PIECES

Part 1

Rose's POV

I sat in the living room, staring at my belly. For a moment it felt like the little one growing within me was searching for it's father.

I definitely could feel it. My baby wanted to see it's father badly...

It was already two weeks and the house felt lonely without him. Today was another Wednesday, and I returned from work, but the house was dull and lonely...

Ever since Abel found out I was pregnant, he always rushed home after work, to help me make dinner, so that I don't starve when I return. He just wanted to see me and the little one in me safe...

Just about two weeks ago, I was still engrossed with work, when he called me. I picked up the phone wearing a bright smile which faded instantly when I heard the voice from the other end...

That wasn't my husband's voice, so whose voice was it?

"Ma'am, your husband was knocked down by a heavily loaded truck. You need to rush to saint Anthony's hospital immediately" those words left me trembling...

Abel was met with an accident and he has been on comma for two weeks now.

I just can't wait for my husband to return to me...

I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard my phone ringing. Staring at the caller's ID, a small smile escaped my lips. It was my mother...

"Mom! How are you" I cheerfully asked...

"Well, I'm at your gate. Come open the door"

"What?" Before I could even say another word, she ended the call...

I rushed out and opened the gate, only to find my mother standing there for real...

"Mama! What are you doing here? You didn't even tell me you were coming" I said, still surprised, though I was happy within...

"Will you let me stand here till your lectures are over?" She said, looking a bit annoyed...

"I'm sorry mama. Come in" I made way for her to enter, and helped her with her bag...

"I've been knocking the gate for some time now. Where's the gate man?" My mother asked...

I sigh helplessly, thinking about how I had to fire the gateman, so I could cutdown on expenditures to pay for my husband's hospital bills and also the house bills. Not wanting my mother to worry, I had to lie to her...

"Well, he resigned, saying something very important came up and his family wanted him back. More like he found a new opportunity"

"I see" my mother said with an unreadable expression...

Did she really believe that? I asked myself...

Once settled inside, I explained the whole situation to my mother. She was feeling so helpless. But what could we do? We just had to keep on praying that he survived it.

The next morning, my mother quickly arranged a sumptuous breakfast for me. Ever since my husband had that accident, I had barely had a good meal...

"Mama thank you very much. I really needed this" I said as I stared at her feeling grateful...

"You're still my child. Now that your husband isn't here, you're pregnant and need someone to carter for you.'

"Thank you"

"Hey! Don't be too formal with me"

She said, glaring at me...

I chuckled lightly and continued eating my food when she suddenly asked...

"Who has been handling your husband's company? I mean, you told me you had resigned from there after you both got married right?"

"Yes, I did resign. Well, his secretary and personal assistant are there, alongside the managers. I usually pass there after work to check if everything's okay" I explained...

"So, is everything okay with it?"

"Yes. Everything's okay"

I replied...

I was the assistant to the sales manager while I was still working there. It's often said that it isn't good for a couple to work in the same company, such that if the company goes bankrupt, the other partner can support the family...

I resigned from the company two days after our engagement.

*****

Kelly sigh heavily as she finally spotted her friend walking in her direction. They had agreed to meet at the café opposite her work place but yet, she was late...

"Really? I mean you've literally kept me here for hours" she pouted, looking like an annoyed five year old...

"C'mon girl! It's not even upto thirty minutes. That's by the way, I'm sorry for keeping you waiting. I just had some stuffs to handle before leaving" Anna appologized

"I really love this teaching job of mine. It's not as tiring and stressful as yours. You spend your entire day staring at a computer, entering symbols and letters I don't understand"

"Don't bother. I love my job. So, did you see any design?" Anna asked, her expression turning serious...

"Yeah, I did see a few designs. Let me show you" Kelly said as she picked up her phone, scrolling through. A picture caught her attention which made her ask...

"That reminds me. I heard Abel had an accident. My kid sis sent me the pictures few days back. Here it is"

Kelly showed the picture to her friend who didn't seem surprised at all...

"Yeah! I was told he was knockdown by a heavily loaded truck. I even went there last week to pay a visit, but his wife wasn't there when I came, do I didn't linger around too much" Anna explained...

"Ha! You knew and didn't tell me?" Rose said, disappointed...

"Well, I forgot. Besides, my wedding is at the corner and I have a lot in mind"

"I understand! That serves him right!" Kelly said, lazily staring at her phone. Her words took Anna aback...

"Serves him right?" Anna raised a brow...

"Yeah! Serves him right for wasting three years of your life and not getting married to you"

Anna smiled lightly upon hearing her friend...

"I was the one that left him. I should have stayed by his side when he was down, but I walked away, giving a bad impression of myself" she said with a hint of regret laced on her voice...

"No! You don't get it, do you?" Anna said then added...

"He dated you for more than three years and didn't propose to you. He dated Rose for eight months and married her. I mean... Even a fool will tell he was just toiling with your emotions."

"Listen Kelly, I don't care. I really don't care. Besides, I'm getting married in two weeks" Anna said not wanting to dwell on the past...

"You really are dumb. Isn't it obvious he was having a secret afair with Rose? Seeing that he had fallen out of love for you, he certainly planned that event with her to get you out of his life, and behold, they succeeded. They probably just dated do that no one figures out that they had been together before" Kelly said, clearly annoyed...

"Don't you think you're prying into someone else's affair? Besides, we're here for my wedding right? My wedding is in two weeks, and if we keep ranting like this, are we going to find the party gowns?"

"I'm sorry Ann. Let's get to business then..."

*****

Rose was going through the documents that needed her husband's signature, when Laura walked in, sinking on the single couch which was present in the office...

"It feels good to be the best friend to the boss's wife" she said, glancing at Rose, who was still staring at the documents before her...

"How's Abel doing?" Laura asked...

"Abel?" Rose raised a brow...

"Well, we're best friends and it's just both of us in here, do I don't need to be too formal right?"

"Of course! Besides, he's still the same. No much improvement. You know, I can't wait for him to get well and return home" Rose expressed herself without having to worry.

Laura was indeed her best friend from child hood. They had grown up together and it was even thanks to Laura that she began working here at Royals...

"I understand! Don't be too hard on yourself. The company needs him. You manage to pass by after work, but I can tell that before getting here, you're usually very tired, and it's not good for especially in this condition. Don't bother, your husband will be okay"

Rose smiled warmly at her friend. She was about saying something when her phone rang...

"That should be my mom!" She said and pulled out the phone.

Her eyes were filled with worry as she saw the caller's ID. It wasn't her mother. It was a call from the hospital.

"It's the doctor" Rose said to the woman on the couch, Abit hesitant to pickup...

"Go on!" Laura urged her...

"Hello"

She picked the call, with Laura staring at her...

The next thing Laura heard was

"What?"

Laura stared at her friend, and noticed her eyes were watery. Unsure of what to do she asked...

"What's going on? What did the doctor say?"