3
"Nervous?" I asked Ben with a smile.
"I am." Ben nervously smiles back but with eagerness in his eyes.
"You'll be doing great on your first day baby. You always do."
When we arrive at his school, I held his hand tight as we walk together to the building. I can tell he was nervous but he was trying his best not to freak out. I walk him to his classroom and to be honest, I feel like I was much more nervous than Ben when we reached his school. I know how it goes in schools and there are always going to be bullies which is one of the reasons why I am scared about. Ben’s a very nice kid and he’s too good that I am scared other kids will bully him because he doesn’t have a father.
I squat down before him as I push his curly hair off from his forehead. He smiles at me sweetly and kisses my cheek then hugs me.
"Thank you for driving me to school for my first day mommy." He says too adorably that it’s warming my heart.
I kissed his temple and pulled myself away from him as I smile back trying to hide that I am nervous for hi,, "Not a problem baby."
"Will you pick me up after school mom?"
I nod. "Of course sweetheart. Enjoy your first day alright? I love you."
He smiled happily, "I love you too mommy."
"Follow what your teacher tells you, okay?"
Ben nods.
“Be a good boy!” I added.
I stand and watch him as he walks towards his classroom. I am already proud of him even at that age. I tried to tell myself that there were other kids his age so he would probably meet new friends. He always blends in any group of people and always excels in his grades.
Ben is shy at first but I'm sure he'll get along with his classmates the more he spends time with them. Ben is a very patient and cool-headed kid. I taught him about staying grounded and I always taught him to be nice even if to those kids who's not nice to him. I marched my way back to my car and drove to the hospital.
I’m not a registered nurse which is something that I am so proud about myself.
When I was pregnant with Ben and studying in a medical school at the same time, it was the hardest thing I've ever been to. Juggling things all at once was something totally worth thriving for. There were days when I had to control myself from throwing up in the middle of the class or when I am engrossed by the cadavers for our gross anatomy. It was hard. It was terribly and awfully hard for me.
But I know I had to be strong for myself and for my baby that's why I passed all through those trials in my life, all on my own.
I didn't care anymore of what the people were saying about me and against me and who I was. All I cared about was to finish my studies and that was it. I had to face everyone with chin up even though my baby had no father. It was a big issue when I was in college and everyone had bad things to say against me. I couldn't tell people who my baby daddy is. No one would believe me if I tell them.
Also, it would be too risky for me.
If I were in their shoes, I'd do the same thing. I wouldn't believe me either if I say Hugo Saintclare from Satellite Patrol got me pregnant.
Come on, it's Hugo. The name itself is already too precious and too highly respected. People will only think I was doing it for fame.
There were people asking me a lot of things which I also asked myself beore that I still hear in my head such as, did I ever regret conceiving this child? Nope. I love Ben.
Did I hate the fact that I was pregnant by Hugo? Nope. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.
Did I get mad because I got pregnant at a young age? Hell no. Ben is one of the best blessing in my life.
Did I hate Hugo for what happened and what he did to me? No. I couldn't because he doesn't know that he's a father to my child.
I raised Ben all alone for seven years without any form of help from anyone to be a father for Ben. Selfish, I know. I think I can continue on supporting him all by myself until I can have work and I can save my salary. I haven't been in a relationship either because I want my time only focused on Ben and my career. There are some men who doesn't really want women who have kids and I understand that.
"Morning Miranda." Christian, also a nurse, greeted as he walks towards me.
"Morning Chris." I smiled.
"Coffee?" He offers.
"You know the drill.” I smiled. “Thanks."
"You're lucky I bought two."
"You always buy one for me and you never forget it." I joked.
He smiles as we walked together to our station, "How's Ben?" He asks excitedly.
"It's his first day being a first grader today. He was so excited. I was nervous for him." I chuckle.
He joins me. "I'm glad to know that he was excited. Most kids would be afraid. I'm sure he'll be okay. He's gotten bigger now."
"Yeah. It takes a lot of getting use to."
He smiles. "Are you going to pick him up after his class?"
"Yeah. I made a promise to him. You know how he reacts when I say my promises."
"You're such a hardworking mom."
I smile at myself. "I only want what's best for Ben. You know I don't have someone to help me."
He smiles back, "Oh come on, you have me."
I look at him and sometimes I think Christian likes me because he's giving me hints. It was not so hard to see and the other nurses here are aware about it too. They tease him that he is only staying single because he's waiting for a chance from me.
He flashes me a smile, "And your girlfriends too." He adds.
"Thanks.” I answered. “We need to hurry up I heard there's a patient in the O.R by eight."
It's always busy here and that's what I love about my job because as long as I'm busy, I can't think about the time. I don't notice the hours that pass by and I like it a lot. The hospital has always been busy for the past weeks and I don’t want to complain unlike the other nurses around here.
3.5When you’re a nurse, you're always needed in every part of the hospital. Everywhere. It's crazy tiring. But you know, it's a good feeling to be able to help to other people. Seeing them smiling at you and thanking you for things you do for them, it's such an amazing and extremely rewarding feeling. I love helping people just as how it also hurts me seeing a patient expire.Since high school, I wanted to be a nurse by choice because I know I can help my countrymen. I was inspired by the nurses on that movie Pearl Harbor which was really a brave thing for them to do. Ever since after I saw that movie, I wanted to be one someday.Look at me now, a licensed nurse.As the hours pass by, another tiring day came to an end and I hurriedly grabbed all of my stuff to fetch Ben. I got inside my car and drove my way to his school. When I got there, I was right on time when Ben was rushing out from his classroom. I squat down as he rushed into my arms with a smile on his face. He hugs me tight
4Hugo’s blue-green eyes were still staring at me, they look intense but at the same time calm. I think he is trying to figure out where he could have seen me or maybe he knows already about me. Did he already figure out who I am? No, it was seven years ago. There’s no way that he would remember me, that was seven years ago.Relax Miranda.Relax.Don't freak out.I'm sure he doesn't remember you. It has been seven years after what happened to the two of you. I'm sure he won't remember any of that night because I think both of us got insanely drunk.I smiled away my nervousness. "Good evening sir."Sir? I could barf at myself right now for how I address him that after having sex with him. Jesus Christ, my armpits are sweating.I guess we can actually call it as our first proper conversation because I can’t consider something that happened years ago as counted since I was intoxicated. Also, nothing comes to mind when it comes to that sinful night.I still don’t know how I acted.I clea
4.5I feel my pupils dilating after what he said but I quickly recovered from it the moment I realized that I seemed too shock. Miranda, remember he meets millions of people day by day and it’s something that you don’t have to worry about. But then hearing him say that I look familiar makes my heart leap out from my chest. I slightly pulled my arm away from him before he releases me."Sorry for grabbing you." He apologizes right away, while he puts back his hands into his pockets."It's not a big deal, sir." I answered and I still feel awkward addressing him sir.I gaze at my feet and his leather shoes were shiny as fuck that it’s too blinding. I pulled my head back up and stared at Hugo’s luring blue-green eyes which were still glued on mine."Have I seen you somewhere else before?" He asked while furrowing his eyebrows.He looks serious and I am sure he means that. Shit, he recognizes me. He freaking recognizes me!I clipped my opened mouth, "W-well... Some people always have mistak
5Being in one room with Hugo Saintclare again is very unhealthy for a woman like me who has been trying to keep my composure together.After all those years that have happened to me, I could still remember how I woke up that morning and how I got startled when I saw him on top of his own bed, naked with our clothes scattered everywhere on his hotel room floor.And God, of course his goddamn penis. I could never forget the size of that freaking thing not erected.I walked away from Anne's Presidential Suite with a heavy heart and finally felt happy now that my shift is over. I walked to the nurse's lounge to grab my stuff before leaving and tried to shake the thoughts off my head.Maybe this was a sign and chance that I should finally tell Hugo about the whole thing now?I shook the thought out of my head and decided that I shouldn’t do it.He is freaking Hugo Saintclare.Finally, I placed my hair down past my shoulders and tried to finger-comb it. Our hospital’s protocol is to always
5.5Later then I realized that I had no time for fixing my hair back up again. We rushed out of the elevator and noticed that I'm back on the floor where the Presidential suites were found."What are we doing here?" I asked as I try to catch my breath but she was still pulling me."Hurry up or else we're dead." She rushes."There would be someone else who would take care of it right? My shift is over and I don’t think I have more time to stay.” I say like I was rapping.“We need to hurry it’s a VIP!”She claims.“A what?” I gaped. “I thought there's code zero? Wait, you mean a VIP just died and--""We'll be in code zero if I can't bring you with me." She clarifies.."What?" I gaped."Come on!"My hair was completely everywhere. She opens a door right away without me noticing the second we stopped. I looked like a complete shit. Even before I can say anything, she opens a door without even asking me if I agreed to this or not.“Let--”I stiffened the second I saw Hugo standing by the si
6I kept my eyes glued on Mrs. Anne sleeping on her bed, all covered up with the blanket, while I was freezing to death on my wooden seat that I have been sitting on for an hour now because the room is insanely cold. I haven't brought my sweater with me and it is damn freezing in here. I would wish to make the temperature higher but I'm too shy to say anything.We have been quiet for an hour now and I wouldn't want to talk to Hugo because I don't know how to start a conversation with him and he is actually busy too. I wouldn't want to disturb him as well because he looks so focused on his seat. He is really a busy man now as what I've read on the news. He's busy making music, producing music with his own well-known record label and that infamous company of his.But seeing a busy thirty-year-old Hugo working on his laptop makes me think that he has finally matured. He has finally grown up so as his fans. He wasn't the Satellite Patrol lead vocalist who used to sing songs for his fans,
7"I'm not going. That's final." I say."Oh come on Miranda. Don't be such a baby! Maybe fate has led you back to him."I roll my eyes at no one, "Well fate is definitely wrong about this.""No. It's not." She argues.I arched an eyebrow at Vivian who was busy looking for my outfit to wear tonight. "Really. After seven years? And why on earth would that be?" I asked."I don't know. Maybe it's time you need to tell him the truth? That he got you pregnant? That he's the father to Ben?""Shhh, Ben might hear you." I shushed right away.She sighs. "Miranda, I'm your friend for better or for worst."I know where this conversation is going.She continues, “But what and why are you so afraid?”I didn’t answer.“Ben needs a dad." She states and emphasizes on the second word. I know that. "He needs a father's love. And I'm not saying you can't give it to him but it's different when a man is around." She adds."Okay I know that Vivian.” I stare on my hand trying to look for the words to say. “I
7.5Breathe Miranda.Breathe.Goddamn, I can't stop myself from falling in love of what I just heard coming from his delicious plump mouth. Hugo really is the nicest and most thoughtful guy a girl could have."I'm really thankful you came. I thought you were going to be busy tonight." He adds.I smiled back. "It's my day-off today so I have time."He smiles back, damn those dimples I swear to God."You say that you're going back to England?" I asked."Yeah. For work."I nod. "Well I can't believe it's been years since you'd sing to thousands of people with the four other lads."He smiles. "Those were the days."Suddenly his phone started ringing. He quickly pulled it out from his pocket. "I'll take this call." He tells me.I nodded with a smile."Hey honey." Hugo speaks to someone over the phone.Honey.My smile fades.I froze to the word honey. He's calling someone honey. Honey is a term of endearment. Of course it had to be someone special. It won't be his mom, would it? Is he taken
87 T H E A Sebastian committed suicide. He ended his own life with a gun in his head. No one even knew how he had a gun in the first place and no one had any idea he was going to do that. He was supposed to meet Ben and the others tomorrow for a reunion. He was supposed to live a new life after being sentenced in prison for seven years. He was supposed to live in a tropical place and start a new life for himself. He was supposed to live a life filled with dreams now that he is out in prison. Sebastian was supposed to live. I was supposed to forgive him. The autopsy report stated that it happened around twelve midnight which means just a few hours after he left our home. I have never felt so depressed in my entire life that I wasn't even able to tell him a lot of things that I wanted to say. I didnt know what I was exactly feeling, completely lost in my thoughts and emotions after Sebastian's passing. I knew that there was something wrong in his eyes when he talked to me becaus
86T H E A"How have you been?" He asks.Sebastian wore blue, white and light pink plaided top, a pair of faded jeans and a dirty white sneakers. He looked older than the last time I saw him and his hair has gotten longer too. He looked different, but those eyes still frightens me.Those merciless eyes.I couldn't stare at him longer and I had to look away from his gaze. I clear my throat, "I have been well." I answered."I'm really glad that you are." Sebastian tells me."Um, do you want to drink something Sebastian? Tea?" Ben offers.I quickly held his wrist, stopping him from leaving me alone in here and stared into his eyes as I said to him. "Please don't leave me here."Ben stares intently at me before he turns to Sebastian who speaks, "You dont really have to offer me anything."I bite my inner cheek and breathe in some confidence before I faced Sebastian. "What are you doing here?"Sebastian stares at me eagerly."What do you want?" I asked firmly."I came here to see if you ha
85T H E AI couldn't sleep the entire night as I was bothered about Sebastian's release happening in just a few hours.Thoughts were filling and piling inside my head one over the other and I don't know if this was going to let me sleep at all.So I slipped out of the bed where Ben was sleeping soundly and headed out of bedroom to get myself a glass of wine from downstairs. I hate myself when I turn to alcohol every time my thoughts are fogged up and fucked up. I hate when there are questions left unanswered and my solution is alcohol.I hated it.I hated it so much I hate myself too.I finished two glasses of wine and spent almost thirty minutes just sitting on a chair where I tried to drown and sort my troubled thoughts. I finally pulled myself up and headed back to my bedroom only until I saw Xavier heading out of his room, crying. I rushed to his side and wished that he wouldn't smell the stingy scent of alcohol from my breath."Xavier." I cooed. "What happened?""Mommy I had a n
84T H E A“Why didn’t you tell him?”Benedict's question still lingers in my mind.Why didn't I tell Sebastian back in the day?I have been asking myself that same question over and over again for the past couple of years. I used to tell myself that I wasn't ready and I know I wasn't ready. I lied to myself when I said I was ready to confess to him about our child but I was absentmindedly denying the fact that my mind was filled with so many thoughts as soon as I faced Sebastian.When I saw him, I was reminded of how he raped me mercilessly. When I saw him, I was reminded of how dirty of a woman I was. When I saw him, I was reminded of how I didn't want this baby to be born if only it hadn't been for Ben.Ben has always been my rock and my strength after everything that happened to me. All these years, he accepted me no matter what and I have been beyond blessed to have a man like that in my life.That kind of love and care he showed me is going to be something I didn't want to waste
83T H E AI stare at my own reflection in front of the mirror, I gained weight but I look different compared to the old me a few weeks ago. My eyes travelled down to my baby bump and as I turn to my side, I feel more anxiety building in the back of my head. I am not confident enough that I will be a good mother to this baby once it’s out when I know this baby came from a man who I trusted so much but just raped me. My bump is starting to show now and I know I have a lifelong responsibility waiting ahead of me. I just hope I will be responsible enough.I rub my hand over my small tummy then smiled at myself.“You will be fine.” I told my baby.Ben is here for me and for us. He always has. He made everything feel better. He made me better and happier without asking too much in return. He is a very selfless man and I owe him my life. My everything and all that I have left.I breathe out heavily and tucked my hair behind my ears as I stare at myself wearing this white dress and white ba
82B E N E D I C TShe stands by the balcony sliding door, staring at an empty space wearing my shirt and some pajamas. Standing here afar from Thea, looking at her, I can see and I can feel that her mind is full. It’s full of endless thoughts and worries. I wish I could take some from her restless bothered thoughts and I wish I could help her with what she is going through.Thea is strong but I don’t want her to have another breakdown. I hope I can share the pain and confusions she is going through right now. I wish, at least I could make her happy despite of what has happened lately.But I don’t know what to do as well.I am bothered too, restless, anxious, troubled and angry. I still have this growing hate in me and unwillingness to befriend Sebastian.I hate him.I walk towards Thea and wrapped my arms around her. She didn’t budge but still sets her eyes out the window. “There are no stars tonight.” I say.She sighs heavily.“Aren’t you hungry sweetheart?” I ask.She didn’t answer
81B E N E D I C T“The CEO of Saintclare Enterprises , finally off the market!!”I read mentally the newspaper’s headlines as soon as I got into my office. I scan through the magazines which were also over my desk, and the headlines were also all about me.I sigh. “I knew this was gonna come out first thing in the morning.”The phone on top of my desk rings, I quickly picked it up, “Yes.”“Mr. Saintclare everyone is calling in for an interview with you. They’re all asking if you have any available time.” I can hear telephones ringing from my secretary’s background.“Cancel all interviews. Tell them I have a busy schedule up until next week.” I hung up.Suddenly the phone in my pocket rings. I stare at the screen and it was Mrs. Brown, my PR.I sigh as I answer, “I know what you’re going to say.”“It’s everywhere. My phone has been ringing since six o’clock this morning. I don’t know what to answer them.”“Did you say anything about Thea?”“No. Not unless you tell me to. I’m only wait
80BENEDICTI stare at Thea, and she has been looking out of the window for minutes now. I know she still has a lot of things in mind with what has happened lately and I’m sure she’s tired of thinking about it too. She has talked to Khaleel and I have had talked to him too. Despite her past, we wanted to keep it to ourselves than letting the others know about it. They wouldn’t understand what she went through to survive and it isn’t our story to tell.I have asked myself a couple of times why she had to choose such job but then I didn’t have the courage to ask her. I don’t want her to feel bad about herself and the more I ask about her past, the more she would think it bothers me.Honestly, it has been in the past and we all have had done crazy shit a thing or two. All of us deserves a second chance and women like Thea who strives hard to change herself to become a better woman deserves more than that. I am proud of her and she knows it.A smile creeps on her face as soon as I rubbed
79THEASometimes, in our lives there are instances when you just want to disappear because of awkward situations or embarrassing moments. And right now, that’s what I want to happen. I want to teleport to another place far from here.It feels like everything inside my system malfunctioned and brain feels dead. I have never felt more disgusted of myself and my past than how Sebastian is embarrassing me right now in front of Ben. No one has ever made me feel so little of myself, only Sebastian.This bastard. This one of a hell man. I wish he dies.My tears were just flowing from my closed eyes and I feel this growing pain against my chest. I try to breathe in but the pain grows as I exhale so I remained quiet. I don’t want to face anyone or see how they look at me with disgust and filth. I just want to disappear like one pop of a bubble or run out of this house and never look back.But I cant, I know I have to face them now. I have to face Khaleel. I have to face Benedict even if it’s