OUT OF LOVE

THE DEEPEST FEAR

chapter two

Zendeya POV

It's so calm and quiet; then beeping sounds echo all around. A faint scent of antiseptic fills my senses. Everything is dark, and I'm exhausted, using the last of my energy. I force my eyelids open, yawning away the rest of my sleep.

I behold an unfamiliar white ceiling. To my right, there's a ventilator attached to my nostrils; next to it, a drip stand. I glance around; the sterile white walls of the room feel both odd and foreign. I begin to realize I might be in the hospital.

To my left sits Aunty Christina, her face etched with worry. "Aunt," I call out in a drawling tone as I try to force myself upright.

"Zendeya, sweetie, you're awake," she says with a breath of relief, standing to stop my ascent. "You need to rest; don't force yourself."

Panic surges through me as I remember the event that happened before. Flashes of confusion and sharp pains around my abdomen; I gently place a hand on my stomach, feeling the reassuring flutter of my baby moving inside. Relief washes over me. "Oh, God, thank you for saving my baby," I pray.

"Aunty, where's Vandam?" I ask.

"Sorry, sweetie, he's not here," Aunty Christina replies in a trembling voice.

She begins to explain, "My cell rang; I answered the call. It was Vandam; his voice was shaking and slightly hurried. 'Vandam is everything alright?' I asked. 'No, auntie, it's about Zendeya; she collapsed. She's at the hospital now, at St. John's. I'll text you the address.'"

"My voice trembled as I couldn't believe it was happening. In a hurry, I took my car and drove over. Reaching the hospital in panic, I went forward to Vandam and asked what happened, noticing fake emotions in him. 'She overworked and collapsed,' he said. Minutes later, he left for home." Really Aunty,I ask. yes sweetie.

Everything felt like a dream to me as tears ran from my face, getting the lies he told.

"Doctor, doctor!" Aunty Christina shouts.

Immediately, the doctor enters with a clipboard. "You're awake, thank goodness," she says, rushing to my side to check my vital signs. Her kind eyes and warm smile ease some tension.

"Doctor, I hope my baby is fine?" I ask in panic.

"Zendeya, stay calm; you don't have to stress yourself," she replies.

Questions flood my mind. "Does it mean my baby is at risk?" My voice is hoarse and barely above a whisper.

A nurse enters, nodding reassuringly. "Calm down; your baby isn't at significant risk. You were brought in after collapsing, but we've been monitoring you closely. The doctor will explain everything soon."

As the nurse gently arranges my hand with the drip to lie in a comfortable position, I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Memories of fear, worries, and uncertainty linger.

I try sitting up but experience unbearable pain. Everything hurts, and I cry out, holding my stomach.

"Zendeya, love, calm down," my aunt says, sitting on the right side of my bed, holding me and placing a hand on my head and stomach.

Tears run down my face as I begin to see life differently.

Minutes later, the doctor returns to explain what happened. "The severity of your condition led to placenta abruption, and the baby suffered hypoxia." He immediately leaves the ward.

My eyes widen as I instinctively cover my mouth; my whole body shivers. Tears well up in my eyes as I try to speak with a trembling voice.

"Aunty, my baby is at risk," I speak in tears.

"Aunty Christina, I need to see Vandam; I want to see him, please call him," I say in panic, my voice rising.

"I understand, Zendeya sweetie; it's been three days. You actually missed him."

"I... I just want to see him," tears forming in my eyes.

"You're not alone, okay? I'm here to take care of you and the unborn baby. I surely think he will come back soon."

I quickly answer in a calm voice, "Okay, auntie."

She comes close, holding me. "Sweetheart, what really happened?" she asks gently.

"I... I don't really remember much. It's all a blur," I reply, trying to gather my thoughts.

"That's okay; take your time. I know it must be overwhelming."

"I think... there was a fight," I continue in a pausing, shaky voice.

"A fight? With Vandam? What happened?" she asks, her tone shifting."Aunty, I caught Vandam with my best friend Flora in his house, naked in bed," I say, trying to explain, as tears well up in my eyes and my voice weakens.

Concern etches on her face as she sits across from me, holding my hand. "Sweetheart, I need to talk to you. I've seen every event you've gone through, and I'm worried."

My brow furrows as I process her words. "What do you mean, Aunty?"

"Zendeya, Vandam is not a good man for you. This man is pull down Your reputation, remember you are a daughter of a billionaire, your father Honorable , will never be happy if he got to know about this, you are treated as a nobody by this Vandam of your's. You have to cut off this relationship because you're not safe around him."

"Aunty, I know we have ups and downs, but every relationship has its challenges. I believe Vandam loves me very much; I need him most now." Auntie Christna, you may not understand,my life have been a movie,full of grammar when men discovered

who I'm, they all come for Money pretend to love me,but right now I have to pretend as a poor girl from a poor background,I want some one who will genuinely love me,,, Vandam seems to be one .

"I'm sorry, I can't stay away," I continue, my voice trembling. "Staying back at my place will enable me to have access to him easily. I love Vandam; I don't want our relationship to break up."

She takes a deep breath, trying to remain calm, but her emotions get the better of her. "You are leaving with me," her voice trembles. As I try to respond , immediately felt an increase in heartbeat,tears well up my eyes .