Early the next morning, Adeira told her mother that she was leaving. She wanted to go and visit Rick at the hospital. Her mother advised her to go to school as she had missed many classes and it would affect her performance. She could not leave the only man that she knew and loved in the hospital. She could not concentrate even if she went to school.
She went to the hospital ignoring her mother's advice. She found Adeline sitting next to Rick's bed. She had come with hard copies of their pictures together. Adeira felt so defeated. She gave herself hope. She had to be strong for the two of them. She knew that all this would soon pass and they would reunite with the love of her life.
What Adeira did not know is, Adeline was Rick's ex. They had dated three years back. Rick left her after she cheated on him with another man. She only heard about Rick being shot through a mutual friend. She saw this as a good chance to get him back. Adeline knew very well about Rick's family. She knew how wealthy they were. She knew all about their company and she could not let all that go. Adeira on the other hand, had no idea. She just loved him whole heartedly.
Adeline had dated Rick for only four months. She printed the pictures she had of them together and took them to the hospital. Rick looked at the pictures but could still not remember. Adeline left them next to his bed so he could try to look at them and remember at least one memory. Adeira had only one picture that they took the day he had proposed. That day held a lot of memories. She showed him the picture but Rick just turned his head and looked the other side of the room. Within a few weeks, Rick was discharged. Lynn allowed the two ladies to come see him once a week.
One morning, as Adeira was preparing to go see Rick, she started feeling sick and vomited all her breakfast. She thought she had eaten something bad and brushed it off. This was the first time she was visiting Rick at his home. She was shocked when she arrived at the gate of their home. The gate was gigantic and had an inscription above it written The Grays and Grays Mansion. Could they be the owners of Grays and Grays Company? She asked herself as she was being checked by the security. She entered a very large compound. It had the biggest mansion she had ever seen. She could not see the beginning nor the end.
She was welcomed by two servants and ushered in. The mansion had a very wide entrance. She could not believe this was Rick's home. She started thinking if it was really the right address. She sat on the most comfortable sofa she had ever sat on as she was served some cold mango juice. She had decided to choose that instead of sparkling water as she waited for Rick's mother.
Lynn entered the living room. Adeira could not still not believe her eyes. Lynn greeted her and took her to Rick's room. She looked at him. Every cell within her wanted to kiss him and hug him and remind him of the good times they had. She tried to hold one of his hands but he didn't let him. No matter how much he tried all seemed blank. He did not know this woman and was wondering why she kept insisting that she knew him. Adeira tried to talk to him but he did not respond. He just wanted her to leave. She felt like crying but she could not. She tried to gather her strength and smiled at him. She sat next to his bed in silence.
She was just about leave when Adeline came in. She hurriedly passed her and hugged Rick. Adeira felt her heart drop. How could Rick allow another woman to hug him like that. Rick gave Adeline a faint smile. She brought him his favorite food and snacks. Adeline was trying her best to convince Rick that she was the one. That's when Adeira learnt that Adeline spent everyday with him. She could come early in the morning and leave late at night. Lynn had actually grown very fond of her. She was getting convinced that she was a better companion than Adeira.
Adeline just looked at her with contempt. She had this hatred towards her. How could she compete with her. Rick was hers and only hers. She was going to do everything possible to separate them. Adeira could not leave. She knew she would loose this battle if she did not stay with him. She just stared at two of them. She waited till evening and left.
She arrived at home feeling so disappointed. She decided to leave everything behind and fight for Rick. She dropped out of college, left her old life and focused on him only. She left early the next day with a basket full of fruits. At this point, she did not care about anything else, only Rick. Lynn took the basket of fruits and gave her a smile. She wanted to prove that she was better than Adeline. Lynn however never trusted her. She instructed one servant to throw away all the fruits.
Adeira unaware of all this went to Rick's room. She was shocked to find Adeline already in the room. The were actually conversing with each other. The same Rick who refused to talk to her was now making stories with Adeline. She felt light headed and almost fainted. Her heart was beyond broken now. It was shattered in many pieces. She tried to talk but no words came out of her mouth.
"Rick, Rick …" she stuttered, "I am your girlfriend not her.
"Keep your mouth shut you gold digger," said Lynn, "I already told him you are only here for his wealth."
"I didn't even know he was…" before she could finish, Rick cut her off.
"Just leave, we don't need you here."
Adeira left the room sobbing. She couldn't see clearly as she made her way out. She took a taxi and she arrived home feeling so hopeless. She felt light headed again and fainted.
She woke up in a hospital bed. Her mother wore a worried look beside her. She told her that she found her on the floor and called for an ambulance.
"What happened Adeira?" she asked.
"It's nothing mother, I was just a little tired," Adeira replied.
"The doctor said he had some news to share once you wake up," said her mother.
"Okay mom, thank you," she replied.
The doctor came in a few minutes later. He informed them that everything was okay and he actually had good news. Adeira's heart skipped a beat.
"You are pregnant, congratulations," he said.
She pinched her skin. No, is this a dream. How could she be pregnant? What? No way. Her mind was spinning. What was she going to do? She only knew one man and him only. The man who chased her away from his home. Oh! She remembered.
The day Rick had proposed. The day she gave him everything she has. Her whole innocence, her virginity. Her heart, body and soul. She recalled being tipsy when it happened. They had drunk a bit after the party. The dilemma was could Rick recall that day? He could not even recognize her.
This changed everything. Her life and everything she knew changed. She was now carrying a whole human. She left hospital with her mother. She knew her mother had a million questions. They arrived at home and she had to tell her everything. Rick does not only recognize her but also chased her away. Her mother encouraged her. She told her to give him some time. He will remember everything in due time. Adeira did not want to put her hopes high.
A month later, she decided she had to tell Rick. He had a right of knowing what was happening. She arrived at the gigantic gate again. This time she gave herself new hope. She just wanted him to know the truth. She took a deep breath.
To her surprise, the whole compound was beautifully decorated. She was led to a neatly trimmed lawn beside the pool. She was beyond surprised to see a wedding setup. Anxious and curious at the same time, she sat down next to the wedding guests waiting for the bride and groom. The wedding had only a few people. It seemed like it was an invite only wedding. She thought to herself, maybe they only allowed her to enter because she was familiar to the security guards.
After a few minutes of suspense, the bride and groom arrived. Her eyes were deceiving her. No way, the bride groom was Rick, and the bride, Adeline! She shook her head. Tears started streaming down her face. All of sudden, everything was pin drop silent.
"If anyone present knows of any reason why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace," that is all Adeira heard.
She didn't know how she stood up and found herself in front of the guests. Gasps and murmurs could be heard everywhere. The only person who knew Adeira was Lynn and Adeline. Rick still had no idea. Lynn shifted uncomfortably in her sit. She was wondering who let this nuisance in. This marriage had to be done as soon as possible. This was the only way Rick could get his full inheritance. His father had fallen very sick and had very little time. He could only give Rick his full inheritance if he had a wife. She had fallen in love with Adeline. To her, she was the perfect daughter in- law. An epitome of beauty who proved over and over again that she loved Rick.
"I am carrying Rick's pregnancy!"
Adeira shouted at the top of her lungs…