Chapter Four: New Beginnings

Nine Months Later - (Paris, France)

Trina’s POV 

As I reached for the bottle of water on the table, I felt a sharp pain on my lower back, making me wince.

“Careful there!” Justin’s concerned voice drifted to me, as I held the edge of the tiny kitchen table for support. 

I quickly put on a reassuring smile on my face as I looked at my classmate-cum-best friend, Justin Myers. His eyes were fixed concernedly on my swollen stomach.

“Don't worry, Justin. I'm fine, truly I am. It's just that I get these cramps most of the time since my due date is near. But the doctor assured me that it's quite normal.”

Upon hearing that, his face finally relaxed as the frown of concern vanished.

"I still can't believe you're due any day now,"  he said, his eyes now bright with excitement, unlike before. "It feels like just yesterday you showed up in our hotel management class looking lost and overwhelmed."

I don't know when I laughed out loud at that, with my hand absentmindedly rubbing my swollen belly. "I feel exactly the same way sometimes as well. Sometimes it feels like eons  ago, and at other times, it feels as if I just merely blinked and poof, I’m suddenly here, about to become a mother."

Indeed, the past nine months had passed by in a flurry of change and adaptation. I had thrown myself into my studies, determined to make the most of this fresh start. To make ends meet, I took on part-time jobs which included babysitting, waitressing, and even doing some freelance graphic design - to cover both mine and Mason's tuition and living expenses. But as my pregnancy progressed to the third trimester, I get tired so easily and my legs get swollen most of the time and so, I’m forced to rely on the kindness of friends like Justin most times– just like now.

"Have you decided about what you'll do after the baby is born?" Justin asked, his tone careful. Poor Justin. I know he's just being cautious and treading lightly, as he’s quite aware of how fiercely independent I have been since I arrived in Paris.

To put him at ease, I smiled as I flicked back the hair that was covering my face.

 "To tell you the truth, I'm just taking it one day at a time. The plan is still to finish my degree, find a good job, and eventually go back home to set things right. But now..." I trailed off, looking down at my belly with a loving smile. "Now I have this little one to think about too."

Justin paused on chopping garlic for a while as he gave me a very warm smile. "You know I'm here for you, right? Both of you. Whatever you need. I may not be your baby’s biological father but believe me, I love him/ her like my own already. So I want you to keep this at the back of your mind; I’ll always be there for you and the little munchkin. Always."

Despite myself, the warmth and sincerity in his eyes made my heart flutter. Over the past months, Justin had become my rock, my confidant, and my closest friend. I know without any iota of doubt that his feelings ran deeper than friendship, I could clearly see it in the way he looked at me, the way he doted on me and even my unborn baby. And now as he made this heart-wrenching, sincere promise, I couldn't help but feel touched. Indeed, Justin's feelings for me are deep and sincere.

Honestly, a part of me wished I could reciprocate those feelings. Justin was kind, intelligent, and undeniably handsome. Perhaps if my life hadn't taken a drastic turn, if I was still the girl I used to be once upon a time, I might have fallen head over heels for him. But alas, my life is too complicated for love and I can't just tie him down with my baggage. Besides, I'm not ready for any relationship now. And I don't think I’ll ever be.

I returned his smile with a genuine one of mine. "I know, Justin. I really don't know how to thank you enough for all you’ve been doing for me and the baby. You're god-sent! I don't know what I'd do without you."

As he turned back to continue his cooking, a comfortable silence fell between us, broken only by the clattering of Justin's utensils and the relentless kicks from my unborn child. I surely have some footballer in there!

"So," Justin's gentle voice broke the silence after a moment. "Have you picked out a name yet?"

I slowly shook my head, as a smile appeared on my face. "Not yet. I do have a few ideas, but... I think I'll know when the baby arrives."

Justin nodded, then hesitated before asking, "And the father? Is he coming for the birth?”

My face instantly changed color. The baby's father… that insanely attractive stranger. The man whose name I don't even know. The man I don't even know from Adam. How then would I contact him, talkless of him coming for the birth?!

Seeing my reaction, Justin must have sensed something is amiss because he suddenly slapped his forehead, muttering, “Oh my God! How could I have forgotten? We’ve run out of cheese and I definitely need it for this pasta recipe!”

Upon hearing that, I quickly got up, careful not to hit my swollen belly against the table. “I’ll go get it for you from the grocery store round the corner.”

Justin instantly shook his head. “No, no, no don't stress yourself, Trina. Just sit back and relax. I’ll just turn off the stove and go get it right now.”

But I couldn't let the opportunity of getting some alone time slip by me. “Oof, don't be such a worrywart, Justin! It's just a ten minute walk from here. Besides, I need the fresh air and exercise. It's good for when labor comes.”

And as Justin just kept looking at me with an unconvinced, concerned look, I gave him one last reassuring smile before heading towards the door, chanting,

“I’ll be back in ten minutes. Just ten minutes!”