Prologue

“Hmm,” the man beside her moaned as she tried to remove his arms around her. Instead of giving her freedom, he caged her more in his arms as he sniffed on her neck.

“Mirco,” She called softly but he did not say anything.

She stayed still as she listened to his breathing until it was even. He must not woke up just yet. Not when she's still there. Overtime, his embrace loosened little by little, indicating he had fallen asleep once again.

She immediately took that opportunity to remove his arms around her—slowly and achingly. How she wished she could stay longer in his arms, feeling his warm skin against her, smelling his scent, and hearing his gentle snores.

But she could not.

With the things going on, she doesn't think it’s best to be with him anymore. Yes, she loves him very much. God knows how much she does. But everyone is against their relationship, especially the mother of her beloved. And that’s not just the problem. She also cannot leave Kervin in his current state. He is all she got…

And Mirco… he has a fiancé.

How is she supposed to stay if she knew someone else is hurting just for their happiness?

She removed the white sheet over her body, leaving her naked. She shivered when her skin welcomed the air of the room. Her right foot stepped out of the bed but even before she stepped on her other foot, her knees suddenly buckled.

“I won’t stop until you cannot walk anymore,” he said, licking her earlobe, and thrust from her back continuously.

She unconsciously looked at the way to his bathroom. She bit her lower lip as the image of them flashed into her mind. She was cautious last night that they might break the glass wall in his bathroom by the way he went in on her!

But as he went deeper, it literally clouded her mind...

If only she could see her face, it was probably red crimson. He—Mirco is the only man who made her like that. He awakened a side of her that she thought didn’t exist. And she knew he would be the only man who could see that side of her.

He had taught her so many things in life and let her experience a lot of things for a short period of time. Every minute with him felt like she was on a cloud nine. Which she wil forever cherish. She knew she would never, ever forget about him even in her next lifetime.

Her heart was squeezed in pain while collecting her things and her thoughts. Is she really doing this?

She got her silver dress on the floor and wore it with blurry eyes and wet cheeks. She's out of options at this point.

With a heavy heart, she looked at him for the last time. On his back, his tattoo was peeking at her. It's as if it’s looking at what she is doing. That she was leaving him. She still remembers why he wanted that stain on his skin. It's for her.

She cried harder but instantly covered her mouth to silence herself. If Mirco is awake, he would probably pull her to sit on his lap and give her an embrace because of her current appearance. He will start whispering sweet nothings in her ears, saying he’s there, comforting her in any way possible. He will give her time, until she is ready to tell him her problem...

But she cannot let him do that anymore...

Before she broke into another sob, she hurriedly went out of his room. Making her way out of their mansion...

And out of his life.

***

“Gross,” Kervin said as she threw up on the sink. She knew he was joking but she glared at him anyway.

“Kidding!” He chuckled. She heard him getting a glass and filling it with water while she was busy cleaning up her mess.

It wasn’t the first time she threw up in the morning. She remembered one time, she and Mirco were in their receiving area. They were talking until they fell asleep on the couch. That day, she woke up, feeling nauseous, so she ran to their kitchen. She thought she was alone until she heard a glass being placed on the marble. That’s when she realized that his mother was there. His mother looked at her with disgust but she didn't mind it anymore. The woman openly admitted and confronted her that she didn't want her for her son.

But Mirco never listened, nor did she. They believed that they can face anything as long as they are together...

But things had changed now.

“Here.” Kervin’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts. she looked up at him. He was wearing a simple tee and shorts like he usually wears here in their unit. Kervin was offering a glass of water and she took it gladly.

“Are you okay? Am I making your stomach upset?” he asked worriedly.

She used to cook for them but recently, he asked her to teach him how. Since he needs to work for them to support theirselves, they decided that he will cook breakfast for them and it's been three days already.

“You’ve been vomiting every morning since I cooked our breakfast. I’m such a bad cook…”

He gazed at her waiting for a response but she laughed.

“You’re actually doing great!” She saw his face lit up a little.

“The egg is a bit salty tho,” she continued, making him roll his eyes. She laughed and Kervin watched her with a poker face until she was out of her breath. But she stopped when he stared at her with seriousness.

As she fixed her posture, he threw her a suspicious look. A lump made up in her throat as he looked at her accusingly. Kervin is seldom serious but when he does, She knew there is something wrong or bothering him. Her heart thumped against her chest as she remembered the times she felt nauseous every morning.

And when their eyes met, she knew they had the same thing in mind. She was looking into his eyes and she couldn't deny that what she saw there was anger. He just managed to mask it instantly like what he always does.

Chills run through her spine at the thought.

“Samantha… Are you…?”

He didn't finish his question when his phone rang. He gave her one final look before receiving the call. She heard him answer the phone but she didn't understand anything that he said.

All she could ever think of is that she needed a confirmation.

She and Mirco were using protection ever since he deflowered her. But recently, they’ve been doing it bare. She knew there was a huge possibility. But she doesn’t want to. It will just make things worse if her hunch turned out real. She left him already.

She is now hiding for days because she knew he’s probably looking for her. He didn't know this unit of Kervin so as long as she didn't leave this unit, he wouldn't find her.

But this… If her hunch is right, She doesn’t know what she should do. In other circumstances, she knew she would love to. She'd be in glee. But right now…

Kervin left the unit, saying they will talk later. She knew she shouldn’t go out, but her mind won’t stop overthinking things. She needed to know. Now.

Wearing a disguise, she went to the nearest mall. She entered a drug store and bought different brands of pregnancy test kit just to be sure. While waiting for the products, her palm keep sweating. She paid for the kits afterwards, while looking at the other shoppers passing by on the store. Mirco won't look at that place, right?

She initially planned to use the kits in the unit but every minute that passed felt like hours to her. So she went to the public restroom and used everything she bought.

She followed the instructions on the back of the box and waited for the result. She prayed that she just ate something wrong. She really wished, that's real. She looked at herself in the mirror, while tapping her fingers on the sink, waiting for the result.

Those times felt like it was the slowest time of her life. She was never impatient but that time, it drew her thin. She kept looking at her watch.

And when she got to know the result, she felt herself on a roller coaster of emotions. She was angry at herself, sad about what might be waiting for them without him, and nervous because she doesn't know if she'll be a great mom, but more importantly, she was happy. She was happy because she knew Mirco would accept them. After all, he’s a man who didn't turn around on his responsibility. She may not be ready, but she knew that this life blossoming in her womb is the result of their love for each other. And maybe, this life inside her is the answer to all of their problems.

With a clear mind and a smile that cannot be erased from her face, She called Mirco.

She rang his phone twice but he was not picking it up. Her heart thumped against her chest.

He’s looking for her… right?

On the third call, he picked it up. But before she even said a thing, she heard a woman’s voice on the other line.

“Hello, who’s this? Alvien is currently in the bathroom–”

She didn't mind finishing the call. Her hand formed into a fist while holding the pregnancy tests.

Did he find her a replacement already?

She shook her head and took a deep breath. “No. Mirco can’t do that. I will only trust him,” she convinced herself.

She got her bag, totally ignoring the doubt building in her heart. She knew him. He cannot do that.

If she didn't meet Mirco, she’ll say she was acting stupid. He's with a woman! and why is he in the bathroom? She have a lot of scenarios that might possibly true but ignore it.

Maybe that’s what love did. It makes someone act like a fool. It makes an individual do things they didn't know they could do.

And their child. She knew he wouldn't shut them down.

With new motivation, She walked out of the mall and entered her old second hand car. Once in, She fetched the small music box Mirco gave to her which calms her every time she hear the melody coming from it. She was smiling as memories of them flashbacked to her with her favorite tone in the background as they dance. Se anted to do that again.

She was driving safely so they could meet Mirco. But on the road, no matter how safe you try to be, sometimes there are unexpected things that happen which you cannot fully guarantee your safety…

Everything happened in a flash of light.

She was driving according to the required limit.

When she heard a car horn nonstop. The next thing she knew, her car was spiraling until it hit a post. She felt her body aching because of the impact. She couldn't move or get out of the car.

She also felt something on her feet, as if holding her so she cannot move out.

But at that time, she was determined to get two of the important things for her at the moment. She clasped her hand to the music box that led her to meet Mirco, and touched her tummy which she knew will only strengthen her and Mirco, and will build a stronger foundation for their future.

She tried to move, but she felt exhausted. Maybe she should just stay… The rescue will be there soon…

She looked at the broken windshield of her car. Her head was aching when it hit the steering wheel earlier… there was blood but she doesn't care.

What she need is to get out and talk to Mirco.

W-what will… happen?

She tried so hard to maintain her consciousness. Until everything went black.