You're PREGNANT

4.

3 MONTHS LATER…

It's been three months and the pain still felt fresh to Annabel. What hurt her most was selling her pride to be able to raise the money, yet she lost her beloved sister. It still felt surreal to her, and she was yet to wrap her head around it all.

To stop her from doing something stupid, Sasha made Annabel move in with her and had served as her shoulders to cry on, on numerous occasions.

“It's been three months, Annabel. You can't continue like this.” Sasha facepalmed. Annabel had denied herself of food that day.

“If only you know all I went through to make sure she lived, Sasha. Audrey is my only family, and now she's gone to a place of no return.” Annabel lamented.

“I understand how you feel, Annie. Please, you have to live to continue your parent's lineage and starving yourself isn't going to help at all. Look at what you're doing to yourself. You easily fall sick these days as a result of this,” She hugged Annabel. “Now, stop okay? Your body is already heating up.” Sasha patted her back.

Annabel sighed and buried her face in Sasha's neck. When she had calmed down, she pulled away and was about to say something when she suddenly felt nauseous and the need to throw up. She sprung up from the chair and ran into the bathroom.

Sasha sighed.

When she was done throwing up, she rushed out, wiping her mouth with a towel.

“What's wrong, Annie? This is the third time you're throwing up today. Are you sure you're okay, or do we need to see the doctor?” Sasha asked, but Annabel shook her head.

“No, Sasha. I'm fine. I'll be fine by tomorrow,” She said.

“That's what you said yesterday, and the day before. I really think we should see the doctor. I don't want anything to happen to you.” She expressed her concern.

Annabel smiled. “Don't worry about me, babe. I'm fine, okay?” She belched and ran into the bathroom again.

Sasha rushed and picked up her car keys alongside a sweater for Annabel. When the lady was done with her business and came out, she threw the sweater at her.

“We're going to the hospital, Annabel, and there's nothing you can do to stop us because I won't oblige.”

Annabel facepalmed. 

*****

At the hospital, the doctor did a checkup on her and a test was conducted. He asked Annabel and Sasha to wait at the reception for the results.

When the time came, they were asked to come in and Sasha led Annabel in. Annabel sat facing the doctor while Sasha sat on a chair beside her.

Doctor Blake smiled as he looked at her. 

“Congratulations, Miss Walter. You're 3 months pregnant.” He announced, giving the result slip to Annabel, who was frozen in shock.

Sasha collected it and sighed as she stared at her friend.

“You said what? You're pulling my legs, right?” Annabel asked, obviously not believing what the doctor had just said.

“I'm serious, Miss Walter. You're 3 months pregnant.” He announced it one more time.

Annabel stood up. “You've always been a joke, Doctor Blake. When you have the real results, call me, and I'll come to get them.” She started walking away.

“He's right, Annabel. You have all the symptoms,” Sasha said, tears gathering in her eyes.

“Even you?” Annabel scoffed.

“Tell me, Annie. When was the last time you saw your menstrual flow?” Sasha asked.

Annabel thought for a while. “I haven't seen it for three months now,” She answered, and that was when it dawned on her. “No! This can't happen!” She slumped to the ground and broke out in tears.

Sasha ran to meet her and tried holding her up.

“Why is all this happening to me?” She wailed.

First her mother abandoned them and her father died, then she lost her virginity and little sister on the same night, and now she was pregnant; pregnant for that annoying playboy billionaire. She couldn't help but wish she was never born. She wondered why everything was crashing down on her.

Sasha managed to drive her home and when they got in, Annabel plopped down on the couch and cried more.

“It's not the end yet, Annie. We can pull through all these… together.” She encouraged Annabel.

“I can't bear this pain, Sasha. How am I going to live like this?” She wailed, while Sasha tried to console her.

“You can still give the baby a perfect future. Let's inform Roland D'Ville about it.” Sasha suggested.

“And you think he would welcome the baby with open arms?” Annabel scoffed. “It was supposed to be a one night thing, Sasha, and now everything is all messed up.” She sniffled.

Sasha sighed and hugged her. “It's going to be fine.” 

Annabel pulled away from the hug. 

“I have to leave New York, Sasha. I can't stay here and be reminded of this pain every day. I want to go somewhere faraway; somewhere I wouldn't have to be haunted by all that's happening.” 

“Annie…” Sasha blinked her tears away. She knew what her friend was going through and if there was a way she could relieve her of the pain, she would gladly do it.

“Please, Sasha. I might die if I continue to live here. I have to go,” Annabel was determined.

“And how are you sure it's going to get better there?” Sasha asked, trying to fight back her tears.

“I'm sure it will. Don't worry about the funds. I still have some money with me, and it'll last me for a while,” She said and wiped her tears.

Sasha knew nothing she said would change Annabel's mind because it was already made up. Since it would help her recover, all she had to do as a good friend was to support her.

*

Annabel started preparing her visas and the rest and in a matter of few days, she was done with everything and set to travel.

Sasha escorted her to the airport and stayed with her until it was almost time for her to leave.

“I'm going to miss you, Annie. Make sure you always call me, okay?” She requested.

Annabel hugged her. “I'll miss you too, Sasha. Thanks for everything. I promise to always call you.” She smiled.

“I promised myself I wasn't going to cry,” Sasha muttered to herself, and Annabel chuckled.

“Take care of yourself, Sasha, and please…” She trailed off. “...don't die.” She pecked Sasha's cheek. Sasha nodded and hugged her one more time before she entered the plane.

They waved each other goodbye and the door closed. Annabel found a seat close to the window and sighed.

She was leaving all the pain behind and going to start her life afresh in a new place; a place where she would no longer be haunted by the memories.

“I made the right choice,” She muttered to herself and smiled.