Chapter 13: Chapter 13

IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE

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SELENA POV

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It's been four months since I saw Chris, I’ve not heard from him and my father has been intolerable. My bump is now quite visible and the other day I felt its first movement. I wanted so much to share the moment with Chris but I don't know how to reach out to him.

My aunt rarely visits, I have no company with me except for the house servant that only comes three times a day to bring me breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She rarely speaks except when spoken to and most times she answers in monosyllable. I am bored, depressed, angry, my emotions are running wild and on a rollercoaster.

Dad's sudden visit a week ago was a surprise to me and even his proposal was weird but I had no choice but to accept it since I was already desperate and also I needed to get out of this room even for a few minutes.

“I have a business proposal for you Selena, and maybe, just maybe, I would allow you to visit Chris. You see I don't hate the boy but I just want to protect you.'' Father said, he looked tired and worn out.

“What is it?” I knew I sounded suspicious but who would blame me after what I’ve been through.

“Our new fashion line is out and I want your face to be used as the brand.”

“But I'm pregnant, father and unmarried wouldn't that be weird.”

“Your bump won't be showing, it's just some summer clothes and bridal photoshoot nothing demanding.”

“I don’t know.”

“The brand is targeting the youths and I want you to be the face of the fashion line as my only daughter.”

“Okay dad, but I get to see Chris and live my life the way I want. I'm tired of all this. I miss mum a lot this day.” I cried

“It's okay honey, everything I do or did is for your good.”

“When and where is the shoot,” I asked, wiping away my tears with the back of my hands. I felt a bit lightheaded.

“Now, everything is ready, I came to get you.”

“How were you so sure that I would agree?”

“You are my daughter, ain't you.”

“You have been so horrible to me these few months. I started doubting if I was really your child.”

Father cupped my tear-streaked face “I’m very sorry, I will make it up to you okay.”

“Okay dad, I believe you. “

The photo shoot was fun and therapeutic. The sunshine felt so good on my skin. The models were all beautiful, I felt myself drooling over the handsome model I did the bridal shoot with. But I wouldn’t replace Chris with anyone. My father’s promise to me kept me going before the shoot was over, I was exhausted but happy. Finally, I would get to be with Chris and forget the past horrible months.``

I waited for dad to take me home, but he was nowhere to be found. His security informed me that he had an emergency business call and would call me. I refused to go back to the basement, surprisingly my aunt agreed and I was sent to the room I occupied whenever I visited.

A week later dad still didn't come to visit me, he lied to me and I don't know why or what he would gain by it. Just as I was contemplating on how to reach my dad, my aunt waltzed in.

“Your father is on the way over here tidy yourself up and look presentable.”

Oh my goodness, it was finally happening, I could feel the excitement build up inside, humming a song I and Chris loved to listen to especially when we went on a long drive, I washed my face and applied light makeup. My hair was unkempt and for the first time in a long while, I wanted to look beautiful again. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt satisfied with the outcome, “I would visit the salon once I leave here before going to see Chris. We would get married immediately, I don't want to have our baby out of wedlock. My brain hummed with plans, the future felt good already.

I knew when dad arrived, he liked to honk his car repeatedly before packing. I ran down the stairs to meet him.

“Daddy.” I was out of breath but didn't care.

“Honey, I have bad news for you. I'm so sorry.”

“Is Chris okay.” my voice shook

“Of course. Why shouldn't he be.”

“Thank God, so what is the bad news?”

“Chris is not who he makes himself to be, honey, I tried to warn you.”

“What happened dad, you are scaring me.”

“I went to give him a marriage proposal, but I met him with another girl.”

“Thats a lie dad, you hate Chris and now you are trying to frame him up.”

“I knew you would think that but I don't blame you, love can blind you from seeing the truth even if it's glaring.”

“I trust Chris with my life.”

“When I saw him with the girl, I confronted him, he said you were just a fling to him, he used you, honey.”

“Stop all this dad, why are you stooping so low, just to hurt him”

“Look at this, is this not his name, Chris Evans Newman.”

“Yes, so what dad. Stop beating around the bush,” I said irritated

“That is five million dollars wired into his bank account. He withdrew the cheque he insisted I give to him or else he would continue to play with your feelings and dump you.”

“Ohh”

“I knew you would doubt me when I told you, that was why I gave him the money, it was nothing compared to your dignity.”

My vision blurred, all I remembered was dad hovering over me, begging me not to leave him.”