Chapter 2 PREGNANT

"I'm sorry to say this Maureen but no one can defend you even your manager can't say anything about your issue. It was going big and so hard to stop. The management gives you a chance to personally apologize to the people, just call me if you want to speak up." My assistant said from the phone when I went home at my apartment already. "And also all of your ongoing projects and endorsers and maybe even your previous ones were cancelled you, they remove your name to protect their brand. I'm sorry, I can't do anything but I hope you're okay right now."

I slowly sat on my bed while listening to her. I didn't even wait for her to speak more. I ended the call immediately.

How can they do that to me? I didn't even explain but they already cancelled me? I feel like I've lost my worth right away. What else can I expect, industry is industry. Nothing permanent when it comes to that.

"Everything I worked for is gone just because of someone I don't know." Little by little, the tears that I had been holding back started pouring. "It's all gone because of that bullsh*t stranger! And you Gezel! I hate you both so much! How dare they destroy everything I worked for a years!"

I just stop from shouting in pain when my phone rings. I answered it quickly when I saw that it was my mom. I need someone right now.

"M-Mom," I buckled crying.

"I talked to your manager and he said that he can offer an interview to you to clear your name and apologize to the people, mostly your fans." She directly said instead of asking me if I am okay. "Clean your name, our name–--"

"F*ck it!" I couldn't stop yelling from the other line. " You are always thinking about your name...Our name! I thought you called because you are concerned about me and asked me if I am okay because I am your daughter! And that was the mother do mom but why is it so hard for you to do it to me?"

"I'm concerned about you Maureen, I even contacted your manager so you can clear your name to the public---" she tried to explain her side softly.

"You did that because you will be attacked for the shame I did, right? You did not do that for me, it was for yourself!" I was struggling to argue with her and so I ended the call without her permission.

I was about to put my phone down when it rang again. I washed my face and took a deep breath.

"What now mom? Can you please stop calling me just this day, I'm tired!" I said angrily because I thought it was mom.

"This is Trina," Trina suddenly said, which made me stop talking, I thought it was my mom.

She was my childhood friend. We are at the same school from primary to college. We only separated because of our different dreams. She was focusing on their bar business and it was famous in the U.S right now while I was in modeling. But we are still connected to each other, she was like a sister to me.

"Do you need help? Just tell me, I will take a flight to go with your side." Trina said in concern.

She knows me a lot.

"No, take me a ticket to the U.S instead," I said and started wiping my tears. Trying to be strong in this situation.

"Got it. Remember, I am at your side." She said before ending the call.

From: Trina

Wear something that can cover your face, I see some media here waiting for you.

The plane had just landed when I read Trina's text. Fortunately, I know how the media's brain works, so I bought a hat and a mask to cover my mouth. I also didn't wear clothes that would attract their eyes, I know they will see me if I ever wear something classy.

From: Trina

Don't be afraid, they are ugly! good to slap!

I smiled when I read the last thing she said, somehow I feel better because of her presence. I got off the plane with a cover on my face. I was so nervous while walking but I was doing everything to walk normally. I immediately bowed down when I saw the group of media on the side. They are so annoying! I want to leave here peacefully!

"Is that her? The one in black?" I heard someone say it.

"Is it her? I think it's her! Come on, let's get closer!" one of the reporters shouted that made me walk fast.

I immediately felt nervous because I noticed that they were getting closer and closer to me until someone pulled my arm. I was about to push whoever that one when I saw it was Trina. I acted good.

"Bethany, it was you! I miss you a lot!" She said with a shout and so they can hear, she also signaled me not to look behind.

"How are you Bethany? Are you good my little sister?" She acts that makes my brow furrowed but at the same just going in the flow. "Mom and Dad are waiting for you, my sister. Your Bethany, my sister!"

If my situation wasn't like this, I would already be laughing. I heard the whispers of the media that stopped coming because of Trina's saying.

"Maureen is an only child, let's go back. She wasn't here yet." Someone said that makes me calm.

I thought I would get caught.

"Let's go," She pulled me when she noticed that the media was going away from us.

The nervousness I felt disappeared when we were inside her car. I even take off my hat and mask to make me breathe comfortably.

"How's the flight? Are you hungry?" Or do you need anything?" She kept asking me, she even hugged me in excitement. "Omygod! I miss you!

"No but thank you," I gave her a simple smile. "I just want to rest."

She nodded and smiled too before starting to drive. We immediately reached where she lives. I thought she had already moved somewhere but I didn't expect that she was still living in her old apartment.

She told me to just rest because she will go to the grocery store to buy some food for us. I offered some money to her but she said she can handle it and nothing to worry about so I just nodded. And because of the tiredness I feel, I no longer had trouble sleeping. I slept as I laid my back down on the bed.

"Noodles!" Trina said with a giggle that woke me up from sleeping.

She came too happy at my side and put down the noodles that it's already cooked. She just heated the water and put it in but in her smile it looked like a big achievement to her.

"Hey don't judge my noodles!" She said as I sneered at the food she made.

It's not because I don't appreciate her cooking. I was just afraid to eat it because the noodles are so fat. Did she overcook? Or that was the normal size of those noodles? I didn't try to ask her and just started eating. My tummy was making a sound, a sign that I was hungry.

"Wait," she gave me a wait sign and suddenly stood up that made me stop from eating. "I offered you my favorite dessert. It was delicious, promise."

"Okay," I said and nodded.

I just continued eating until she came back. She was already holding two cups of ice-cream and the flavor was cookies and cream. She still not changed, she was still so happy to share even a little or normal things, which is great.

"Here!" She presented me with the one cup which I immediately took.

She sat next to me and suddenly asked.

"So, what is your plan?" She was looking at me, waiting for my answer.

I held my breath and faced her. I don't even know what to do right now. If I could only force myself to just hide here for the rest of my life because of the shame that people say to me but I can't give up on my dream that quickly. I work hard for that, I will fight for it.

"I don't know Trina, I don't know what steps to take to clear my name." I said sadly. "But can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure! What is it?" She dropped the food she was holding and quickly nodded.

"Can I stay here for a while? The video is still spreading, that's why when I move I know I will be recognized." I explained to her. "I am afraid, Trina."

"Duh!" She smiled and raised an eyebrow at me. "Do you think I'll let you leave my apartment? I won't let you girl!"

She said flatly and I laughed as she hugged one of my hands like a child.

"Do me a favor too, stay here forever! Please?" She giggled like a kid waiting for my response

"I will think of that," I jokingly answered and removed her hug so we could eat again.

After we ate, she left me again because I said I still needed some rest. I didn't sleep the whole flight, if I could close my eyes it was only for a short time. There is a fear in my chest that someone will accidentally recognize me and talk about the things I don't want to hear.

A few weeks passed, and my routine was always to clean Trina's condo every time she left for work as a thank you for letting me stay here. I'm not used to doing nothing because before I used to have a busy schedule but now it all changed. It's depressing but I have to move forward.

"You don't like the food?" Trina asked while we were eating dinner.

"I like it but not now I guess? I don't know but I don't like the smell of it," I put the food away because I feel dizzy when I smell it.

"Smell?" She smells it. "It doesn't smell bad, it's super fresh."

I was confused too because I've eaten it before but it never smelled like this. It was so weird.

"You're so weird, wait I'll just get some other food." She gave me a wait sign, I nodded at her because I really can't force myself to eat it because of the smell.

Trina came back with a fresh salad, she dropped it in front of me. "I made the sauce, if you didn't like it I will hate you forever."

I smiled and thanked him. She returned to her seat and started eating again. I took a bite of what she gave me and I liked it, but when I finished it, my stomach suddenly hurt and I felt like I was going to vomit.

"Are you okay?" Trina came closer to check with so much concern in her face. "What is happening to you?"

She was about to give me water when I suddenly stood up and ran and went to the CR to vomit. I just went out when my stomach started to stabilize. And at the same time I was feeling dizzy so I wanted to be in bed.

"Maureen..." Trina was looking at me so weird when I laid my back at the edge of my bed.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" I looked at her confused.

She shook his head and gestured to me to wait before she immediately went out to my room. I just ignored it and waited for her as she said. She didn't stay long outside and came back quickly, it only took a few minutes for her to be here again in front of me.

"Where did you go?" I asked her when she sat down at my side.

"I bought something," she said with a deep breath.

"Food? No, I won't eat anymore, I'll just go to sleep." I shook my head. "I'm full already."

"No it's not food," she shook his head again and suddenly took something from her pocket and gave it to me.

I frowned because of the pregnancy test I was holding now that she gave. I looked at her so confused and at the same time afraid. My mind starts to overthink!

"What do you mean by this?" I asked in buckled.

"Try it," She said and pulled me to go up before pushing me to go inside the comfort room, she even closed the door and so I wouldn't come out and make more excuses.

Even though I'm very nervous, I do what she wants because I'm confused by myself too. I feel like something weird is happening in my body. I think I gained a lot of weight these past weeks.

I came out of the comfort room and gave the thing to her without looking at the result. She exhaled deeply before looking at the pregnancy test. I was looking at her reaction and when she turned her stare at me I already knew it.

"It's positive," she announced and came closer to me to hold my hands that were shaking. "You are pregnant Maureen."

"I am?" I can't believe it.

She nodded.