Natalie
I paced back and forth in our room. Then re-read again the message that my aunt Jean sent me. Dad has been hospitalized. Dad needed money. What should I tell Francis about this? Exhaling, I pull out my phone again and checked my bank account. Francis gave me access to my new bank account. He said that I could use it anytime I wanted. If I am bored and would go shopping and do whatnots.
Francis kept spoiling me and it makes me a bit anxious and worried that I will become a burden to him, so I never used the money on that account that has my new surname on it.
I punch the call button of my Aunt's number and it rings for a while.
"Auntie, how was dad?"
"He needED an immediate operation on his kidney. I'm sorry to call this, Natalie but your mom and Porsha are nowhere to be found."
"It's okay. I'll be there and settle the charges. Money isn't a problem. Please give me the address of the hospital and the room number."
Once that is has given to me. I call Francis about it. He did let me go to the hospital that is accompanied by a driver and a bodyguard. I don't know what his fuss is about, but it seemed that he's too overprotective. I know that it's because of what happened to me. The bleeding wasn't serious, and I wasn't even aware that it could happen to an eight months old fetus.
I arrived at the hospital and greeted by my Aunt. My dad is unconscious, and I didn't bother waking him up. I took a glimpse of him. He looked older than the last time I saw him. He grew more of white hair and he looked so much exhausted and thin. He needed retirement.
"I'm sorry Natalie." I hold my Aunt's hand.
"It's alright. I'm dad's daughter." I hold my swollen stomach.
"I didn't know that you are married." I smiled a little.
"It was a rush. I'm sorry." She skimmed my stomach.
"You shouldn't worry too much Natalie. I could take care of your dad. But what I'm worried about is your mom and Porsha. They've been away and they even bought a new house. So, your house is for sale now." I frown on what she said.
"They bought a new house, where?" How didn't I even know about this?
"Just a few months ago. I don't know about it until the house is for sale. But I'm sure that they are in good condition."
Dad wasn't in good condition. How could they sell dad's house? How could they leave him like this?
"Do you perhaps have their contacts? I wonder why they haven't texted me."
"I already called them. They say to call you and ask for the money for your dad's hospital bills. The health insurance wasn't enough though."
After a few chatting with Aunt about it, I had talked to the doctor and was told about my father's condition. I told them to operate immediately and Francis called that he already settled the bills and everything. He even sent flowers and fruits and other things. How sweet of him though he's very much busy. But he told me not to stay because I might get caught by the flu or something. I did obey him and I will surely get stressed.
We have dinner together and he took care of me. Telling me not to think a lot of things and that's enough for me to love him more. But I couldn't stop worrying. They sold our old house and bought a new one? Porsha has been living well with or without my help. She had expensive shoes, bags, and clothes. My mother? I haven't seen her for months.
"Baby, it will be fine." Francis kisses my temple. "I had called doctors for it. Nothing to worry." As if he read my mind or something. "And I'm sure that your sister and mother are fine as well."
"Thank you, my loving husband."
"Sure, my loving wife. Now come here so I could give you the best massage in the world." Now that just makes me less anxious.
It was the anniversary celebration of Robb's bar. I came there early and started checking the new equipment that I wanted to try on. But since I am very much pregnant, I couldn't handle those. Robb had made a big improvement telling me that it was because of me all. At first, I didn't understand but he secretly told me that I was the main investor here, because of Francis who put my name instead of his. I will keep quiet about it until we get home.
The opening is seven in the evening. The boys are here except for Zac who is still on his paternity leave. He just couldn't leave his wife who had given birth a few weeks ago and his twins plus the newborn baby boy. I was so glad to see the little angel and Francis was more excited and worried about my delivery than I am. I might have an abnormal birthing. That would risk my life but still I can handle to give birth naturally. Just less stress and fewer worries. But still, I couldn't help but worry.
"Tali," I turn around to Robb who is looking good on his more formal outfit.
"Looking good, huh." He chuckled and hug me briefly.
"Thanks for helping."
"Sure. No problem at all. So, are we going to start now?"
"I have to warn you about something." My smile faded a little. "It's about you—" I stop him when I saw my mother and my sister entering, they are both wearing expensive clothes that they belong in an elite rank. It just hurt me that my father is on the hospital getting ready for his operation and they there are looking all both good as hell.
I didn't think twice about walking toward them, pregnant or not. I wanted to know why they sell the house.
"Porsha, Grace," I called them out and they turn to be surprised.
"Natalie," Grace looked at me from my stomach to my face. "So just as I heard you get impregnate by someone who brought big money." She said sardonically. I touched my swollen stomach and lifted my chin to them.
"Do you know where dad is?"
"Hospital?" Porsha guessed. "Oh, shit, yeah we heard. Sorry." She said mockingly.
"He needed an operation immediately and Aunt Jean keep trying to reach both of you. Why did you sell the house?" I tried to calm myself, really but it turns out that I am scowling at them.
"Well, duh, it's an old house and nobody wanted to be there." Porsha rolled her eyes and sneer at me. "Now turn away. Before your fiancé." She stopped and look at my hand. "Oh, your husband sues us. We didn't come to you, but you did, and it will still jeopardize ourselves."
"Yes, turn away Natalie. And why are you in this place, by the way." Grace crossed her arms with a frown.
"I work here." Grace scoff and laugh.
"You work here when your husband has a lot of millions that he willingly gave us some just to stay away from you?" Porsha held her mother's arm to stop her. But I wanted to be accurate that I had heard right.
Francis gave them money?
"What?"
"Oh, you don't know? We are so glad that you screw with that good-looking rich man because he gave us a million and a half just to buy you."
"Mother." Porsha tried to shut her.
I stepped back a little trying to grab something and I was caught but a strong arm. His perfume caught me as well. Francis. I look at him full of questions. Why did he have to give them a million and a half? Why does he have to do it?
"You okay?" he skimmed his hand on my stomach affectionately. It still gives me a tingling sensation. He looked at them and then I push his hand away.
"I'm fine." I face my half-sister.
"We aren't the one who came to her." Grace started. "We will leave."
"How much do you give them?" I asked Francis directly. His face darkens and he looked away. "How much do I cost, Francis?!"
"Natalie," he held my arm, but I push him.
"Tell me why do you have to buy me off from them? Do you know that they will do every for money and fame?!"
"How dare you?!" Grace scowl. I glower at her sharply.
"How dare you sell the house and let my father, your husband left when he worked himself out just to give enough food for you! How dare you even scowl at me when all I did was to give you everything as a mother?"
I wanted to smoother her right now. I'm tired and I don't have patience at this moment.
"Natalie," Francis held me. I face him and slapped him across his face.
"Do you even love me?" I crooked. "Or do you just feel responsible for everything?"
"I do. I love you." He muttered and wipe my tears that I didn't even know that I was crying.
"If you love me, why did you do it? Knowing that you'll hurt me?" I gritted my teeth.
I don't want to feel like an item that is needed to be sold. I don't want to even sell myself, but it did happen. I was sold without knowing. My heart feels so bad right now. My whole body felt so bad even my stomach. I gasped when I felt another bang of pain on my ovary part.
"Baby?"
"We need a hospital right away," Warren told and my world gets dizzy and my stomach hurts a lot.
"Francis." I sobbed. "Francis, the baby."
"It's alright." He murmured to her ear yet he sounds panicking.