Flower on the ash

I turned around to see Penelope already standing at the entrance of her house.

" Was that Alex?" Penelope asked me as I made my way to her with the parcel which Penelope send me.

" Yes." I replied. She let me inside her house.

" Is there something between you two?" she asked closing the door behind and taking me to the drawing room to sit. I sat on the couch and put the parcel box on the floor.

" No." I said and she poured a glass of water for me.

" Don't lie. I have known Alex for quite a time. He won't just drop you at my house if he has nothing to do with you." she said and handed me the glass of water. I take a sip and gulped it down.

" Tell me." she said again.

" Ok. But first promise me you won't tell anyone else about it." I said. I don't want the whole company to know that I'm pregnant.

" Ok. I promise." she said happily.

" I'm not sure what's the relationship between me and Alex, but I'm pregnant." I said and drank the whole glass of water in one go.

" What? With Alex's child?" she was shocked. She took big steps and flopped herself on the couch next to me. I nodded my head as yes.

" What month?" she asked when she calmed down from her shock.

" 3 weeks." I said and she nodded her head in acknowledgement.

" Tell me about yourself." I said, changing the topic from me to her.

" About you and Graham." I said and her facial expression changed to a sad one. " Don't tell me if you don't want to." I quickly said looking at her face. I don't want her to remember something that she doesn't want to.

She took a long breathe and said, " It's nothing like that. Me and Graham were in high school back at that time and fell in love with each other, atleast I did fall in love with him. He promised me that he will protect me all his life but,~" she said and paused.

" But?" I asked probing her further to continue her story.

" But he left when I needed him. He broke his promise. " she said.

" What happened?" I asked.

She sighed and said, " I came to the city with my grandmother but her health gradually started to decline. We admitted her to a hospital but one day her health became worse and the doctor started asking for money for any further medication. We weren't that rich, but still I somehow collected money for the expenses. But on the way from my school to hospital to give them money I collided with a group of girls from my school. The trio of Alex, Kelvin and Graham were famous in our school. Everygirl wanted to be with them. But Alex and Kelvin didn't noticed them and Graham and me were in love. Naturally they were jealous. I wasn't strong back at that time. There was only one person I could think in that moment. I called Graham and he picked up the call but before I could say something he said that not to call him again in the future and he hung up. Before I could think what happened my phone was snatched away. I was badly beaten by them and was left there in a abandoned basement of a building. When I got my consciousness back, I stood up and started running towards the hospital but when I reached there - my Grandma was already dead." she said and took a long breathe. " Since then we didn't contacted each other and I joined Star corporation. Later I started working at Wilson's Company and in one of the company party I saw Graham. I don't have courage to go in front of him. It's not like I blame him for my Grandma's death but whenever I see him I can remember all my trauma that I suffered doing that time." she said with her eyes a little moist. I looked at her worriedly.

" Don't worry I won't cry." she said with a little smile. " Come let's go to my room." she said and held my hands. We walked up to the strairs and entered one of the room. It was a cozy room. Penelope made me sit on the bed.

" Should we start getting ready it's half past five?" Penelope asked looking at the wall clock.

" Yeah. It should be fine." I said.

" Ok then. I'm in your assistance Ms.Anna." Penelope said dramatically and bowed her head. We both started laughing at the little act.

" Let me bring the box up." she said and I nodded my head. She came up within two minutes and put the box on the bed.

" Come on Anna. Open it up." she said excitedly clapping both of her hands together.

" Okay." I said.

I extended my hand and opened the gift box.