IMMORTAL LOVE - Josh and Erika

Part 3 Amelia and Her Baby

      The taxi (cab) arrived at the location of the grand hotel where the wedding reception is supposed to be held.  Sheila paid the cab driver and immediately two people alighted from the vehicle.  She hastily walked up the few steps towards the hotel's grand entrance with her best friend, Amelia,  in tow.  They were both wearing a dress and low heeled shoes.  The best Sunday outfit that they could find in their wardrobe.  Sheila had convinced her friend that having to dress the part is important so people won't look down on them especially in a wedding attended by wealthy people.

      "Hurry up, Amelia, or we're gonna be late.  I think they have already started." Sheila urged her friend.  

        Amelia stopped in her tracks and looked at her friend in earnest and said, "But...How do you know if the reception  has already started?  We are not even sure if this is the right place, right?  Do we really have to go in there, Sheila? " 

      Sheila turned around and stared at Amelia's pitiful face. "No....well...we won't no until we get there right?  So...we better hurry."

     "No....I'm sorry. I can't do this Sheila . I..I'm scared. I...I think we should go back." Amelia slowly turned but stopped short when Sheila grabbed her hand and said. "Amy, don't. (Sheila called her by her nickname).  This is the only chance you'll get to talk to him. He needs to know. Don't you think?"

     Amelia looked at her friend with eyes brimming  with tears. "I know but am I not too late now?  He's already married. I...I can't do this to him. I don't want to embarass him and his...his family."

     "Are you serious?!" Sheila angrily replied. "He owes you a lot... a lot.   The least he could have done is talk to you." Sheila  in a sarcastic voice  added,  "He ghosted you, my friend.  Did you not forget that?"

    "He...he probably has his reasons why he stopped seeing me.  And...why he married that girl. I'm sorry I can't ruin this for him. I just can't,"   Amelia replied back.

     Sheila threw her arms up in exasperation.  "For real?!  Have you listened to yourself lately? You've become soooo pathetic. I can't believe you...you're like this.  He is rich. He is educated. He is famous.  He's got everything...I mean...EVERYTHING!  And you?!   (smirked at her friend) You've got NOTHING.  And here's more...He got you pregnant for pete's sake!! He used you and now that he's done with you just left you just like that... like this..."   She stopped her tirade when she saw Amelia's tear stricken face. Amelia then covered her face and sobbed.

     Sheila pitied her friend. Her heart went out to her. She slowly walked towards her friend and engulfed her with a hug. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I said those harsh words earlier.  But...but somebody has to knock some sense into that little head of yours."  Sheila, then, took a step back and looked at her friend. "Hey, we spent a lot of effort on that eye make up earlier.  Don't you know you're ruining it now?  I am not sure if they'll allow a pretty panda in there now?"

      Amelia looked at her friend and gave her a wan smile. "Thank you.  thanks for being here with me. I'm...I'm a mess, right?"

     "Yup, a mess.  Well...pretty... but a mess. I guess...a pretty mess." And they both laughed at Sheila's corny joke. 

    The joke might be corny but it has some truth to it.  Amelia gently touched her belly and thought. 'I'm  carrying Jose Hernan Lopez's  baby.  How will I ever survive this? How can I take care of this baby?  I can barely feed myself and my Nana Grace (grandmother).  At eighteen, I might have to stop school...temporarily, I guess.  I  don't have the money right now.  I don't have a job.  I'm broke.  It would have been nice if I have him by my side to help me.  I know his family does not want me as their daughter in law.  I don't care about his money, though.   I just want him.  We can both work, live together, and take care of this baby.  But we can't have that now.  He is married to someone else now.   What should I do?'