PIERRA'S POV

I sat on a bench in the hospital's garden listen to music as I scrolled through pictures of me and Andrew on my gallery. I thought I had cried myself dry the past one week and a half but little things reminded me about him making me sadder. I had asked for time and I knew we both needed it but the longer I stayed away the more I regretted it. Yes Andrew had hurt me but he had realized his mistake and apologized. More than anything I wanted to call him so we could talk about everything but one thing was holding me back. My brother Bishop.

Andrew had been right, in one way or another my brother always found a way to get in between our relationship whether intentionally or unintentionally. His health was fragile and even though he was awake and doing better I didn't want to risk him relapsing because of me. I wanted to call Andrew and assure we were okay, that I would accompany him to Paris but not at the expense of possibly killing my brother.

I missed Andrew with every fiber of my being and yes he had hurt me but I couldn't help myself. I wanted him back. I loved him with my whole heart and wanted to experience the world with him but it seemed like that was not what destiny had planned for us. I just wanted my happily ever after with him but the stars simply refused to align in our favor.

A tissue was held out infront of my face and I looked up to meet Whitney's smiling face. I took it from her and used it to wipe my tears and clean my face.

"Thanks."I mumbled in response as she sat down next to me.

It was mid week and I had just gotten to the hospital from class after a long day of lessons. I always took a break in the garden before going in to see Bishop. I rarely cried in public but this time I'd been unable to help myself when I saw a couple walk out of the family planning section of the hospital looking all lovey dovey. Andrew had accompanied me to the clinic when we started being sexually active. He had helped me choose the best choice for me so we could be safe and avoid ruining our lives with a baby. Now there was no more Andrew and I, it was just poor ol heartbroken me.

"Can I please say something?"Whitney asked after we sat in silence for a few minutes.

"Sure."I replied.

"I just wanted to apologize for how I spoke to you last week. It was uncalled for and you didn't deserve such harsh words from me."She expressed softly.

I turned to face her and she had an apologetic look on her face. I had already forgiven her because even in as much as her words hurt, I understood where she was coming from.

"It's okay, I forgave you."I said back managing a small polite smile back.

"Thank you because I don't want any more bad blood between us. We're finally in a good place and I didn't want my harsh words to make us loose that."She confessed.

"I misjudged you from the beginning Whitney, you and my brother are perfect for each other."I complimented and she smiled at me.

"Hearing you say that makes me very happy. Please allow me to ask, why are so sad? You've been like this for more than a week."Whitney asked.

My gaze immediately wandered to my lock screen which was a picture of me and Andrew looking into each others eyes. It had been taken by Cass and it was one of my favorite pictures of the both of us. We looked so in love in that photo and even though it hurt each time I looked at it, I couldn't bring myself to delete it.

"Andrew and I sort of broke up."I admitted saying those words out loud to another human being for the first time since it happened.

"What? Why? When?"Whitney exclaimed.

"Last week when I left the hospital. I told him that I couldn't go to Paris with him because of Bishop, he said some mean things so we had to take a break."I explained.

Whitney sighed sadly and it was an expression of how I was feeling just a million times more. We went quiet for a few minutes after that before Whitney spoke up.

"Can I give you a piece of advise?"Whitney requested.

I nodded as I didn't have anything to loose from hearing her out.

"I love your brother and this stays between us but when it comes to you he is sort of a selfish prick. You can't let him dictate what your love life will look like for the rest of your life. You're almost twenty two now and if you don't put a stop to this co-dependent relationship that you two have it will hurt all your relationships. You will never be truly happy as Bishop will always have a say in your love life."She advised.

It was strange hearing Whitney talk about Bishop like that but her words were meaningful hitting deeper than I thought they would.

"So what are you saying?"I questioned.

"It's time for you to break up with your brother and live your life otherwise you will never be happy."She concluded with a sad smile.

She looked at me like she was pitying me and it was not a look I wanted to see from my brothers girlfriend.

I understood what Whitney was trying to communicate with me but it didn't make it easy. I knew that she was right as Andrew had said the same words just not as kindly. I myself knew what needed to be done but I was afraid of jeopardizing my relationship with my brother and his health too. I loved Bishop, he was my big brother and my protector. It was no secret that he took his protectiveness to a different level but it was his way of showing me that he loved me.

"Bishop is a big boy and will get over whatever you tell him but you better do it now before its too late."Whitney concluded.

She got up, gave me a polite smile before walking away leaving me all alone once more.

I sat outside for a little while longer thinking about what to do next. I didn't want to hurt Bishop but Whitney and Andrew were right, our relationship was not healthy and it had to stop. Thinking about the right thing to do and actually getting to do what needed to be done were two different things.

My phone rang in my pocket and I retrieved my phone to see that it was my mom calling. I had been avoiding picking her calls all in the name of being too busy studying to finals but more than ever I felt myself needing my mom and her advice. I picked the call, clearing my throat hoping I didn't sound like I was crying.

"Pierra Ivy Makau, you young lady are in so much trouble. Why have you been ignoring your mother?"She scolded.

Hearing her being so harsh to me broke the dam and I broke out in tears and sobs.

"Princess stop crying, I was just joking."My mom frantically expressed.

I tried telling her that she was not the reason I was crying but no words were coming out. The more I tried talking, the more I choked up in tears.

My mom whispered soothing words in my ears trying to calm me down. It worked because a few minutes later my sobs reduced to hiccups and I eventually stopped crying.

"What's wrong princess? I can't remember the last time I heard you cry that hard."My mom's soothing voice consoled.

Taking deep breath I finally managed to find the words to express how I was feeling.

"Everything is wrong mom. Bishop is in the hospital and Andrew and I broke up."I confessed.

My emotions were all over so what I'd said didn't register until I'd already said the words out loud. I couldn't tell my mom exactly what had happened to Bishop as that would mean outing him. I didn't want that so I started thinking of a simpler explanation.

"One thing at a time, why is Bishop in the hospital? What's wrong with my son?"My mom asked already freaking out.

I had to think of a way to calm her down before she started making travel plans to come see us. Bishop would never forgive me for ranting him out.

"He's okay mama, it was a freak accident with his car. He's okay now and already recovering."I assured her.

"Why didn't you tell me?"My mom demanded.

"Bishop swore me to secrecy, you know him and always wanting to appear strong. He's okay mom, I promise."I assured her.

"I'm glad that he is okay but you two are my babies. Never keep something like that from me. As soon as I'm done with you, I'm calling him so he can explain himself to me."My mom insisted and I knew there was nothing I could do to stop her.

"Okay mom, just don't be too harsh, he's a grown man."I argued.

"You two will always be my babies, even when you're fifty years old."She declared and I found myself smiling.

That would have gone so much worse but I was grateful for my quick thinking. I just had to make sure that I warned Bishop after I was done talking to my mom so he wouldn't be caught off guard. Our stories needed to rhyme.

"Now onto the Andrew business. You two are so in love, why did you break up?"My mom asked making the sadness I'd been feeling multiply.

"He won an award and has to go to Paris for a month. He asked me accompany him and I said no so we took a break. He really wanted me to go and I didn't."I explained without disclosing all the information.

"I feel like there is more to the story but I will not push you to tell me. You've always wanted to go to Paris so why did you say no?"My mom asked.

"He's leaving in less than two weeks. I have finals and can't just up and leave."I explained.

"Even as you're explaining, I don't know if you're trying to convince me or yourself that those reasons are enough to not join the love of your life on such an adventure. You're lucky he asked you to join him, most boys in his position would take it as an opportunity to go cheat on you in a foreign country before coming back pretending all is okay only to give you diseases and heartbreak."My mom reasoned.

"Mom shouldn't you be telling me that I'm too young to be taking such trips with my boyfriend."I asked surprised by her intake on the whole situation.

"Princess your father and I raised you right so you're old enough to make responsible decisions. I'm so proud of you and how far you've come so whatever is stopping you from going to Paris with Andrew find a way to fix it. You're young, live life and enjoy it so that when you're old and grey you will never have any regrets."My mom advised being the third person telling me to put myself first for once.

"I will mom."I promised her my mind already made up on what to do.

"Good, I'll get working on your passport immediately."She declared and I chuckled.

"I never said I was going."I claimed.

"You didn't have to. I love you princess."She replied.

"I love you too mom. Thank you for the advice and being the best mom ever."

"Anytime for you sweetheart."She answered.

"Mom before you go, do you think Bishop and I are too co-dependent?"I asked wanting my mom's opinion on that matter.

"Wow that's random but to be honest, you're very close for a brother and sister. Though its only because in Bishops eyes you are still that scared seven year old girl that we brought home and for you his is your hero, the one who saved you from the monsters in your nightmare and helped you heal."My mom replied.

"Thanks mom, I needed to hear that."I replied.

"You're welcome."

I hang up and for the first time in days I smiled because my future was looking brighter than it had been for a while. I grabbed my bag and hurried inside the hospital to warn my brother of my mom's call. I found him just about to pick up his ringing phone.

"If that's mom I may have told her that you're in the hospital. Just tell her it was a freak accident and you're already recovering."I rushed out grinning sheepishly.

Bishop just glared at me but picked the call up anyway. I didn't need to hear him get yelled at so I left the room and made my way to the doctors office. I needed to be sure that the difficult conversation I was about to have with my brother would not affect him. Thankfully I found him alone so I entered his office when he welcomed me in.

"Good evening Pierra, how are you?"He asked politely.

"I'm good doctor, I just wanted to inquire about Bishop's progress."I asked.

"Besides the set back last week, your brother is actually making a quick recovery. At this rate he will be out of hospital in roughly two weeks. He will need constant care and attention but we expect him to make a full recovery."The doctor replied and I nodded.

"Thank you doctor, so his heart is okay now."I asked just to be sure so I didn't misinterpret him.

"Yeah a hundred percent okay."He assured me.

"Thanks, see you later doc."I thanked him as I got up to leave his office.

"Pierra?"Doctor Peter called out just as I got to the door.

"I know I'm only your brothers doctor but I can't help but notice that you've lost weight over the past few weeks. You need to take better care of yourself. Eat regularly, drink lots of fluids and get enough sleep."He advised.

"I'll keep that in mind."I replied with a nod and since there was nothing else to be said I left his office.

I walked back to Bishops room mind already made up on what I was about to talk to him about. He was healthy enough to handle the conversation we were about to have. I found him concluding his conversation with my mom and since he was laughing I assumed that it had gone well.

"Whitney can I please have a few minutes with my brother?"I requested her.

She nodded getting up from her seat. She kissed his forehead before leaving the room after giving me an encouraging smile. I took the seat she had previously occupied next to Bishops bed.

We hadn't touched the Andrew topic ever since he relapsed but I had to get it out before it was too late.

"Thanks for throwing me under the bus sis."He commented sarcastically.

"You're a big boy, you could take it."I replied and he playfully glared at me.

"Where did Whitney go?"He asked.

"I requested her to excuse us because there's some things I want to talk to you about."I started.

"Okay. What's up?"He asked making himself more comfortable.

"I know you don't want to hear this but I'm going to Paris with Andrew in less than two weeks and there's nothing you can do about it."I said laying it all out there.

Bishop looked at me with wide eyes as he had not expected me to tell him off like that.

"I thought you were over this nonsense."Bishop argued and I frowned.

"How is following my heart and accompanying the man I love to celebrate one of his achievements nonsense?"I questioned.

Bishop scoffed but didn't reply.

"You're happy with Whitney Bishop so why won't you let me be happy with Andrew?"I asked wanting to know the reason behind his protectiveness.

"Because no one will ever be good enough for you."He shouted and my eyes widened in surprise.

Instead of yelling back to avoid making him more upset I got up and sat on his bed taking his uninjured hand in mine.

"Andrew said that we're close enough to be mistaken for being incestuous while Whitney and mom said we're co-dependent because of my past. They all have a point and I think it's time that we broke up, to quote your girlfriend."I confessed and Bishop looked at me with a defeated look on his face.

"Don't I have a say in this?"He asked.

"You've always had a say about every aspect of my life Bishop. It's time for you to let me go so I can grow without my the protection of my big brother."I insisted.

"I can't, I refuse to break my promise."He grunted.

"What does that mean? Make me understand."I pleaded wanting to hear things from his end too.

Bishop looked at me with an emotion I couldn't decipher. After a few moments he seemed to make up his mind as resolve settled on his face.

"A few weeks after dad brought you home I overheard him talking to one of his colleagues about the state he found you in. Maybe I shouldn't be telling you this........"He faltered.

"No tell me."I insisted.

Bishop heard the resolve in my tone and gave in to my request.

"When you came home my mom took you for testing and found that you were okay, untouched but it was not the same for your sister and mother."Bishop explained and my heart started beating extra fast.

"What does that mean?"I asked even though I had an inclination on what he was talking about.

Bishop took a deep breath before he finally confirmed the worst possible thing I could have found out.

"During the autopsy done on your mother's and sisters bodies it was discovered that they were gang raped before they were killed."Bishop said lowly and for the umpteenth time that day I broke down into tears.

This time those tears were not for me, they were for my mom and sister who had been taken from me too early in the ugliest was possible. I had no idea they had gone through such a terrible ordeal, it only made the respect I had for them for protecting me grow tenfold.

Bishop pulled me into a hug and I cried into his chest for both of them. They were my heroes for sacrificing themselves for my sake. They had protected me with their bodies and lives. As sad as I was I would forever treasure their memories and sacrifice.

Once my tears ran out I cleaned my face before getting off my brothers chest and facing him.

"I didn't know any of that."I admitted.

"I wasn't meant to know either, I just eavesdropped on dad's conversation. Anyway when I heard that I promised myself that I would always protect you from all male influence."Bishop expounded further.

"I can understand that but Andrew has proven himself over and over again that his intentions are pure and honest. I know you can see that so please Bishop let me be happy."I begged.

Bishop looked at the pleading look on my face and for the first time, the strong armor he always had fell and his facials softened.

"You really love him don't you?"He asked.

"With every fiber of my being."I admitted.

"To me he will never be worthy but he makes you happy so I will let you two be, for real this time, no more meddling. But if he ever steps a toe out of line, I'll make him disappear."Bishop replied and I smiled.

I hugged him feeling happy that I could finally move forward with my relationship without fear of Bishop intervening.

"Thanks big bro, I love you."I said squeezing his arm.

"I love you too sis."He replied hugging me harder.

I pulled away after a few minutes and faced him.

"While I still have you in this giving in mode, I want you to consider giving up your line of business. I know you don't want to hear this but you almost dying was hard for me but especially Whitney. I know you love her and she loves you so for the sake of actually building something meaningful between you, please start thinking of safer business options. Next time I'll not cover for you with mom and dad, it's too hard. If you had died I would never have forgiven myself."I sobbed.

Bishop was fast to console me and wipe away my tears.

"Enough tears for today and no more threats. Thank you for covering for me all this years, it means a lot to me that you always had my back. Whitney and I talked about it and I'm giving up the weed business. I have no idea what to do with myself but I'll figure it out."He expressed and I smiled.

"Good then cheers to us as we turn a new page in our lives."I said holding out my fist.

"Cheers."Bishop replied thumping his fist against mine.

Bishop and I would be okay as we started the new chapters of our lives. We were finally moving on from the past and embracing the future. It was uncertain but we had the people we loved by our side and that made it all okay. 

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