Chapter 113: Chapter 113

JUNE

“June?” He sounded uncertain as he watched me.

“Is this even a question, Kristen? Of course, I will marry you.” I drew my right hand out, and he slipped the ring on. It was as pretty as the first one he proposed with those nights ago, the only difference being the size. This one is smaller, but much more sophisticated.

“Yes!” Favour squealed as Henry popped a bottle of champagne.

“Thank you!” Kristen got up and hugged me, almost crushing my small frame with his large one. “You don't know how delighted I am about this, June. Thanks for always choosing me.” He placed both hands on the side of my face, and peered into my eyes, revealing so much with those green orbs of his.

“Kiss, kiss! Kristen, kiss your fiancée. Come on, man!” Favour cheered. And like always, the others followed. But I didn't pay attention to them because my entire focus was on the man in front of me.

He leaned down to kiss me, but I stopped him by placing my index on his lips.

The chants ceased, and they all focused on us.

“Don't tell me you are too shy, baby girl?” Favour asked.

“No, I'm not. I just figured out we needed something else to celebrate over.”

“Which is?”

“Kristen, you will be a father soon.”

If I thought the entire place was quiet when I walked in earlier with Mark, it was nothing compared to how it was now. You can even hear a pin drop.

“Wh… What did you say?” Kristen broke the silence with his question.

“I'm pregnant, Kristen. Two weeks along.” I smiled up at him, finally telling him the secret I've been keeping to myself since I found out three days ago.

“Pregnant?!” Favour shrieked, almost tearing the ceiling down—kidding, though.

A fiercely melting kiss from Kristen blocked the screams from them. At that moment, I forgot those with us and how ashamed I would be when I eventually faced my father. But for now, Kristen is the only one in my mind… The father to my unborn child.

This time, I will protect them with all my might. I won't let anything happen to my baby. It won't be like the last one.

****

“Why did you suddenly ask me out?” I got into the car and confronted Mark, who just called me out of the blue. I wasn't expecting the call when it came. It has been a week since Kristen proposed. Though Mark still calls me, it wasn't as frequent as before.

“Can't I call to see my best friend?” He pouted at me. “I called you, thinking you would be pleased to meet me, but you don't seem that happy,” he accused.

“Why won't I be glad? Of course, I'm always delighted whenever I get to spend some time with you.”

It's just that we have been occupied with exams this week, and have spent limited time together aside from when he drives me to school.

“Here.” He passed a bottle of pineapple juice to me. “I brought this for you.”

“For me?” I took it with a smile. “Thanks a bunch. I've been craving all things pineapple since this week.” I uncorked the cap and took a swing.

“You are welcome.” He turned to focus on the house. “Is Kristen at work?”

“Of course he is. Today is Saturday, not Sunday.”

“Mmm.” He nodded his head but didn't speak a word more.

“Why did you call me out here?” I inquired, slowly sipping the juice. The first gulp was because I wanted to sample it. Now, I wish it to last as long as it can.

“I've missed you, that's why.” He shrugged once more but didn't turn to look at me. Aside from the time I entered his car, he hadn't looked at me. Not even when he gave me the juice. His focus then was on the bottle instead of me.

I would have waved it off had it not been for this feeling in my guts.

“Are you okay? Why aren't you looking at me?”

“What do you mean?” He turned to face me. “Of course, I'm okay. You just don't look so charming that I have to constantly stare at you.”

“Come on. You have had no issue with gawking at me all day long. What changed?” I took another large mouthful of the drink. “Is everything alright? Don't you dare keep anything from me,” I warned, narrowing my eyes to slits.

“It's just that you got ugly. There's not much to look at you for.” He turned his focus to the steering wheel, tapping on it with his two index fingers. “Makes me wonder what Kristen saw in you. You've gotten pretty awful, June.”

“That's because I'm pregnant!” I furiously drank from the bottle, finishing everything at once. “Wait until I give birth. I won't let you go anywhere near my baby!”

He scoffed. “Who wants to touch your baby? I bet she will look as ugly as the mom.”

“I'm not ugly! Don't you dare call me awful!” I pointed at him, glowering darkly. “If you dare call me ugly, I will cut off all ties with you! We won't be friends any more!” I threatened, feeling genuinely pissed at him.

He smiled but didn't reply to my words.

“I will—”

I felt a sharp wave of dizziness hit me. It left me gasping as I placed my right palm on my forehead.

“Mark, I feel sick,” I murmured, barely keeping my eyes open.

Unlike Mark, he didn't say a word, neither did he touch me. He just remained still and watched me.

“Ma… What's happening to me, Mark?” I asked as my eyes kept on fluttering close. It was getting rather laborious to keep them open. "M… Mark, pl… Plea… Please help me.”

I don't think I can remain conscious for long. The pull is extremely severe. And I feel depleted.

“I'm sorry, June,” he murmured right before I closed my eyes, succumbing to the lures of a forced nap.