Brace For Impact

Jeanne stayed quiet in the ward while eating.

"Knock, knock" Aaron arrived at the doorstep but Jeanne seemed unbothered.

"Can you eat that? I bought you some sushi rolls, " said Aaron cheerfully, tried to liven up the mood. He started plating the sushi rolls.

"Yes, " replied Jeanne simply while continue eating. Actually, her mouth can't accept the food but she just went for it as she is too hungry.

"Bluu, bluerkk" Jeanne was caught, feeling like throwing out. Aaron quickly reached for the bin and let Jeanne threw out in the bin.

Jeanne wholeheartedly threw up to the last bit of the food. Then, Aaron passed the water and tissue for her to clean up.

"Hm, Jeanne. Please don't force yourself, " said Aaron, full of concern and cautiously.

Jeanne pretends that she did not hear it.

She sat for a moment, resting herself. However, the smell of the sushi rolls was so attempting. She started at the sushi rolls deliciously.

"Eat all you want, " said Aaron while taking the sushi rolls closer to Jeanne after noticing Jeanne's glare to the plate.

Jeanne cannot hold herself anymore that the sushi smells so delicious and she is super hungry.

She reached for one roll and eat. However, it tastes exceptionally good. She then took one after one until the plate with 10 rolls of sushi is completely gone.

Aaron just watched Jeanne's eating while smiling.

"I should have brought more, " said Aaron.

Jeanne was all silenced.

"Jeanne, I know. It will be hard for you to accept what I did, " said Aaron. He then continued,

"But all I wish is for the baby to have a normal life with the parents. Nothing else. The baby is my responsibility and I shall responsible for it"

Jeanne was still silenced. Hence, Aaron continued more,

"I know I was being stupid, doing all this without you knowing, not telling you the truth. I was just afraid... of losing you. That's why I held everything inside. I was in love with you the first time we met and from that moment on, I know I want you always by my side"

Aaron finally confessed his true feelings and his fear of telling the truth.

Jeanne was hushed until she shed tears, slowly and sadly due to disappointment.

Things are all messed up now.

Jeanne then replied,

"I honestly thought the baby was Andy's. Hence, I have made a promise to him, to build a family with the presence of this baby"

Aaron was quiet down. He knew that it is his fault for not clarifying this earlier. If not, Andy would not even exist in the picture.

"There's no going back" continued Jeanne.

Jeanne thought for herself. How better would it be if Aaron comes clean earlier? This mess would not be this huge.

Also, deep in her heart, she can relate to Aaron's fear of losing someone. Hence, she also hoped in the tiny bit that the baby belongs to Aaron, as she knew that she loves Aaron more, honestly.

Suddenly, an idea comes to his mind.

"Let's do the paternity test, " suggested Aaron.

Jeanne thought for a while.

"Okay, next week I will do an ultrasound for the baby. We can go along at that time" said Jeanne.

Aaron just agreed to it. Jeanne reached for her phone and told Andy about it. Even though Andy did not seem to agree because he was afraid that he might lose Jeanne, he then agrees in a forceful manner.

Finally, the day has arrived. The trio went to the hospital and meet the specialist.

"We wanted to do a paternity test," said Aaron to the doctor.

The doctor nodded.

"Sure, but first let us check the baby and the mommy, "

Jeanne was asked to sleep on the bed while Aaron and Andy stayed beside her.

"Hmmm.." said the doctor long.

"Is this the first ultra scan that you do?" asked the doctor.

"No, it's the second time. the first one probably in the first trimester" answered Jeanne.

The doctor stayed focus while seeing at the ultrasound machine.

Jeanne felt nervous, as much as those two.

"Why, doctor. Is there something wrong with the baby?" asked Jeanne anxiously.

"Well, it's not the baby," said the doctor.

Jeanne, Aaron, and Andy become more anxious.

"It's the babies", said the doctor again.

Wait what? it's a twin?!

Jeanne was flabbergasted. No wonder she felt so much back pain. Knowing that now she has babies, she felt so responsible for the baby and even felt more and more love.

" It's a twin" continued the doctor.

Aaron and Andy also seemed excited about the news.

"But, " the doctor continued, making them three nervous again.

"Since it is a twin, we cannot do a paternity test. The result will be invalid" said the doctor.

Those three nods, understand what the doctor says.

"You can do the paternity test once the baby got out, " said the doctor.

The three went out of the room in disappointment.

"I will take care of you, " said Andy suddenly.

"No, I will, " replied Aaron.

"These my babies, and I will take care of them," said Andy sternly.

Aaron did not seem wanting to lose. Hence, Jeanne quickly resolved them.

"Enough, both of you! From now on, I will take care of myself!" said Jeanne then quickly disappear into the thin air.

The two guys were left wasted.

Throughout the last few months of the pregnancy, Jeanne successfully managed herself.

Even though at first she struggled a little bit but somehow she managed it well. After a while, she somehow felt that she is better off without them.

Andy and Aaron often saw her at work but they tried their best to not disturb Jeanne for the sake of her and the babies.

Aaron once tried to clean the air, sending sushi rolls lunchbox and bouquet of roses, but Jeanne ignored it and live the life in her own way.

"That looks great, " said Jeanne. Today is the final fitting for the models and Andy was also there, but both of them keep it professional.

The meeting of the final fitting went up well and finally, it ended. Andy was Jeanne struggled to stand up with the big tummy, he wanted to help but Jeanne's glare is enough to distort his intention, perfectly saying that she doesn't need anyone's help.

Jeanne went back home with few groceries in her hands.

"Baby, you don't have to do this. Look at you, " said Ma while rushingly taking the groceries from Jeanne. Ma seemed quite nervous in Jeanne's eyes but she did not ask.

She took a rest at the sofa while her eyes following Ma to the kitchen.

Jeanne felt so happy at Ma's improvement. Throughout this time, Jeanne has successfully pumped on big cash for Ma's treatment and she was so happy with the result. Ma seemed a lot better, healthier, and happier now.

Jeanne suddenly felt thirsty. She stood up and walked to the kitchen.

"Harry?" asked Jeanne when he saw a man who was rushing out of the kitchen.

Harry who was about to go out of the kitchen stopped at Jeanne's call. He turned around to face Jeanne.

"Hi, Jeanne..." Harry seemed stuttered and nervous, as much as Ma.

"Why are you here?" questioned Jeanne, puzzled.

"Did Aaron sent you here?" she continued while drinking.

Harry seemed shocked by Jeanne's words.

"No, " Harry wanted to explain but Ma crossed him.

"No, Jeanne. Harry was a friend of mine. We were friends in college. He just comes here to cook together" explained Ma nervously.

Jeanne just nodded.

"I better go now. Bye" said Harry while rushing out, and throwing the sweetest smile to Ma.

"Bye, " replied Ma, while smiling.

Jeanne became weird to see Ma smiled in such a way.

"You sure you guys are 'just friends'?" said Jeanne, teasing her Ma.

"Well, yeah," said ma ashamedly, while smiling.

Must be imagining her memories with Harry, said Jeanne in her heart.

"Well Ma, I don't mind if he is more than a friend. Seeing you healthier and happier now, I would never ask for more, " said Jeanne.

Jeanne's words made Ma felt relieved. Actually, they have been seeing each other after the first time Harry was here with Aaron. They were once in love with each other until Harry needed the transfer school. Seeing him again, making the old heart of hers budding with love again, and they don't mind to start anew.

Jeanne hugged Ma lovingly and head to her room.

The next morning was the final day before d-day. Jeanne, her team, and the models went to the fashion show location, which is not far from the office and did a test run.

Jeanne was busy checking everything, making sure that tomorrow went smooth as silk.

After a moment, Aaron arrived, coming to see the place as the higher-ups.

"How is it going?" asked Aaron to Jeanne.

Jeanne then explained everything. Throughout the explanation, Aaron felt grateful that Jeanne still wanted to talk to him even though in a professional setting. Andy, who was observing from afar felt a little bit of anger and jealousy has sparked in him.

"Hello?" Jeanne called Aaron after Aaron did not seem to react after she finished explaining. Aaron was daydreaming while listening to Jeanne's voice.

"Ok, I think everything's perfect. Keep up the good work" said Aaron simple. Jeanne felt satisfied with the compliment from the higher-ups, feeling that she had done her job well.

"What's with the extra chairs?" questioned Jeanne to her stage and program manager after seeing 20 extra chairs for the VIP.

"I'm not allowed to say it. Mr.Walter said it is a surprise, for the company's first collection, " said the stage manager.

Jeanne thought of what surprise can it be. She becomes so eager to ask, but then she just remained silent to minimize her communication with Aaron. Despite that, she is so excited to know what the surprise is all about.

Jeanne can't seem to sleep that night due to nervousness. Suddenly her phone beeps.

"Good luck for tomorrow. You've prepared well. I'm hoping for nothing but a flamboyant success tomorrow, "

Aaron's thoughtful words relax her a bit.

Phew, hope everything goes well tomorrow, said Jeanne.

The venue seemed pack of people and Jeanne feeling so nervous. There were designers, top models, influencers, and reporters at the side of the runaway.

"Come on, let's do this," said Jeanne to her team, putting hands together.

"Jeanne, we are ready, " said the stage manager.

Jeanne then raises an OK sign.

The show was finally started and Jeanne went first for an introductory speech.

"Hello everyone, thank you for attending. Today, I will unveil the summer collection for the first collaboration between Walters Fashion House and ArtIsTry Fashion House. The show themed Forever Young will begin shortly. Sit back, relax and enjoy"

When Jeanne turned around to go to the backstage, she was so shocked seeing reputable fashion designers from Italy, France, and other countries famous fashion house occupying the extra seats.

She was so shocked but she held it in until she arrived at the backstage.

"Oh my God, am I seeing this right?" said Jeanne in shock to Rex, Cara, and Dita. She can't believe that the attendees that she saw are her role models in fashion designing.

This time, Aaron got her hard. She is so freaking excited and proud that they attended her fashion show.

The show went well and it was the time to say goodbye. The team searched for Jeanne to do an ending speech but Jeanne was in the toilet.

In the toilet, Jeanne was touching up her make up, getting prepared for the ending speech. At the time, she was humming out of happiness. So many good things happened for her today.

"Looking happy?" said Anne who suddenly appear from nowhere.

"Well, who's not? it's a success, " said Jeanne jokingly while continue to correct her lipstick.

Nonetheless, Anne remained silent at her back that it caught Jeanne's attention.

"Why are you asking...." asked Jeanne while turning around her body.

How shock she was to see Anne was right behind her holding a knife that she cannot finish her sentence.

"What are you doing?" shouted Jeanne. She held her big tummy.

"I'm so freaking mad at you, bitch! For everything!" suddenly Anne attacked her, letting go of the knife and strangled her.

Jeanne fought back but Anne was stronger.

Seeing Jeanne fought back hard, it made Anne become angry. She then strangles Jeanne's harder that Jeanne choked hard. Jeanne shouted for help.

Anne acted rougher by pushing Jeanne and slammed her to the floor. Jeanne lose balance and fell down accidentally. Once again, she bleeded hard.

Suddenly, Jeanne move weakens and finally not moving.

Outside, the fashion show is finally done yet no one was there to take charge of the ending speech. Then, Aaron comes in and saves the day, saying thank you to everyone and hoping for a positive response from everyone.

Rex, Dita, and Cara who searched for Jeanne heard Jeanne's shouted for help.

When they arrived at the toilet, Anne was leaning against the wall and Jeanne's body lying on the floor, not breathing and full of blood.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING! OH MY GOD, JEANNE! CALL FOR AMBULANCEEEE!!!" shouted Dita. Cara called the ambulance while Rex called the stage manager. It was a total mess at that time.

The news reached Aaron's ear and they quickly headed to the hospital together.

Jeanne, please survive, pleaded Aaron who is in the ambulance, right beside her.