Chapter Two
1245 Words
The loud barking of the dog echoed through the apartment,breaking the heavy silence. It barked again and again, refusing to stop.
Ava stirred.
Her eyeslahes fluttered before she slowly opened her eyes. For some time, she lay motionless on the cold bathroom floor, staring blankly at the white ceiling. Her head throbbed painfully, and then every part of her body felt stiff, from lying on the hard tiles.
She frowned in confusion, trying to remember why she was there. The barking of the dog outside continued, joined by the distant horn of cars.
With a quiet groan, Ava slowly pushed herself to a sitting position. A wave of dizziness hit her immediately, forcing her to steady herself on the bathtub. She quizzed her eyes shut until the spinning eased.
When she finally looked down, her breath caught.
The pregnancy test strip was still lying on the floor.
The two pink lines.
The memories of what had happened crashed into her at once.
She picked up the pregnancy test strip and stared at it once more.
There were no mistakes.
The result hadn't changed.
Hot tears rolled down her cheeks, and she swallowed hard before whispering, " I'm really pregnant."
Just as she wiped her tears, the sound of her phone filled the apartment.
Ava lifted her head listening as it rang again. She remained seated on the floor for a few seconds, trying to gather herself. Who was calling could wait right now she didn't have the strength to speak to anyone.
The ringing stopped.
She let out a slow breath and leaned her head on the bathtub, hoping the caller wouldn’t call again.
Then, a few moments later, the phone started ringing again.
Ava frowned, and then, with a tired sigh, she slowly pulled herself to her feet. She still felt weak, but she forced herself to walk out of the bathroom.
Her phone lay on the coffee table vibrating nonstop. She glanced at the screen. It was Karen who was calling .
Ava closed her eyes for a brief moment, Karen is her closest friend,she knew that if she ignored her call, she would be worried.
The phone continued to ring. After a moment of hesitation, she reached for her phone, swiped across the screen, and lifted it to her ear.
Hello..
"Ava!" Karen's voice came through immediately."Girl, where have you been, I have been calling you nonstop."
"Did you leave your phone somewhere?".
Ava closed her eyes for a brief moment. "I'm sorry, I wasn't near my phone."
Karen sighed at the other end. You scared me. You never ignore my calls. I was close to coming over to your apartment. "
I'm fine, " Ava replied quickly.
Karen wasn't convinced.
"No, you are not. I know you too well. Why do you sound like you have been crying.What's going on?".
Ava's grip on the phone tightened. She bit her lower lip,searching for the right words,but none came. The silence between them stretched for a few seconds.
"Ava? Karen called again, and her voice was softer this time." Talk to me. What happened?".
Ava lowered her head.
She wanted to answer, but every word seemed to get stuck in her throat.
"Karen," she began, only for her voice to crack.
Karen fell silent for a moment. "Ava, you're scaring me. Please, tell me what's wrong."
Tears slipped down Ava's cheek.
I don't know what to do anymore," she whispered.
"What happened?"
Ava took a shaky breath before speaking.
"I'm pregnant."
There was complete silence on the other end of the line.
When Karen finally spoke, her voice was barely recognizable.
"What... did you just say?"
"I'm pregnant, Karen."
"Oh my God."
Karen struggled to process the news.
"Who's the father?"
Ava closed her eyes. The name alone was enough to reopen the wound in her heart.
"Damien."
"The Damien Blackwood?"
Karen gasped.
Ava nodded before remembering Karen couldn't see her.
"Yes."
"My God, Ava," Karen whispered.
"Does he know?"
Ava slowly shook her head.
"No."
"And you're telling me he has no idea he's going to be a father?"
"No," Ava replied, her voice breaking.
"He doesn't know, and after what I saw on the news this morning, I don't even know if I should tell him."
Karen remained silent for a few moments, trying to make sense of everything Ava had just told her.
"So... that's why you've been crying?" she asked gently.
Ava didn't answer.
Then Karen remembered something she had seen on social media earlier that morning.
"Wait a minute," she said. "Is not Damien Blackwood everyone has bern talking about today?"
Ava swallowed hard.
Karen continued, "I saw a post saying he was about to announce his engagement at some big event tonight. Please don't tell me it's the same Damien."
Ava closed her eye, unable to hold back her tears.
"It's him, " she admitted quietly.
"Oh, Ava!
Karen's heart sank.
"So the man you are carrying child for is about to get engaged to another woman?"
Ava nodded even though Karen couldn't see her.
"I saw it on the news," she whispered. "He was standing beside her smiling."
Karen didn't know what to say. No word seemed enough to comfort her Ava.
And then she said. "Listen to me, Ava, no matter what happens, you are not going through this alone."
Ava wiped her tears from her face and took a deep breath.
"I need to be sure." She said quietly.
Karen frowned, "Sure about what?".
" I have to confirm it at the hospital, maybe... maybe the test is wrong."
"Ava, home pregnancy tests are usually accurate, but if going to the hospital will give you peace of mind, then you should go."
Ava nodded slowly.
"You’re right, I can’t keep guessing, I need the doctor to tell me the truth."
"And I'm coming with you. Karen said firmly."
"No,"you have work, and I don’t want to drag you into this."
"I don't care about work right now, Karen insisted. You are my best friend. I don’t want you to go through this alone."
A fainted smile appeared on Ava's face for the first time that morning.
"Thank you, Karen."
"We would figure this out together," Karen assured her. "But first get dressed, drink done water and head to the hospital. Call me when you get there."
"I will,"Ava promised before ending the call.
She stood still for a moment, staring into space. Karen's words echoed in her mind, but they did little to calm the storm inside her.
She walked to her bedroom, changed into a simple pair of jeans and a loose sweater, and then picked up her handbag. Before leaving, she glanced at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, making it impossible to hide what she had been through.
She took a deep breath and reached for the doorknob.
Just as she was about to open the door, her phone vibrated in her handbag.
Buzz...
Buzz...
She frowned and pulled it out.
Unknown number
Her heart skipped a beat.
The phone continued vibrating in her hand.
After a brief hesitation, she answered.
"Hello?"
For a moment, there was only silence.
Then, a deep, calm male voice spoke.
"Miss Ava Carter?"
"Yes... who's this?"
"I'm calling from Blackwood Group. Mr. Damien Blackwood would like to see you by today."
Ava's eyes widened.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She froze, as though she had heard the wrong name.
- Writer
