Chapter 2

ARIELLA’S POV.

A few days went by, and Anna seemed to be slowly recoiling into her shell. She had become so quiet that it scared me. She barely ate and only spoke a few words when I tried to engage her. She still didn't want to talk about it, and when I tried to ask her who the father was, she got emotional and broke down whilst telling me she had no idea who he was. I knew I had to do something, and I had to do it fast.

But what do I do?

You are probably wondering why I am so worried about her. You see, it wasn't like Anna to stay in a sour mood. She was always the optimistic one. Anything could cheer Anna up, but in the last week, all my attempts to cheer her up have proved futile. We had watched every movie of her choice and eaten every snack she craved, and it was not even that far into the pregnancy. I don’t know how pregnancy works, maybe I could do some research.

I sighed in frustration, my back was beginning to ache from all of the sitting down and my eyes were slightly watering. It was obvious I wasn’t gonna get anything useful from the internet, I had to go back to using my head.

I could take her shopping. Yeah, we could go and buy some baby clothes. No, that might trigger something, I’m not even sure she wanted to keep the baby. Do I ask her?

She doesn’t want to talk about it, Ari.

I reminded myself. I run my hands down my face already out of ideas. But my hands stop mid-face as an idea pops into my head.

I could throw her a party! Oh God! Why didn’t I think about this earlier? Anna loves parties. I could throw her a small party just the two of us, and I could make it like a surprise. Yes! A surprise party! For her… and the baby of course.

I could do it today, yes! I raced to my room and threw on a light top and some jeans. I put my hair into a ponytail and applied a little bit of makeup so I didn’t look too rough. I put on my shoes and grab my wallet. I took one last glance at myself in the mirror to see if I looked good enough.

Don't blame me, I am currently unemployed.

I called Anna and made up a lie about going to visit my grandmother, you see Anna hates being home alone so there’s this thing we do where I have to inform her whenever I am going to be home late so she can also stay out late. she‘s going to pick up an extra shift so she’ll be back super late.

I called up a few friends of Anna to see if they’d be available for tonight. I couldn’t cheer Anna up on my own; only a party animal could cheer up a party beast. So Anna’s friends would come in handy.

As I dragged my overflowing cart to the cashier counter. I realized I had bought a lot and it’s definitely going to take a huge chunk out of my savings. Anna better be surprised.

Just as I was about to leave the Mall, Isabel, and Cherry came strolling down the driveway.

Isabel wore a sundress and a pair of sandals, Cherry wore a black latex gown, stopping right before her knee-high boots. I stand Akimbo and deadpan.

“Took you both long enough! I had to do all the shopping myself!” I flare my hands up “What the fuck, guys?”

“Sorry, we came as fast as we could. There was a traffic jam on Helm Street, so we had to leave the cab and walk,” Isabel explained and I deadpanned again.

“Why take a taxi when you both have cars?” I stated.

“They're parked at home and we aren't coming from home, '' Cherry explains. “But you brought yours though?” Cherry asked.

“But you still haven't told me why you d-”

“Because we didn’t see the need to-” Isabel starts but, Cherry cuts her off “Ugh! Enough Ari, we’re here, aren't we? So what’s up with Anna?” The concern laced in her voice brings me out of my mood.

“She is pregnant” I blurted out, and I could see their faces slowly morph into that of surprise. I grimaced, still not sure if it was my place to say it, but I hope Anna understands.

I’m not wrong, right?

“What!?” Cherry’s voice pierced through my ears making me grimace again.

“W…When?”

“How?”

“Where?”

“Or better still, whose baby is it?”

“Yeah, who is the father?” They both asked simultaneously, and I squeezed my face in confusion.

“I wish I could answer all your questions…but I can't, she’s not saying anything about it. She doesn't want to talk about it and has been sulking all week.” I told them and Isabel gasped.

“All week? Why didn’t you tell us sooner?” Cherry inquired, crossing her arms.

“Because I didn’t think it was my place to talk about it, she didn’t want to talk about it, so why should I?” I explain, I’m becoming a little agitated and Cherry's accusing scowl is making me feel slightly uneasy.

“Well, that ain’t much of an excuse.” Cherry’s black American accent raises the tension.

“I am sorry for not saying anything sooner guys, I felt it wasn't my place to bring it up. But she needs all of our support now, so I figured it was time to tell you.” I said.

“So, what’s the plan?” Isabel inquired.

“We would be throwing a surprise party for her. Judging by how busy she said she was, she would not be home till midnight.” I told her, completely ignoring the daggers Cherry was throwing at me with her eyes.

“Well, I guess we better start going now, I can't wait to see her face when we pull off this surprise. She is gonna be so pumped,” Isabel squealed with a contagious smile on her face. It puts a smile on my face too. It eases the tension in the air, even though Cherry is still quiet.

“I know right! She’d be so shocked.” I remarked, playing out different scenarios in my head as to how today would go.

“Even though we don’t know the father yet.” Isabel begins. “I am certain, she’s going to have the most beautiful baby.” She squeals every word making me chuckle.

************************

The ride back home took longer than expected. The traffic jam wasn’t friendly, and my hopes of throwing Anna a surprise party were fading fast. My phone buzzed, it was a notification reminding me to call David, I haven't heard from him all week.

The traffic jam lasted for another hour before it finally cleared up. It was five in the evening and I was already considering pushing Anna’s surprise party till tomorrow, but I wanted to get home first.

I walk to the door and find out it is unlocked. I furrow my brows.

“Did Emily forget to lock the doors again?” I mumble as we enter the house.

“Y’all still keep that girl here?” Cherry shakes her head. It wasn’t news about Emily’s attitude.

Emily is our housekeeper, who is a high school student. Anna and I have suspected that she occasionally brings her friends over and they take things from us, but we've never caught her, so we hadn’t had a reason to fire her, maybe I might catch her today and then tell Anna.

You see, Emily is an immigrant, so she couldn’t get any decent-paying job. Anna and I had problems with chores because of our busy schedules, so when Mrs Peters, our neighbor, recommended Emily, it was a relief.

Not until things started going missing without a trace. No one had access to our house except Emily so, if our suspicions were right, then now would be the perfect time to catch her.

We stealthily entered the house to make sure she didn’t hear us coming in, that way she wouldn’t have an excuse. We begin to hear unholy sounds coming from my room. and I cringe.

“OMG, did she bring one of her boyfriends to your house...To have sex on your bed??” Cherry whisper-yells as we all come to a halt. Isabel gasps.

“Ugh! That’s disgusting.”

“Let’s split up. she must have brought her friends over. We can catch them all together and hand them over to the police.” I keep my voice as low as I can.

“The police? but they are just kids, High schoolers,” Isabel remarks.

“Well, high schoolers should be in school and not have underage sex in their employer's room,” Cherry states while cracking her fingers.

“Why couldn't they use Anna’s room… I just changed my sheets,” I groaned.

We walk towards my room. All the doors leading there were left slightly open, which made it even easier. She’s so fired after this.

The moans get louder as I get closer to the door. The door is slightly opened? and I am about to go in when Cherry stops me.

“Wait, Let me go first.” She mouthed. Cherry never liked Emily to begin with so this seemed like the perfect opportunity to bear her to a pump.

When the door opens, Cherry stops in her tracks and so do I.

Isabel gasps “Damn! I did not see that coming,” Cherry remarked.

“Anna?”