Chapter 07

Stella didn't think of how much damage Charles' words are but now she does. Two weeks had passed and she still can't find a job, not even online. Some other companies needed more qualifications so there were not that many choices for her.

If this continues, she will have to withdraw money from her savings and that's not good at all. Even though Charles is nowhere to be seen, he is still causing her the biggest trouble.

Those are not the only problem she has. Her period has not come yet. It should have started two days ago since it usually starts in the first week of each month. It makes her nervous.

Lately, she's been feeling nauseous without needing to vomit. There's something wrong with her but she didn't want to think about being pregnant cause it'd be the worst scenario.

"I'm just stressed out! I'm just tired!" she tells herself. But the more she denies it, the more her mind is troubled.

For her, it's embarrassing to buy a pregnancy test kit. But the thought that she's pregnant clings in her mind. What will she do then? She would not dare tell that pervert. She would rather raise the kid alone.

The question is, can she? With her current situation, there's no way she can give the child a good life. A life that she never had.

During the night, Stella couldn't help it anymore and went out to buy a pregnancy test kit. On the counter, her hands were sweating but she tried to be brave handing the money over to the cashier.

After it, she started walking away when at the store entrance, she bumped into someone. When she looked up, she saw a familiar face but can't seem to remember where she saw him.

"My apologies," the young man told her, picking up the transparent plastic bag.

Stella saw how he paused halfway and so she quickly bend down, snatching the plastic bag. "I'm sorry," she muttered and storm off the store.

When she was far enough, she stopped and looked back. That man probably thought she was into something out of how she acted. Well, at least the embarrassing part has ended.

In her bathroom, Stella waits nervously for the result. She's been praying silently that it will be negative. Honestly, she can't afford to be pregnant at this rate of her life yet!

Six minutes later, Stella looked at the result. She instantly let out a deep sigh, relieved to see no apparent band on the test region. She almost felt guilty for being so happy with the result.

Just as she was properly disposing the things, she felt really sick that she rushed back to the toilet bowl to puke. Stella coughed, catching her breath.

She's not pregnant so why the hell?

Back in her bed, she wipes the sweat on her forehead. Her heart is pounding in anxiousness. These days, she's only been eating noodles so she must be sick of them. Was she food poison from the food place?

The very next morning, Stella felt the same sickness. She's been in the bathroom for ten minutes, not wanting to stand up, afraid that she might feel dizzy and fall.

Moments later, she hears a knock on her door. She ignored it but then the knocking continued getting louder.

"Ugh!" she groans, forcing herself to stand up, weakly walking outside the bathroom and towards the front door.

As soon as she opened it, the image of the devil reflected in her eyes. Her eyebrows instantly furrowed.

"Why are you here?" she grunted.

"I see you're not doing well," he said, smirking at her.

"It's still a no," she uttered, closing the door when it only closed halfway. She looked down and saw his foot then she glance back at him. "Get your foot out."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," he told her. "Just take the deal already."

"Move your foot!" she shouts, her knuckles white from holding the door handle too tight. She's not in the mood for him and his cruelty.

Then Charles did the unexpected. He extended his hand to touch her face, making her stiff and confused. Her brows were knitted together, mouth slightly opened as her eyes lock on his. A flicked of care was on his face.

"You don't look good," he softly said. She was too stunned to speak until he move his hand, brushing his fingers from her cheek to her chin. He held her like he was a charming playboy prince. "Take the deal and I'll never annoy you again."

Those words woke Stella up, slapping his hand away. Her eyes then pierced at him.

"You don't tell me what to do, mister Castigado. Like I told you last last week and last week, no, mister Castigado." She kicked his foot and closed the door.

"I won't stop, miss Lacrone!"

"Suit yourself!" she yells before making her way to her bed.

Every week, Charles would visit her, hoping that she has finally changed her mind. And like what she did, she told him no. If there's still hope, her answer will always be no.

Later that day Stella decided to go for a check-up after deliberating what she has been experiencing. And lastly about the pregnancy test she took that was negative, she wanted to know what was real.

"Though it's a rare case, those at home test sometimes shows a negative result even when you're pregnant. Sometimes hCG levels are not high enough for the test to detect."

Hearing those from the doctor, Stella's hands started sweating again. Her nostrils were flaring as her breathing heaved. There is a fair chance that she's damn pregnant and it scares her so much that she can't speak.

"If you want to be sure, we can do a blood test or an ultrasound," the doctor told her. "It won't take that long."

"A blood test," she answers, almost like a whisper. Her lips just won't stop trembling.

"Alright. You need not be afraid. I'll help you throughout it." The doctor smiled at her before standing up. Then she was told to follow.

In another room where there were other nurses, she was told to sit down and relax. Stella was glancing around being all quiet.

"We'll be taking blood samples now," one of the nurses told her with a smile. "Please extend your arm."

Stella did what she was asked. The nurse was doing her thing, strapping some rubber around her upper arm, wiping the spot with something and then the needle came. She had to look away.

"Right! We're done," says the nurse, taking the rubber off. "We'll have to wait for a couple of minutes for the result."

After saying thank you, Stella waited outside. Her mind is clouded with really deep thoughts about this.

Moments later, another doctor came out of the room and called her name. She immediately stand up with a worried face.

"Please follow me," the woman in her 40's said and started walking ahead fast. Funny how she didn't introduce herself and just lead her to another room. "Please take a seat."

As she took a seat in front of the desk, Stella had an idea of what was happening. The walls were full of posters about being pregnant and when she shifted her gaze at the table, she saw who the woman was; an OB/GYN.

"You might have an idea of what's going on with you and why you were referred to me," said the doctor. "My name is Meralle Akari an OB-Gyn. I will be your doctor, giving you advice and monitoring your health as you are pregnant."

The last three words struck her like lightning. It had her stay gazing for a moment, unable to see doctor Akari in front of her. She blacked out for a second.

"My straightforwardness is shocking. My apologies," doctor Akari said once more. "Let me tell you--"

"How long until my bump is seen?" she suddenly asked. Even doctor Akari was taken aback. Seems like there was someone more forward than her.

"Well, mostly in your second trimester," doctor Akira replied.

"Trimester. What is that?"

"You see, you are pregnant for nine months. In easy words, it's divided into three-semester. Three months in one sem. That means it starts getting obvious in your fourth month some earlier."

"How much will it cost me?"

"It? What do you mean by it, miss Lacrone?"

"I meant all the expenses from here to when I give birth?"

"Oh," doctor Akira was rather happy to hear that. Someone already planning for the rest of her pregnancy is something she doesn't hear often. "Well, it depends if you have complications but I'll give you an estimate if you give me time."

Stella nodded.

Doctor Akira thinks this is rather fun and new. So, she did her estimate and gave Stella the numbers. She watches as the young lady's facial expression changes.

"It's a little expensive but it's like installment. It doesn't end on those digits too. Once the baby is out, you still have to take care of it more."

"You will take care of me, right?" Stella suddenly questions, seeing doctor Akira eye to eye.

"But of course, that's what I do, miss Lacrone."

Nobody ever asked doctor Akira that question before. Stella Lacrone is the first and it rang some kind of bell in her.

They discussed more being pregnant and the hormonal change. It was now clear to Stella why she felt sick. She didn't notice then but her breast had become a little sore. In the end, she was pregnant after all.

Stella did not discuss who the father is and doctor Akira respected that. They agreed on a date for the next visit and doctor Akira gave her some tips to help with the sickness and her contact number.

"You might be a little scared and nervous about this but it will all be fine, miss Lacrone."

"I'll work hard," she said. "Thank you, doctor Akira."

"Contact me whenever you want, honey. And do not forget your next visit." Doctor Akira extended her hand which made Stella stare in wonder. "A handshake," she added.

Stella did not know what it is for but she took it and they shake hands. That is when she heard doctor Akira say, "Congratulations, you're pregnant, Stella."

Back in her apartment, Stella calculates the estimated cost and her savings. She needed more. Her savings can't cover up half of her pregnancy cost, what more if she needed to care for the baby. She wants her kid to have a good life. It might be that she can't give the child a complete family but she will be a better mom than her mother, so much better.

Sighing heavily, Stella shut her eyes. There's no other way. She will have to accept Charles' offer. Sure enough, her baby bump won't be too obvious then. It's only for a month, she'll make it through a month. For the sake of my baby, Stella thought. 

Charles knew she should not be pestering Stella anymore. He had done quite the damage to her and just yesterday she went to collect her answer. She didn't look good.

His time is running out. The party is in eight days and Stella has not agreed. He should be thinking of a way to fix this but instead, he is wasting his time ruining some innocent girl's life.

"Man up, Charles!" he told himself, raking his hair sexily with his fingers. His stay in the hotel has extended way too long and there's no progress at all.

When Charles realized it was time for dinner, he left his work and decided what dinner to get. He is tired of the hotel's food, he should just go for something more of his taste. So, Charles changes into something expensive and heads out.

The hotel's lobby was a little crowded but what immediately caught his attention were her eyes that darted into him. Stella Lacrone is here? He had to blink again to see if she was real and she is real. Has she finally decided?

It was rude of him to keep her waiting but she didn't say she was coming too. He started walking towards her and Stella stood up, brushing her dress before meeting him halfway.

When they were face to face, he raised his brows at her. Though she looked really lovely in her simple coffee dress, he would not compliment her.

"So, changed your mind yet?" he asked, inserting a hand in his pocket and looking sideways.

Stella's face remained blank. She took a deep breath and blow it out, making him look at her with slightly wide eyes.

"What the heck? In front of me? Really?"

"Listen," she lazily uttered, "I will agree to the deal but I have conditions too."

A lopsided evil grin appeared on Charles' face. He just can't help it. All he had heard was that she'd agree. Finally, the odds favoured him. 

"Well, should we discuss it over dinner, miss Lacrone?" he asked.