Chapter 10

            LEONA

Three months later...

"Am sorry Miss Leona but you can't work at this bar again. You're pregnant and you really need your rest otherwise you might lose your baby." The director at the bar said.

But I really want to get rid of it. I have no intentions of keeping this baby so I'll be glad if I don't give birth to it.

I had gone to get an abortion the day I woke up on a hospital bed. That was three months ago.

My only aim was to get rid of it but it wasn't possible.

I was told that I might die if I attempt to abort it or probably won't be able to give birth again... Tragic.

Dying was not an option because I still got a family who's expecting a lot from me even though I got thrown out.

Giving birth wasn't an option either but it is better than risking my life. So I decided to give birth to it but give it up for adoption soon after.

Besides, I didn't have money for abortion too and that also was a factor.

I didn't bother going back to my brother's hostel since I knew not the road and I wouldn't have even if I could, considering what his friend almost did to me.

I tried going back but I couldn't find my way though. I only ended up getting more lost.

I was more like Alice in Wonderland when I got to a certain part of the city.

New York is a big city and since I hardly moved out of my room, I found it difficult.

After a long day of trying to find my way back, I got tired and hungry. Anybody I asked for help didn't spare me a glance.

After two days of staying hungry and being extremely exhausted, I ended up finding jobs.

No one wanted to employ me for even manual work because of how tired and dirty I looked.

I have stayed on the streets without food or shelter. You can imagine how I will look with this pregnancy as well.

The mosquitoes didn't spare me at night either.

It was a horrible experience and I wouldn't like to go back to it. I started looking for work with the little strength left in me.

It was then I saw a vacancy poster of a bar needing waiters.

With the help of people, I was able to locate the bar and after so many persuasions, I managed to convince the manager that I can handle the job.

I was allowed to have a bath and for the first time in three days, I had a bath. I was taken to the changing room and was given a uniform to wear. After that, I had my meal. It wasn't a great meal but I enjoyed it as if it was one.

I still felt weak after all that but it was okay compared to how I was before.

I started work that day and by the end of the day, the director was impressed with how hardworking I was.

And gave me the job fully. I was paid $20 dollars daily. It wasn't much but I was grateful.

I still stayed on the streets though and served as a meal for mosquitoes every night because I had nowhere to stay.

After a month, I managed to save 620 dollars and used it to rent a small apartment worth 500 dollars every month. The rest of the 120 dollars was used for feeding.

I was practically leaving from hand to mouth but it was better than before.

My baby bump has also started to pop out little by little but I managed to hide it.

I was in my three months now and unfortunately for me, I had a blackout yesterday when I was about to close.

I think that was how the director got to know that I was pregnant. 

I just arrived at work this morning and he's telling me that he can't allow me to work again because  I was pregnant.

"I really wanna work here sir. I can't think of any other place to work other than here. Besides, I'm not complaining." I tried to convince him.

"Miss Grande, this place is not an environment for pregnant women. You fainted yesterday probably out of exhaustion and I'm sure this won't be the last. You can endanger you and your child's life all you want but I'm not ready to face any problems because of your foolishness. The doctor even said you need a break to rest properly. If I had known from the beginning, I wouldn't have employed you. So please leave." With that, he left my side.

I just came to work this morning thinking that I'll be making a few bucks but everything just went wrong and it's all because of this pregnancy.

I turned my back and walked back slowly to my small apartment. It wasn't far from the bar so I always walked.

After some time, I reached and walked into the small empty room. I didn't bother changing since I was in a loose top and jeans.

There was nothing in the small room apart from my bedsheets and a blanket as well as my toiletries. I also bought one ante-natal dress to hide my bump. I always wore work clothes so I didn't mind getting extra clothes.

I laid the bedsheets on the floor and laid down.

I soon drifted off into a deep slumber once my body touched the sheets though it wasn't comfortable enough. 

I woke up when I heard a loud knock on my door.

I got up and opened it only to see my landlord. I remembered instantly that the monthly rent fee was due tomorrow.

"I'll settle you tomorrow," I said, thinking that he came because of the money.

"I didn't come for that even though I'm still gonna take it. I came because someone has already taken up this room and a year's fee. Which means you'll have to evacuate this place just tonight!"

I stumbled back as my mouth hangs open and all my joints went numb.

How am I to get another house in just a day with no penny?

What I have here won't even last my feeding for two days.

"Can't you do anything about this for me, please? You can let me leave after I've got another place."

"This is my property and you don't tell me what to do and what not to." He snapped and left.

I locked the door and went out in search of another job. I really can't sleep on the street again.

As usual, no one was ready to accept me.

I kept walking till my tired feet couldn't carry me anymore. I found a quiet spot and decided to rest for a while and continue later.

After some time, when my limbs have relaxed and my breathing has evened, I got up and began walking in another direction.

Damn these hormones! I still felt more tired than ever.

Maybe I should just go home and plead for the landlord to have mercy and give me some time to get a job and pay back.

If only I had Raymond's number, then I would've just called him so he can meet me with my certificates.

I set off on my journey back home. I kept walking but couldn't see my apartment in sight. It was only then I realized how far I've walked from it.

I kept on walking and by the time I spotted my apartment, it was almost dark.

My heart kept beating unusually the closer I got. Something didn't seem alright and it was as if something was going to happen to someone or probably me.

Whatever it was, my instinct wasn't giving me a positive vibe.

The moment I got to the door, something was thrown at my face which I later realized was my blankets.

There was no gate on the house so those who were passing by stopped to watch while some minded their business.

I know that it wasn't my landlord's fault and I have no right to say anything against him so I just picked the things up one after the other and packed them into my plastic nylon bag.

This is really a curse, this child is a curse to me and he's to be blamed for everything.

Even though he or she is not yet born, I hate it with passion and with every ounce in my body.

"Won't you at least listen to what I have to say?" I tried to say.

"Do you have the money for the house now? No right? That's why you need to leave." He placed a hand on his waist in a ladylike manner.

If this wasn't a serious issue, I'd have laughed at how my landlord was acting like a landlady.

But right now, nothing is funny. There's a high possibility that I'd spend the night on the street which is not funny.

My hair loosened as I stood with the nylon in hand. I used my hand to brush it up along with the freckles but in the course of doing that, I stumbled and fell.

I tried to get up but felt a sharp pain in my abdomen. I whimpered.  The pain reduced a little so I decided to get up but before I could do that, someone helped me by the elbow and got me up.

When I was on my feet, I saw a man in a dark suit towering in front of me.

"Thanks," I murmured.

He just nodded.

An expensive-looking car which has been parked in front of the house opened to reveal a man. I heard gasps from those passed by while some coiled in what seems to be fear. Even my landlord wasn't exempted. He started taking a step back.

Those who had gathered to watch the drama left fearfully and I wondered who the man was.

I lifted my gaze to look at him but he roared suddenly in a deep monotonous British accent which caused goosebumps to develop on my skin.

I looked down since I had not the courage to look at who the owner of that fearful voice was.

"Don't dare take a step back, Mr. Bilson." That was what he said and he was referring to my landlord.

His voice commanded respect and was very cold and mean. It was the type of voice that sent chills in every part of your body.

"I'm... sorry ..sir, it wasn't intentional." My landlord pleaded.

With the way he spoke and how he managed to make his mere presence scary to the people, it was obvious that the people knew him very well.

"Will you call sending an innocent girl out as not intentional? Don't try to delude me, Bilson. You already know what I'm capable of or would you need me to demonstrate it?" His powerful yet quiet voice rumbled.

Did I hear correctly? Was he actually speaking for me? Standing up for me? He doesn't even know me? Is that how generous he can be?

I was forced to look up at him but regretted the moment I did.

This dude was insanely handsome and probably the most beautiful creature I've ever seen even though his demeanor was very cold.

He wasn't dressed in a suit but casual, more like a bad boy's dressing but you can deduce that he was fucken loaded.

Mr. Bilson ran forward and grabbed my bag from my hands and rushed to my door to open it and put it back.

My mouth hung loose. Who the fuck is this dude with a thick British accent?

I lifted my gaze once more and my eyes met with his cold and icy blue-green eyes. It was so intimidating that I almost pee in my pants.

I began to shake vigorously like a fish out of water when he began to walk towards me.

Oh my God! I will die if he comes anymore closer.

He was too dangerous for my liking. 

My heart beats uncontrollably against my chest and I begin to hyperventilate.

My breathing quickened so fast that I couldn't breathe anymore. I could see my chest rising up and down vigorously.

I lost my breath suddenly and my legs gave way under me but before I could make it to the ground he took a swift step towards me and I landed in his arms and that did it.

Being in his arms was all it takes for me to blackout.

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