Akira couldn't shake off the feeling of unease after her conversation with Charlotte. She knew her aunt wouldn't give up easily, and the thought of being married off to Lucas Brooks was unbearable. She decided to confide in her parents, hoping they could offer some guidance or support.
"Akira, what's wrong?" Emily asked, noticing her daughter's distress.
"It's Aunt Charlotte," Akira began, explaining the conversation and her fears.
Mason and Emily exchanged worried glances. They knew Charlotte's tactics all too well.
" Tell us dear, what is it now" mason said cupping his daughters face with one hand.
" She wants me to marry Lucas brooks" Akira said looking her parents.
" What, no way. How can she expect that of you. Lucas brooks is such a monster, he is a pig in human disguise. He has exploited so many innocent girls, and ruined their lives, my daughter would not join the list" Emily said infuriated at Charlotte's demand.
" Don't worry mommy and daddy. I have told her that there is no way I would ever marry Lucas brooks. So no need to worry okay. Now I shall head to school, am running late, bye I love you" Akira said giving her parents a kiss before heading out.
For a few days, no troubles was caused by Charlotte, which surprised the Reed family. But akiras guts were up, she knew this is just the calm before the storm.
" What's wrong with you dear, you look pale" Emily asked noticing her daughter squeezing her face throughout breakfast.
" Am not sure mom. I have just been feeling extremely funny these days. My head keeps spinning, and I..." before Akira could complete her sentence a wave of nausea hit her and she rushed to the bathroom.
" Are you alright, because you look nothing like normal" Charlotte asked when Akira came out of the bathroom.
" I am, thanks for asking" Akira said and walked passed Charlotte. Before she knew it, everything was black.
" Oh my God, akee, my baby, what's wrong with her" Emily cried seeing her daughter drop to the floor unconscious.
" How would I know?. But I can call the doctor for her, only he can tell us what's happening with her" Charlotte said dialing a number.
Mason and Emily picked up Akira and took her to the cushion before the doctor arrives.
" What's wrong with her" the doctor asked as mason lead him in. " We have no idea doctor, she looks pale and has been having severe headaches and vomiting continuously" mason explained the situation.
" Rest assured, I will check on her now and tell you what it is" the doctor said as he was lead to Akira.
He checked on her eyes and her pulse for a few minutes before turning to the family.
" From what I can see, your daughter appears pregnant, so congratulations. You can run a test if you don't agree with that , but I can assure you the results would be the same" the doctor said and took out a needle. He used it to extract some blood from Akira.
" I will send this to the lab for a test, you would get the results by evening" the doctor said picking up his suitcase.
" Thank you doctor, when the results are out send them here directly please" Charlotte said with a grin.
" No, no, this can't be, my daughter, my Akira, she can't be pregnant. It's all a lie" amily said grabbing her husbands shirt.
" Yes dear, she isn't. The doctor must not have checked correctly. I have faith in our Akira" mason comforted his wife.
" I always knew this is gonna happen. It's your fault honestly sister, you didn't raise daughter properly. She roams around with so many men, and do despicable things, now this is the results. An illegitimate child, she has completely ruined our family's reputation, no man is ever going to marry such a characterless girl" Charlotte taunted.
" Not a word against my daughter again. I trust her with my life and she would never do such a thing ever. Am warning you Charlotte, don't ever dare try to malign my daughter again or else I would kill you with my hands" mason said angrily wanting to charge at Charlotte if not for Emily holding him.
" Whatever, everything would be clear by evening, we would see just how much trust you would have left in your daughter" Charlotte said smiling in victory with twinkling eyes as she sashayed away upstairs.
" I trust our Akira, honey, she would never bring shame to our name" mason comforted his wife.
" Me too, but if this news goes out her name would be tarnished" Emily sobbed.
Mason and Emily sat with their daughter till she regained her conciousness, they didn't tell her anything the doctor said not wanting to fret her.
" Mom, there is a mail man, he bought a test result from the hospital" Akira said after collecting the results from the post man.
" Let me see, give it here" Charlotte quickly got up from her seat and snatched the results from Akiras hands.
Tearing the envelope Charlotte took out the result to read it and her eyes twinkling.
" What does the result says" Emily asked coming out of the kitchen.
" What else do you expect it to say. Ofcourse it's positive, you are going to be a grandma, aren't you happy" Charlotte taunted.
" What's is positive, what is going on here, someone explain to me please" Akira asked looking between her aunt and her parents.
" Oh, they didn't tell you, then I would tell you, my darling niece. You are pregnant, you are soon going to be a mother. It was a big shocker for us, but it shouldn't be for you right" Charlotte asked standing in front of Akira.
" Preg what, are you kidding me aunt Charlotte, how can I be pregnant. Am I now virgin Mary or what. There is nowhere a virgin fan he pregnant" Akira asked out in surprise.
" We all know you aren't a virgin Akira, you are pregnant and thats the fact. Now the question is, is the man responsible for that thing willing to take it, or would he runaway and leave you all on your own. The fact now is that you have ruined the name and reputation of your family and no man would marry you" Charlotte taunted.
" For the umpteenth time, am not pregnant" Akira shouted.
" Seeing is believing, and we believe what we saw. I don't want my name dragged through the mud because of your shamelessness. It's either you bring the man responsible for you here to us in 7 days, or you get ready to marry Lucas brooks, because he is the only kindhearted man who would be willing to marry a pregnant slut like yourself" Charlotte snapped.
" I will die but marry Lucas brooks" Akira snapped back.
" You have no choice Akira, and that's all, you all should understand that" Charlotte said looking at Akira and her parents before she walked up to her room.
Akira wasnt having this lying down and rushed upstairs to Charlotte's room. " What is this new game you are playing aunt Charlotte" she asked grabbing Charlotte by the arm and flinging her to face her.
" How dare you, let go of me" Charlotte screamed.
" Tell me what is it you are doing aunt Charlotte" Akira asked again more firmly.
" You are smart, and that's good. Yes, I have been drugging you with bromocriptine, and everyone would believe you are pregnant no matter what you say, and any doctor you go to would tell you the same thing. Your name would be ruined and your parents would be shamed. Now the real question is if you would be able to get a man to marry you, or you would have to bed to my wills and marry Lucas brooks. The latter is more possible, so get ready to be a bride okay sweetheart" Charlotte said making to touch akiras face.
Stepping away from her, Akira challenged. " I will indeed get someone to marry me, and I will also expose you to everyone, but if I am unable to do that, I will hang myself but marry Lucas brooks" Akira said firmly and walked out of the room with tears of helplessness threatening to fall out.