Velvet Shadows

CHAPTER THREE

Ahvi's POV

I'm never going to have kids.

I repeated those words daily until it registered itself into my skull.

"Hey Ahvi, when would you like to get married and have kids?"

"I don't know. I'm never having kids or a family."

That was my response to almost every question about the future that came my way. I never wanted kids, my parents made it so. At age three, on my birthday party, my mother committed suicide when she found out my father had a bastard son. The boy's mother came to drop him at our doorstep and fled. My father on the other hand had never for once been a great father. Neither to me or my bastard brother. After mom's death, Dad took the kid to the orphanage and left only me to claim my mother's wealth. He used me to gain what he wanted, never for once he considered me his daughter. I didn't even know how my kid brother was doing, last time I heard he was adopted into a rich family, I didn't bother to ask which family as long as he was far away from this mess we called a family.

No one understood, no one could understand how I felt, the pains I went through, the emotional and physical torment he put through. Since then, at age 14, I came to a decision.

I was never going to have a family. As the daughter from a f****d up father and a mother who chose to be selfish and end her life because of her useless husband's mistake. I was never going to make a good parent or a wife, I'd just repeat the same cursed family reputation and end up having messed up kids.

And now.... I was going to be a mother, not just a mother, a single mother. Carrying the child from a one night stand incident.

What the f**k was I going to do?

I leaned into the chair, staring at the ceiling. My eyes burned as the tears threatened to pour but I held it in. I was in public for f***s sakes. I shouldn't cry, at least not here.

"Ahvi?" A soft voice pulled me from my thoughts, I cleared my throat and sat upright only to be met face to face with Diatah's mother.

"Mrs. Hale," I smiled.

"May I sit?" She asked, offering a small smile, gesturing to the chair in front of me.

"Sure, why not?"

"Thanks." She sucked in a long deep breath as she sat down. "How are you? How's everything going?"

I forced a fake smile. "Everything's terrific, ma'am. I'm so happy,"

She didn't seem to believe me as her face fell and her brows furrowed with worry. Of course why would she? I obviously looked like a mess. Before I left the hospital I cried for an hour in the bathroom, wishing the Lord would take me because hell knows I had no one to turn to.

"Ahvi..." She pressed her lips in a thin line, she reached for my hand and grabbed it gently. "Honey, what is it? Is it your father?"

I shook my head. "No," my voice barely above a whisper.

"Then what is it? You know you can tell me anything. Your mother and I were childhood friends, so therefore I'm like a second mother to you..." She then stood up and sat beside me, resting her hand on my shoulder as she stared at me. "Please talk to me."

I slumped my shoulders, feeling defeated. Turning to face her, I let out a shaky breath. "I'm pregnant,"

Her face instantly went pale. "W-whos the father?"

The tears that threatened to fall had already begun, I couldn't stop it. "It was a one night stand incident."

"Oh honey," she pulled me into an embrace, her tiny arms wrapped around my body, my head resting on the crook of her neck. "I'm so sorry Ahvi. It wasn't your fault."

"What do I do?" I sob, unable to hold back the tears, I didn't care if we were in a café. I was tired, I couldn't believe I'd be this careless and stupid.

"I don't know," she said after a long pause, "But we will find a way."

"What way?"

"I don't know Ahvi," she sighed. "But there has to be a way."

I stayed there in her arms, sobbing quietly. I knew my life was f****d up, but I needed this hug more than anything, so I stayed still, until it was time to go.

"Shall I take you home instead?"

"No," I shook my head, "I'll take the bus and head home."

Her lips twisted into a frown, she got down from her car and held my hand. "Your father wouldn't understand..."

"He doesn't have to," I shrugged, "It's my fault anyway."

"No," her jaw tightened, "I can't just abandon you. I failed to save your mother, I won't fail to save you now."

I kept silent and just stared into her eyes. They seemed genuine and filled with sincerity. "How?" I finally asked. "How can you help me?"

She let go of my hand and got into her car, removing something from her bag. She then turned to me with a small smile. "I have a friend who lives in Miami, she needs an assistant and will offer accommodation and every other necessary thing you'd need. At first I gave the proposal to Diatah, but she refused. So I just kept it around," she then took my hand and shoved the file in-between my hands. "I guess it was intended for you."

"What will I tell my father?"

Her frown deepened. "You're an adult now. Just tell him you're leaving for a job, and from there. Find your own life."

"Mrs. Hale, I-" I was too stunned to speak. Was she my fairy God mother or what? Ever since mom passed, Mrs. Hale, her husband and Diatah drew me closer than ever. They loved and cared for me as if I were their own. Yet, I was so stupid to say I had no one when I had them.

"Thank you!" I pulled her into a tight embrace, she chuckled softly before returning my hug.

"It's your life and it's in your hands now. Use it wisely."

Little did she know that this kindness that she had shown me was the beginning of my story. This new journey was surely going to be a long one, but how long?