An Illicit Romance

Aftermath (II)

Aftermath II

Rose's POV

I watched from the balcony as he spoke to the people from the neighbouring houses. He didn't seem to acknowledge the various looks from those who looked like they recognised him from some where. It wasn't exactly the world's best kept secret that Daniel had left Harrington Manor and that Melanie's precious wedding had been ruined. In fact, it was the headline in every newspaper printed for the past few months. No one had found out where we were but I knew that there were various people looking for him. Most of the people who had recognised him seemed to cooperate and didn't mention his whereabouts. Strangely enough, this didn't unsettle him at all. He looked happier away from his family and even admitted to it. He caught sight of me and a smile spread across his face. I found myself immediately smiling back but I couldn't help but feel incredibly guilty about putting him in this situation. Making him choose between me and his own family was the last thing I wanted - even though he made it clear which he'd prefer.

It'd been 3 months and my pregnancy had become very apparent. I was just glad that I wasn't alone in all of this. Having both Daniel and Lily around had helped although I could tell that Lily was still unhappy with Daniel and I just couldn't figure out why.

"Can I come in?" I heard Lily ask from behind the door. "Of course." She opened the door and her eyes scanned across the room.

"He's not here, Lily." I sighed.

"I was just checking, that's all. Why are you outside?" She asked and walked towards me. "It's freezing and I'm not sure you should be so-" She stopped when she saw Daniel below. "So that's why you're here," She rolled her eyes. "I'm surprised you two can be apart after spending so much time together these past few months." she said, a hint of jealousy in her voice.

"No need to be jealous Lily, I know we haven't really spoken in a while but-"

"I'm not jealous at all, but you know how I feel about him and I just can't trust him as easily as you can. We'd only been in Harrington Manor for less than a year and look what happened. He was engaged to someone else and got you pregnant and-"

"He wasn't engaged-"

"Even so, this isn't exactly a desirable situation." She put her hand on my shoulder. "Rose, how do you know that after your child has been born he isn't going to feel differently about everything, about you?" I shrugged her hand off. "You've been saying the same thing since we got here, Lily." I walked towards the door. Lily walked after me and closed the door before I could open it. "Only because you're my friend and I care about you! Have you even thought about what's going to happen once it's born? How it's going to be treated? Or how you are going to be treated?"

"Stop saying 'it', Lily. He's not going to feel differently and neither am I."

"How do you know what?" I could hear Daniel entering the house downstairs.

"Because he loves me and I love him." She rolled her eyes. "Or maybe you think he loves you." She began to walk away but I pulled her back. "What is your problem with him? He's been nothing but nice to you despite your feelings towards him"

"It's people like him that put us in this situation in the first place!" she yelled back. "How can you be in love with someone like him? For all you know, he'll leave when he gets bored and go back to that rich family of his!" I immediately slapped her and regretted it soon after. She rubbed her cheek and looked back at me apologetically ."I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry-"

"No," she held her hand up to interrupt me. "Don't apologise, it's not your fault-"

"Rose?" Daniel knocked at the door with concern in his voice. Lily glanced at the door quickly before looking back at me. He knocked again. "Rose, are you okay?"

"It's okay, I'm fine." I replied. He came in and saw Lily's hand on her sore cheek. His worried blue eyes turned to me. "What happened-" Lily shook her head. "I'm so sorry." she said before running out of the room.

I immediately started crying as soon as she left. Daniel quickly put his arms around me. "Rose, what happened?" His tone turned irritated, "What did she say this time?"

I shook my head. Telling him would only make things worse. "Nothing."

"Rose, look at me." He cupped my face in his hands and wiped a tear. "Tell me what she said."

"Forget what she said. I need you to tell me how you really feel about all of this." He looked confused for a moment. "What do you mean?" I stood up with him. "How do you feel about this baby, about me, about this whole situation?"

Daniel took my hands in his. "Rose, I'm more than happy that we're having this baby. I don't regret anything that's happened between us."

"But aren't you worried about anything?"

"Of course I am! I'm worried that I'm not doing enough to help you or make you happy. But I love you and I know that everything will work out in the end, despite anything that Lily says." He kissed me on the forehead and looked back at me. "Okay?" I nodded. "Good!" he smiled "I have to leave but I won't be long." he kissed my hand and left the room.

I felt reassured and decided that Lily was the one with the problem. I looked back at the balcony, enjoying the view. I could her a whistle from below so I looked down and saw a man I'd never seen before looking back at me. He had dark skin and wore the same uniform that the paper boys wore. He was carrying a bag of newspapers which I could see had 'HARRINGTON MANOR' written on the front.

"Could I help you with something?" I asked.

He grinned and tilted his hat. "Lovely day isn't it?"

I hesitated but replied anyway. "Yes it is. I'm sorry, are you looking for someone?"

"Nope, just delivering newspapers." he said, still grinning. He slung the bag of newspapers over his back. I rolled my eyes. "Well, have a good day."

"Actually," I turned back towards him. "You could help me with something."

"What is it?"

"Have you seen anyone called 'Daniel' anywhere? I must have the wrong address but I heard he lives here and that can't be true." He laughed.

"Why not?"

"Well, if he does then that means he'd be living with you and-"

"He does live with me."

His grin weakened but was still present. "So you work for this Daniel?"

"No".

His grin faded completely. "D'you mean you live...together?" his tone turned slightly angry.

I slowly nodded. I could tell where this was going. He fumbled for a note in his pocket. "I'm not sure I have the right 'Daniel'. The one I'm looking for is," he read from the note, "Ah, he's brown-haired, about 6"3 and, ahem, white." He spoke the last word differently.

"No, that's him."

He scrunched the note and put it back into his pocket. "Oh, I didn't realise you were that sort of girl," he looked down and sighed but his expression suddenly turned angry. "Have a, er, good day." He walked away but glanced back at me. I could just hear him mumble, "What a shame." before walking away.