Word count: 2505

When you have things to sort out, or have a goal to accomplish, do any and everything within your power to achieve it. The best way to begin is by taking the first step with determination. That determined step will push you all through the way.

Adrian's POV

*

We finished exams few days ago.

Stephano already had people move Kara's things back home immediately. My things would've been moved as well but I wasn't ready yet.

Natalia had told me she'd love to have me at theirs for a while till I figured how to move my things back to New York. I was still deliberating on it. Do I stay here or leave?

What would I do if I was here? I already applied for jobs at some places before exam even started and so far, I'd gotten positive feedbacks from two companies who were hiring fresh graduates.

I sauntered down the stairs and lazily popped gum from my lips, waving at a class mate that called me from afar.

Diego was coming to pick me and we'd go for some meal or something. I didn't know, I was too lazy to decide on anything and simply left everything to him.

His car approached just as I was heading towards the Hostel gate.

My face spread into a smile as I skipped over. "Hey."

"Baby. Get in." He told me with worried eyes.

I got in and immediately kissed him on the lips. "How was your day? What did you-" I stopped when I took in his tight, tense expression.

"My day was good, the usual."

"What's wrong?"

He smiled tightly. "Nothing much, just-"

"Cut the crap Diego, please. You've been like this for days and I'm beginning to get worried. Talk to me."

"It's my- my dad." He told me soberly.

"What's wrong with him?" I frowned.

"He's sick. He has cancer. He keeps begging me to come and see him."

My heart stilled as I heard that word. It didn't matter who had it, I simply didn't like knowing anyone had it in the first place. I braced myself and pulled my lips up into a tight smile.

"You- do you want to go over and see him?"

"Honestly? No. I'm better off without that man in my life." He told me through clenched teeth. I couldn't say I knew what he was going through when I saw pain in his eyes because the truth was that I didn't.

"Okay. Then don't go." I told him firmly and saw the light slowly dim in his eyes. "Or you could take some time off and visit to see him for a bit."

"I'm no longer angry about what he did. I'm just hurt because I had so much respect for him and we were so close. He was perfect in my eyes, the perfect man. The perfect dad."

"We all make mistakes Diego, some are just graver than others. You might need this closure and we don't know if he'll make it..." My voice grew quiet and I tried not to think of the charming guy with blonde hair and blue eyes who had one of the most beautiful smiles ever.

This time last year, he was still alive. I shook my head and heaved a deep breath to steel myself and block out those thoughts.

"I'll let him know my decision soon. We should go out and see some of my friends. By the way, have you thought about getting a place soon?"

"Yeah." I threw my bag at the back seat and kept my phone in the center console, heaving a sigh. "Natalia offered. You know, staying at the mansion. But I still haven't decided yet."

"Great idea. You could also move to my place, since some of your things are there already and it's literally been your second home for months."

I shook my head. It sounded like the perfect idea but I didn't want to come off as a clingy girlfriend because the truth was that I liked being clingy and acting needy whenever I was around him.

I didn't want to get used to it. I needed my own steel power and I'd sometimes need to be in a place where the thoughts of Diego wouldn't always cloud my rational judgment.

"No...I don't think that's a great idea right now. When I have things figured out though, I might consider it." I told him truthfully.

Just as he started the car, my ringtone blared to life. It was Rachael calling. I picked it and smiled.

"Hey babe. What's up?"

"Adrian. Please I have to tell you something. Oh goodness I'm so darn scared right now." Her tone was panicky.

My forehead morphed into a frown and I motioned for him to turn off the engine. "Okay chill. What exactly is the matter?"

"I uhm, can you like, come over?"

"Where are you? I'm downstairs, just at the mo-"

"Oh. You're leaving? I shouldn't be a bother then. I'll just wait till my boyfriend comes around and we'll sort it out." She sniffed. That got my attention.

"I'm coming up right now. See you in five." I ended the call when she started protesting and tried to alight before remembering Diego was with me "I'll be back in a few minutes. My friend needs me for something."

"Is she okay?" He frowned, eyes dull. He was tired. This issue with his dad was affecting him more than he cared to admit and even though I couldn't relate since my dad treated me like an egg, always doting on me. I would be heartbroken if a strain formed in our relationship.

"She'll be fine but I have to go now. I won't be long." I smacked my lips against his and quickly headed for the elevator back upstairs.

I dashed into Rachael's room, surprised it was even opened when I tried the knob. She never left her front door open just like Kara. You'd always have to knock and have them open before you could be granted an entrance.

"Rae?"

"I'm in here."

I went towards the en-suite. The apartment was just like ours except the arrangements that differed from how I and Kara set our decors and furniture.

I entered and found Rachael sitting on the lidded shut loo, with her head in her palms as she rested her elbows on her knees.

She looked up when I cleared my throat. Her eyes were rimmed with tears.

"What the hell?" I muttered and looked around. "That son of a bitch. I'll kill him and then cut off his spunk and feed it to the birds in the science hall and slowly pluck out his charming eyes and-"

Staring at me with parted lips, Rachael giggled. Snot was running down her nose. Disgusted, I looked around for a piece of cloth and passed one to her so she'd take care of her face. She giggled some more and wiped at her nose, eyeing me as if I had two heads.

That was not to say that I wasn't poised in a defensive stance, ready for attack as my right hand came to rest on my hip and I tapped my foot against the tiled ground.

"What's funny?" I scowled.

"Who're you threatening?"

"Your dickwad of a boyfriend, that's who. How did he break the news? Did he say he'd found some stupid thin-legged bimbo or was it an art of seductio-"

She giggled some more and looked at me as if I was stupid.

"Okay now you're going to tell me what's going on because my boyfriend is waiting in the car or so help me God!"

"I'm pregnant Adrian." She blurted in a soft voice. "I- I'm scared. I didn't plan my life this way. I don't even know how to tell my dad. He always wanted me to date some rich young man and get married and give him the perfect grandchildren." She softly started sobbing while rambling. "Instead I fell in love with the irresistible bodyguard."

My hands fell to my sides. "Oh."

"Yes." She started sobbing harder. "I don't even know... Eric is always so weird around kids. What if he doesn't want babies just yet? He's told me he loves me but that doesn't equivalently mean we're going to get married or anything. Am I even ready to get married? At least I love him and I don't want to be just his baby mama. But can I stomach responsibilities as a wife? Am I responsible enough to handle any marital challenges?" She rambled.

Sighing, I crouched and pulled her into a hug. "First, you need to calm down. Secondly, you're pregnant. I'm so happy for you and I'm sure your boyfriend will do more than stay happy. He'll be elated."

She pulled out of my hold. "Bu-"

"Shh. No buts. Now give him a call and tell him you have something important to tell him. Or should I do it? I'm pretty good at-"

"No I'll do it myself. Kara told me what you were like when she had a misunderstanding with her man. Get me my phone."

I scowled at the rude order but still went to pick the phone nonetheless. She was eyeing me with a demanding look as I went back in and handed her the phone. I rolled my eyes. Not even a 'please' or 'thank you' from this pregnant friend of mine. Classy!

She dialed the number stored as 'mine' and I snickered. I knew what Rachael could do, this bashful friend of mine. Her boyfriend would've been the one to store his contact as 'mine' on her phone.

I shrugged and watched her bite the inside of her cheek as she spoke with him, telling him she had something very important to tell him and he should be here as soon as possible. She was demanding.

I smiled. Maybe she did store his name that way. There'd be things you'd vow in your state of singleness to never do when you're in a relationship because others just look stupid whenever they do it. Also, the thought of doing it just sounds stupid and corny.

But love changes people. It makes you jealous and sometimes protective over the one you love because you prefer their attention on you most time.

Love makes you needy for their attention. You feel peaceful when they're just around you. It's a beautiful feeling.

Rachael giggled at something he said and wiped the streak of tears off her cheeks, shaking her head before replying 'no.' I watched her ginger red hair bounce on her head and chuckled to myself, glad I could be of help somehow.

I was glad I was able to calm her but I couldn't help glancing at her stomach and wondering what it felt like to have a life growing in you.

Come to think of it, I'd never thought about anything related to a baby, especially after my mom died.

I shook my head. I wasn't ready to think about the possibility of bringing a child into this world where there was love, and light and darkness and so much evil. My childhood was filled with so much guilt immediately I lost my best friend. It was horrible to carry all the condemnation even though my mom and brother had repeatedly told me it wasn't my fault.

What if my child was blamed for something? What if she couldn't handle it?

I heaved a shaky breath. I needed to stay positive. The past should stay in the past. What happened wasn't my fault.

I looked away from Rachael's smiling face and dug into my pocket for my phone then I called Diego. He picked immediately.

"Are you done? Is everything okay with-"

"Please come up and pick me and my things. I've decided to stay at the mansion with Kara. My things aren't much, just three bags and they've been packed already."

"Okay. See you in a bit." He replied and hung up.

By the time he came up here, Rachael was showering and I was standing at the entrance to the room that'd been our apartment for years. This place held so much memories. Lucas had visited me here more than once and we'd made out on the couch, the en-suite and the walls more times than I could count. Diego had also been here and we'd had fun, loving times here as well.

But the best memories were the ones I'd had with Kara. My best friend and sister. She'd seen me at my worst but still stuck with me even though I'd tried to always be in my own shell because I didn't think I deserved anyone's company.

Smiling, my eyes blurred and I wiped at them when I caught side of the man I was in love with. I moved aside for Diego to come in and he did, smiling down at me.

"So, you sorted out the issue with your friend?" He asked, hand in his pockets while his eyes scanned the apartment.

"Yes. She just discovered she was pregnant and she panicked. But I'm sure her boyfriend will understand. He's on his way to see her as we speak."

"Good for her. Now let's get your cute behind out of here."

"Since when did you pass up an opportunity to use cuss words?" I giggled and reached for the least heavy among the bags, heading for the door. "Let me check on Rachael. Help me lock up. We'll have the key delivered to the front desk some time later." I told Diego who smacked his lips against mine before I left.

I said hi to Rachael's boyfriend when I got back to her dorm, surprised he'd arrived that fast. She looked better and she was smiling. Her hair was wrapped in towel.

"Told him?" I mouthed at her with a raised brow.

She nodded and looked back at him. He knew I and Kara so there was no need for an introduction.

I stepped in and hugged her.

"I owe you one. Thank you for being strong and for everything. We'll talk later." She whispered in my ear before I pulled back. "All set to leave?"

I nodded. "I'll call you. Bye baby girl."

I shook hands with her boyfriend before leaving with a face splitting smile, happy for my friend who seemed to have everything going with her.

"All set, now let's go." I told Diego and picked the bag I'd carried earlier.

He was right behind me as we once again headed for the elevator and we kept making corny jokes till we got back into this car.

"Shut up and drive me home." I told him.

He laughed softly. "Yes ma'am."

*

It's okay to take things slow. You don't have to do things because others are doing it. What matters above all, at the end of the day, is your genuine happiness. ❤&💡