📌 A/N 📌

So I wrote this chapter while I was on the phone for the last four/five hours as my friend talked about her on & off relationship.

Why can't boys irl be like the boys in books, movies & series?

But anyway, I'm satisfied with how this chapter turned out to be (:

The seventeen year old stood at the old cemetery next to the abandoned chapel at Hemlock Acres, she'd not been to this place ever since Shelley Godfrey disappearance. This used to be her spot back then—when she was admitted at the institute. She'd met Letha here, she'd lost Shelley here and Roman had admitted: you're my home Chantel. Right here.

Chantel took off her little black veil, Letha Godfrey parents had decided to crematorium her instead of burying her because they wanted to spill her ashes into the sea. It was a really heartbreaking ceremony and in her condition, she should be careful but she just couldn't help it—Letha was gone. She'd lost both Brooke and Letha in a short amount of time and it broke her heart that even the baby died with Letha.

After Letha's sudden death Peter and Lynda left town without a word. She knew the gypsy boy was heartbroken at the fact that the love of his life died with his unborn child but that doesn't excuse his behaviours. He was Roman and her friend at the end of the day, they'll had gone through hell back and forth and he didn't even care to say goodbye.

Shelley was gone, Letha was gone—they needed him but he abandoned them and he didn't even turn up for Letha's cremation and there was no way, they could reach him and she didn't even want to try. He took the easy road. Both Roman and Chantel had lost—Letha, Peter and the baby on the same day.

Gia came and stood besides her, "shall we?"

Chantel gave her a small nod. She'd requested Gia to drive her here because she wanted to clear her mind a bit—a weird place to be but she'd found peace and alone time here, when she was at Hemlock Acres.

As the two girls sat inside the car, Gia asked quietly, "you okay?"

"I am," Chantel turned to her.

The girl exhaled, "I'm really sorry, you've faced a lot in these past few months."

She gave Gia a small smile, "it's okay."

Gia turned up the car heater, "so how's your mom handling the situation?"

Chantel didn't want to think about her and her mother's relationship right now. Her mother was solely disappointed with her and was giving her the silent treatment. Susan was acting like a twelve year old but Chantel wasn't in the mood to converse, so this treatment was working in her benefit. Little did Susan know.

When she awoke from her unconscious state the teenager had no idea, what awaited her. The tragic passing of Letha Godfrey and her unborn son, and a news she was not ready to hear yet. But life works in mysterious ways especially, when it comes to the life of Chantel Channing.

It was like a tsunami hit the Channing residence, her mother had turned into something else. The interrogation went on for hours, it was like Chantel was staring in her own CIA series. But even with all her efforts Susan hadn't gotten a straight answer and she was furious as hell. But Chantel didn't want to talk about it.

Her mother's elder brother Benjamin Channing, who Chantel calls uncle Ben was quick to her rescue—he drove all the way from Rosewood to tackle the situation and gave Chantel his full support. Which made Susan even more furious but at the end of the day, the uptight lady had realised she'd no say in it—it was Chantel's decision, so she gave up.

Now, the girl responded. "I really don't care what mom thinks."

Gia put her hand on her's, "when are you going to tell him about it?"

Chantel swallowed hard. "I don't know."

Her phone was flashing, it was Roman Godfrey. Her heart began to pound.

"You're not going to pick that up?" Gia raised a brow.

"No," Chantel put her phone on silent.

"Sweetie," Gia said softly. "I'm worried for you."

"I'm okay," she admitted, "I just need sometime."

The girl nodded, "sure...shall we?"

Chantel pressed her lips and nodded, "yeah."

🏴🏴🏴

It's been five days ever since her mother found out about her pregnancy and they were in a better place, even though her mother wasn't pleased at all—she knew she couldn't force Chantel not to keep the baby because Chantel was going to anyway and the teenager had lost a lot of people in such a short amount of time, Susan was now worried about her daughter's mental as well as physical health.

"You have an appointment at noon," Susan reminded her again as she sliced the green guava.

"I know, mom." Chantel nodded sipping her decaf coffee.

"I don't want you to go alone," her mother said as she served her the fresh sliced guavas.

"Thank you," Chantel took the bowl and said, "Rome's taking me."

"That boy again, huh?" Her mother almost scoffed.

Chantel narrowed her eyes, "I need him mom, now more than ever."

Susan nodded, "I know but you guys are taking this friendship way too far."

Chantel took a bite of the fruit, and nodded at the wall clock. "Aren't you running late?"

"Goodness!" Her mother shuddered as she saw the time it was 9:30am and she had a meeting at 10:00am, she picked up her bag. "Keep me updated and take care."

"I will," Chantel nodded as Susan gave her a quick peck on the head and walked out of the front door.

She scrolled through her social for a while and responded to some messages and then watched a YouTube video on the first trimester: everything you need to know. What to expect in your first trimester. Common discomforts in your first trimester etc, she only realised how time flew by because of Roman's text. She quickly got dressed up into an off white co-ord outfit, topping it off with a sequence headband.

Roman was on time as always, the last time she saw him was after Letha's cremation when Gia drove her to the manor and she'd told him about her pregnancy. Because Roman, was the last person she wanted to keep in the dark and after everything they went through—she knew now, more than ever—they needed each other. She still couldn't shake the look in his eyes when she'd told him, what was really going on with her.

Now, he stood by the door there were dark circles underneath his weary eyes but he was Roman Godfrey and even in his worst days—he outshines everyone.

"Hello sweetheart," he gave her a small smile as he embraced her, "how are you?"

"Good," she mumbled, "what about you?"

"I'm okay." He exhaled.

"You look tired," she said pulling away from him.

He scratched the back of his neck, "I couldn't sleep."

Chantel knew exactly why, but she really didn't want to touch that topic again.

"Shall we?" The girl asked as the boy guided her out of the house to the car with his hand at the small of her back, and then he drove to the White Tower.

She'd no idea why she even agreed to this obnoxious idea but after finding out about her pregnancy Dr Johann Pryce himself contacted Susan and told her, why Chantel should be seeing doctors from the White Tower as they were the best doctors and they provide world class care. Letha's death was a tragedy but she'd suffered from severe bleeding and amniotic fluid embolism (when amniotic fluid enters a mother's bloodstream), the major cause of death in many pregnancies and she lost her baby too.

"I feel weird," Chantel bite her lips as they stood outside the towering structure.

He gently put an arm around her, "I'm not leaving your sight."

She exhaled, "can I have Krispy Kreme later?"

He laughed quietly, "you can have all the Krispy Kreme you want, sweetheart."

The first thirty minutes of the appointment went on like any other doctors visit, filled with diagnostic testings and questions. Chantel was nervous and intimidated at the same time but Roman hadn't left her sight, he'd been there for her every fleeting moment. They waited for the results of the tests at the all white private lounge 'apocalypse' by Cigarettes after sex played on the speakers. The last time she was here—she'd fainted after Letha's tragic passing and that tragedy lead to a new chapter in Chantel's life as the doctor found out about her own pregnancy, which Chantel had no knowledge about.

A slim lady wearing a tight black body con dress walked in, holding two large paper bags. "Mr Godfrey," the lady smiled, "miss Channing," as she gently placed the bags down on the coffee table.

Roman gestured her to leave as she gave him a nod and walked right out of the door. He reached into one of the bag and picked up the box of Krispy Kreme for her, Chantel beamed at the gesture, she really needed a donut right now. "Thank you," she was quick to take the box from him and take a bite of the savoury treat.

He smiled at her kindly and handed her a venti Iced Peach Green Tea, since she likes peach flavoured teas. "Thank you," she took the cup from him.

"There's more," he said peeping into the bag. "Iced americano, salted caramel macchiato, vanilla bean creme frappechino ."

"I'm trying my best to cut down on caffeine, but thank you Rome." She said as she sipped the ice tea.

Roman wasn't eating or drinking, he just looked lost. If only he knew her feelings for him was deeper than love. But she fucked it up, didn't she? She gave him a nudge and handed the ice tea to him. He took the cup from her and had a little sip of the peach coloured tea.

"You won't survive on those little sips alone," she told him, "and you need proper food in your system."

"I'm okay love, don't worry about me." He huffed.

"No, you're not Rome...you can lie to yourself but not me," she looked at him in concern.

"Miss Channing," Dr Pryce walked into the room, holding an iPad. Chattel's hand automatically reached for Roman as he took her hand in his and clasped it tightly. "Congratulations. Everything is perfect," the man smiled.

Chantel gave a sigh of relief and asked, "can I see the baby?"

"Why don't you revisit us, during your eighth week?" Dr Pryce looked at her.

"Why can't she do it now?" Roman wasn't pleased with the doctor.

"Because the results would be clearer by then," he told Roman.

Chantel nodded in agreement, "he's right."

Roman turned to her, "we can do it right away, you don't need to listen to anyone."

"Rome," she squeezed his hand, "it's okay."

Olivia Godfrey appeared from behind the teenagers holding a glass of champagne, "yes, darling Roman listen to the doctor."

"What are you doing here?" Roman looked at his mother questionably.

"Work of course," the lady mentioned, then her eyes trailed to Chantel, "you need to start your vitamins precious."

"Yes, you should." Dr Pryce said.

"Can we go now?" Roman asked the doctor, the man responded. "Of course."

Roman picked up Chantel's purse and hold her hand, "let's get out of here."

"Take care darlings," Olivia told them, Chantel gave the lady a small smile as they walked out of the lounge and into the elevator.

Dr Pryce had mailed her the results so she forwarded the mail to Susan, Benjamin and Gia. 'Cologne' by Haux played as Roman drummed his fingers on the wheels. She looked at the pretty boy besides him, "you can join us for dinner, mom's making her special chilli." She put a hand on her belly, "I'm craving for something spicy so."

Roman gave her a nod, "anything love."

How do you mourn the loss of a love you never spoke out loud never felt with your own two hands?

Gia Ria was helping Susan with dinner when Chantel and Roman reached. Chantel wasn't expecting Gia and Susan wasn't expecting Roman, Chantel had explained her experience and what they did to the two ladies as they listened eagerly. For once, her mother looked excited. Susan simmered the curry and went upstairs to take a quick shower as Gia and Chantel set the table.

Roman was out at the backyard taking a stroll contemplating whether he should smoke or not. "You're staring at him again," Gia gave Chantel a little nudge.

"I'm not," she lied. She was lying to herself now and not Gia.

"Then why was that look on your face?" The girl knitted her brows.

"What?" She asked. "What look?"

"You look a certain way when you see him," Gia informed. "You look at him and it's like you're staring at some sort of galaxy."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She turned to Gia.

The brown girl crossed her arms, "and you love galaxies."

Chantel shrugged. Gia was right, she'd always been right. But Chantel's life was a complicated mess at the moment.

Gia slowly took her hands, "Roman was always there for you, he's still here for you. I know he has a good heart and he'd never leave you, he'd be a good father."

Chantel flinched, "it would be unfair."

"To whom?" The girl raised her brows.

"To both of them," Chantel looked at Gia.

Gia rolled her eyes, "please, for goodness sake! Don't tell me you haven't told him yet!"

Chantel sighed loudly, "I haven't."

Gia placed her hands on her hips, "when are you going to tell him?"

Chantel bite her lips, "after my ultrasound, I'll tell him myself."

"Do you really think it's a good idea to wait that long?" Gia looked at her questionably.

"Next week," Chantel told Gia. "I promise."

She turned her attention back to Roman, an unlit cigarette pressed loosely on his lips. He'd told her at maple bridge, he'd stop smoking if she gets pregnant and here she with a little fetus growing inside her and he'd kept his promise.

Roman Godfrey had foreshadow this moment before they even met. "Last summer, before I met you, I got this vision. I saw this bewitching girl and we were gonna have a baby and guess what...I met you that very night."

But every vision can't be right, can't it? Because the baby wasn't Roman's instead, it was Zach Dearing and that boy had no clue that his ex girlfriend was pregnant with his child. Chantel tried to recollect that very evening again: where out of anger, grief and desperation she'd made a mistake to sleep with her ex after her quarrel with Roman in the pouring rain and that decision of hers—had lead to this. But something just didn't feel right.

Roman turned around and saw her watching him from the window, he gave her a quick salute as he headed indoors. He made her feel things so many things...she'd never felt before. He was maddening and confusing and strong and silent. He thrills her and terrifies her. But mostly, he was beautiful and she loved him. She love him still. And, she will never love like this again. She have never loved like this before.