Chapter 3 A NEW BEGINNING

Chapter 3: A New Beginning

Tasha's ocean-blue eyes flutter open, but she quickly shuts them again, shielding herself from the harsh morning light that pierces through her like a dagger. She rubs her temples with her fingers, trying to shake off the haze.

On her second attempt, she slowly opens her eyes, squinting to adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings. 'Where am I?' she stammers, her voice laced with confusion and disorientation, as she struggles to recall the events that led her to this strange place.

As Tasha's gaze wanders around the opulent room, the events of the previous night seem like a distant dream, shrouded in a haze of uncertainty. She struggles to recall the sequence of events that led her to this grandiose space, her mind foggy and unclear.

The memories of the night before appear fragmented and disjointed, like pieces of a puzzle she can't quite assemble. She tries to shake off the fogginess, but the more she thinks, the more elusive the details become.

Tasha's eyes frantically scan the room, then fixate on her revealing gown, and she gasps, 'Damn!' as the events of the previous night come flooding back. 'It can't be... did I really?' she stammers, her voice trembling with fear and uncertainty.

She can't shake off the feeling of unease as she tries to recall the details of the encounter. But as her gaze falls upon the bloodstain on the bed, she knows she can't deny the truth any longer. The evidence is stark, but her mind remains a complete blank – she can't remember who she was with, no matter how hard she tries.

Tears stream down Tasha's face as the reality of her actions sets in. 'I'm so, so sorry, Mom,' she whispers, her voice cracking with pain and regret. She's still trying to wrap her head around what happened, but the weight of her mistake is crushing her.

The thought of giving herself to a stranger, someone she doesn't even know, is almost too much to bear. She feels a deep sense of shame and betrayal, not just to her mother, but to herself.

But with a newfound determination to face the challenges ahead, Tasha slowly pulls herself out of bed, but a searing pain in her private area forces her back onto the mattress. 'Jess...' she groans, the agony intensifying.

Her frail hands grasp for the nearby cabinet to steady herself, accidentally knocking a piece of paper to the floor. As her gaze falls upon the paper, she instinctively picks it up, her eyes scanning the contents with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.

Tasha's eyes widen in astonishment as she scans the contents of the paper, her lips parting in disbelief. 'This can't be,' she stammers, her voice trembling with emotion. 'I must be dreaming... $20 million? It can't be real!' She stares at the check, her mind struggling to comprehend the enormity of the amount.

Yet, as she looks again, the numbers and figures remain the same, a tangible reality that defies her doubts.

"With shaking hands, Tasha flips the check over, and her eyes land on a message that makes her blood boil. 'This is for taking your virginity away, sl*t' the text sneers. Her face burns with fury as she reads the words, her anger intensifying with each passing second.

"How dare he!' she seethes, her fists clenched in indignation. 'Does he think I'm some kind of slut, a mere object for his pleasure?' The word cuts deep, and Tasha's mind reels with the audacity of the stranger's insult.

"How dare he!' Tasha's voice trembles with rage, her eyes blazing with indignation. 'Who is this arrogant jerk?' she spits out, her words laced with venom. 'Does he think a mere check can compensate for taking my virginity? It's priceless, worth so much more than his paltry $20 million!' She snatches up the check from the bed, crumpling it in her fist as if it's tainted by the stranger's insult. Her anger is a palpable force, radiating from her very being.

"Do you think you are worth it?' Tasha's voice is laced with anguish, her eyes welling up with tears as she gazes at the check.

The pain and anger In her heart are almost too much to bear. With a heavy sigh, she sets the check aside and reaches for her phone, suddenly remembering her loved ones might be worried sick about her.

As she powers on her phone, she's met with a barrage of missed calls from her mother, Mira, and others, a stark reminder of the world outside her tumultuous thoughts.

"Damn!' Tasha curses, her anxiety spiking as she quickly dials her mother's number. The phone rings twice before a tense voice answers, 'Hello!' Tasha's confusion deepens as she realizes it's not her mother's voice on the other end.

"Who is this?' she asks, trying to keep her fear in check. 'Why do you have my mother's phone?' The stranger's presence on the other end of the line only adds to Tasha's growing unease.

"The nurse's distressed voice on the other end of the line sends Tasha's world crashing down. 'Your mother is dying, please bring the money for her treatment,' she pleads. Tasha's scream is primal, 'What!?' She drops the phone, letting it fall to the ground as the call ends.

For a moment, she's paralyzed by despair, crying out, 'Money... I need money!' But then, her gaze falls upon the check on the floor, and her instincts take over. She snatches it up and dashes out of the building, driven by a singular focus: to save her mother.

... ... ... ..

Tasha rushes down the hospital corridor, calling out to a doctor she sees exiting her mother's ward. 'Doctor! Doctor!!' She catches up to him, out of breath, and he turns to face her, a somber smile on his face. 'Miss Tasha,' he says, his eyes locking onto hers with a mix of compassion and gravity.

The weight of his words hangs in the air like a challenge. Tasha thrusts the check into his hands, her voice trembling with urgency. 'Doctor, here's the money for my mother's surgery. Can we proceed now? Please?' Her eyes plead for a positive answer, her heart racing with anticipation.

The doctor's nod is almost imperceptible, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. He takes a deep breath, steeling himself for the devastating news he's about to deliver. 'I'm sorry, Tasha... we lost her.' The words hang in the air like a challenge, but to Tasha, they're unthinkable. She shakes her head, as if trying to dislodge the cruel joke.

Her glare is venomous, her face twisted in anger. 'How dare you speak of my mother like that?' she hisses, her mind racing with incredulity. 'How could you be so heartless?' she thinks, her heart heavy with grief and anger.

The doctor's gentle pat on her shoulder is a stark contrast to the harsh reality he's just revealed. 'I'm sorry, Tasha, but it is what it is,' he says, his face a picture of sorrow. He walks away, leaving Tasha frozen in shock.

But she can't stay still for long. With a newfound sense of urgency, she rushes to her mother's ward, desperate to see for herself. And then, she sees it. Her mother's lifeless body lies on the hospital bed, shrouded in a white blanket.

Tasha's instincts take over, and she rushes to her mother's side, yanking the blanket off with a swift motion. The sight that greets her is one she'll never forget.

"You're not dead, right? You're not dead!' Tasha cries out, her voice cracking with desperation as she shakes her mother's lifeless body.

She's clinging to a glimmer of hope, refusing to accept the reality before her. 'Just tell me this is all a joke,' she pleads, her words trembling with anguish.

But as she gazes upon her mother's still face, she knows deep down that it's not a joke. The truth hits her like a tidal wave, and she's consumed by a grief so overwhelming it threatens to shatter her very being.

Months later... ... ..

Tasha sits on the couch, lost in thought, savoring a plate of cashews. A soft smile plays on her lips as she gazes into the distance, still entwined in her fantasy. But her reverie is short-lived, as her phone vibrates, jolting her back to reality.

She glances at the screen, and her eyes widen as she sees the house agent's name flashing. She quickly answers the call, her heart racing with anticipation.

"Hello!' Tasha answers, her voice bright and cheerful. She cradles the phone in her right hand, using her left to support it, while her right hand continues to snack on cashews. 'The house is ready,' the agent's deep, masculine voice announces.

Tasha's face lights up with a smile. 'Thanks, I'll be moving in tomorrow then,' she replies, her tone confident and excited. With that, she ends the call, her mind already racing with thoughts of her new home.

Tasha's face glows with a warm smile as she ends the call. She gently rubs her stomach, feeling the familiar flutter of her twins kicking inside her. 'Hang in there, my little twinnies,' she coos, 'we're leaving this crazy city behind tomorrow."

Tasha's thoughts wander back to the life-altering moment she discovered she was pregnant, just two weeks after her mother's passing. She had been feeling unwell and visited the hospital for a checkup, only to be stunned by the news that she was expecting.

But that was not all – the ultrasound revealed she was carrying twins. And if that wasn't enough, the father was the stranger, a one-night stand she had tried to put out of her mind. The memory still leaves her breathless, a mix of emotions swirling inside her.

Another vigorous kick from the twins brings Tasha back to the present, and she laughs with delight. 'Aww, that was a loud one!' she exclaims, still smiling as she continues to gently rub her stomach, savoring the intimate connection with her little ones.

The gentle caress and soothing words are a testament to the love and anticipation she feels for her soon-to-arrive twins.

The next day... ..

The airport terminal is a hive of activity, with travelers rushing to their gates amidst a cacophony of announcements, chatter, and luggage carts, while the aroma of coffee and pastries wafts through the air. Outside, planes taxi and take off, their engines roaring as they soar into the sky, leaving trails of condensed water vapor in their wake.

Tasha steps off the plane, her eyes widen in wonder, drinking in the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the airport. With a deep breath, she savors the moment, her face alight with joy. 'Bye-bye, Mexico... welcome, America!' she whispers, her voice trembling with excitement.

Her gaze drops to her swollen belly, and she beams at her unborn twins, 'Welcome to America, little ones!' she coos, her heart swelling with love and anticipation for their new life together.