Seven Months later

SEVEN MONTHS LATER

Standing by the balcony of a residential flat, I was gawking at the city light.

My elegant face forced a smile, seeing the busy street of California city.

I was done folding the newly bought onesies in the nursery. Yeah! It’s seven months already and I will be expecting my baby in just two months time. My blue eyes gleamed, Visualizing how happy I am.

“Leilena!” I heard Clark voice. A smile lit on my face as I turn to face him. I held my baby bump while carefully trotting out of the balcony to meet him.

“Clark!” I exclaimed.

“Where’s my cupcakes?” I asked.

“Won’t you even welcome me properly. I guessed you love this cupcakes more than me!”

“Hey!!” I retorted. I snatched the nylon in his hands. I opened it immediately and my eyes delighted when I saw the cupcakes.

“Oh.. I can kill for these!” I said, licking my lower lips.

“That’s not fair Lena!” Clark said and I burst out laughing. “The cupcakes got your attention more than me!” He said and I smile.

He’s actually jealous of my cupcakes. I gave him a middle finger fuck you and proceeded in opening the cupcakes.

Gosh! How time flew.

I can’t believe I had lived seven months alone. Clark was the only one aware of the place I am. He had been all supportive all this while that I wondered how will I ever repay his kind gesture.

At that instant, I experienced a temporary blackout of vision.

Soon i felt dizzy and lightheaded.

“Oh, no! Lena! Lena, you're bleeding!” I heard Clark faded voice and the cupcakes dropped from my hands

“What?”

I looked Down. Blood was trickling down my legs from beneath the skirt I worn.

I turned to look at Clark. His expression changed at the horrific sight.

Before i could even say anything, I felt myself collapsed onto the ground. Blood was gushing out from beneath her skirt, spreading across the floor.

“Quick! Send my car. I need to take her to the hospital!” That was all I heard before I blanked out completely.

IN THE HOSPITAL…..

An hour has passed and I wouldn’t stop crying. I had suffered a massive flow of blood and the doctors failed to save my child.

Clark tried to comfort me but to no avail. It was an earth-shattering blow to me. This pregnancy has caused me a lot only for me to lose it?

I was able to live on just because of this unborn baby. I have planned on giving he/her the best life. I was gonna be a mother and a father to my baby but now I lost it?

It was painful. Very painful. My heart excruciating pains.

Clark got up and hugged me. “ It’s fine. Everything is gonna be fine” he said as I cried on his shoulders

FIVE YEARS LATER……..

Five years later, in a renowned hospital in California .

I was presenting a patient's case study in fluent French to the other medical experts in the meeting room.

My short hair suited my delicate skin and features, accentuating her bright eyes like a pair of dazzling gems.

“I'm sorry, Dr. Lena, but do you mean to say this patient doesn't need an operation? You're suggesting that we should use acupuncture?”

I flipped through the medical report and flashed a confident smile at the medical experts. “If you trust my opinion, then yes.”

I was now Dr. Leilena Dickson. Back then, after I lost my child. It took me a while before I could gathered all my broken pieces together. With the help of Clark, I was able to go back to college.

Within five years, I made a name for myself as a doctor.

The medical experts' thoughts wavered upon hearing my confident reply.

Yet I had no time to wait for their answer. I took a glance at her watch and soon left the meeting room.

My phone beep as I received a message from Clark.

“I’m so sorry Leilena. I’m so busy at work. I wouldn’t be able to pick you from work today”

The message read. I smile.

Clark had been all supportive. He’s the reason I was able to moved on quickly.

What would I have done without having him in my life. He was the best friend anyone would ask.

“No problem. I’m not angry. Take your time!” I sent back to him and dip my phone back to my bag.

While hurrying down the stairs, i came across some colleagues and returned their greetings with a bright smile.

Thirty minutes later, I arrived at my little residence. When I entered, a delicious smell hit my nostrils. The sight of burritos lying on a plate caught me.

I smile knowing it’s Aunt Emily doing.

As much as my life doesn’t allow me to have a fresh start, Aunt Emily will somehow find a way. I met her five years ago with her daughter Adele on the street of California. They had no where to go. I couldn’t let them stay in the street. I welcomed them inside my home and cratered for them.

“ what’s with the blank face? I made your favorite burritos. Smile” She ordered.

“Thanks”

I smile and dropped my bag on the counter. I loose my high ponytail and tied my hair in a messy bun.

“Aunt Leila!” Adele entered. It obvious she was just coming back from school. I frowned when I noticed the red lipstick on her lip.

"how many times will I tell you to stop applying lipstick to school " I yelled.

"common aunt Leila, is just lipstick. My friends applied too and they aren't dead" She replied, walking to me.

"not because others does it doesn't mean you have to. There's time for everything " her mum said.

"I know Mum and aunt. Applying lipstick doesn't mean I'm going to school to seduce anyone. It's just lipstick " Adele mumbled.

“But….”

"are we going to talk about lipstick all day. I’m starving!” She muttered.

“Go freshen up and come down for dinner!” I said.

“You’re absolutely the best aunt!” I sigh in relief when Adele placed a kiss on my cheek with her little puckered lips and ran upstairs.

The kid is growing too fast. She’s now sixteen but too lean for her age.

“You should untie your hair. You look old!” Aunt Emily said. Returning my attention to her, I frowned.

My appearance didn’t matter anyway. I’ve started to take zero interest in them a long time ago.

She took the meal and arranged them on the table. I walked to sit on a chesterfield chair and aunt Emily sat on the arm chair opposite mine.

“So….Tell me Leilena, do you have any man yet” she asked and I narrowed my eyes.

“You should know I got no start to start looking for men. I work everyday and on my off, I do part time job at the restaurant!” I said and I heard her sigh.

“I feel like a burden to you. I know you’re working so hard to take care of Adele and I. You got no time for your self. I really feel guilty!” She said and I immediately shook my head.

“That’s not it. You were never a burden to me. You both are my family. It’s my responsibility!” I said.

“Then why don’t you give a chance to yourself? Like normal people?” She said and I raised my brows on her.

“You’re not doing it again?...right?” I asked, understanding where she’s heading to.

“What?”

“Are you setting me on a blind date?” I asked staring at her eyes but she avoided it.

I knew it!

“I told you to stop setting me on a date. I’ll find my man myself. There’s no way I’m getting involved in this again” I said.

“Please leilena. Just this once. You’re 23 and you aren’t getting younger. I do feel like a burden. You work you ass all out just to give us a better life. Not because someone hurts you doesn’t mean you’ll forever be lonely. Please Lena” she pleaded.

I shut my eyes.

After what Albert did to me, I couldn’t bring myself in loving anyone.

“ you’re gonna like him. He’s handsome and have everything you need in a man. He’s a Greek Demi god. Trust me Lena!” She said and I rolled my eyes.

I agreed. She’s right too. So I have a date tomorrow. Fine!

THE NEXT DAY

The clicking sound of plates pierced the silence we’ve had at the dinning table. I peered at th streak on my plate.

He picked a pieces of steak with his fork, looked at me before chewing it.

“Let’s get married!”

I choke at his word. I turned my attention to him. He raised his eyes, now I had a closer look at them. I observed the beautiful sea green balls intently staring at me.

He has a perfect chiseled jawline covered by a stubble beard. Now for a second, Aunt Emily was right. He was kind of a Greek God but not my kind of man. After a brief scanning, I turned my eyes back to my food without saying a word.

“Let’s get married!” He muttered again. This time, he placed his hands on mine giving it a light squeeze. I pursed my lips, my hand automatically held the crescent moon locket of my platinum necklace. I moved its hook along the chain.

“I am not….”

“Of course, you aren’t”

He completed the words instead. I gulped down nervously.

“I need to piss” I excused myself and made my way to the washroom.

I was still trying to remember his name. Why do I meet men like this, so boring, judgements, and regular?

Not that they’re bad, but they are just not someone I could spent time with.

After I was done, I came back and met him through with his meal.

Oh great.

“I need to go. I got an emergency meeting!” I said. It was obvious am lying since today is my off day.

“Oh. Could I drop you home?” He asked and I immediately shook my head.

“ I came with my car. You don’t have to bother yourself” I said instead and flash him a forced smile.

“It’s nice spending time with you. Hope we can do this often….I mean another day!” He said.

Oh yah. Absolutely in his dreams. I thought as I pick my bag.

Without saying any words, I walked out of the restaurant.