365 DAYS WITH YOU

I felt the whole world crumbled at my feet when Nurse Kim walked up to me with the news of my pregnancy.

The smile she had earlier on her face was all gone and her face looked so pale.

I braced myself for the worst news when I saw her approach me but yet, I wasn't prepared for it.

"Khloe, the result is out and it's positive" her eyes looked red and scary.

The room was rotating, my vision became blur. I pinched my right arm hoping to wake up from this nightmare.

I am just fucking 19! still living with my mum.

My mum always worked her ass off inorder to send me to the best college. Mum wanted me to be a surgeon, a great lady that no man will ever treat badly like the way dad treated her.

How am I going to face her?

My hands were so shaky. I stared at my legs and watched how sweaty they were despite how cold the room was.

I couldn't even look at Nurse Kim, who was clearly disappointed in me.

She was my bestfriend despite the age difference. Mum gave birth to me in the hospital Nurse Kim worked, infact she was there during my delivery.

'I am disappointed in you' She said before leaving me.

I watched her departing figure and I wanted to call out to her but my lips felt sealed.

**

Royce Cornell, my first and only boyfriend. I met him at my high school.

He had the perfect dentition, the perfect smile, height, body build and every perfect thing you could think of.

Before I met him, I wasn't comfortable in my own skin because of how tiny I looked. With Royce, he made me feel like the most perfect being on earth.

I became more comfortable around him and with time, I felt I was the most beautiful girl on earth. No matter how shabby I dressed, he still loved me.

We started dating when I was 16. He didn't care about sex at first. Our relationship was so perfect, infact we were the perfect couple.

Things took a new turn when our relationship clocked 9 months.

Royce was no longer the Royce I knew before, and fell in love with.

He was so different and nagged about every little thing I did.

He changed his phone's password and always gave silly excuses to me.

I once saw him in class, chatting happily with a girl. I felt jealous because she was so beautiful.

I confronted him about it and then he said something that created a big hole in my heart

"Khloe, must you always be insecure? if you want this relationship to work, you know what to do. What is the need being in a relationship where I can't have sex with my girlfriend and yet, I am not allowed to cheat! This is what everybody do in a relationship and by the way, a lot of girls are willing to throw themselves on me". After saying this, he stormed away.

I stood at that spot feeling glued and that was just the beginning of our problem.

I went home that day, and cried my eyes out. Mum always warned me about student relationship, and sex but here I am, madly in love with Royce, and not ready to lose him. That's when the devil started planting evil thoughts in my mind.

'What is sex? do it and keep your man. After all, you guys are getting married.'

I kept tossing on my bed through out the night and the next day, I went straight to Royce's house.

That was my first mistake!

I had no clue about sex and he was willing to teach me.

He started kissing and caressing me. To be honest, I wasn't comfortable with that.

***

Royce meant the world to me and he still means the world to me but here I am, expecting a baby all on my own.

"How am I going to explain this to mum?" I questioned myself. Mum really had high hopes on me, and I ruined it because of a fucking feeling, that doesn't exist.

Nurse Kim, I could literally picture her face of disappointment. She is never going to look at me the same way. I broke the trust she had.

I found myself walking down the alley, having no idea how I got here.

'Shouldn't I just get in front of that approaching Mercedes-Benz. I can't bring a child to this world without a father and proper care.' I thought to myself.

'Should I sit down here, and cry my eyes out until there is no tears left in my system?'

I started stomping my feet so hard on the tiled road, until blood started gushing out, yet I felt no physical pain except the burning anguish in my chest.

'Wait, maybe this is just a dream.' I tried explaining to myself but nope, it's reality, one I have to face without fear so my baby could survive.

'My baby?' I already hated my baby. I don't want to ever meet my baby.

What was Nurse Kim going to do? phone mum?. if she did that, I will be dead.

"Ouchh!" I held on to my head feeling a sharp pain like a bullet got through my skull, my vision became blur again as I continued screaming.

The last thing I could recall before I found myself in the hospital, was a young man calling out to me, "Miss, are you okay?...."

I woke up to the bleeping sound of the hospital's monitor, and the usual hospital stench, drugs, disinfectant, and sick people. I always hated this place.

I was kept in a separate hospital ward, everything was white including the TV set. I was dressed in a simple and comfortable white gown, covered with a glittering hospital's blanket. I caught a quick glance of my wrist, a white band was on it with my name written there.

Just then, someone walked in. I must admit, she was really pretty. she gave me the brightest smile on earth. No one has ever smiled at me that way.

"Miss, how are you feeling?" she asked, maintaining her smile.

She was a blonde lady and the light made her skin radiate even more. For a moment, I thought I had died and an angel was standing in front of me.

I stared at her with a blank reaction, but she never stopped smiling, or had the slightest glimpse of frustration on her face, as she kept on questioning me without getting any response.

"I understand. You might still be in shock and you're probably stressed out."

She placed her palms on my forehead and checked my pulse, still maintaining the same facial expression.

Don't this lady ever get tired of smiling. I thought.

"You shouldn't stress yourself much. Are you hungry?" she asked replacing the drip.

Wasn't that a dumb question at this point? I said to myself. My eyes kept scanning the room, looking for nothing in particular.

"Who brought me here?" I asked

"A young man" she smiled at me.

"Okay" That was what I could say at that point. I felt disgusted knowing a guy brought me here.

"Am I good to go?" I asked.

"Not yet. You still need a full day rest. You will be fine by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" I repeated. Nurse Kim will be damn worried about me if she doesn't hear from me. She might freak out, and call mum.

"I need to go now. I feel good."

The nurse took a step forward. "Miss, you have to stay calm. You're pregnant. If you stress yourself too much, the baby may not be able to survive."

'Well, that's good news.' I muttered to myself.

"How much is the bill?" my heart skipped a bit, realizing I didn't just get treated for free and I should have asked of this earlier.

The smile returned to the nurse's face. She should get ready to employ a second hand because I have no money of mine and mum can't find out about it.

"The young man who brought you here has already footed the bill"

Oh yeah, she made mention of a young man who I don't give a fuck about. For once, I didn't feel grateful.

"Well, that's good"

"Yes. I will inform the doctor, you're awake." The nurse said, leaving the room in a gracious style.

'She is suppose to be modelling in a runway' I thought to myself.

I stared at the ceiling and found myself counting it. They looked so beautiful. '1, 2, 3....'. The door to my ward opened again, disrupting my count.

A man on white lab coat walked in. 'That's definitely the doctor.' I sighed.

"Hello, Miss. Khloe. I am Doctor Bryan. How are you feeling?" He smiled at me brightly.

"Didn't your nurse just check up on me few minutes ago? Don't you guys share reports?" I replied in a rude way, getting pissed.

Surprisingly, the doctor didn't respond in the same manner. Instead he was more gentle. Why was everyone acting so nice to me here? strange!

"The young man who brought you asked me to give you this card. His phone number is written right there."

Doctor Bryan handed a white card over to me. I took it and stared at it. it was actually a simple card with just a phone number written. Something baffled me.

"Why is everything white here?" I asked doctor Bryan.

To be honest, I have never seen a hospital this white and sparkling, maybe because of the local hospitals I have been used to. I could swear this hospital was for only the elite group.

Doctor Bryan had a bright smile on his face, just like his nurse.

"Because it's the color"

Wow, he replied. That was meant to be a rhetorical question. Maybe everyone here, is just nice.

I tried to recall the last face I saw before passing out but couldn't.

"Uhmmm, may I ask? who is the young man? Is he still here?"

"Nope. He left immediately he dropped you here. You could give him a call." he winked at me, and checked me once again.

"Your good to go. When do you want to be discharged, Miss?" Doctor Bryan asked

Seriously? Did he just ask me that? Maybe his Nurse told him, I wanted to leave.

"As soon as possible" I replied trying to sound polite.

"Hope you know, you're pregnant?"

"Am I?" I asked, trying to play dumb and I regretted it instantly.

"Yes. You know you shouldn't be stressing yourself...." he kept on ranting all in the name of advice.

I didn't get a thing from him, not until he said, "....do not abort this baby. if you don't want the baby, you could take her to a foster home." there was a pause, then he added "How old are you? You shouldn't be above twenty."

My face got flushed with embarrassment.

"Where are your parents or the guy that got you pregnant? Do they know about this?"

"I want to leave" I replied, staring at the blank wall, while trying to fight the tears back.

"Yeah, sure. I will sign the discharge paper, but you need proper rest, you look flush." He stood up and left the room.

I got discharged from the hospital. The view of the hospital was great. Everything was painted in white so I actually guessed rightly.

'Damn! I could live here forever.' I said to myself.

The white card was still on my right hand, I glanced at it once more again, smiled, and tossed it away.

'Well, whoever you are, thanks, but I don't need your number. I got other life problems.'

***

Stuck my right hand in my right pocket, and I had no money on me.

I walked the distance to my house.

I and mum lived in a small house. The outside wasn't painted. Rats, cockroaches, and cats found their home there. You could barely refer to my house as a home. A shelter home is way better than this.

Everything about this place got on my nerve, maybe that's why I loved Royce. His love made me escape from reality of my background.

Mum was in our make-shift sitting room. She didn't look excited to see me, and just then, I sighted Nurse Kim.

My heart stopped beating at that moment. My feet got stuck, my eyes darted from Nurse Kim to mum, and that's how it kept on going. Aunt Kim betrayed me. Why will she?

I took a step backward, as my whole body trembled.

We stayed in a small apartment, and most times, the room was very hot as we couldn't foot our electricity bills. Today, this place I grew in, felt like hell.

The both of them sat still on the couch without moving or saying anything. The silence was more deadly.

"Mum....Aunt Ki...m" I managed to muster out every bit of courage in me.

I always called Kim, Aunt when we are outside the hospital walls.

Mum didn't respond instantly, neither did Aunt Kim. I saw mum's lips shiver, and then the tears. it rolled down smoothly on her cheek. My heart broke instantly, and I doubt she will ever forgive me for this.

"Khloe Jacob. How could you?"

That was it. That was the bomb! Mum always called me Khloe, but once she adds my surname, I know we are at dead end. The last time she did that, she almost killed me.

Today, mum was surprisingly calm. I guess there was no strength left in her.

"Khloe Jacob, how could you?" she repeated again. This was too much for me to bare. I could barely stand on my feet as I looked for support. The only support was the weak Tv stand, which could crash at any moment, but I still held onto it.

"Answer me!" she screamed, pounding her fist hard on the couch, almost wrecking it.

"I am sorry" I cried out.

"You're sorry? you are sorry? That's all?"

I couldn't look at my mum's face. I was scared, her burning anger could literally swallow me.

All these while, Aunt Kim said nothing, and I hated her for everything, even though, it was obviously my fault.

My fault? No. it's Royce's fault. He did this to me and left me to bare this pain all alone.

Mum took a deep breath, and the next words that came out from her mouth, left me in total shock.

"Abort it"

I could literally hear Aunt Kim's heartbeat, and watched her throat, as she forcefully gulped in her saliva.

Aunt Kim sat still in her position, and said nothing. I thought she was my friend. it's obvious I was wrong about her. Why didn't she fight for me?

***

My mum, Mrs. Daphne walked into her room.

Flashes of her husband's memories, my father, Mr. Francis Jacob came back to her, how he left the both of us.

She remembered how hard she toiled just to give her daughter the perfect life, to send her to college.

No matter how busy she was, she always made sure, she gave her the best advice concerning everything, and this is how her daughter ended.

Why? why her? she wanted the best out of me, and that's why she worked so hard. Daphne could feel the wrinkles on her face at just 40, as if she aged few minutes ago.

She remembered how much she wanted to hate her daughter, but decided to groom her into a better version.

"I tried, I tried, and I failed" Daphne sniffled a tear.

"Where did I go wrong? Why will this happen to my Khloe? I wanted something big for her!! No!!!" she screamed.

***

Back at the hospital, where Nurse Kim work.....

After the test came out positive, she couldn't concentrate on her work.

Kim was scared of everything. 'What if she harms herself?' she questioned herself immediately she noticed I was out of the hospital.

Nurse Kim had to take permission from her boss, and rushed to my house. She didn't meet me there, but instead found my mum.

"Where is Khloe?" Kim asked

"She is out" Daphne replied without looking at her.

"Okay...." Nurse Kim said, trying to find the right words.

Daphne have known her for a long time. She could tell from her face that something was off, but this time, it wasn't about Kim, it was about Khloe. Maybe, it was just a mother's instinct.

"What's wrong with her?" Daphne asked, trying not to sound anxious.

"She is not home?" Kim questioned.

"Obviously. Kim, your scaring the hell out of me. Where is my daughter?"

Nurse Kim walked to where Daphne was seated, and sat next to her.

"Khloe came to me today"

"That's normal" Mrs. Daphne replied. "but why?" she added, realizing there was more.

"She came to run few tests, and....." Nurse Kim paused, finding it hard to find the right choice of word.

Daphne became more agitated but still tried to stay calm

"Okay....Is she sick? cold? fever? malaria? wait, I hope she doesn't have a life-threatening illness." she couldn't suppress her nervousness again. "Speak to me! Soro-Soke!!" she screamed.

Nurse Kim tried to calm her down. "No, it's nothing like that."

"Okay.....then speak up"

Kim inhaled and still found it hard to speak, but she had to "Khloe is pregnant."

Mrs. Daphne laughed "What sort of prank is this? Be serious for once, you almost killed me." She adjusted her wrapper properly.

"I am not kidding. Your daughter, Our daughter, Khloe is expecting a baby." Kim repeated.

"Don't say anything" Daphne clung to her chest.

That was when I walked in.

***

Aunt Kim was obviously disappointed in me but would never suggest abortion.

Trying to hold back her tears, she said to me "You are too young for this. I mean this whole pregnancy, and abortion. I don't want you to do this. Let me talk to your mum." Aunt Kim stared at me once again, and said the words I dreaded, "I am highly disappointed in you. No matter how hard I and your mum tried, you just showed us we are failures."

***

"I am sorry" I muttered behind her departing shadow.

Aunt Kim and mum are the only people I have in this world.

A 19 years old, won't be able to pull through all this without her parents. Dad was nowhere to be found. I don't even know him, and I am pretty sure, if he ever meets me in this position, he will hate me.

Mum and Aunt Kim are the only parents I know. I love them so much. Why didn't I think of this, before giving in to Royce.

Royce? where will he be right now? probably drinking and partying with his friends. The girls have him now. I hate him so much, I hate myself, I hate men, I hate my unborn baby, and yet when mum suggested abortion, I freaked out. Why did I? maybe I am just scared of losing my life, because it's obvious this baby isn't needed.

Carl Bradford stood in front of his dressing mirror with his personal wardrobe assistant, Nate by his side.

Nate was dressed in a white shirt, a collar tie placed around her neck region, and a skimpy pencil skirt. Her outfit was well tailored and ironed. On her wrist, was a golden wristwatch, gifted to her by her boss, Mr. Carl. She had on a Brazilian hair, well brushed. Her nails were polished white, and her black leather shoe, glittered.

"How do I look Nate?" Carl asked his P.W.A

"You look perfectly gorgeous. This outfit matches the occasion. My lady will definitely trip over you once she sights you."

Carl, being in his mid 20's and his p. w. a, in her early 30's. Ever since she started working with him, he never saw her once as a worker but as a friend. She knew pretty well things happening in his life.

Carl was dressed in a well tailored white suit, with a crisp white shirt, well stuck in. He touched his white silk tie, trying to adjust it properly. He wore an oxford leather shoe, and a Rolex on his wrist.

Nate brought his Clive Christian and Creed Aventus Cologne.

"I think the Creed Aventus is best for today." she said, spraying it on him.

it filled the room with apple, pineapple, and a note of black current fragrance.

Carl inhaled sharply. Everything about him smelt like wealth.

He had this masculine and dominating aura. Carl's presence was feared by most people, including Nate, who was still not comfortable around him, no matter how friendly he tried to be.

He stared at his reflection on the mirror, proud of what he saw, he put on a bright smile, and asked "Do you think I won't end up scaring her away? She may not even like me."

Nate smiled at her boss. She was enjoying the moment.

"Just be friendly, and besides, why won't she like you?"

"I don't care if she likes me. I just want my father to be proud of me." he sighed. "Not that I care much' he muttered under his breath.

Carl was born into the family of Bradford. They have been known for years for their enormous wealth.

The Bradfords' holds 5% share of the country's wealth and no family has been able to beat that.

Mr. Williams Bradford, the only surviving descendent of the first Bradford, has four sons and a daughter. Carl happened to be the last child and son. It is expected that the last child should be the most loved but in Carl's case, it was the opposite.

Mr. Williams has said it over and over to him, that he was a mistake, that should never have happened.

Carl grew up with this, and tried every single day to be worthy of his father's love but nothing seems to satisfy Mr. Williams.

He never got to see his mum as she died while birthing him.

"We should have just stopped at your sister. you shouldn't have survived. " His dad said to him.

Ever since his wife's death, Williams became a shadow of himself, and never remarried.

Maybe, I am bad luck, after all. I killed mum. Carl always reminded himself almost everyday.

Williams never let any of his children, including Carl, lack anything. Carl grew up in wealth, but not with love.

Today was a day, he was going to prove to his dad that his worthy of his love.

Mr. Williams decided to wed his son, and his business partner's daughter in order to seal a deal.

Williams wanted to continue expanding his wealth, obviously not contented with what he already has.

Mr. Wellington, his business partner has a company, which was running bankrupt. So, he decided to sell some of his shares to Williams. The marriage between his daughter and Carl, was aimed at strengthening the deal.

Carl didn't like the idea but he had no choice.

"Son, you will be a great husband" that was the first time his father said something positive to him.

"Do you want this?" Nate whisper brought Carl back to reality.

"I don't, but I have to do this" he said brushing his curly hair.

He had an habit of brushing his hair, anytime he gets nervous.

"Nervous again? huh? Calms. You will do just great." Nate gave him a reassuring smile.

Just then, her phone rang.

"Mr. Carl, your ride is here." she said after hanging up.

***

Nate and Carl walked to his ride. The chauffeur opened the limousine for him.

Mr. Williams sat there with a smile as they rode in silence. An hour later, the chauffeur cleared his throat, and announced their arrival at the Wellington's mansion.

The smile on his father's face became brighter. Carl couldn't remember when last he saw his father this happy.

Mr. Williams and his son walked in together, leaving Nate and the Chauffeur behind.

***

Carl got introduced to Bella Wellington.

Her beauty was alluring and irresistible. She wore a classical but revealing gown. it showed every part of her curves.

"Creed Aventus, huh?" she asked

"Yes" he smiled. "You like it?"

"Yeah"

"You got high taste, I see" Carl reached for her hands, and placed his lips on it.

"So, we're getting married in five months" She smiled, revealing her perfect dentition.

His gaze was fixed on her face, and at that moment, he felt there was nothing more beautiful than Bella's face, yet he wasn't interested in her

"You are really beautiful" he complimented her, ignoring her statement, and dropped her hand which he didn't notice he was still holding on to.

"I know. I get that a lot." Bella replied and he could sense pride in her tone.

'Oops, one red flag' he muttered to himself. He was equally filled with pride, but hated it when a lady acted that way.

"Huh? talking to me?" she asked

"Nope. I didn't say anything."

"Do you really want to do this?" Bella asked, staring deep at him.

The second time he got asked that question, but yet his dad never cared to ask.

"I know I am beautiful but I hope you can put up with my attitude. I must say, expect a spoilt brat." she laughed.

Carl forced himself to smile even though that wasn't funny to him. He has his father to deal with, and apparently, don't want to add to it.

"What's your name? I didn't quite grab it during the introduction."

"Carl. Carl Bradford" he replied

"Guess your pretty proud of your surname. Who won't?" she laughed.

Carl found that offensive, and just wished this day will end quickly. He found her really attractive, and beautiful but hated the fact he couldn't escape from her conversation. He detested ladies that speak without thinking.

"When next are we meeting?" Bella asked

"I will inform you when I am free" he politely replied, and she instantly flamed up, out of the blues "What the fuck do you mean by that?! Do you think I am jobless?!! like I got nothing to do with my life?"

'Oh, wow' Carl screamed in his mind.

"I am sorry, if you took it the wrong way." he said as politely as he could.

"Let's see some other time. Whenever you are free." he quickly added.