Chapter 2 THE UNEXPECTED NEWS

Cherish walked out of the doctor's office in a serious daze, her mind reeling with the news. Pregnant? How manage? How could this be? She thought back to the night she had tried to forget. "If I had known" was all she could say.

As she walked home, a lot was going through her mind.

When she got home, Cherish sat down on the couch , trying to process everything. She knew she had to tell Richard, but she was scared. What if he rejects the baby? .

Cherish took a deep breath and picked up her phone. Immediately, she dialed Richard's number.

"Hello?" Richard's voice was so smooth. "Richard it's Cherish", she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Hey, Cherish. What's up? It's been a while" Richard asked, his tone casual.

"There's something I want to talk to you about. Are you home or should I go ahead here" Cherish said.

"What is it? Go ahead" Richard said, sounding impatient.

" Okay, um. ....I .... I'm pregnant " Cherish said, the words tumbling out of her mouth.

There was silence on the other line. "What are you talking about because I'm not understanding?" Richard asked, his voice cold.

"I'm talking about the one night stand we had together. I'm carrying your child" Cherish repeated. .

Richard laughed. "So you're trying to trap me because of my wealth. I know all these before now, Cherish"

His words stung her "I'm serious Richard, I'm not trying to trap you because of your wealth. Of course, you know I'm also from a very wealthy home. I'm telling you the truth"

"I don't believe you, you're a liar and a bitch" Richard said, his voice very firm.

Cherish felt tears streaming down the corners of her eyes "It's fine. This is no joke. I'm pregnant and need what to do"

" Did you need what to do? Go and flush out that bastard you're trying to trap me with.

" I should do what? Abort this baby? Richard, are you rejecting this child" Cherish asked amidst sobs.

Just then, he hung up. Cherish could not believe it.

" Hello... Hello..... Richard, are you there?

Cherish threw herself on the floor and started crying uncontrollably. She was almost screaming but remembered that her father was around. She reduced her voice and cried and cried till she was tired.

She sat on her bed thinking of what to do next. She decided to go and visit him, perhaps he would have compassion on her when he sees her and accept her and her baby.

First thing the next morning, Cherish prepared to pay Richard an unexpected visit. She arrived at his house and was afraid to knock. She managed to knock.

"Yes, who's at the door. Come in" Richard said, his voice sounding very excited. He was playing games when she came in. As soon as she walked in, his countenance changed.

"Good morning, Richard," Cherish said, her voice shaking.

"What's good about the morning? What are you doing here" Richard snapped.

"Richard, please calm down. We can handle this amicably. You hung the call, I guess you were busy or something so I decided to pay you a visit" Cherish said.

Richard took a deep breath "As you can see, I'm busy"

"Please Richard, this is your baby, don't reject and abandon your blood. You.....

" God forbid and point of correction, this is not my blood. Please I'm very busy, can you use the door" Richard ordered. There was surprise written all over Cherish's face. " Are you sending me out of our house, Richard? " Cherish asked.

" And if you don't leave in peace, I'll be forced to throw you out" He continued. Cherish could not believe her eyes and ears.

Can such a nice man she met weeks change to be a monster" Cherish thought aloud.

" See, Cherish I'm not interested in playing along with your game. Leave now"

Cherish felt she was punched in the stomach. "Game? You think this is a game, this is no game Richard" Cherish thought Richard was playing until he stood up from his seat. Richard rushed and carried her up, threw her up and locked his door.

"Arrant nonsense " Richard growled. Cherish didn't know what to do when the father of her baby had rejected her.

She managed to get to her house and a lot of things were going through her mind. Whether to keep the baby or abort the baby? Cherish was really in a mess. She thought about her father.

"What would he say if he found out she was pregnant? Her father is a disciplinarian, a no nonsense man.

As the days went by, Cherish tried to keep the pregnancy a secret but it was getting harder and harder. Her stomach was starting to show and she knew it was just a matter of time for her father to find out.

One day, Cherish's father called him into his room.

"Cherish my daughter, I need to talk to you about something and all I need from you is the truth" he said, his voice firm.

Cherish felt chill wash over her. "What is it, Father?"

"I've been seeing the changes in your body and have also been hearing rumours that you're pregnant" her father said, his eyes narrowed.

Cherish felt shivers were sent down her spine. "Dad, I. ..I don't know what you're talking about'

Her father sighed. "Don't lie to me, Cherish. I know it's true. Tell me the truth so that I can know where to come in as your father"

Cherish started crying. "I'm sorry, Dad"

Her father's face changed immediately, filled with anger. "You're sorry? You're sorry. You're a disgrace and have brought shame to this family, Cherish"' .

Cherish was filled with fear because she knows what her father can do. "Father, please"

Her father stood, his eyes filled with anger. "Get out of my house with that bastard that you're carrying. You're no longer my daughter. I disown you.

"Dad, please". Her father pointed to the door. "Get out" .

Her father went in and threw all her bags outside. Cherish sobbed non stop as she walked out of the house feeling alone and abandoned.