't want to be a source of bother for Celine.

As if she knew what I felt, she intertwined my fingers with hers. "You'll be okay."

That was a lie, how was I going to be okay? I couldn't even fend for myself, how would I raise a baby. Seeking support from Simon was the last thing I wanted to do right now because he wouldn't let me raise my child and I'd rather die than let another woman raise my first fruit. With the way Madam Eleanor hated me, I was very certain the hatred would be transferred to my child. If I spoke to anyone we both knew about my financial condition, I'm pretty sure they were going to tell him. I didn't want that. 

"Thank you doctor," Celine appreciated him after he finished his long talk of dos and don'ts during this stage of the pregnancy. I didn't listen to either of them because I was too busy with my thoughts.

As we headed home, Celine kept on offering words of encouragement.

"You don't even get it, for how long will I continue staying in the hotel?" I asked, my eyes mist with tears. "I can't even go back home."

"You need to calm down and have a positive mindset that everything will be okay." Celine squeezed my hands. "I've spoken to a friend of mine and he has agreed to let you in one of his apartments for a while before you start paying your rent."

"Thank you," I muttered, squeezing her hands tighter. 

"Listen Meghan, you're going to have this child and make something out of your life, you'll put everyone who thought you were going to fail to shame..."

"How?" That was my plan but now that a baby had entered the mix, I wasn't sure anymore.

"You don't plan on asking Simon for anything right? Then that should motivate you."

Realising that if he sees me weak like this would make him feel like he had won over me gave me a dose of confidence. Unlike what he thought, I could thrive without him and I will.

"I think I have an idea."

-

"You should take this piece for $10," I bargained with a customer who scrutinized the handmade bead bracelet.

"Ma'am I don't think it's worth it." The woman with the ponytail responded.

"Okay how much are you willing to pay? I have some gold jewellery I'm willing to sell too." The jewelry was given to me by Simon's grandmother, since it was the only thing of value I had to sell it. When I told Celine about this plan of selling handmade jewelry and thrifting some of the gold jewelry I got from Simon's grandmother, she introduced me to Miss carly who owned the jewelry stall.

"I can only pay-"

"Excuse me, did you make this?" The masculine voice and strong scent of oud reached me before I could see the face of the man who just worked into the store.

"Yes sir, I did." I turned around to see the tall man with a strong lean physique, his piercing blue eyes fringed with thick lashes introspecting the bracelet. His dark slightly tousled and perfectly messy hair shone under the light. He took powerful strides towards us as he shoved his hands into his pocket.

"These are beautiful designs, do you sell them?" He asked, his voice firm as his eyes crinkled in administration.

"Yes she does."

 Miss Carly responded on my behalf. "Sir we have new designs here, I could show you around."

He ignored her, fixing his gaze on him. "Forgive my manners, I'm henry."

"Meghan."

"Do you currently work anywhere as a Jeweler?"

"No I don't."

"I think you'll be a great addition to my firm," he nodded, handing me a business card. "I have somewhere to be right away, give me a call."

My heart leapt in excitement as I clutched the card. "Yes sir, I will."

"Wow just like that?" Miss carly asked clearly happy for me.

"Yes!" I yelled, then a sharp pain pierced through my stomach. "My stomach..."

"Ah," I gasped. "I think I'm about to..."