Thirty Five
Thirty Five
HECTOR
I'm concerned since Aaliyah has changed so drastically. She has a mind of her own, though I knew she wouldn't be able to take the stress that comes with her wild thoughts, I also knew she would lose it if I tried to intercede, even if it would have been in her best interests.
Despite the fact that the guards have informed me of the physician's coming, my curiosity prevents me from waiting indoors, until Aaliyah informs me of the meeting's outcome. After that night, a lot of things changed. She ceased being a maid, so she no longer gets to clean and take care of my needs, in addition to becoming odd. It's challenging getting used to a day without her arguments, touch, or fragrance, or to a strange dawn without her.
There is a knock on the door, a familiar scent I've gotten to miss locks around. I sniff, to be sure I’m not hallucinating. It doesn't go away with my doubts. In a rush, I open the door and I was right, it was her... The one who makes me want her so badly even when her presence is clearly toxic. Aaliyah.
I give her a tight hug while smelling her scalp and wishing I could smell her shampoo, body lotion, and feminine fragrance. Her shampoo and lotion have a mild scent; the only one that is stronger is her own, which is not unpleasant but rather a mixture of something delicate. She is undoubtedly feeling overwhelmed by her sickness.
"Aaliyah, come in." I assist her with entering and make her feel at ease on my bed. "Have you been able to eat anything today?" I ask with concern
She gives her head a small shake.
"How about if I feed you?" I stoop down to face her directly. She is pale, and every minute, her condition deteriorates more.
She just waves me off without saying anything.
"All right, would you like to unwind here? It's more comfortable, and I could leave if you want me to...”
"I'm pregnant." She reveals.
I chuckle incredulously. I must be hearing incorrectly. "And you're not making assumptions? The physician affirmed..."
“What does that mean, exactly? Do I appear to be up for petty jokes?”
"I never would have hoped that such happy news would be a joke. Skies! We just saved a lifetime of struggle, blood, and sweat thanks to you, Aaliyah.”
"Us? I don't seem to understand.”
"I merely need to mark you as my Luna, introduce you to the Beta, and schedule a date for our coronation,"
“Currently, I'm already irritated. Could you explain yourself simply?” Her face had fatigue written all over it.
“I need an heir, not simply my Luna, according to the clause.”
"It's Hudson's," she says.
I stop, unsure if I understand correctly or if I was being overly paranoid. I make careful to glance at her face, but there are no emotions to be seen on a face this colourless.
“Please be kind enough to repeat yourself. I'm not sure if I heard Huntington’s or...”
"Hudson's," she repeats
“You were heard, I fucking heard you!" I snap. "What I really meant to say was, what in the hell is that shit supposed to mean?"
“It implies that the child is Hudson's.”
"Aaliyah, please stop talking so that we can both benefit. I know you're anything but dumb. How did you know who the father is when we had sex with you? Furthermore, it's even crazy to hear you say this given that you chose me in less than two months.”
“I didn't. I would have loved to... And still do, but you are yet to grow some balls and meet up your end of the bargain.”
“I'm trying my best.”
"Clearly.”
"Let's stay on course. You can't try to sell me some ridiculous garbage that the physician has also identified as Hudson's.”
“She doesn't have to. He was in my pussy as you were busy fucking and coming in my mouth.”
“Skies! Aaliyah, stop spewing such garbage.” I try to relax by taking slow, deep breaths. "Remember we took turns?"
“Yes, very vividly. Your semen was merely a supplement. The extra push the others require to get farther in.”
With only a few minutes left to jump on her, I clap my hands on my head. Hudson should receive my attention because he was successful in brainwashing her.
"Aaliyah, you shouldn't say those things to my face. Considering how cowardly I was, I assume you're trying to spite me. I beg for just one month, no, make that three weeks, and I swear I'll do more than my part of the bargain.”
“You must quit living in denial and face reality. When I mentioned that it was his, I wasn't kidding.”
"Shut the fuck up!" I vibrate and yell, giving her shivers as I hate myself for scaring her in this way. I run to her side as she frowns, clearly in agony and distress.
"Are you alright? Do I need to call a doctor?"
She yanks my hand back. "Don't ever say that again, you scare me... Never do it." She takes a breath, regaining control. "Perhaps we wouldn't be here if you had directed this entire framing energy to the right source." She tries to stand up, not resisting my help when I offered. "Go fix yourself, and I'll watch you try." She departs.
This is a lot to process, but I must resist allowing her rants to win the day because I have just as much of a right to the child in her womb as Hudson has. I drink the water in a glass quickly while considering my next move. Should I instead meet the Beta? Would Aaliyah think it was cowardice once more? Or challenge Hudson? I take a bottle of liquor and guzzle it down since I do need something stronger than water. Jim and Jay's encounter kept playing over in my thoughts. What if I become unreasonable? If I don't, what if I lose her? I take another swallow while tensing my jaw in response to the bitterness of it. The risks are too great to do nothing. Not just Aaliyah, but also my baby is at stake. My baby is about to be given to another man! I laugh while letting the drink control me.