UNVEILING SHADOWS

Chapter 1

''There is something about this last client that makes me uncomfortable.'' I muttered under my breath as I hurried back into my clothes.

It's been a good day so far and I can't be more grateful, after the third client for the day, which means thrice the money I make regularly. But this last guy intrigued me. He was cute. Really cute. He looked every inch like my dream man – the kind of prince charming my boyfriend Aaron will never become. Why was I dating Aaron when I didn't see our future together? Well, some things just happen.

I glanced at him once again as he lay on the bed, snoring lowly and sighed. What was the point in wishing for something I would never have? I mean, what sane man would want to be with a slut like me who had nothing else to her name except her extremely curvy body? I sighed again and picked up my coat. My name is Prisca, and my story is a very sad one.

I walked out of the brothel and the cold outside hit me so hard that I pulled my coat over my shoulders in reflex. Safe for the coat, I had just my crop top and net pantyhose on. I was really freezing in the chilly weather.

I quickened my pace, grateful for the emptiness of the street after the very busy day. One look at the broken pieces of green bottles lying by the roadside would inform you how rowdy this slum could be and how wretched my life was, to live in such a place.

Sadly, this was the most I could afford. Houses in the area were quite affordable for ladies like me who had no major source of income and still had lots of mouths to feed.

I sensed a movement behind me and quickened my pace. I was pretty sure the street was empty a minute ago, but the footsteps walking quickly towards me were confusing and it didn't help that the street light was not functioning and the area was dark and lonely.

The person drew nearer with such speed that sent me running as fast as I could. Sadly, the stiletto heels I had on did not help much and he soon caught up with me.

He grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth with his rough hands, muffling my screaming as his other hand held me tight and dragged down my coat. I resisted, fighting him hard and kicking with my shoes but he was prepared for me that evening. And his grip on my neck was so strong that I just couldn't move much.

It didn't help that I was dressed in revealing clothes, leaving no room to defend myself against men that lust. He dragged me to a lonelier side of the street and hit my neck so hard that I grew numb. I couldn't fight him anymore and with one quick pull, he tore my net hose and unbuttoned his trousers.

On seeing that he was not going to give up anytime soon, I gathered the last bout of strength in me and kicked his d**k. He staggered and I made to get up but my whole body felt numb as though it was dying away.

Before I could recollect myself, he was back to his feet and hit my thighs so hard that I just had to give up the struggle.

He pulled off his trousers and lay on me, and yeah! He had his way. I just lay still and watched, too numb to speak as tears trickled down my eyes. Memories of the first time flashed back. That was years ago but I still couldn't get over the first man who r***d me. And now, this? Life sucks.

It would have been better if it all ended there, but the i***t of a r****t did not even think to use a condom.

***

I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar sight. The ceiling seemed to be rotating or it was probably my eyes? The morning light gently filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow on the walls but none of these things mattered to me. As my consciousness began to clear, a wave of nausea washed over me, and a strange heaviness weighed down my body. It was as though my whole body was on fire inside.

"What's happening?" I held my forehead and muttered to the empty room. I ran into the toilet, throwing up all over the floor tiles.

Confusion clouded my thoughts as I sat on the floor, trying to piece together the events of the past weeks. And then it hit me, I was r***d and he didn't use a condom!

Tears welled up in my eyes as I placed a trembling hand on my stomach. Emotions churned within me—fear, confusion, and a very thin ray of hope. I rushed to my bedside drawer and picked up the pregnancy test strip.

My hand and whole body shook as I waited for the five seconds that seemed like five decades. This result could not be positive! I was not even financially stable to fend for myself, let alone a newborn. And of all the things I could do if it turned out positive, abortion was certainly not on the list. I couldn't bear the guilt, no matter what. This was why I consciously avoided unprotected s*x like a plague.

"Please don't be positive." I whispered and wiped my face with my palms as though to help me see better.

The first line showed up and I heaved a sigh of relief. My suspicions were wrong. Maybe I was just sick. I needed to see a doctor. As I made to stand up and clean myself up, the second line showed up and my eyes almost bulged out of their sockets.

The weight of the situation crashed down on me. How would I navigate this unexpected twist of fate? Could I find the strength to embrace this new life, especially as it came from such an ugly situation?

Well, all hope was not lost yet. It would be tough, but I had to talk to Aaron about it. What if he agreed and decided to take me in? What if he was not so much of a bad boyfriend as I thought?

I cleaned up and dressed quickly as though wasting one more minute will change his mind about accepting the baby. It was a Saturday morning and I knew just where to find Aaron.

"Babe." I pulled at his sleeve as soon as I caught up with him. He was humming along with the song blasting from the speakers, as he cleaned up his room.

"Hey. You scared me."

"Good to see you too." I rolled my eyes and sat down. "Please let's talk. It's urgent."

He looked at me with questioning eyes for a while before shrugging and taking a seat next to me on the sofa. "Okay. What's up?"

"I'm pregnant." I spilt the news with so much speed as it had been weighing my heart down. "I just found out this morning that I'm pregnant."

"Okay." Aaron chuckled lightly and turned to face me fully. "So?"

"'So?' Is that all you can say?"

"What else should I say, Prisca? It's not like I've slept with you recently. When was the last time you even visited me?"

"Are you seriously doing this now?" I couldn't believe my ears. "You're not even glad that your girlfriend is pregnant?"

"What's to be happy about, huh?" He stood up. I could trace the seductive lines on his chest beneath the damp singles he wore. "Look around you, Prisca. Who's ready to father a child now?"

"Let's not even talk about the fact that you're a dirty slut. How do I know if I am the actual father of that… that bastard?"

"Did you… did you just call my child a…" My eyes widened as my voice trailed off. I knew he would be tough to convince, but I never expected such hurtful words from him.

"I'm sorry Prisca. But for all I care, the father could be just anyone, just like yours is…"

I wanted to hear more but he stopped as though realizing himself.

"Aaron, what did you just say?" I held onto his singlets and pulled at it with frustration. What was it about my father that he seemed to know?

"Prisca, let go! Go ask your mother who your real father is before towing the same path she did." He smirked and shook my hands off.

My feet grew so weak that I could barely stand. I held an armchair to keep me stable for a while. Have I been living a lie my whole life? My dad was not… my actual dad?