Word count: 2838

Adrian's POV

*

I got up early the next day and prepared breakfast, mentally planning my day. Then I received a call from my step-mom while preparing coffee to go with the bread and jam.

"Good morning mom."

"You wouldn't have called if I didn't call you. Are you even my daughter?" She complained immediately I picked the call. I checked the time on the wall clock, wondering why her voice sounded so lively at such an hour.

"Sorry, I've been busy." I apologized. "And seven AM is too early to make calls.

"So you're telling me you've been too busy to pick my calls?" She asked in a sad, exaggerated tone.

"No. I- Diego fell sick." I used Diego as an excuse because I knew she would drop the complaints and change the topic.

"What? When? What happened to him? How is he doing now? Has he gone to the hospital? What's the cause of the illness? Where is he now?" She fired questions upon questions, making me pull my hand away and stretch the phone so I wouldn't strain my ears.

After she quieted down, I placed the phone on speaker and kept it on the counter, adding sugar and milk to the cup of hot coffee.

Diego sometimes liked his coffee tasteless, with only the aroma caressing his nostrils and taste buds but since he'd be taking the coffee with bread and jam, he would have to take it with the addition of milk and sugar.

"No. He's fine. I mean, we went to the hospital yesterday already and they said he just has to work on taking proper care of himself." I blurted and immediately felt guilty for ranting that way. What if she thought he wasn't taking enough care of himself?

Ugh. She would nag me to the moon and back. I wasn't even prepared for that one bit.

"You should take extra care of him. I have a good doct-"

"So why exactly did you call mom?"

"Oh. Well, I have some good news!" She shrieked again, completely discarding the recommendation she was about to give earlier. My step-mom had the attention span of a fly.

Shuddering at the high pitch, I rolled my eyes. "I can hear the good news even if you whisper it mom. Seriously!"

"Fine. You're such a party pooper. I'll hang up now. Make sure you take a good care of that handsome young man and feed him properly-"

A frown morphed onto my face as I puckered my lips in confusion. "Wait, why are you hanging up? You've not told me the reason you called."

She let out an exaggerated exhale. I knew it was exaggerated because I'd known this woman for so many years.

"Oh. That. I thought you weren't really interested."

"But I never said I wasn't." I argued.

"You implied it, Adriana. You're so stubborn, just like your father."

"But you knew this before marrying him." I retorted.

"Yes. And now I have to live the rest of my life with that insufferable man. Anyway, there are two interesting pieces of news. One is...okay no. You'll have to come home. I'm not telling you shit over the phone."

"Language woman." I giggled, wondering if she was really the middle aged woman I knew as my step mom.

"Sorry. When that handsome man-"

"His name is Diego."

"Of course. When Diego gets better, could you guys make a trip to NewYork? Your father and I would really appreciate it if you could make it next week. Even your brother would appreciate it, because he has some good news to share as well."

"Really? I would love to do that." I realized the coffee might be getting cold so I fixed the tray and carried it into the room, where Diego was sleeping. He was lying on his chest, the blanket covering his waist and tangled between his legs.

I took a gulp at the beauty of his sleeping face from the sideview even though I'd seen it over a hundred times and then proceeded to drop the tray on my side of the bed.

"Adrian? Adriana? Hey are you even listening to me?"

"Wha- I'm sorry, what did you say?"

"I asked you to let me know when you're coming. Try and make it within next week or upper, okay honey?"

"Alright mom, I'll to that."

"I love you baby girl. Say hi to your sexy hunk of a boyfrie-"

"Love you too. Bye." I hung up, successfully cutting her off from her endless ramblings about Diego and dropped my phone.

Then I tapped Diego. "Babe? Hey. Wake up."

He let out a long groan. "What is it? I'm sleepy. Go away."

Damn. His morning voice could literally put some babies in my stomach.

"You're going to be late to work. Wake up. I prepared bread, jam and coffee."

He released another groan and finally sat up. "I don't think I'm going to work."

"What? Why...oh. Doctors orders, of course. You should still be sleeping by now since you'll have to rest for two days but you need to eat something."

"You're so lovely." He murmured and picked the tray, eating up.

"So, will you be spending the whole day sleeping? I'm still working on my fashion and relationship blog and the outlook of my fashion brand. That's enough to keep me busy for a while. Ugh." I sat beside him and dug my fingers into my hair.

He took a bite and chewed like the perfect gentleman.

"You really love what you do. Stop making it sound like you don't." He caressed the side of my neck with his left hand and a breath of air escaped my lips. "I'm so proud of you babe. You've got the next few months planned out. I don't even have the next two hours planned out. I like to do things impromptu."

"Sometimes you need to plan your life out."

"No babe. Life is uncertain. The next second itself is uncertain. Anything can happen at anytime. It's always good to be prepared...for anything." He stared into distance as he spoke.

My forehead creased in a frown as I listened to him. He was still bothered about the same thing he'd been thinking about for the past few days, or even weeks.

Instead of bugging him, I gave him a warm smile and patted his thigh, rubbing it and successfully bringing him back to the present.

"Eat up. The coffee is getting cold."

"Hmm. I'm almost done."

I watched him eat and then quickly took his plates before he could clear them himself when he was done, something he lamented about as I went to do the dishes in the kitchen.

I got back into the room to see he was pacing about. "Babe? What's it?"

He turned around. "Adrian. Come here."

My legs moved me forward before I could even protest and I found myself walking into his opened arms. "What? Is something bothering you?" I asked the obvious.

"I know I've been acting strange and a bit distant lately. But it'll all be sorted out soon, okay?"

"Okay. I trust you."

"I want you to promise me one thing, baby."

I found myself looking into his eyes and resting my chin on his chest so I could comfortably rest on him. He looked so serious right now but I tried not to panic and instead, decided to trust him, regardless of whatever the case might be.

"Anything. Tell me."

"Promise me that if anyone ever says anything, anything at all, you'll always clarify it from me. If you hear anything from anyone, you will hear my side of the story before acting up. Promise me baby."

"I...Diego, okay I promise. I will listen to you first if anyone says anything to me. I promise." I murmured, feeling sad that he couldn't tell me whatever was happening in his life.

"There's my girl. Thank you for trusting me. It means a lot to me."

"I...you're it for me. But whatever this is, sort it out. I don't like being kept in the dark." I pouted at him.

His expression changed to a determined one and he nodded, chuckling and pulling me closer to him. "I will. I'm sorry things are like this. I'm sorting it out already."

"Better. I want to go get some groceries after having my bath. Let's go write the list." I pecked his lips and we went to the sitting room where I wrote a list of everything we needed and the other stuffs we'd almost ran out of. He reminded me to get Pringles and some other things and I wrote them down.

Taking my bath, I kissed him and left for the store, munching on some cookies I'd left in the fridge earlier.

Aisle after aisle, I looked around the store and crossed out the things I'd gotten.

Then I suddenly remembered I wanted to get Diego something for his birthday. He was born on August tenth but due to him being abducted as a baby, he usually celebrated his birthday on the day his complicated parents chose, which was on the twentieth of November. Stopping at the lingerie store, I stared at the glass door for a while and then nodded, suddenly getting excited.

I mean, why not if not? Getting him birthday presents were a necessity. Making myself part of the presents he would unwrap was an even greater necessity. I would get him presents but if things get heated after a while, I'd love him to see me in the garters he told me he loved. It would make him go crazy with desire. 

Chuckling, I stalled into it with an idea already forming in my head. He wouldn't be able to take his eyes off me that night for sure.

After exiting the store with a wide grin, I got him a new Benjamin Coquito wrist watch, a gift pack containing three kinds of perfume and roll-ons of the same brand (fantasies), men's multifunctional bracelet with watch and swimming goggles. He complained about misplacing the old swimming googles somewhere so I would make his day by getting him a new pair.

Satisfied with my purchase, I went to the counter to pay for my purchases when all of a sudden, someone called me from behind.

"Adrian?"

That voice didn't sound familiar. I turned around. "Hello..." Then recognition flashed before my eyes as I instantly remembered where I'd met her before. Fucking Cindy! "Well fancy seeing you here, Cindy." I spat out her name, feeling a sudden surge of irritation flaring up in me.

"Hi!" She chirped enthusiastically, waving as if we were friends. Her hair was dyed dull pink and she had some baby bump. I scoffed at the sight of it and shook my head. Why was she even smiling right now? Goodness, she was such a clown.

Scoffing at her ridiculousness, I turned back to the cashier and dropped my things on the counter, watching the older lady calculate the prices.

"I...I know we met under very complicated circumstances but I-"

"I don't really want to talk to you Cindy. Please." I didn't even face her while speaking.

She exhaled loudly. "I know. Please just hear me out. I'm sorry for everything I did. Yes I was angry and bitter and also a moody pregnant lady so I took it all out on you." The last excuse had me glancing at her bump subconsciously. She was indeed pregnant.

"Apology not accepted Cindy. I wish you and the baby a happy life though." I replied again, not even sparing her a glance. I would never intentionally break someone's relationship and I wouldn't want mine to be broken by a third party as well. But her words from that day still hurt me and I wouldn't pretend they didn't.

"That would be one hundred and ninety five euros ma'am." The cashier told me and I handed over my Debit card.

She packed up my things while I heaved a sigh, feeling Cindy leave my side and walk towards the exit.

"Thank you." I told the cashier and collected my things. I dropped the extra receipt at the entrance where a security guard stood and stepped out, heaving a breath of fresh air.

Suddenly, an arm wrapped around my left wrist and my heart jolted into my throat at the sudden scare. The grocery bags almost fell off my hand!

"What the he- Cindy!" I snapped when I realized who'd suddenly grabbed my hand.

Her gaze was murderous. "We need to talk, Adrian. And talk, we shall." She gritted out, rubbing her left hand over her protruded belly.

Ugh. What a bitch! Sorry unborn baby, I know you're innocent.

"What?!" I deadpanned when she still didn't start talking. "In case you've not noticed, I have a man to get back to." I scoffed and watched her blink, a glimmer of sadness appearing in her eyes before immediately evaporating. Her face scrunched up into another frown as she narrowed her eyes at me.

"Look, I need your help. I can't even sleep because the guilt has been eating me up real bad. I know I was a total bitch to you the other day but please you'll have to forgive me. Diego himself wasn't and isn't a saint, so why do I get to be the only one you've not forgiven?"

"Did Diego ask you to sleep with him?" My heated gaze pierced into her skull. She looked taken aback by my question.

"I...not really." She stuttered. My heart skipped a beat. What did she mean by not really? "Wait, which of the times are you talking about?" She added.

"When you were together." Obviously.

"We were never really together. But he knew I liked him. And when he told me he now had a girlfriend, it hurt me badly. I'm happy now though, regardless of whether or not the baby is his- look, I just want to end things on a good note. I'll find a way to contact Diego too and then I'll be out of you guys hair."

What does she mean by regardless of whether or not the baby is his?!

"What were you about to say? Complete your statement you fat bitch!" I grabbed the collar of her skimpy dress and rocked her in my hold.

"What are you doing? Are you crazy?! Leave me alone." Her face was getting red as she yelled, her full cheeks looking puffed.

"You don't deserve to be left alone! You came to me first even when I didn't want to speak to you! What were you saying about Diego being the father?" My hands itched to slap her but I held myself.

"What father? I only want to get your forgiveness so I can smoothly move on with my life without regrets yet you're manhandling me. His dad was right, you're such a no good who will only ruin his life like you ruined everything else. Leave me alone you bitch."

My hands stilled and I shakily released her, different questions ringing in my head.

His dad?

She knew Diego's dad?

Had he really said that about me? Did he truly say I would ruin Diego's life?

How did he even know about my issues? Did Diego tell him?

She huffed, still fuming and adjusting her slightly wrinkled shirt. "You're really nuts. Who would lay their hands on a pregnant woman? I suggest you go get checked. And for your information, Mr Matthews would never let you be with his son. You'll ruin his goddamn life." She spat and walked away, getting into a sports car and driving off.

With trembling legs, I walked as quickly as I could and got into my car, throwing the things I'd gotten into the backseat in a daze.

What did you do to him?

I understand that you guys are on a break but he shouldn't take the anger on me.

Now my body's all sore and ugh. Handle your issue with your man so he won't feel insecure and run into another woman's arms...bitch

His dad was right, you're such a no good who will only ruin his life like you ruined everything else. Leave me alone you bitch."

The words were ringing in my head. Did his dad do a background checkup on me? He had no right to do that...but he was right though.

And I knew he was. Me being with Diego would ruin his life.

Like it did to my mom and Lucas. I blacken things. I don't deserve happiness and Diego...I always knew he was too good to be true.

Was he really the person that impregnated Cindy?

My voice trembled and I let out a small whimper of pain, hugging myself and wondering when the pain would end.

It felt like I was back to square one.