Chapter 113 THE NEWS
ARYA’S POV
The hostel room felt even smaller when I returned, the walls seeming to press in as I closed the door behind me and leaned against it.
The money Marco had given me sat heavy in my pocket. I had no idea what I just did.
"There you are!" Cherry burst through the door, she had a key to my room, just like I had one to hers. "I was starting to worry. How did the job hunt go? Any luck?"
I moved to the bed and sat down heavily, pulling out the cash.
Cherry's eyes widened. "Holy shit. Did you rob someone?"
"No." I set the money on the bed between us. "I called Marco."
"Marco?" Cherry frowned. "Who's Marco?"
"Someone from... before. From my old life." I wrapped my arms around myself. "He's an old family friend. I called him because I was desperate, and he wants to help."
"Help how?" Cherry's tone was immediately suspicious. "Because that's a lot of money, Arya. Nobody just hands over that kind of cash without wanting something in return.”
"It's not like that. He just… he wants to take care of me.” Even repeating the words out loud sounded suspicious to my own ears. “He says I don't need to work, that he'll make sure I'm safe and have what I need."
"Red flag!" Cherry threw her hands up. "Huge red flag! Men who want to 'take care of you' without you working or being independent? That's how you end up trapped."
I shook my head. "I know how it sounds."
"Do you?" Cherry sat beside me, taking my hand in hers. "Arya, you've worked so hard to get away from whatever you were running from. And now some guy from your past shows up offering to solve all your problems? What does he get out of it?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "He says he just wants to help. That he feels guilty for not protecting me better before."
She cocked her head to the side. "And you believe him?"
Did I? I wasn't sure. Marco had always been kind to me, but there was something different about him now. Something I couldn't quite put my finger on.
"I don't have a choice," I said quietly. "Mrs. Marta is kicking me out in twelve days. I've tried everywhere for work and nobody will hire me.”
I threw my hands up in the air, feeling exasperated. “I'm pregnant, Cherry. I can't end up on the streets with a baby."
Cherry's expression softened. She reached out and took my hand. "I know and I get why this seems like a good option. But promise me you'll be careful? Promise me if anything feels wrong, you'll get out?"
I nodded, "I promise."
"And you have me. Always.” She squeezed my hand. “Even if I can't fix everything, you're not alone in this."
Tears burned behind my eyes. "Thank you."
Cherry pulled me into a hug, and for a moment, I let myself feel safe.
When we pulled apart, Cherry gestured to the money. "So what's the plan?
"He's going to call tomorrow with details." I hesitated. "But I think I should tell him about the baby."
She frowned. "You want to tell him now?"
"He's offering to help me. He deserves to know what he's actually helping with." I pressed my hand to my stomach. "And maybe... maybe it'll be good for someone to know.”
"Just be careful," Cherry said again. "I have a bad feeling about this guy."
Marco called the next morning, his voice was cheerful. "Good morning. How are you feeling?"
"Fine. Listen, Marco, can we meet? There's something I need to tell you."
A pause. "Of course. Same café? I can be there in an hour."
"Actually, can you come here? To where I'm staying?
Another pause, longer this time. "If that's what you want. Send me the address."
I texted him the hostel location and spent the next hour cleaning my tiny room and trying to calm my nerves.
Cherry offered to stay, but I told her I needed to do this alone.
When the knock came, I opened the door to find Marco looking slightly uncomfortable in the dingy hallway.
"This is where you've been staying?" His expression was pained as he took in the peeling paint and flickering light. "Arya.”
"I know it's not much, but it's all I could afford." I quickly rushed out, smiling tightly.
He stepped inside, and the room felt even smaller with him in it.
I gestured for him to sit in the only chair while I perched on the edge of the bed. "Marco, I need to talk to you about something important."
"Okay." He leaned forward, his full attention on me. "What is it?"
I sucked in a sharp breath, preparing myself. "I've been thinking about your letting you help me and I'm grateful, really. But I can't leave here."
“Why”? He frowned, giving a pointed look at my room. “This place is a mess, Arya.”
I wrapped my arms around myself. "I know this place isn't much, but it's mine and I’m not ready to give that up."
His jaw tightened. "Arya, this place isn't safe."
"It's safe enough. And I need to feel like I have some control over my life." I met his eyes. "But I do need your help."
Marco was quiet for a long moment, then reached into his jacket and pulled out a black credit card. He set it on the bed between us.
"It's in my name," he said. "Use it for whatever you need. And don't worry about limits."
I stared at the card and my hand moved instinctively to my stomach. It was now or never.
"There's something else you need to know," I said quietly. "Before I accept this.”
He nodded slowly. "What is it?"
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to meet his eyes.
"I'm pregnant."
Marco's eyes widened then his lips parted and closed, then parted again.
"Pregnant," he repeated. How far along?"
I shrugged. "About two months."
Marco stared at me for a long moment, his hand still covering mine.
Then he picked up the black card and pressed it firmly into my palm, closing my fingers around it.
"It's a good thing you called me, Arya,” he said softly. "Because you're not alone anymore."