1. Ditched
This book is best to read after The Mafia Entanglement (book 1) and Between the Mafias (book 2). I would suggest reading the two books to get the full experience of the characters.
Never in my life have I ever felt so worthless. Erick ditched me once I told him that I was pregnant and he was going to be a father. He left me as if our three years of being together meant nothing to him. I've wasted my life for three fucking years for him.
I remembered exactly what he said that day. "Are you sure it's even mine? Look, I'm not ready for this. You said you were careful and you're on the pills. I don't want to be responsible for your mistake, Amber. Just do something about it. Look maybe we should stop seeing each other for a couple of weeks. Then, we will see what will happen. I'm not ready for this..." That was his reply. I was devastated, teary, and mostly angry with myself. The pregnancy hormones didn't help either. I hate being seen as weak to him.
"Oh FUCK you, Erick! Get out! Get the fuck out of my apartment! Take your things and don't bother coming back! We are done! Find some other chick to fuck and playhouse with. I'm fucking done with you!" I threw him a pillow. He was dodging it and quickly gathered his things while he muttered crazy bitch.
I was slumped to the bed. Crying my heart out, holding on to my belly. "We're good little one. It will be me and you now. We can do this. I will love you. We won't need anybody else."
Two hours later, I got out of my bed and saw that all of Erick's things were gone. He had moved out. Not that he had brought much stuff since he moved. Huh, maybe that should've tipped me off. Feeling the loneliness and the quietness of the apartment, I sighed.
Walking across the living area, I went to the kitchen and started making my brunch. But before I could even manage to finish cooking it, the foul smell of the battered eggs made me gag. I ran to the bathroom and poured out my morning tea. I cried, holding onto the toilet seat, and dropped myself to the bathroom floor.
Wiping off my tears roughly, I slowly stood up. "We're doing this baby. We're doing this. Please be good to mommy." I patted my still-nonexistent baby bump.
In the end, I finally managed to eat one whole sandwich. I smiled at myself and started opening my emails. Then I quickly showered and got ready for work. I spent the next fifteen minutes looking at all the short skirts and short flimsy dresses I owned. "These were the things that got me into trouble. Definitely need to redo my wardrobe." I muttered and finally chose my flower-pattern knee-length skirt that made my legs look longer.
Owning my flower shop meant that I had more work than others. The work started from home. It continued as I answered all my emails while walking towards the shop, two blocks away from my apartment.
I know what people say about texting while walking. But it seems like I needed more than twenty-four hours in a day to keep up with my work.
My love of flowers came from grandma. She introduced me to gardening when I was little. Not that I love gardening, but it made me love flowers. I was not a girly girl. But I like the strength that it symbolizes. How they can grow beautifully, in the most unkempt area of the garden.
"Morning, Jane. Yes, I'm already on my way. I'll be there soon. Why don't you open up, and I'll bring us lattes." I ended the call with my assistant. It has been a year since I had Jane as an assistant. The flower shop was growing and I was busier than ever. Over the years, I managed to get contracts with several building management and wedding organizers. I had five workers under me already and was constantly on my phone with my flower suppliers.
This baby was as much of a surprise to me, as to that fucking dickhead Erick. I cherished and loved him for three years. I was suddenly angry, as I recalled all the time I wasted on him.
"Amber, one hot coffee latte and one hot tea latte. Your orders are up." I was brought back to reality, as the barista called out my name.
I took our lattes and walked the rest of the block to my flower shop. The one my grandparents helped out with the start-up funds with. I couldn't stop thanking them for the shop, Daisies. Well, actually I haven't stopped thanking them since they took me in when I was a baby. Yes, my parents died in a car accident and after that, they're all I have.
God! How am I going to explain my baby to them? They will be disappointed in me for sure.
Opening the door to my shop, I plastered the sweetest smile I could conjure. But Jane saw right through me.
"Oh my god... he fucking left you, didn't he? That stupid dickhead! Shit! Look, don't you worry, Boss. I got you. We got you. I will get all the boys to help out around here. You don't even have to lift a single flower. You just make sure that the baby is healthy."
Jane was the assistant, that I actually liked. I have gone through several of them in the last few years.
I had hired her without any hesitation when I saw her bruises. I didn't ask her any questions and hired Jane right away. I kept on giving her assignments and kept her mind busy.
One very early morning, after a week of working at Daisies, I found Jane sleeping in her old Ford parked a block away from the shop. That was when I offered her the loft above the shop for her to live in.
Jane turned out to be a hardworking and loyal employee, and then she moved up the ladder by being my non-judgemental friend.
"Thank you Jane, and here's your coffee." I hugged her and dismissed my worries away. "I will take all the help I can get. I just need to gather the courage to tell my grandparents."
"Oh honey, they love you to death. They will do anything for you. They will be surprised. But I'm guessing they will warm up to the idea of having a great-grandchild." Jane winked at me, making me laugh.
I knew that Jane was right. So by lunchtime, I mustered up the courage and told them about my pregnancy. The result was not as I expected. Both of my grandparents were actually showing rage towards Erick, rather than blaming me for getting pregnant.
"My sweet little daisy. I'm sorry you have to go through your pregnancy without a partner. But we will help you. We will support you in any way we can." My grandma hugged me tightly in her arms.
"Ron, honey. Why don't you take her to the porch? I'll prepare some tea and cookies." My grandma softly said as my grandpa gave me the warmest hug, making me shed my tears.
"I'm so sorry, Grandpa. I'm sorry if I let you down."
"Ssh... Amber, this is not your fault. This was meant to be. God wants you to be blessed by this child. Now, your grandma and I will have the privilege to raise the baby with you." He gave me the sweetest smile and took me out to the porch. We talked about my baby days and how naughty I was. That made me laugh. That made me realize how lucky I was to have my people supporting me.
