The Prestigious

Secret Garden

Kim watched the body of Angalese Rodriguez be lowered into the ground, her solid mahogany coffin shiny under the sunlight. Instead of crying, everyone marveled at how irony of how sunny it was. Scarlet, who barely had a chance to see the ugly side of Angalese, was sadder than everyone put together.

"Would anyone like to say anything about the departed?" The priest presiding over the service, wiping his forehead with a white napkin.

Eduardo shook his head. "No. Now please close this up. I can't stand to look."

After the service ended, Kim lagged behind and decided to head over to the hospital. Miles Bedford would talk to her one way or another.

"Where are you going?" Royal called although he continued to walk with his grandfather.

Kim ignored him, continuing down the opposite trail, absently rubbing her stomach along the way. It was far more prominent, poking out under the sweater she wore. Many nights she contemplated creating a miscarriage, but decided that as much as she hated Royal, she felt a budding connection to the child growing in her stomach. She hated Royal-couldn't stand him-but the child she carried became more human every day, filling her with an inexplicable excitement. Her thoughts were still in a flurry when she arrived at the clinic.

"Is anyone here?" Kim called, entering the reception area.

The clinic was silent except for the sound of hushed voices speaking from the back. Kim advanced quietly, listening to the hushed conversation happening around the corner.

"Do you think she'll find out? She's grown suspicious."

Kim heard a voice similar to Edmund's say, "I will protect her. Miles, she asked about you. I told her that you didn't want to see her."

"Rich, I haven't seen my daughter in twenty years and it's because of this. I tried to make fast money and got myself caught up in this mess."

Who is Rich? Kim thought, her ear practically pressed against the door.

"Miles, we're so close. If we risk doing anything now, things will be worse for Kim. Imagine the legal trouble she'll find herself in. Let's keep taking our time so that when this all blows up, Kim can walk away scott free."

"I guess-"

The door opened and before Kim could hide, she was face-to-face with Edmund. "Kim, what are you-"

"I want to help," Kim said, stepping inside of the small examination room, her eyes traveling around until they locked with him.

The man who shared her dark intriguing eyes and her prominent nose, the same guy who looked exactly like her except for Kim's smooth brown skin was different than his rich mocha.

"Hello," Miles Bedford said, a nervous grin on his face.

"Hi." Kim stared into the eyes of her father and for the first time since this whole situation, she felt complete.

***

"Do you like Kim?" Caliya asked Tymel as he typed on his computer.

He was running a search on the name Eduardo Rodriguez. "Why do you ask?" he replied, biting his lip to to hide his smile.

Caliya sat back in her chair, her smile wide, satisfied with herself. She had spent the past three months teasing Tymel about his ever growing crush for Kim. There wasn't a day that went by where she would remind him about her beautiful best friend who would be more than grateful to make him her Prince Charming.

"Because there are very few police officers that would willingly hide the friend of a perfect stranger for three months. You must have a thing for her." Caliya played with her nails. "If anything you have a clear shot; she hates Royal's guts."