Chapter Seven

We went for a fifteen minutes walk. The walk was so weird. None of us said a word to each other. All thanks to my headphone which helped to distract me a bit.

I caught him always stealing glances at me and he too caught me. At times our eyes just met for a second or two.

During the walk I tried a lot to imagine Jake as a father and a good one. The thought of him staying up late just to look after the baby when I retire to bed got me smiling to myself.

Just then a blonde that I recognize walked towards us. Swaying her hips and smiling so widely. I knew she wanted Jake to notice her but she doesn't have to try so hard. I recognized her from somewhere.

She walked up to Jake and hugged him before sending kisses to his lips and giving me a once over. I saw her lips moving, I knew she was saying something but I didn't care. I just paused and waited for them to finish with their talk.

Jake had a confused look for a moment as he stares continuously in one direction and I turned to see what he was looking at and then his friends walked up to him.

Oh Shit.

I warned him not to come with me but he wouldn't listen. And now he's going to blame me for anything that happens out here.

I just closed my eyes and mouth and whispered something. I don't even know what I said. Maybe it's a prayer.

As they got close to us, they greeted each other and I felt three pair of eyes on me including the blonde.

Suddenly my throat became so dry, I began to thirst for water. I didn't know why I was feeling this way. I just wanted to leave here.

Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I looked up removing the head phones from my ears.

"Uhm... Hi. Ugh... Jake's friends right?" that was the wrong thing to say. Now everyone is gonna think I'm stupid.

The blonde was the first to speak, "Jake is this the bitch that's trying to blackmail you?" I could sense anger in her voice as she gives me a once over slightly shaking her head.

"She's so ugly and fat. I don't like her hair colour." she kept pointing out each of my flaws.

I looked at Jake with teary eyes, I didn't even know what to expect but there's no show of emotion. Nothing. I couldn't read his expression.

Jake finally managed to say something, "She is just a family friend that is staying with us for a while. She lost her parents so my parents asked her to stay at our place till a family member comes for her."

Wow. I'm impressed. How can he say something like that. First he told them I'm blackmailing him with the baby and now he just said I'm a family friend. Unbelievable.

I finally found my voice and tried making it sound normal. "Jake, I'll just go home. I want don't want to interrupt you and your friends." I fake a smile and begin to head towards the direction of the house.

My eyes stung with tears. He's even ashamed to introduce me to his friends. I walked a bit faster and when I get to the house, I locked myself up in my room and cried all day.

How could he do this to me? I get it though. It's not like I'm so important to him. I cried myself to bed.

Bang! Bang!, the door sounded and I woke up to hear Rose's voice at the door. "Nicole Dear. Are you there? Please open up for me." I stood up, a bit light headed from all the crying and opened the door for her.

"It's past dinner time. I didn't see you at the table. What happened?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to skip dinner. I just overslept". It's all Jake's fault, I wanted to add.

She smiled. She always did. I wish I could always smile but I can't. Even when I try it only comes out weird.

"I understand Dear. It's happens at times during the pregnancy. You'll get used to it with time."

All I did was nod. Thank God she didn't press it further.

She continued, "You look tired. I'll just have Jake bring you your dinner."

"No, Rose. It's fine. I'll just go get it myself." But she insisted and I couldn't refuse her.

She made Jake bring me my dinner. I told her I wanted just a plate of cereal, I wasn't feeling hungry.

After a minute or two, Jake walked in with my dinner. I decided not to look at him.

"You look like shit". He handed me the tray of cereal and milk.

"Thanks for bringing me dinner" was all I said to him. I was not really in the mood to talk to him. I just didn't want to cry anymore.

I started to eat and noticed that he was still in my room. What does he want from me? Hasn't he hurt me enough? If he's so embarrassed by me then he should just keep his distance. It won't make a difference to me.

He lifted his hand to my cheek and I looked at him wondering what he was about to do. Then he wiped my away tears that I didn't even know I was shedding. My body screamed at his touch.

He still had that effect on me and if his fingers lingered on my skin for too long, I'd be a lot worse than I was already.

"Nicole, I'm sorry I hurt you. I just didn't want my friends to see me as careless." I wasn't sure if he really regreted it.

I just stared into his eyes. Why are his eyes always void of emotion? Why can't I ever interprete a message from his looks especially now?

I can't let him keep hurting me this way and apologizing when he pleases. Why can't he just let me be. I bet my tears make him happy.

"Jake please leave my room. I want to be alone." I cried.

"I'll leave you if that's what you want." He said and left me to the solitude of my room.

I cried some more. Now I began to miss mom. I just wanted back my old life. Even though it was not so fun at least the last few months were good for me. I wanted it back.

I hate being stuck in a place like this. I hate having to cry over the same person over and over again.

I decided to pick up a book I started reading before I moved in here. I've been so occupied with nothing that I forgot to read it.

I hoped it'd help me fantasize a bit and make me forget the pain I was going through.

It was a Nora Roberts book. I started to read before drifting off to sleep. I didn't know how long I read before drifting to sleep.

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

I woke up the next morning with a very disturbing headache. I searched my drawer for any pain reliever but I didn't find any.

Maybe I cried too much. The headache was so bad. My head was hurting so much. That jerk made me cry so badly.

All I wanted is just for to him to respect me. I can't wait for this child to be born maybe there will be a change in his character.

I just hope he won't detest his own blood. I want him to learn to love this child.

I had a lot of hopes.

I decided to go to Rose and get some pain reliever. And I walked into someone at my door. Jake. More like Jerk.

"What do you want?" I snapped at him.

"Bad way to start a day." He said and I rolled my eyes at him.

Talking to him will just drain all the strength left in me. I ignored him walked away to get myself something to eat and then rest after that.

I was beginning to stress myself too much and I didn't want anything to go wrong with my child. I hadn't even registered for check ups.

"Good morning Dear". Rose said startling me.

"Oh. Good morning." I smiled. "You gave me a fright."

"OK. Come here." She gave me a warm smile. "Have some pancakes."

I just wonder sometimes how someone so lovely would give birth to a child so horrible.

"Thanks a lot. I appreciate."

"That reminds me, tomorrow is mine and Dean's anniversary so we are going away for the week. We'll be back on Sunday." Wow. I think she's blushing. I'm happy for her.

But wait. Is it just going to be me and Jake? For a whole week. Today's just Monday.

No. Worst nightmare ever.

I realized she's waiting for me to say something.

"Wow. That's good. Happy Anniversary in advance Rose. Enjoy yourselves." I manage to say.

After having breakfast I go to help Rose take her luggage to the car but she refused my help, "You can't handle this load, Jake will lift it."

"Jake, take care of yourself and Nicole. And be nice to her. Don't forget to accompany her to the hospital for her prenatal, she has to register immediately. It's your child too, Jay." She said before entering the Mercedes convertible. So funny. She's behaving like a teenager who's about seeing her lover.

"Bye Rose and Mr Parker. Once again happy anniversary to you. Have fun." I smile. A real smile for the first time in a long while.

My smile only faded away when I turned to see Jake before me.

I walked away without trying to say anything. He's the reason I'm in pains now.