CHAPTER 58

'Evan Hollen has already moved on with his life and I wanted to do that too. I finally found another job and made new friends but look at me now. I'm in the hospital and I've found out I'm one month pregnant with a child whose father already wants nothing to do with me. Y'all really believe Evan would be happy about this baby. He'll hate me even more. He might even reject this child inside of me! I wouldn't be able to handle that!" 'Jassy baby, listen to me. I know the situation you're in. I've been down that exact road when I was pregnant with your sister. It's not a nice feeling. But don't pelt any stones at Hollen Boy before he even knows about the baby. You're passing judgement and that's exactly what got you in trouble in the first place. You ought to tell that man about the child and come to an understanding. A baby is involved here. There's another life inside of you and the both of you are responsible for him or her. It's alright if he doesn't want anything to do with you. There are plenty of other pregnant women out there who are not in a relationship with their baby's father but the fathers are taking care of the babies. You're thinking about yourself and not the baby. You're responsible for your own life Jassy! You should only depend on you! Don't let Hollen Boy break you. You're a proud black woman and we don't crumble at the feet of a man. Show him how independent and powerful you are with or without him. The last laugh should be yours." I looked in the eyes of my mother. It was just too much for me. 'I just want my life back," I said without comprehending my mother's words. 'What are you going to do Jasmine?" Zenia asked, wiping away my tears with a tissue paper. 'I'm thinking about an abortion." Evan's POV I was sitting in my office and staring at the picture of my parents' wedding. Emily and I were still babies but I was such a chubby one. I wonder what it would be like to actually become a father. My office phone rang and removed the thought from my mind. 'Evan Hollen," I answered. 'Mr. Hollen, I have a Miss. Blackman here to see you," my secretary said from her end. My heart skipped a beat. Jasmine? 'Jasmine?" I asked her. 'No. She said her name is Zenia Blackman. The little sister." 'Send her in." Why was Zenia here? Sitting up in my chair and straightening my suit, I watched Zenia come through the door. She walked up to my desk slowly while gazing around the room. 'Good morning," I greeted her. Her eyes landed on me now. 'Good morning," she answered back. 'How can I help you?" I asked her. 'There's something you have to know before it's too late," she said. My eyebrows creased in confusion and a smirk came on my lips as I shook my head. 'What did your sister put you up to?" I asked her, turning my attention to the computer to check my emails. I was a very busy man and I had absolutely no time for games. 'Jasmine doesn't even know I'm here. I've gone behind her back being here and telling you this." 'Telling me what Zenia?" 'Mr. Hollen, you should talk to Jasmine because I think she should be the one to tell you. My sister misses you dearly but you're turning a deaf ear to her. You're lacking rationality?" I looked back at her. She was sitting in the chair opposite me, locking her eyes dangerously at me like if she wanted to murder me. 'It's compassion, mercy and trust I lack. Not rationality. Why don't you just cut to the chase and say what you really came here to say because I doubt you came all this way to beg on the behalf of your sister." 'Jasmine is one month pregnant and she's thinking about having an abortion." 'WHAT!!!?" That was the fastest I had ever driven to someone's place. It was a wonder that I wasn't pulled over by a police officer for a speeding ticket. I pulled onto the pavement to Jasmine's apartment. I got out my car at lightning speed and ran up the steps to her front door. 'I'll tell her that you're here," Zenia said behind me. She was in the car with me the entire ride there but somehow, I felt like I was alone. My mind had drifted to whole other universe. She moved pass me, inserted her key into the door lock and went inside. I stood there, controlling myself with a breathing exercise. I heard scuffling noises inside the apartment, like someone was trying to run away quickly from the living room. 'HE'S OUTSIDE!" I heard Zenia's voice. I pushed the door in and walked into the apartment. Jasmine was standing against a door which I assumed was her bedroom door. 'Jasmine, come here," I told her, gesturing with my hand for her to come to me. I looked around for her mother so I could greet and meet her but there wasn't an elder woman in sight.