Chapter 5

Seb is astonished when he sees the guest room, which had previously been used as a dusty storeroom, in its newly cleaned state.

"Wow, I never thought I would be able to see the bed anytime soon." He exclaims.

I grin, "Why did you leave it so messy? Do you know how long it took me to clean and tidy everything? You better start cleaning it regularly." I say.

He raises his eyebrows at me, "Tell me why you cleaned? What's the reason? I know you Eva. You never do anything unless you have a plan."

"Can't I just do it out of boredom?" I pout.

"No. You definitely have a plan."

I cross my arms and sigh dramatically, "Fine. I'll sleep here with Miracle. You can sleep on your own bed."

"So you're planning to stay for a while?"

I nod, "Until I can find a decent place."

"Since you made space for yourself, I'll let you stay. But when I want to bring someone home, you'll have to make yourself scarce."

"Fine, fine." I say. As long as I can stay here, I don't mind.

"When are you going to take the baby to the station?"

I bite my bottom lip nervously. I haven't told him that I will keep Miracle with me. I know he is mad that we're ruining his relationships but Miracle's life is on the line. I don't want to give him away to meet a tragic end. How many times have I heard or watched stories about children being abused in orphanages and foster homes? I won't let my Miracle be a victim.

"I won't." I say quietly.

"What?"

"I won't take him." I admit.

"Eva, are you crazy? Your mum will find out soon. What will you do then? She's already annoyed that you're not married, what will she do when she finds out you are raising a stranger's child?" He is right but the way he is speaking is bothering me.

"Yes, I am crazy!" I shout, "I'm such a crazy bitch that everyone around me is nagging me to get married so they can get rid of me! I'm so crazy that I wanted to protect a random baby from being harmed! I'm so crazy that I got thrown out of my house and had to pay for something I didn't do! I'm so crazy that I worked so hard for years and I was still nothing but a stepping stone! But do you know what hurts? It hurts that no one is listening to me! It hurts that my best friend sees me as a thorn in his life. It hurts that my mother keeps ordering me to do things her way."

The tears from all my pent up frustration and anger pour out of my eyes like a broken tap. I turn my face away, too embarrassed at my outburst. It just came out.

I feel warm arms around me as he gently hugs me. I avoid eye contact and instead, lean into his chest.

"I'm sorry Eva. I didn't realise how stressed you must already be from everything which has happened recently. I won't speak about it again." He pats my head, "There my good girl."

I pull my face away from his chest and glance up, "You're annoying."

"You're so mean to me Eva. I even bought some fish and chips home."

My eyes widen in excitement. "Really? You're the bestest!" I jump up and head to the dining table where he has left the takeout bags.

"Only at times like this, do you love me." He says sarcastically.

I stick my tongue out, "Wrong, I don't love you but the food."

"Nothing wins against your food." He smiles, shaking his head.

***

A few days later, my mother calls to tell me about the blind date she set up. She didn't listen to me at all that day.

"Remember to be nice to him and pay attention." She warns.

"Mum, I told you I'm not interested."

"I've already arranged it. It won't be polite if we cancel it on the day."

"Wait, it's today?!" I gasp.

"I knew you would refuse if I were to tell you earlier." My mum knows me too well.

After giving me the details, she hangs up and I am left wondering who I offended in my last life to be dealt such difficult cards in this life. I pace up and down in thought. Mum is right, it wouldn't be fair for the other party if I cancel right now.

"Where are you going?" Seb asks as I open the front door.

"Out. It might take long so I'll leave Miracle with you. Just make sure he has his milk and change his nappy every few hours."

I hurriedly walk out before he can ask anything else. I drive down to the restaurant Mum told me to go to. It's quite a fancy one. I glance down at my outfit. I'm not wearing appropriate clothes for this restaurant. Oh well, it will help me in getting rejected quicker by him.

Walking inside, I receive odd glances. They must have never seen a woman wearing a simple white top and a black pencil skirt come here. I walk up to the desk and ask them about the reserved table.

A waiter shows me to the one near the window. A man who looks like he is someone's dad is sat there. I frown. Is this my blind date? Didn't Mum say he was around my age? This guy looks at least fifty.

His eyes flit over me when I approach and he gestures to the chair opposite. "You must be Eva. Nice to meet you, I'm Tony. Your mother told my mother alot about you."

"Oh, is that so?" I say uncomfortably. Damn it, what did Mum say?!

"Shall we order first and then talk?" He says.

"Okay."

I order a steak and an orange juice. Who knows when I will get another chance to visit a restaurant like this one.

"You eat so little?" Tony asks when I tell the waiter.

"Uh, yes." I lie. I don't want to tell him that I lost my appetite when I saw him.

"You seem like you would be a perfect housewife." He says, his beady eyes staring at me.

"Oh really?" I don't really want to talk to him.

"So what do you work as? I'm an IT technician and have worked with many big companies. If you ask about me, surely everyone will know. I received many awards too. Not to boast but I even..."

I zone out as he continues gloating over his achievements and work. If I marry him, he probably won't give me a chance to speak.

All of a sudden, the waiter brings our food and I excitedly turn my eyes to the juicy steak. I can't wait to eat. My appetite has returned after seeing it.

As he places the glass of orange juice near me, Tony's hand hits the glass and the juice spills over my white top. I gasp in shock as it soaks in and the outline of my bra is visible. I don't miss the small smirk as he reaches over towards me with a napkin. Covering my hands over myself, I stand up.

"You did it on purpose!" I shout angrily, pointing at Tony. What a sleazy man. I can't believe Mum wants me to marry him.

"N-no I didn't. It was an accident Eva. Please sit down." He says, glancing around. He isn't even apologising?

"An accident?!" I say, fuming. "I'll show you an accident!" I grab the wine he ordered and pour it over his head.

Ignoring his shouts, I walk away. Is it a talent to set me up with weirdos?

In anger, I kick the bush outside the restaurant. I can't believe he claimed it was an accident and didn't apologise at all. What an arrogant bastard.

"What did the bush do to you?" An amused voice asks from behind me.

I glance around to see a handsome man. His face and body are model material. "Why do you care?" I say sarcastically.

"Because the poor bush is dying." He says seriously.

"Are you one of those people who hug trees?" I say, rolling my eyes but I stop kicking the bush.

"How did you know?" He grins. His eyes travel down to my top and his face reddens. I glance down and realise that I am still sticky and wet with orange juice.

Coughing awkwardly, he takes off his jacket and puts it over me. "You should be more self aware. You handled that man pretty well but next time, you should be wary of who you meet."

"Huh? You were inside too?" I ask in shock. How embarrassing. My face heats up. He must have witnessed everything.

"I'm Jason." He smiles.

"I'm Eva, thanks for the jacket." I say, pulling it over myself so everything is covered.

"You haven't eaten yet have you? Let's go and eat." Jason grins and grabs my arm.

"Hey, wait. I don't want to go back inside. It's embarrassing."

"You know how to be embarrassed too?" He chuckles, "We're not eating here so relax."

"Then where?" I ask in wonder.

We walk down a few streets and cross a couple of roads before I see a food van. A couple of people are sat outside on the tables in front of it.

"Here?" I ask, raising my eyebrows. This man looks like he is made of money. I never thought he would eat from a food van.

The food is actually pretty delicious. I eat my fill, not caring about acting like a prim and proper lady.

"I could eat this all day." I say happily, patting my stomach.

Jason laughs, his blue eyes crinkling up, "You're strange but refreshing."

My phone suddenly rings and I stare at Jason before picking up.

"Eva! Come to the hospital, Miracle isn't well." Seb's panicked voice says.

"What happened? Miracle, oh no." My chest tightens.

"I've sent you the location. Hurry Eva."

"I'm coming." I say quickly and stand up. "Sorry, I have to go." I say to Jason before walking away. I should give him his jacket back. I throw the jacket to him.

"Wait, keep the jacket." He runs over and throws it over me. "What's wrong? You look worried after the phonecall."

"I need to get to the hospital right now." I mutter, running towards my car. "I'll give you the jacket another time."

"Let me go with you. You don't look like you're in a stable condition to drive right now." Jason says.

I nod and hand him my keys. I can't even think straight because I am worried about my baby.

The drive takes twenty minutes but I don't notice when we arrive because I am lost in my thoughts. Jason walks behind me as we enter the hospital. I walk to the front desk and ask them about Miracle.

Following the direction, I walk to the elevator and then to the ward. Seb is pale as he paces up and down beside the bed.

"You're finally here." He says, relief in his light brown eyes. His eyes widen as they turn to Jason. "What are you doing here?!"