CHAPTER FIVE

The Wellingtons' escorted Carl Bradford and his father to the limousine, waiting outside. Bella leaned closer, and planted a kiss on Carl's cheek. Mr. Wellington, and Mr. Bradford exchanged glances, and communicated with their eyes.

"Look at them, love birds" Mr. Bradford commented with a huge smile.

Carl couldn't remember when last his dad grinned this wild. Definitely making the old man proud this time around, he muttered to himself, while maintaining his smile. Carl's skin was so flawless, and his face was more than perfect.

Still leaning on Carl, Bella whispered "I forgot to mention, you're really pretty. I know it's girly but I must use that phrase" She smiled. Her perfect dentition was appalling. The natural light radiated her beauty even more, which made Carl forget he was pissed at her few minutes ago.

"Thanks. I will see you soon" he bowed politely.

Just then, Nate walked up to him, "Sir, you got a call."

"Okay. Engage the person on the phone. I will be with you soon." Carl turned to Bella, "I will be leaving now." he politely said, and stepped into the car. Nate handed the phone over to him immediately she sighted him in the car.

"Hello sir" A deep masculine Voice boomed from the other end.

"Doctor Bryan" Carl called out, recognizing the voice almost immediately. "What do I owe this special call?"

"Sir, She got discharged today." Doctor Bryan replied

"Who?" Carl asked, trying to understand what he was saying.

"The girl you brought here earlier."

"Oh" He pressed his palms over his forehead, recalling the young girl who passed out on the alley. She looked like a girl in her late 10's.

"How was she before she got discharged?" he asked, like he cared. "Fine..." Doctor Bryan replied. it was obvious he had more to say, but for some reasons, decided to hold back.

"Go on" Carl calmly said

His father, Mr. Williams Bradford owns the prestigious hospital, and Carl grew quite fond of Doctor Bryan.

Carl exhibited a weird aura, that made most people frightened of his presence, including Doctor Bryan.

"I gave her your complementary card" He paused, and then continued, "You asked me to give it to her." Carl never scolded the doctor for once but yet, the doctor who was older than him, was oddly scared.

"Yes, that's fine" Carl replied calmly, trying to make the agitated doctor calm.

"Can I hang up now?" He fondled with his shirt.

"Yes, sir. you don't need to as...." Carl ended the call abruptly, and handed his phone over to Nate.

"Mr. Carl Bradford, how was your date?" Nate asked teasingly.

She was pretty frightened of her boss, but she has always managed to cover it up, and on most occasions, her efforts proved futile.

"That wasn't a date" he scorned at her. He saw Nate as his only friend, who he could say anything to.

Mr. Williams walked into the car, and the Chauffeur immediately started the ride.

"Do you like her?" His father asked

"She is beautiful" Carl forced a smile, and tried to act positive.

"Good" his father's icy tone was back, guess he detected, his son wasn't ready for this.

"Like I have a say in this" Carl muttered under his breath.

Mr.Williams noticed his son's expression, but ignored. Silence took over the atmosphere once again.

***

"Mamaaa, Come over" Mr. Wellington called to his daughter. She has always being his favorite girl, and was fond of calling her Mamaa.

"Hey, Dad" Bella strode over to him, embracing him.

"So, Do you like him?"

"I do. His so cute, but to be honest, I am not comfortable around him." she shrugged, then put on her best smile, trying to impress her dad.

"You sulk at hiding your feelings. See those smiles." Mr. Wellington teased her, reaching for her cheeks. "This is just the first day, I am sure you will soon be comfortable with him" he added.

"I know right. I am going to my room. Girl's hangout later tonight"

"Okay, baby" he proudly patted his Angel's back and watched her departing shadow.

"I wonder why I didn't name her Angel" he smiled to himself.

***

I phoned mum, but she ignored my call. I know I am wrong but I need her in my life, more than ever.

Right now, I don't even care about my school, but my present situation.

"Come sit" Aunt Kim called, when dinner was served. We ate in complete silence, like we were scared of uttering a single word.

"You know, your mum, and I loves you so much". I felt a sharp pain in my chest, like she struck a knife there. "I'm sorry" I muttered again. Maybe, this will become my new ringtone because there was nothing else I could say. Every now, and then, my life kept flashing right in front of me. I packed up the dishes, and strolled into the kitchen to deal with them.

"Khloe Jacob" Aunt Kim called from the living room minutes later.

"Yes, ma'am"

"Come, sit" she said, patting the free space beside her.

"You are already three weeks gone" She said to me. I wish this was a dream, one I could wake up from. Can she stop reminding me of my predicament?

"As long as I live, I won't let you have an abortion". Aunt Kim was definitely a God-sent. In a way, her voice felt comforting, and for a minute, I wondered how I would have survived if she turned her back on me.

"I haven't had a child of my own. This pregnancy should be a thing of celebration, and not sorrow. Your state of mind needs to be healthy, and positive so you won't have any complications during delivery." I could feel cold chills, and her words were quite comforting, yet painful.

"Shouldn't I get rid of this baby? and focus on my life, maybe, mum will forgive me then" I found myself asking her.

"Khloe Jacob!" Aunt Kim screamed, startling me a bit. "You are not killing an innocent baby under my roof. Don't ever spill this again. Get rid of that evil thought."

"Ma.....a....m, I am so...r..ry" I stammered, choking back the tears.

"We're keeping this baby. This baby won't interfer much with your education. After your delivery, and 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding, you will go back to school." She sniffled in a tear. I guess my words got to her. "This baby isn't your end, and wouldn't ruin your future, Khloe." she couldn't hold her tears anymore, and so could I.

"Your mum had so much expectations from you, and you won't fail her once again. You made a mistake just once, and you won't make another." For a minute, I wished Nurse Kim was my mum, but that was an ungrateful wish. Mum really toiled, and suffered for 19 good years alone to raise me up, and I messed up.

Aunt Kim wipes the tears from her eyes, with the back of her palm. "You will be a great surgeon, my little baby." I needed all this, as I swung my arms over her, tightening her in an embrace.

"Easy" she managed to laugh, and I chuckled. "Your mum did a good job on you. look at me" just then, I stared at her, and then the tears started again. "Promise me, Khloe, you won't fail her anymore." I didn't utter a word, but stared deeply into her eyes. Aunt Kim managed to wiggle herself free from my embrace, and held my hands.

"You know, your mum didn't want you to end up like her, and I won't let that happen. Your dad left her, when she told him about you. Ever since then, no word has been heard from him." Aunt Kim gulped in the saliva stuck in her throat.

"Who is the father of this baby?" My head spined. This was the very question, I dreaded. She noticed my reluctant to answer. "If you don't want to tell me, that's fine. I will wait, whenever you're ready. I know it's too much for you right now, but someday, you will open up." she said, trying to lighten up the mood. Aunt Kim has been asking the same question for weeks now, and always got no response from me.

"So, tell me. where did you go to, the day you left the hospital?" my mind flashed back to the beautiful white hospital. "Oh, thatttt, I was just walking on the road." she stared at me, and smiled, with so many unspoken words hanging on the air.

"That's fine" she smiled.

"Why are you smiling, Aunt Kim?" I laughed. "Nothing ma'am" she replied, and started laughing too.