Chapter 9

"Goodbye," I say to Sylvia as I get out of the car. I watch the car drive away and then go through the gate.

I really had fun seeing my sister today. It brought back old memories. She always knew how to get me on the right track.

I open the door to find Emma running down the stairs towards me and pulling me into an embrace.

"I hope you are not angry with me," she says withdrawing from the embrace with pleading eyes and pouting.

"No, I know you only want the best for me," I say with a smile.

"I was worried you would be angry,” she says. "Sylvia was so worried so she asked me to tell her what was going on with you and the baby," she explains.

"I understand but right now I really need to rest," I say walking towards the stairs.

"Okay," she calls after me.

I open the door to my room, drop my bag on the reading desk, and check my closet for more comfortable clothes.

I decide to change into gray sweatpants and a sweatshirt before going into the bathroom. I wash my face and moisturize before walking back into the room. I push the curtains to one side to let the sunshine into the room. I lie on the bed as silence envelopes me, waiting to welcome sleep as I smile to myself.

~~~~~~~~~~

I shift in bed for a few minutes before deciding to drink water, so I make my way downstairs to the kitchen.

"It seems no one is home yet," I mumble and walk to the fridge for a jug of water.

I find a notepad on the table with a message from Emma: My parents sent for me and Damien, but we will be back for dinner.

I fill an empty glass with water then down it, satisfying my dry throat before going through the fridge and cabinets to prepare something for dinner.

I decide on spaghetti with chicken and red sauce for dinner. Kate actually taught me my way around the kitchen, which is useful to me now.

After preparing the meal, I go to Chance’s room to grab his dirty clothes. I push the door open and go to his bathroom. I pick up the basket of his dirty clothes and go to the laundry room. Chance always had a taste for the best and never went for anything less. And his clothes are no exception. He had billions under his name, so why not?

After doing the laundry, I decided to do some research on my laptop. I sit cross-legged on the couch in the living room with my laptop placed comfortably on my lap and a book and pen placed on the center table.

After a few hours of writing down whatever is useful for me, I hear the door click open. Chance walks into the living room looking weary and deprived of sleep.

I follow his every move with my eyes as he sits down on the couch opposite mine with a loud, relaxing sigh.

"Um...good evening," I say awkwardly, staring at him.

"What are you doing? " he asks surprising me with his question. I really wasn't expecting him to say anything.

I clear my throat before staring down at my laptop. "Just doing some research about expecting mothers," I say, making him scowl.

Silence falls between us, and it feels suffocating.

"So, how were your classes today?" I ask, breaking the silence.

His lips twitch slightly into a smile. "It was okay. Even with Professor Adam’s boring logic stories about the business world."

I laugh. "Mine was boring but interesting at the same time," I say with a smile.

"Yeah, always the neutralist," he says laughing lightly.

Seeing him laugh makes me smile. Knowing I can still make him smile makes me feel like I have accomplished something.

"You know I still love you, right?" I ask. I’m overwhelmed with feelings that cause a commotion in my head.

I don't expect him to answer, but I just need to let him know my feelings remain the same even though he’s treating me poorly and being irresponsible.

He looked guilty and remorseful, which confused me.

"Hey, guys," Emma says as she walks in, breaking the tension.

Damien is right behind her. They sit on the couch.

"By the way, where is Louis?" I ask because I haven't seen him since this morning.

"He is out on a date," Damien says with a smirk.

"Louis on a date? More like a one-night stand," Emma mumbles under her breath.

"Don’t tell Louis that’s what you think about his love life," Damian laughs.

"Dinner is ready, by the way. Let me just get the table ready," I say, getting up from the couch.

"Let me help you," Emma says, following me into the kitchen.

Emma set the plates and cutlery on the dinner table while I dish the food into a serving bowl and place it on the dinner table.

Damien and Chance join us in the dining room.

"So, any good news?" I ask to make conversation.

Chance and Damien sit next to each other, and Emma and I sit across from them.

"Nothing, my mum just wanted to see Damien because it had been so long since she spoke with him." She shrugs and dishes food onto her plate. "Do you have any classes tomorrow?" she asks.

"Yes, and I also have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at 3:00," I say nonchalantly and sip some water.

"This food is savory," Damien says, stuffing his mouth with food. Emma looks at him disgusted.

"Thanks. That’s one of the reasons you love me," I say smirking.

"It’s not one of the reasons, but I can add it," he says before wiping his mouth with a napkin.

We continue to talk about our day while we eat. After Emma volunteers to do the dishes, saying I need some rest. I don't disagree because I get tired easily these days.

Picking up the things I left in the living room, I make my way to my room. I brush my teeth before taking a relaxing shower. I put on pajamas and shut the window before lying on the bed with a sigh.

I hope every day is more beautiful than this. Sylvia was a dose of happiness that pulled me out of my depression. She made me speak with Mum.

I am delighted that I spoke with Mum. She was a bit angry with me for not calling and worse, I lied to her.

I might not be able to see them, but I know they will always support me.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Can you please take me to the hospital?" I say, getting into Chance’s car since he decided to take me to school today, which was a big surprise.

"No problem," he says, pulling out of the parking lot. "When will the pregnancy become noticeable?" he questions.

"I don't know, but I am getting big." I shrug, staring at him for a few minutes before looking out the window.

Driving into the parking lot of the hospital, he parks the car and to my surprise, he got out too. I stare at him in bewilderment.

"What are you doing?" I ask as he takes my hand in his and walks towards the entrance of the hospital.

"I am coming with you. Besides, you would have no ride home if I left you here," he says. For a guy who never wanted anything to do with this baby, he is full of surprises today.

"I can always take the bus," I say with a frown.

He pushes the door open. "Can you drop it already?" he says looking around with distaste. "Why did you choose this hospital out of all the other well-equipped hospitals?" he questions as we walk towards the waiting room.

"I can't afford that. You may have forgotten that I am paying for everything myself," I say, not liking his critique.

"You can al—"

"I have an appointment with Dr. Anna Carson," I say to the nurse on duty, cutting him off, and pushing down the temptation to slap him.

He shoots me a glare that I ignore.

"And you are?" she asks.

"Shiloh Malia Sante," I say, placing my pregnancy card on the counter.

"Appointment at 3:00?" she asks, taking the card from the counter and looking at it. "Okay, wait over there. The doctor will see you in a minute," she says, directing us to some seats. We wait in silence before my name is called.

We walk inside the office to find Dr. Anna writing something down. "How are you doing, Miss Shiloh?" she asks with a smile.

"Fine," I say, taking a seat opposite hers. Chance sits close to me as he examines the room with his eyes.

"Just feeling a little bigger around the middle of my belly," I say, touching my belly for emphasis.

"Anything I need to know?" she asks, locking her hands together and placing them on the desk.

"I kind of feel thirstier and easily irritated and I also feel nauseous just by looking at some of the food I normally would enjoy," I say.

"it all comes with being pregnant," she says before her gaze shifts to Chance. "Is he the father?" she asks.

I look at Chance trying to study his expression, but he gives nothing away.

"No, he’s just a friend," I say.

"Okay, I will prescribe a folic acid supplement for you since it is just your 1st semester," she says softly. "You will have your dating scan, routine blood test, and rhesus status today." She stands up from her chair.

"Come with me," she says, directing me to a room where she carries out the tests. When we go back to her office, Chance is busy on his phone.

"So that’s all. You will get the test results at your next appointment," she says, placing a file on her desk and taking a seat.

"Okay," I reply.

"At your next appointment, we will check your blood count and do an early ultrasound scan because by then you will be 11 weeks pregnant," she says with a smile. "Three days from then you will have your EDD," she continues.

"No other prescriptions?" I inquire.

"No, that will be all for now. Just get the folic acid supplement from the nurse," she instructs.

As we walk back to Chance’s car, he says, "You know I can get you a better doctor, right?"

"I know, but you made it clear you don't care about me or this baby," I say matter-of-factly. He is behaving so weirdly.

"Never mind," he says, pulling out of the parking lot. His hand is holding the steering wheel so tightly that his hands turn white.

I sigh loudly rubbing my aching temples. Today has been stressful and full of unwanted surprises from Chance. Chance has always been the most difficult person to read.

I look at him and he’s focused on the road with a clenched jaw.

"I can never seem to understand you," I say with a shake of my head.