Chapter Five

The long awaited hour had come. I was getting engaged to Jake. It was not a big engagement.

Just our both families and my best friend.

While getting my things ready, the door bell went off. I stood up to go answer the door reminding myself that I'm going to start life afresh. It's so hard to accept but I did it at least for the sake of my child.

I welcomed the Parkers family in and went in to call my parents.

"Mom, Dad, the Parkers are here. They're waiting downstairs." I turned to leave and my mom called me back.

"Nicky Darling, please wait. I want to have a word with you. Dave please excuse us." After he left the room, my mother broke down. I knew she was in pain. It's not easy to send off your child just like that especially when it's against your wish.

"Mommy please stop crying, I know what you're going through. I promise you that I'll be fine, Mrs Parker is a nice lady. Just be strong for me. Please mom." With tears in my eyes I tried my best to comfort her but it wasn't working. We both hugged each other and stayed still for long.

"Mom, promise me you'll be fine, that you'll take care of yourself. Promise me that you won't worry about me. I know, I understand. It's going to be so hard for us to stay apart but just stay healthy for me. I know Dad will take care of you. I just hope he doesn't turn back to his evil ways. Always smile, just for me." I was finding this very hard. I could no longer hold back the tears, I just let them flow. Flow till there's nothing left to shed.

I pulled away to look at my mom and I wiped her face putting a fake smile on mine to make her see that I'm fine.

"I understand that you had no choice but to support my father in his decision. I'm fine with it. I'm serving the punishment for my carelessness. All I want from you is to take care of yourself always. Don't worry so much or else your health may be at stake. I love you Mommy." I said to her and wipe her face once again then she promises that she will be fine.

"Nicky just take care of yourself and my grandchild for me." I managed to pull up a smile and nod.

"Let's head for the living room. Our guests are waiting."

When we got there, we started the engagement, nothing much.

Jake just took out the ring from his pocket and wore me before saying, "Nicole.... I want to... to spend the rest of... my life with you. To always be the one to bear my kids and to...." he said like he was forced to say which I guess he was."... to love me". Those last words come out in a whisper.

It was my turn to speak and I was lost of words. I just expected that once he wore me the ring that will be all. "Me too" was all I could say.

Don't blame me.

Then I hugged my mom and dad and Cheryl.

I tried my best to hold back the tears in my eyes and moved to put my bags in the car trunk but Jake stopped me and collected the bags. Only then did I notice that the Parkers came in two cars. That means Jake and I will go in one and his parents in the other.

Jake opened the car door for me and closed it after me. Wow. So nice of him. And then we followed after his parents.

Throughout the whole ride none of us said a word to each other until we reach the Parkers mansion. While Jake removed my bags from the car trunk, Mrs Parker shows me to my room.

"Nicole, this is your room from now on, " she said with a smile on her face. "If you ever need anything, you can meet me or Jake and just in case of anything Jake's room is next to yours."

"Thanks a lot Mrs Parker." And she let out a small laugh.

"Why the formality, please call me Rose. I just hope that you find the happiness you lost here." she turned to leave and reminded me, "be down for lunch by two, Dear. And don't stress yourself too much."

She's nice enough. At least someone here cared for me. And Jake walked in to drop my bag.

"Uhm... Jake, I'm sorry for putting you through all this. And thanks for helping me with the bags."

He just walked away without saying a word. So rude. He didn't even reply. Or maybe I was too expectant. I mentally told myself that it's just his child I'm carrying and not his heart.

Feeling so sore and tired, I lay down to rest a bit. I began to think of my mother, I was just so scared for her. I kept hoping my dad won't beat her while I was away. Yup. You heard me. As a sexist that he is, whenever my mom or I tried to stand up to him, we just either got ignored or hit. I just hated him for that.

I picked up my phone and dialed Cheryl's number.

She picked up immediately,

"Nicole, your mom's a mess right now. She has refused to eat anything since you left. I don't know how else to comfort her."

"Is my dad at home?"

"No, he's not."

"OK, we'll just result to video call. I need mom to see me and be rest assured that I'm fine. It's barely even five hours since I left and she can't compose herself." I cut the call and made a video call and, fuck, my mom really looked like shit.

After everything I made her promise me, she still didn't stop crying.

I began to unpack my things when I heard a knock on my door. I got up to answer it and I saw Jake at the door.

"Lunch's ready," he said and turned to leave. He was acting so strange and I didn't know why. Is he not comfortable with me here or what? I kicked the thought off and headed to the dinning area.

"Nicole, what took you so long? Anyways take your seat beside Jake." Rose smiled. I hesitated but she insisted I take a seat beside my fiance.

Unbelievable. This is only going to get worse.

Jake frowned when I say down beside him. He just ate his food hurriedly and left me with his parents.

Rose noticed what just happened and smiled.

"Nicky, he'll be fine, I guess he's just tensed. Just give him time. Learn to understand him." I already lost appetite for my food but I tried to eat a little.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~

The next day I went to talk to Rose. I needed to tell her about the decision I made.

"Good morning Rose."

"Good morning Dear, do you need anything? " she responded.

"No. I don't need anything. I just wanted to tell you that I won't start college yet. I will start after the child is born."

I saw the shocked look on her face. She didn't expect me to say this.

"Don't you think you're sacrificing too much for this child? I mean you were one of the best students at your high school and you already got accepted." She paused for a while and places her hands on her hips. "Is this really what you want?"

"No. It's the least I can do. I want to take my time with this child. And I don't want people saying hurtful things about me. I won't be able to take it. Please don't refuse me."

"No, I won't refuse you but I hope you don't regret this huge step you're taking?" she replied sounding worried.

"I won't. Thanks a lot". I said and walked back to the direction of my room. I walked into Jake while trying to enter my room.

"Good morning. Sorry about that." I apologized and looked up to see him staring at me like I'm strange. This boy was just so impossible. I already apologized for running into him.

He snorted, "Get ready when I come back, I'll be taking you out for lunch." He didn't wait for my reply and matched out.

Now it's just me alone at home. The house was lonely and boring. Oh no. The boredom here is just so bad. Dean and Rose Parker have gone to their various place of work. Dean was a business man while Rose was a nurse. No wonder she's so caring. I hear Nurses have a big heart.

After staying awake for long, I drifted off to sleep.

A few hours later, I'm woken by the noise of, I guess, angry Jake. He had a bloody fist and broken lips. Oh no.