How Deep is Your Love

Chapter Eighteen: The Student Loan Problem

“What student loans?” Iker asked making the blonde lick her lips nervously; she hadn’t wanted him to find out since she knew that he’d want to pay them off for her.

Aliona shifted nervously while Iker’s parents watched them with interest, they knew that the blonde had tried to hide this from Iker but they didn't know why.

“My student loans from medical school,” Aliona revealed softly as she looked anywhere but at Iker, she knew that he wasn’t going to like the idea of her owing money to anyone but she didn't want him to pay them off for her.

Iker stared at his girlfriend a little shocked; his mind quickly trying to work out how much it cost to study medicine and train to become a doctor like Aliona; however it was clear that he couldn't work it out.

“How much?” Iker asked while his mother stared at him in disbelief and Aliona shook her head, she knew what he was offering and she couldn't let him do that for her.

“Iker, I can’t let you pay off my loans… besides I’m doing well right now,” Aliona said making her boyfriend glare at her, Carmen looked at her husband surprised that the blonde wasn’t going to let Iker pay off her loans for her.

Iker shook his head; he hated to think of her struggling while he could easily help her.

“How much do you owe Aliona?” Iker asked again making his girlfriend sighed as she realised that he wasn’t going to let this go.

“My student loans amounted to €72,000… but I’ve paid off about €15,000 in the last three years,” Aliona revealed making Iker stare at her; he licked his lips as he tried to wrap his head around the idea that she had kept this from him.

“Don’t even think of it Iker… I don’t want you paying off my loans,” Aliona said making her boyfriend chuckle as he looked over at her, he had no intention of letting her struggle while he could help her.

Carmen and José Luis stared at the blonde shocked; they hadn’t expected her to refuse Iker’s help to pay off her loans, even with the twins Aliona seemed to accept that she would struggle financially without Iker’s help.

“I’m not letting you struggle Aliona… not when I can help you,” Iker said making Aliona frown at him, he earned €100,000 a week and he wanted to be able to help Aliona; however it was clear that the blonde wasn’t going to accept his help easily.

Lola and Liam cuddled into their mother’s side; they didn't know what they were talking about but the looks Iker’s parents were giving their mother were making them uncomfortable.

“Por favor for the twins,” Iker said making Aliona lick her lips, she shook her head knowing that he wasn’t going to give up on this.

***

Aliona sighed as she moved about the kitchen making breakfast, her argument with Iker ringing in her ears about him paying off her student loans; the blonde glanced over at Liam and Lola, who were at the breakfast table.

The blonde swallowed hard as she felt a wave of nausea hit her, she knew Iker didn't suspect a thing about her pregnancy and she doubted that he would until she told him; she was wearing a rose cute detail top and black skinny jeans with rip details paired with brown leather ankle boots.

“Mañana,” Iker greeted as he stepped into the kitchen, he looked at Aliona as she set the twins breakfast onto the table; he knew that this argument wasn’t over about her student loans.

The blonde sighed as she turned her attention away from her boyfriend and moved back to the counter, she knew that he wanted to provide for her but she couldn't let him pay off her loans.

“Aliona,” Iker murmured, he had heard her being sick when he had woken that morning and he was worried since she’d been like this all week.

“Nena, are you feeling alright?” Iker asked softly so that the twins didn't hear, he gently wrapped his arms around her; he was worried about her.

Aliona looked at him confused as Carmen entered the kitchen, she glanced at the couple before she sat at the table; Iker licked his lips as he moved closer to his girlfriend.

“I heard you this morning… Aliona, I’m worried about you,” Iker said as he made sure that the twins couldn't hear their conversation; his brown eyes searched Aliona’s wondering what was wrong with her.

The blonde looked over at Carmen, who was watching them curiously; she could sense that something was going on between the two of them.

“I’m fine,” Aliona insisted as she kissed Iker’s lips but it was clever that he didn't believe her completely; he stared at her for a moment before he nodded his head thought he didn't want to drop this.

Carmen pursed her lips, she didn't know what it was but it clear that the blonde had a secret and it wasn’t something that Aliona wanted Iker to find out about.

Iker sighed as he brushed some hair out of Aliona’s face; his eyes searched hers as of pleading with her to tell him what was wrong.

Carmen licked her lips as she spotted something sticking out of Aliona’s jean pocket; it looked like a picture of sorts.

“What’s that in your pocket?” Carmen asked making Aliona still as her hand moved to push the picture out of sight, she hadn’t wanted to leave it somewhere that anyone could find it.

Iker looked at his girlfriend as she shook her head in denial while Carmen pursed her lips at the thought that Aliona was hiding something; something that she didn't want Iker to know.

Looking at the blonde, Carmen realised that this could be her chance to get rid of Aliona and save her son from making a mistake; she smirked as she stood from her place and moved closer to the couple.

“I don’t know what you are talking,” Aliona said shaking her head, she didn't want to tell Iker that she was pregnant while his parents where here; Carmen however wasn’t going to let this go.

“Yes, there was some sort of photograph sticking out of your pocket,” Carmen said smirking; she knew that Aliona couldn't hide the truth from Iker now that his mother had seen what she had.

The blonde swallowed as she looked at Carmen before realising that Iker was staring at her wanting answers; she didn't know what to say to him that would make him drop this subject.

“Aliona?” Iker questioned concerned while the blonde licked her lips, she shifted nervously as Carmen smirked before directing her son to which pocket the image was in.

Standing still Aliona watched as Iker removed the picture from her pocket, Carmen smirked knowing that she was causing problems in Iker’s relationship until she saw the image on the picture; she had expected it to be of Aliona with someone else but not this.

Iker looked at the image, he knew what it was since he’d seen a lot of them through his friends who’d had children but he didn't know what to say now that his girlfriend had one.

“I’m five weeks pregnant,” Aliona said making Iker look at her while Carmen’s jaw dropped in shock of the blonde’s announcement; she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Iker licked his lips knowing that Aliona had every right for not wanting this to get out this early, it was normal to wait until the twelfth week of pregnancy before you told anyone and he could see by the date on the scan that she had found out the day before.

“We’re having a baby,” Iker said making Aliona nod before he grinned and pulled her into a kiss.