JADE “WHAT?!” Antonio and I say at the same time. The doctor looks between us, clearly confused. “I—I’m sorry doctor, but there must have been some kind of mistake.” I stuttered through the words. I couldn’t believe this. No. No. No. It can’t be real. It just cannot be real. She looked down at the tablet, like she was reading through something, then she faced me and she nodded slowly. “There is no mistake ma’am. You are pregnant.” If it was possible for my heart to stop while I remained alive, then I would tell you my heart just stopped, for the second time, even. “We could do an ultrasound if it’ll make it easier for you to understand?” She sounded so unsure, I didn’t know who nodded between Antonio and I. I would go out on a limb here and say it was him, because I can’t even get my mind to think straight thoughts, talk less of a coherent understandable response. “Are you okay?” Antonio’s voice was soft, breaking though the still ringing I was hearing in my head. I looked du
JADEThe room was so quiet, you could hear if a pin dropped. We all had the same expressions. Or at least, I know had a horrified expression, dad looked deep in thought and Ray was confused, above all else. And Aidan, he looks like he is far away in thought and Antonio, I couldn’t even tell what he looked like, because I have been avoiding his gaze.“If the doctor clears you, we can go home.” Antonio read the silence.Instinctively, I looked up at him and saw how he was watching me. There wasn’t contempt or any of the tother emotions I thought he would have. He looked normal.“I don’t assume you would want to stay here much longer.” I nodded.He was right about that. I was tired of the entire hospital. The smell, the white walls. All of it was making me even more sick.“i’ll speak to the doctor. She can come and look after you at home.”“There would be no—““Let her come.” Dad interrupted me with a reassuring nod. “We’ll wait for you in the car.”Antonio nodded and walked out of the r
**ATLAS**“Don’t say anything.” I growled at Andrew who raised both his hands up in surrender. He looked like he had many things to ask but my warning made him think twice about it. Good for him. I wouldn’t feel anything like guilt if I bash his face in right now. In fact, I’m actually hoping to do that. “You don’t look very happy, is all.” He muttered and got up to walk out of the room. I thought of stopping him. But that would be the worst decision since I know that he would piss me off. I let him walk out while I went and stood by the window. Not feeling at all great about the great view the hotel offered. I remembered choosing this room with the thought of Jade liking her when I got her to come to back with her. I know it was a little hopeful. But that’s Jade. I’ve known her since we were teenagers. She isn’t that stubborn and she is forgiving. I at least expected her to give me a listening ear. It has been a day since she left me in the hallway of that restaurant while she
JADE “You’re still in bed?” Jay grumbled, walking further into my bedroom. “Turn the lights off.” I croaked, trying to pull the covers over my head. Apparently, I couldn’t even get a moment of peace ad stew in the dark because she would come and bother me. She didn’t look at all sorry either. “Jay, please.” I groaned, holding a hand up in a pleading way. Which she ignored of course. The heartless thing. “No, I am not going to lie you keep wallowing in self pity.” She places her hands on her waist, looking down at me like a disapproving mother. I need to ask if she has forgotten who is older because she likes to act like my boss. “I am not wallowing in self pity.” My argument was weak but I was’t wallowing. I’m just taking break from everything and everything until I figure out what I want to do. And so what if I decide to that in bed and in the dark, wearing two days old sweats? That is called, dealing. Not wallowing. “Sure, that makes sense.” The sarcasm couldn’t be missed.
JADE I don’t know why I thought things would be different. And that the way people treat me will change. Or maybe I’ll deal with whispers and side eyes and just many horrendous things. Before I came down, I hadn’t given it much thought. Since I kept telling myself I was staying to reel things. But it was just the fear of rejection. I didn’t know how the pack would act. Though form what I’m seeing, nothing has changed. The chef had smiled when she saw me, so did the housekeeper. None of them mentioned my two days hiatus. Only asked how I was, like they normally would. “I added a special secret for you, tell me how it tastes.” The chef handed e the plate of pancakes with syrup drizzled on top and fruits cut. It already looked perfect and I told him that. “Thank you.” He turned away to hide his blush. “Come on, take a bite.” Giving into his urge, I cut a small piece and took it to my mouth. The first burst of flavour on my tongue made my eyes widen in delight. He laughed seeing tha
JADEThe last place I expected Ray to drag us to as dad’s office. And when I gave her a questioning look, she shrugged and opened the door.After the library, we went back to my apartment where I kept the book. It was large and heavy and I didn’t want to be carrying it all day.“He said he wanted to see you if you come downstairs.”From her words, I’m guessing he didn’t want to make me feel like I was forced to talk to him or leave the room. My heart warmed at that.I smiled when I saw him sitting down at his desk. He was on a call and from the small frown on his lips, I’ll say it is a serous conversation.“Okay, thank you.” He ended the call and kept the phone on the desk.A bright smile bloomed his face, no traces of the frown that had just been there.“Hi, dad.” I greeted, he waked around the table and came to my side. He wrapped his arms around me. Hugging me close like he needed be sure I was there.I hugged him back. Making note of how relaxed and happy I felt in his presence.
ATLASThere was this energy buzzing underneath my skin. The flight back home was certainly better and more enjoyable than when we were going. There wasn’t that sense of uncertainty. I wasn’t rehearsing all I was going to tel Jade when I got to her.Though, she was still on my mind with a new feeling of loss. I couldn’t deny the satisfaction of winning something I’ve wanted all my life overshadowed that. And I was happy. Just happy.So was Andrew. He looked better, like the weight that had been putting him down was lifted. I appreciated all of that.Before we’d left for the airport, my phone had started ringing nonstop. Everyone was calling to either congratulate or ask if it really was true/. My mother was ecstatic. I was shocked when I saw her call. She nevercally me. What she usually chose to do was just show up where she knows I’ll be if she wanted to talk to me.We got into the car and talked about the changed that will happen while on the drive home. Andrew said he would have to
ATLAS“Hi,” she said, looking around the office hesitantly. Like she was’t sure she was welcome.I haven’t spoken to her and as much as just seeing her reminds me of her betrayal. I see her with Damien and it is the worst thing ever. Because everything aside, she was my friend even before we started dating. And she knew him when I was in training school and how much I disliked him.“Are you busy?” She asked, staring down at her feet.I huffed out a breath and nodded. We’ll have to talk ether way and now is as much a good time as any.“Come on,” I pointed to the chair and she slowly walked and lowered herself into the chair, looking very uncomfortable.I stared at her, noticing the dark bags under her eyes. Proof of lack of sleep. She didn’t have any makeup on, her usual red lipstick was out of sight. I couldn’t remember the last time I saw her this bare faced. I’d even almost forgotten the colour of her lips. Pale pink.She was really beautify. Even without the ten pounds of makeup sh