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Warm lips wake me up. I don't open my eyes, only wrap my hands around Braden's neck and kiss him back, still half sleeping.

''Something came up. I have to go,'' Braden says softly, placing one last kiss on my lips before retreating back.

''What?'' I murmur, on the verge of falling back asleep again.

''I have to go solve something. Go back to sleep.''

I lazily open my eyes and notice with a distaste that it's still very dark and that I'm still too tired. ''What time is it?'' I ask with a groggy voice, barely a whisper.

Braden chuckles quietly. ''It's very early. I'll see you in a few days,'' he adds and I feel him place a kiss on the top of my head.

I nuzzle into my pillow a bit more and wrap a sheet around me a little tighter. ''Mm, okay,'' I murmur and close my eyes back.

I hear Braden chuckle again before I fall back asleep so fast, I don't even hear the door closing behind him as he walks out.

But not that long after, I think my body senses the loss of him because I wake up with a scream, my whole face drenched in sweat, my hand reaching to the other side of the bed for Braden, only to find it empty and cold.

It's still not morning yet and my body is too tired to function properly, but I have a feeling that no matter what, I won't be able to fall back asleep. The nightmares came back again and I don't know if it's because Braden left or it's because the nightmares never really went away.

I go to the bathroom, not even bothering with the light. I rinse my face with a cold water and wipe it with my towel.

After that, I just go back to bed in hopes to fall back asleep and not relive the painful nightmare I just had.

It's similar to all the other ones I've had over the weeks. Braden is in all of them and sometimes it almost starts at a sweet dream, but it always ends the same way – me running to him, but I can never reach him. And he just stands in the same place and watches me as I struggle to get to him.

I wonder if it's my body subconsciously telling me something. Or if it's some kind of a warning.

Or I'm just overreacting and it's a coincidence. After all, a lot of people have nightmares, especially if something bad happens to them.

I literally force my mind to think of something else, something sweet, and I soon think of Braden, which helps me fall back asleep in minutes.

But I guess fate doesn't let me sleep today for some reason because I wake up feeling so sick, I barely come to the toilet before I throw up.

Hello, morning sickness. Here we are again, I think bitterly, as I lay my head on the cold toilet seat, resting there for a moment.

I can't say I'm well-rested, because I'm obviously not, after a night like this, but I think I'm good enough to still go to work.

At least it's already a sunrise outside, letting me know the morning has arrived.

I sigh and push myself up on the legs. I almost scream as I see myself in the mirror. Jesus. I'll need a lot of make-up today to get my face presentable.

I check the time on my phone and see it's just something after half past 7, notifying me that I have some time to get ready. I see I have a text from Braden and my mood instantly lifts up.

Good morning, precious. How are you feeling? x

I grin like stupid down at the phone, hugging it to my chest for a moment, as if he's the one I'm hugging.

I quickly type a reply, Sore in all the right places. ;)

I sing softly to myself as I open the blinds up and let in the sun that's just waking up. I watch it for a moment, taking in all its glory.

I've always loved to watch sunsets and sunrises, even though I was almost never up early enough to watch a sunrise and watching the sunset was a no when working at the bar a night time shift.

When I place my phone on the nightstand, I notice something else lying on it that I haven't seen before. It's a card. No, correction, it's a black credit card.

I glare down at it as if it's going to set in flames right in front of my eyes. I take the credit card in my hand, gripping it tightly between my fingers.

A deep sigh escapes me as I shake my head in disbelief. I open the drawer and put the card in it.

I guess Braden wasn't joking about it. I didn't think he was, anyway, but I kind of hoped he would forget about it.

I almost laugh to myself. Of course he wouldn't forget it. Does he ever forget anything?

I go make myself a cup of tea and take it with me to the bathroom while I get ready.

***

The driver is waiting for me as I jog down the stairs and I greet him happily. ''Hey, Jeff.''

Jeff's lips slightly turn up in the corners as he nods at me. ''Good morning, Miss.''

He opens the door for me and I slip in the car. And the drive's not long, seeing that the bar is not even that far from my flat. I don't understand why I couldn't walk there, but I prefer not to start an argument with Braden over this. Again.

As we come there, I say my goodbye to the Jeff and go to work.

In the week, the work always goes by really slow. There are not a lot of customers. There are more when it's time for lunch, but other than that it's just a few here and there and I'm bored out of my mind.

So when a tall, slender blonde walks into the bar, my attention is instantly perked up. She's dressed in a small, tight black dress, wearing red heels and a red purse, her pouty lips wearing a red lipstick. She has her blonde hair with brown highlights falling down her back in soft curls.

She comes straight to me, she doesn't even glance around the bar, her eyes staring right at me. It makes me a bit of uncomfortable. She places her red purse on the counter and states confidentially, ''I'm looking for Braden Campbell.''

I'm thrown off guard for a moment, just looking at her. Everyone in the bar looks at her. I mean, someone would have to be blind not to see her. I'm taken aback by how beautiful she is. I quickly compose myself, standing up straighter. ''I'm afraid he's not here,'' I tell her.

Her gaze narrows and she looks me up and down in what seems a distaste. It makes me wary.

''When is he going to be here?'' she asks in a clipped tone.

I want to snarl at her. I don't know why, but I instantly dislike her. It's something about her that's giving off the bad vibe and I don't like it. ''I don't know,'' I lie.

She looks at me closely and leans in. ''I hope you're not lying.''

I barely hold myself not to roll my eyes. I just roll back my shoulders, never dropping my eyes from her. ''Do you want to leave a message for him?'' I ask her, my tone polite, even though my eyes must be screaming fuck you at her.

''No. I'll come back,'' she says, grabs her purse, gives me one last glance, full of disgust, turns on her heel and saunters away in all her glory. I don't realise I'm holding my breath until the door closes behind her and I let it rush out.

I put what happened away in my mind and try to forget it. It surprised me a bit and I have an off feeling about her, but I shouldn't judge so easily. She could be anyone.

It just surprises me that she was looking for Braden here because he's not here a lot and he has his office somewhere else.

On my break, I go to the lockroom to take my phone with me. I usually don't have it with me when I'm working, but seeing that Braden texted me back, I take it with me to the bar.

I open his text in a rush and read it. That means my job is well done.

My cheeks flush and I squeeze my legs together when the replay of the last night comes to my mind.

Oh, he has no idea what a good job he's doing. I tell him so.

You always do a good job, baby.

I slip my phone into my bra, thinking that Braden won't text for some hours or so and I need it somewhere where I'll feel or hear it vibrate.

But it surprises me when it vibrates just minutes after I sent him my text.

That's really nice to hear.

It vibrates in my hand again.

Aren't you working?

Shoot. I bite my lip, staring down at the screen. I wonder if he's going to be pissed that I went to work anyway, even though we kind of made a deal last night.

But I'm using my phone at work and he is my boss after all, but ... he's miles away and he can't do anything about it. It's not like my customers are thirsty or waiting for me because they're all served.

I glance around the bar just to make sure no one new came in and that they're all good and don't seem to need anything.

I'm actually surprised today that I'm working alone here. Usually, the new, shy girl is working with me, but she's not here today.

I am ...

I type back and hold my phone in my hand, staring down at it and willing it to show a new text from me.

It doesn't disappoint me.

Hmmm ... I think you forgot that there's a rule about using phones at work.

I roll my eyes at the screen, hoping he'd stand in front of me so I could roll my eyes at him instead.

What are you going to do about it? ;)

Ooh, I'm feeling really bold today with all that flirting I'm doing with him. But he seemed in such a great mood last night it almost feels that I dreamed it all.

I love when he is the way he was last night. I mean, I love him in any mood he is, but being carefree, playful and just plain happy makes me happy, too. And that's a good feeling.

As I'm in my la la land, my phone starts vibrating and I blink down at it because Braden is suddenly calling me. I pick up with a reluctant, ''Hello?''

''Stop teasing me, baby girl, and go back to work,'' he orders huskily, making the blood rush through my body.

He ends the call right after that one and only sentence, but it's enough to keep me hot and bothered until the end of my shift.

I don't text him anymore, either.

When my shift finally ends and I switch with Gloria, I go out of the bar with a big grin on my face. Jeff is already parked outside, waiting for me and I don't wait for him to open the door for me, I do it myself.

He frowns at me, but when I chirpy greet him, his features soften a bit. ''Good day,'' he offers me back.

''Hey, Jeff, can you stop in front of a store I'll tell you? I need to go buy something real quick.'' I hold my breath, waiting for a response. I hope he hasn't got any orders to take me straight home because then I wouldn't know what to do. I'd just have to go back to the store probably. If he won't wait outside my flat complex for me the whole day.

But Jeff just nods as if my request is usual. ''Of course,'' comes his reply.

I check my phone and surprisingly, there's a text from Braden waiting for me. I open it with a big grin.

My birthday is on April 14th.

I stare, confused down at the text for some long seconds until the conversation from last night comes into my mind when I asked when his birthday was. I type back a response.

Aren't you working??

I throw his words back at him and thinking that he might be too busy to answer, I'm surprised when his response comes right back.

I should. You're distracting me too much ... he types back.

I frown down at the screen.

I'm not doing anything??

I type back, scrunching my eyebrows together. The phone vibrates in my hand once again and I'm eager to open the text now.

You won't leave my mind.

Butterflies swim in my stomach, reading his response. You won't leave my mind, too, love.

I tell Jeff where to go when we near the store and because he can't park directly in front of the store, he goes to park just around the corner to wait for me.

I type Braden another text.

You too. I'll leave you alone now to work, ily x

I step into the store, my eyes instantly looking around it. There's lot of lingerie here. In all colours, materials and sizes.

I go directly to what I'm looking for and after deciding on which colour I should buy, I settle on black. Men are wild for black, lacy lingerie. I mentally shrug my shoulders. Why not?

As I pick the piece I want, the phone in my hand starts vibrating and I look down at it in surprise, reading Braden's name written on my screen. ''Hey?'' I greet him, wondering why is he calling me.

''Say it,'' he says.

I purse my lips, my eyebrows lifting high. ''Say what?'' I ask in a pure confusion. Is he calling the right person?

''What you texted me last.''

I search my brain to remember the text I last sent him. ''That you won't leave my mind, too?'' I ask, confusion in my voice still present.

''No,'' Braden sighs. ''The other thing.''

''Uh ...'' I mutter, scrunching my nose up a bit, trying to remember what else I wrote. ''That I'll leave you alone to work?'' I try once again.

''No,'' Braden growls in desperation and a slight annoyance.

''Then what?'' I whine, looking up at the ceiling.

Braden is quiet on the other line. Waiting.

Then it dawns on me what's he calling me for. ''Oh. Oh,'' I let out, surprised. ''I love you,'' I tell him softly, tenderly, with all the emotions I have for him.

Braden hums softly in response. ''Thank you, baby,'' he responds with a grin in his tone and he ends the call.

Thank you? My lip curls up slightly. There's nothing more embarrassing than telling someone you love them and they respond with a thank you.

I sigh to myself. Patience. He's getting there, I remind myself. It's a big step for him to even accept my love in the first place.

I go pay the seller a high amount of money for a small piece like that, but if it's going to serve the purpose, I'm happy to spend money on it.

She hands me the bag with a smile and I grab it, happily heading out of the store. But just as I'm nearing the corner where Jeff is parked, I collide with a body and before I can react or apologise, someone grabs my arm in a tight grip, pulling me with them in a small alley.

It all happens so soon and the panic rises inside of me, my chest painfully tight because I'm holding my breath in fear. I'm pushed against the wall and I wince when I hit my back and head against it, closing my eyes in pain.

But I open them right back as the person grabs my wrists and steps closer to me, my bag rustles in my hand. My breath hitches in my throat and a gasp leaves me.

It's Charles. My ex. And his face looks almost unrecognisable with purple and red bruises all over it, his lip is busted, a small scar in the corner of it, which I'm sure it was a lot bigger a few days ago.

''Hello, you little bitch,'' Charles snarls in me, his voice vicious, filled with so much hatred.

I try to shrink away from him, but the wall behind my back is stopping me. ''What do you want from me?'' I ask a bit breathless and I hate myself for showing fear.

I look out of the corner of my eyes and see that if I scream loud enough, someone will surely hear me out on the busy streets.

Charles laughs bitterly. ''What I want is for your rich, mama's boy to leave me the fuck alone. And the second thing I want is 250 thousand dollars from you.''

I look at him like he's lost his mind. ''Braden did that to you?'' I ask him in a small voice.

Charles rubs at his jaw and he winces slightly as he touches the tender flesh. ''Not him personally. He sent someone else to do his dirty work.'' He laughs sarcastically, his face coming closer to me, his eyes shining in pure evil. Charles puts his palm on my cheek and caresses it with his thumb. It makes chills run down my body and I wince in disgust at his touch. ''And now I wonder if he just isn't a man enough himself to fight for his so called girl ... oh, wait, no ... you're not even his girlfriend, are you? He's just banging you occasionally.''

In the moment of pure rage, I lift the hand he just dropped from his and slap him hard across his face. His head turns on the side and he winces. I'm content that he feels so much more pain, the bastard. ''What me and Braden have going on is not your business at all. And trust me when I tell you I'm much better with him just 'banging me' than being in a real relationship with you,'' I throw at his face and turn to get away from him, my heart racing hard.

I need to go. I need to escape and quick.

But he doesn't let me. He puts his hand on my jaw and jams my head back against the brick wall again, the pain spreading across my skull again. He grips my jaw hard in his hand and it hurts so much I fear he's going to break it.

A small whimper of surprise escapes me.

''I don't give two shits what you and that good for nothing little shit have going on, you whore,'' he literally spits in my face and I scrunch my nose up in disgust. ''I want 250 thousand dollars from you.''

I try to get out of his hold, but he grips even tighter and my body freezes in pain. ''You're not getting anything from me. I don't have that much money and even if I did, I'd never give it to you, you can be sure about that.''

Once again, Charles hits my head against the wall, but this time, it's not as painful as before. It still hurts, though and it makes me wince. I grit my teeth together.

''You might don't have it, but Campbell does. And you're going to give it to me.''

Ignoring the pain and focusing on the last strings of strength in me, I push Charles back as hard as I can and he thankfully loses his grip on me, stumbling back. He clearly wasn't expecting my attack. ''Stay away from me, Charles, if you don't want to have the police knocking on your door. I'm not that weak woman you can beat around anymore,'' I scream at him in rage.

And then I run. I run as fast as I can, not once glancing back. Panic keeps me going, even though my lungs are starting to hurt and, my throat is getting dry and my legs are starting to ache. I almost sigh in relief as I notice Jeff parked right around the corner.

When I come to the car, I literally sag down against it. Hugging my stomach protectively, I let myself slide down on the floor where the tears suddenly come out of nowhere. Panic leaves me and the reality hits me, harder than I thought it could.

Jeff is in front of me in a second, asking me what's wrong and I can barely hear him as the pounding in my head increases and my eyes are fluttering close. It's getting too much, the pain is more than I can take.

I hear someone calling my name in distance, but I can't control on anything else than the aching pain on the back of my head. I manage to lift my hand up and put it behind my head, closing my eyes.

And then I rest my head back, letting the darkness pull me in because the pain is getting too much to bear.

***

I slowly blink my eyes open, moving my head on the side and moaning when I feel the pain on the back of my head that spreads through my whole skull, giving me a headache. I blink several times to get used to the light in the room because it slightly hurts to even keep my eyes open.

But when I do open them, the first thing I notice is Braden sitting beside me on the chair, with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Beside him are my parents, Brooke, Aaron, Lily and lastly, Jeff.

Mum is the first one who notices I'm awake. ''Rory, baby!'' she gushes, almost sprinting to my bed, the fresh tears glistening in her eyes.

Braden's head immediately lifts up from his hands and when he sees I'm awake, he stands up abruptly. I can't move my eyes away from his face. He's tired. His suit is wrinkled, his eyes are blood-red and tired, his hair is messed as if he went with his hands through it a lot.

I force my gaze away from him and on my mum when she puts my hand in hers, putting it to her cheek. ''You made us all so worried.''

My brows draw together. ''What happened?'' My voice is groggy and my lips are dry so I lick them to moisturise them.

Mum picks up the glass already filled with water on the stand beside the bed and brings it to my lips. ''Here, drink this. You'll feel better,'' she says tenderly, tears rolling down her cheeks and I see she's trying to hold them in for my sake.

After I drink down some gulps of the water, I repeat the question. ''What happened?''

Just then, the doctor comes it with my father. I look confused at them because I swear he was standing a few feet away just seconds ago. I didn't notice when he went out.

A tall, good-looking young man in a white doctor's gown comes to me. ''Hello, I see you're already up. I'm doctor Lucas and I'll do a quick check and ask you a few questions, okay?'' he asks kindly, his voice a little rough, but still pleasant to hear.

I nod my head, not wanting to be difficult and I want to find out what's wrong with me. How everyone is staring at me, one would think I'm dying.

''Good.'' He leans over me, opens my right eye and flashes the eye with his small torch. It makes me wince as the light hits me and the pounding in my head increases. I squirm when he doesn't let me close my eyes.

He releases my eye and sternly looks at me. ''You have to stay still.''

I rub my forehead softly to decrease some pain. It doesn't help much. ''Sorry, my head just hurts.''

The doctor nods understandingly, pressing his lips in a straight line. ''Lift your head up from the pillow a bit, if you can, please.''

I do as he says and his fingers immediately press on the back of my head, first softly, and then a bit harder.

I wince, jerking my head away. ''Ah,'' it escapes me, my face scrunched up in pain.

The doctor releases me and lets me put my head back down. He writes something down on the pad he's holding. ''Very well, Miss. I'm going to ask you some questions now. Is that fine with you?''

I don't dare to look anyone in the eye. ''I suppose ...'' I trail off unsurely, biting my lip.

''Do you remember what happened? How did you hit your head?''

My eyes search first Braden's and then Jeff's in full panic. Braden is standing with his arms crossed in front of him, trailing his lip with the thumb of his right hand, his eyes staring directly at me, waiting for my response. While Jeff ... just stands there with a neutral face, also watching me.

It seems like everyone's holding their breaths.

I take a deep breath. I do remember what happened, and I remember it all too well. And I'm not going to lie to get that bastard out of trouble. ''I was exiting the store, walking to where my driver was parked, when someone grabbed me and dragged me into a small alley. It was my ex and he hit my head a few times into the wall behind me. I don't know if he did it intentionally or not.'' I shrug.

I hear someone grunt and my eyes fall on Braden who's standing rigidly now, with his arms at his sides, his fists tightly clenched. And his face ... good Lord, his face is screaming dangerous from a mile away, his eyes stormy, his jaw clenched so hard it looks painful.

The doctor writes down my words, I guess. ''And why did he do that, may I ask?''

I purse my lips. ''He asked me for money and I refused to give it to him. He called me some names and he just got really aggressive with me.''

The doctor writes that down, too. ''Okay, we've got that covered. Do you know what's your name?''

I almost laugh. ''Uhm, Rory?'' I ask as, wondering if he's playing some mind tricks. I let myself one glance at everyone, but see they all have serious expressions on their faces.

''I'd like your full name,'' the doctor practically orders.

''Rory Warren.'' I don't hesitate in answering.

''How old are you?''

''25. Soon to be 26,'' I answer immediately again, like a school kid.

The doctor holds up three fingers, asking me, ''How many fingers am I holding up?''

I can't catch the laugh this time and I burst out laughing, only stopping when I feel the pain at the back of my head again. Okay, so no laughing. Got it. The doctor stands there with a patient expression on his face, not seeming surprised by my reaction at all. ''Three,'' I say as if it's the most obvious thing.

The doctor nods and points to my mum. ''Do you know who is this?''

I follow his hand and stare at my mum. ''My mum,'' I answer immediately. I catch the expressions on everyone's faces and they're all so still and quiet, it's unnerving.

''What's her name?'' the doctor asks.

''Darlene,'' I say with a sigh.

The doctor looks at my mum and she nods. He writes something down again.

Just when I'm about to ask him what's going on again, he points in another direction. ''And who's that?''

I look at where he's pointing and my breath catches in my throat as I stare right into the depth of the chocolate brown eyes that haunt me in my sleep. I see Braden's stiff posture falter a bit and the muscles on his face relax. His eyes become gentle as he looks straight at me like no one else in the room exists.

''Braden,'' I say with no hesitance at all.

Doctor Lucas looks at me expectantly as if he's expecting me to say something else, but I just look at him, dumbfounded. ''Who is he to you?'' he finally asks.

I look at Braden again and I see he slightly cocks his head to the side, piercing me with his stare. It seems like everyone in the room is holding their breaths. ''My, ah, boyfriend,'' I stutter slightly. I lick my lips and turn back to the doctor, ignoring the big grin that appears on Brooke's and mum's faces. And ignoring the unchangeable expression on Braden's face.

''Good,'' doctor Lucas speaks. ''You just had a severe concussion, Miss Warren, but it seems that your brain isn't permanently damaged. You had a great luck.'' He nods down at me.

I try not to panic at his words. My first instinct is wrapping my hand around my stomach. I want to ask about my baby. But in a state of shock, I remember that my family doesn't know I'm pregnant and I don't want them to find it out this way.

''Can I speak with you privately for a moment?'' I ask the doctor, masking the panic in my voice.

The doctor looks at everyone in the room and so do I. They instantly move, gushing around each other.

''I'll come back,'' my mum says, squeezing my hand lovingly and disappearing with the others. Well, not everyone leaves, because Braden stays immobile, with his arms crossed in front of him, his posture now still and straight again.

The doctor looks at him and then at me, lifting an eyebrow in a silent question. I look at Braden expectantly and he glares back at us. ''I'm not leaving her side,'' he says to the doctor, his tone definitive.

The corner of my mouth lifts up in a small smile and I don't press him anymore. ''How's my baby?'' I ask the doctor, but looking at Braden. God, has he even slept at all?

''Nothing seemed wrong with the baby. I think that everything's fine. You're healthy and the pregnancy thing is going as it should.''

My head falls on the side with a deep sigh of relief, my hand twisting the sheet on my stomach.

My baby is fine.

I want to kill Charles for putting the baby in danger. I swear if anything happened, I'd have a murder on my bare hands.

I don't see when Braden steps closer to the bed, but I feel his hand on mine, which is resting on my stomach. He squeezes it and I look at him with unshed tears in my eyes. ''The baby is fine,'' I repeat loudly, smiling at him with nothing but relief and a whole dose of adoration I feel for Braden.

''It is,'' Braden grins back, his smile tired, but still bright. He starts showing the first traces of tiredness. I think that now that he's not in shock anymore, the tiredness is crashing into him like waves.

I distantly hear doctor announcing that he'll give us some privacy, but I don't move my gaze away from Braden. I lift my hand up and cradle his face. ''You look tired,'' I comment, softly tracing the skin under his eyes and then flatten my palm against his rough cheek.

He closes his eyes and leans into my touch. ''I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to,'' he says. He re-opens his eyes, staring deeply at me. ''You scared me,'' his voice comes out gagged and strained like it's painful to even think about something like that.

I shake my head up at him and will him to move his head closer. ''But you didn't,'' I say softly. I wrap my palm around his neck and bring his head even closer to mine so I can kiss him, slowly and gently. ''And you'll never lose me.'' 

I feel that there's so much happening in this chapter ... Braden's cuteness ... The appearance of Rory's ex ... The mystery woman ... Hmmm! 

Also, I have to say thank you for all your kind and cute comments. They always make my day and they're a great motivation. I do ready every single one of them, even though I don't reply to them all. You're just all so awesome!