CHAPTER 103
Celine’s POV
My eyes flutter open sharply and I shut them back as fast as I opened them because of how it hurts.
I must have slept for so long, I say to myself before opening my eyes again, adjusting to the bright light of the room.
I am staring at the white ceiling for a while before I turn to realize this isn’t my room. It isn’t Bryan’s room either and fear grips me.
Where am I? Has Paxton gotten a hold of me again?
I look down to see that I am dressed in white cloth. Wait, am I in a hospital? What happened?
Just before I can find answers to the questions in my head, the door opens and Bryan comes in with his mother.
When he notices I am awake, he rushes to me.
“Celine?” The look of concern on his face is something I will love to always see. I don’t want to be the only one concerned about him. I don’t want this to be one-sided. I want every feeling I feel for him to be mutual. That way, my anger will dissipate easily and I can finally give this a chance.
This is when I remember how I ended up here. I was out with his mother when I slipped into consciousness. I was dizzy, and I am sure it is because I haven’t had a good rest since I left the hospital this morning.
The doctor told me that I needed to rest but I was stubborn and I wanted to leave.
I didn’t give the decision I made any big thought. I just wanted to leave. I didn’t think about how much suffering I went through when I was staying with my old aunt in Los Angeles. She was practically living off me. I was always the one to work day and night so as to put something on the table while she takes care of Jason for me.
Ever since Bryan came back to take Jason and ever since he employed me to be his nanny, I haven’t done any serious work and he is paying me for the job.
Won’t it be foolish of me to go away now? I have never attributed much importance to money but when I had Jason and I was left to feed two mouths, I knew money was important and I regretted why I didn’t wait to get the last payment from Bryan before leaving.
I can’t help but think about all Bryan said to me before we had sex this morning. He told me indirectly that he was in love with me and I was the closest he could vent his anger on.
I believe him.
“Celine?” He shakes me with worry etched on his face. This is when I realize he has been talking but I did not hear a single thing he has been saying.
“Yes?” I answer softly so he won’t think I have lost the use of my voice.
Relief washes through his expression and he turns to exchange glances with his mother.
She nods at him and moves out quietly. I am left with Bryan now and the silence is really awkward.
I want to say something but I don’t know what to say. I want to ask a lot of questions but I don’t know the exact thing to ask him.
Should I ask him what the doctor said is wrong with me?
No, that isn’t a nice way to start a conversation.
I already know it is the stress. I left the hospital this morning, I had sex with Bryan, I skipped breakfast and ate a late lunch and I also went out with Bryan’s mother instead of resting.
“Won’t you punch me?” His question jerks me out of my reverie and I turn to him.
“What?”
“I expect you to hit me in the face, on the chest, all over my body…”
“Why?” I ask him. I know the point he is driving at but I want him to say it himself.
“To let go of your anger towards me”, he answers.
I almost roll my eyes at him. I turn away before doing that. “I am not like you.”
“What?” I can hear the amusement in his voice as he exclaims. I shut my eyes and bite my lips.
Isn’t my forgiveness coming too soon? Why can’t I do this for a long time? He ought to suffer more before I tell him he has been forgiven.
Letting a deep frown replace my expression, I remark. “I am not like you, Bryan. I am not one to vent my anger on someone or something.”
He falls silent and when I turn back to look at him, the amusement is gone. He looks serious now and I can see a flash of remorse.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
Shit! I curse within me.
I hope he won’t get the wrong idea. He must feel bad for what I said. I understand that he is ill-tempered and that is how he can let go of his rage easily but I don’t have to rub it in his face.
Well, he deserves it!
He has done more than this to me. He has said more hurtful words than this to me. He should bear it.
“How do you feel?” he ask me, the concern back on his face. I am amazed that the hurt is gone within seconds. Bryan isn’t one to forgive so easily but I guess now that he wants my forgiveness, he will also learn to forgive people easily for the mistakes they do intentionally and even the ones they do without knowing.
“I’m fine. When can I go home?” I question eagerly, glad that we are having a real conversation now. This is how we should start it.
“Tomorrow. The doctor wants to place you on bed rest but I told him I will make sure you rest well while at home”, he says and looks down. He looks like there is something else he isn’t telling me.
I don’t know how to ask him so I only say “Ok.”
“I already asked Camilla to put your things in my room so I can watch over you…”
“Why will you do that?” I attack him instantly, my eyes growing large in surprise.
I know Bryan to be someone who enjoys his privacy. Why will he want my things to be in his room? Is he trying to do this just so I won’t run away again?
I shake my head when he isn’t saying anything.
Well, I have no problem with that. But what about Jason? Where will he stay?
Silence falls again and I turn to him. He is looking thoughtful as if contemplating whether to tell me the next thing on his mind or not.
“What is it?” I ask him with folded arms without sitting up.
“What?!” He looks confused.
“What is it you want to tell me? Spill!”
He shakes his head intermittently, looking like a schoolboy denying his love for his school crush.
He begins to look nervous all of a sudden. I want to ask him again when he rises and excuses himself.
I furrow my brows, trying to figure out what it is he is hiding.
Did something happen while I was unconscious? Is it Jason? Am I sick?
My curiosity gets the better of me so I sit upright and step down from the bed. I don’t feel weak like I thought I would feel but I can’t walk as fast as I use to.
Slowly, I amble close to the door. I feel hungry and I also feel like urinating. I should tell Bryan to get me something to eat but they will be after I have asked him to help me to the toilet to ease myself.
Bryan is too fastidious and this is what I am going to use to punish him. I won’t go against staying in his room, instead, I will have him do things for me since I am not well. He will be the one to always help me to the toilet whenever I want to urinate too and I can’t wait to see the look on his face.
I touch the doorknob and I am about to turn it when a voice stops me.
“Aren’t we supposed to tell her already?” Bryan asks.
I don’t need a soothsayer to know that he is talking about me with his mother.
My curiosity is at its peak now as I strain my ears to hear more.
What do I need to know? Is something going to happen to me? Am I battling a deadly illness? Am I going to die and they are thinking of the right way to put it to me?
“She will know eventually, Bryan but I want us to be out of here first and I also want her to be fine before we put it to her”, his mother argues.
Silence ensues and I am beginning to think that they must have figured out that I am eavesdropping on their conversation.
“I know, mom”, Bryan says again, sadness laced in his tone. “But she is a woman. How is it possible for her not to know that she is pregnant? Won’t she figure it out before we decide to tell her?”
I move backward.
Who is pregnant? Are they really talking about me?
I am pregnant? My mouth drops open as I look down at my flat belly.
The reality crashes heavily on me that I am indeed pregnant with my second child for a man I got married to five years ago.
Then, I let out a piercing scream.