She pointed the absorbent tip into the urine steam and waited for like 10 seconds to ensure that an adequate sample was collected.
Then she waited for a while, and the results came back. She looked at the two pink faint lines on that kit and shook her head, and sniffled a cry.
Her worst fears were confirmed, and she panicked but tried to assure herself that it was a false alarm.
She stayed in the room for a while, and when she finally felt ready to leave, she did. She thanked the pharmacist and told her that it had been a false alarm and that the results came out negative.
"Don't worry. It happens at times," the lady smiled.
Val went back to the office, but her mind wasn't settled at all. She left her office at midday and told Faithline that she would report back the following day since she wasn't feeling well.
With the notion that her first test was a false alarm, she purchased another kit and resolved to carry out the test once again.
The results were still the same, and heartbroken, Val threw the kit in the dustbin and threw the garbage downstairs.
Evans had moved back into Angie's house, and Angie was adamant that Karen shouldn't leave because she needed her.
"It's not a bother. I like it when you're here," Angie said when Karen told her of her plans to leave for New York.
"What about Evans? Do you think he's comfortable with me being here?"
"Karen, the house is mine, and I'm requesting that you stay. What anyone else says doesn't matter," Angie said.
"Okay. I will help with the bills, though. My dues from my former workplace have been sent." Karen offered.
"Mmmh. Relax, okay?" Angie said.
"Thank you. It means so much to me. You just don't know," Karen answered, then went on to tell Angie that she had bumped into Sam, who wouldn't stop bothering her and that she had decided to meet him so that he finally lets her be.
"Do you really think it's a good idea? Do you trust the guy?" Angie asked, and Karen thought for a while before she said she did.
"He isn't the same person I knew all those years ago. There is a different aura around him. Besides, nothing serious will happen between us. It's just a casual meet-up between people who know each other," Karen said.
"Can I come with you? I will stay at a distance. I just want to be sure that he doesn't do anything harmful to you," Angie said.
"You worry too much."
"I have to."
"I get it. I will be okay, though. You just need to focus on Evans. He needs you more than I do."
"Sure thing," Angie thought for a while, then said, "When are you going for this casual meet-up?"
"Tonight."
"Tonight? That soon?"
"Oh, you had decided what to do. You were just letting me know," Angie teased, laughing and Karen blushed.
Angie volunteered to watch over Frank and asked her friend to enjoy herself.
Sam got to Angie's address five minutes before the scheduled time. He then called Karen to let her know that he was already waiting for her.
Karen was in the guest room. She had tried on quite a number of clothes and not found them worth wearing for a date.
She finally opted for a pink oversized blazer and boots. She braided her hair into two lines, applied makeup, sprayed perfume on herself then felt ready.
She walked down the stairs into the living room where Angie, Frank, and Evans were. Angie was busy distracting Franks so that he didn't see his mom leave.
Evans was just lying on the sofa, looking at Angie playing with Frank.
"You take care of yourself. Call me up if anything goes wrong, okay?" Angie said as Karen walked out of the house into the car that was waiting for her.
They drove silently, out of town into a secluded restaurant.
"This place looks so secluded," Karen observed.
"It's my favorite place. I love the serene atmosphere in this place. Just hold on till you taste the food. You will be begging me to come with you here whenever you have time."
"You're fooling yourself. Our deal was a one-time thing. Nothing more," Karen said, throwing daggers at Sam.
They sat down, and that's the moment Karen's phone rang. She had expected it to be Angie, wanting to ask something about Frank but was surprised when the caller ID read Carey.
She looked at the screen in shock and didn't answer the call. She then placed her phone upside down, but seconds later, the phone rang again.
"I have to pick this," Karen said as she excused herself from a safe distance.
"Karen."
"Carey."