Important secret

Evelyn’s P.O.V.

I was standing in a dark room; the frostiness of the air was seeping through my veins. I could hear the precise footsteps approaching me, the urge to flee overwhelmed my mind. But my frozen feet refused to move, my heart sank when a stiff hand stroked my skin gently.

“See, I have found you.”

That warm breath fanned across my ears, sending shivers down my spine. He grabbed my arm and, like a rag doll, threw me on the bed. I tried to fight against his firm hold, he chuckled and pinned my hands above my head.

“NO!”

My refusal didn’t get any positive response, he hovered over me and rasped through the gritted teeth.

“I told you not to leave. Now pay for your disobedience, mate.”

With a loud shriek, I woke up from my nightmare, that stranger’s warmth was still fresh inside me.

“What have I done?”

Grabbing my head in my hands, I shrank back into my bed. The rays of the setting sun were gleaming on the window glass, announcing the calm of darkness. The last night was the biggest mistake of my life, that sex starved beast ravaged my body like he was on a mission to break my every single bone.

The dim light in the hotel's suite didn't reveal his face, which was good, as it would conceal our identities from each other.

“Don’t leave me, mate.”

Why was he calling me with strange names? He paid a virgin for sex, was he reliving the memory of his past?

Whatever! If it was not for my dad, I would never…

“Dad.”

I searched my hand for my mobile phone frantically to call my mom.

“What the Hell!”

Its zero-battery sign and time on the wall clock made me realize that I was asleep for hours.

Madam Carla was so generous that she transferred the full amount before work, my virginity test gained her trust.

“I have seen many girls lying for money. I like your honesty. Take your money and leave this city as soon as possible.”

Her instructions were ringing in my mind, just like the ringing bell of our flat.

“Who’s here now?”

The pain between my legs made me wince when I walked towards the door, the worried face of Maeve greeted me.

“Why is your cellphone switched off? Aunt called me to inform you that uncle’s surgery was successful, and you are in the office for some new project. What's going on?”

Maeve shot her questions in quick succession, not giving me a chance to explain myself.

“Why did you not tell me that uncle is in the hospital, and you need money? Bruce gave me the approval letter for your loan.”

She gave me an envelope, the amount of twenty grands watered my eyes.

“So, my decision was right.”

I sighed in relief, but Maeve’s eyes popped out, as if I killed an elephant in our flat.

“What happened to you, Eve?”

She touched my neck and I flinched; a sharp pain was born from her touch.

I checked myself in the mirror and gaped, several bite marks and hickeys were adorned on my skin. Maeve grasped my shoulder and spoke seriously.

“Tell me what you have done, Eve? I will help you.”

Just like that, tears flooded from my eyes and streamed down my cheeks, my best friend’s shoulder was the support that I needed the most in this dire situation.

“I had sex with a stranger for money. That's how I paid for my dad’s medical bills.”

Maeve hugged me tightly and drew soothing circles on my back, which also hurt me.

“Did he use condoms? Are you feeling any discomfort in your genitals?”

As I had no answer to her query, Maeve dragged me all the way to her sister’s clinic.

“Mary is a nurse here. Our visit will stay a secret.”

This reference gave us direct access to the lady doctor, her grave expressions during the examination puzzled me.

“Were you raped?”

The doctor wrote something on paper and asked suspiciously.

“No, doctor. Actually, her boyfriend likes it rough. Eve was complaining about pain, so we came here for examination.”

She was not looking satisfied with Maeve’s answer, but still, she prescribed an ointment, which soothed my pain instantly.

“This is the morning after pill. You should take it now.”

As soon as I took the medicine, my stomach churned; I rushed towards the bathroom.

“When did you have lunch, Eve?”

While puking uncontrollably, I shuffled my memory for the last meal.

“Saturday night.”

“What? It's Monday night, Eve. Are you planning to die?”

Maeve kept scolding me nonstop about my carelessness during the entire ride. We came back home before dinner.

She prepared soup and served me in bed.

“I have sent a voice message to Jade that you will be busy until morning. Pay attention to your health.”

My mobile phone beeped; a notification of a new message flashed on the screen.

“Why did you not resign from your job? You have two days, Eve. Leave this job and city.”

I explained to Maeve about our agreement, then the requirement of the secrecy of this deal found its way into her mind.

“This madam seems to be an influential lady. Give me your resignation letter, we will find another job for you.”

…

Because of the excellent medical facilities, my dad recovered in a few days and went back to work. The loan thing pushed him into the abyss of gloominess.

But my heart was finally at ease, his complete health was a lifeline for our small family. Later, life became normal, and I found a new job in the clothing store.

Sending CVs to new jobs was my new favorite hobby. Waiting for a positive response was worse than anything, but my own body started betraying me lately.

“Why are you so pale, Eve? Is your boss demanding his money back?”

The money talk at every meal conveyed my mom’s horror, Jade was also disheartened at this sudden problem. One day, I was leaving for work, my head spun, and I lost consciousness in my room.

“Your daughter is so weak. Her HB level is just eight.”

The white walls of the hospital and my mom’s worried face snapped me out of the daze. As mom was about to initiate her complaint list, I spoke quickly.

“I will take care. Let's go home.”

The doctor smiled at my hurry and handed me an envelope.

“You are in a good age. This pregnancy will be a lot easier if you just follow my prescriptions.”

“Pregnant?”

My mom’s hand flew to her mouth, she supported herself with a wall.

“Yes, it’s a bit early, but your daughter is pregnant. Her baby is growing rapidly, she needs sufficient nutrition for the fetus.”

The lady doctor left after the series of instructions, I gulped hard and prepared myself for mom’s lash out.

“My baby!”

She hugged me, her voice was laced with guilt.

“What kind of mother am I? Why could I not realize that no company gives money to their employees freely.”

Mom understood everything without uttering a single word, it was like our silence had its own language. Her love absorbed all the darkness of my soul in one sitting.

I was relaxed that signs of pregnancy such as baby bump would appear in the third month, but the following days proved me wrong.

“You are gaining weight, panda.”

Jade also noticed my physique, panicking me to the core. Mom took me to another gynecologist; she took different scans and informed us.

“There is nothing to worry about, Mrs. Campbell. Your daughter’s baby is normal. In fact, healthier than an average child.”

That day, mom booked a ticket to our village and packed my bag.

“I have discussed your matter with your aunt Emma, Eve. She is ready to look after you and your child. This is for your good. Please understand your mother.”

Her watery eyes and remorseful voice ashamed me, I really put her in a tight spot.

“I will keep it a secret, mom. No one will ever know about it.”