Misunderstanding

I managed to get Gareth to leave me room, and told him to inform Pris I will be down in abit. I sat down in front my laptop and read the news online. It was then I thought to find out about what had happened to Nicholas and Pris. News like that was not difficult to find.

The headlines read:

The Prince and Lady Sarah together?

We had thought he had it going with Lady Priscilla. Sources have told us that the Prince and Lady Priscilla were on a short holiday to France. It was was rumored that he had proposed to her, and they were there to announce the engagement to his family and close friends. Apparently, we were wrong. Maybe they were just there visiting, and the Prince happened to chance upon an old flame. Or maybe she was not on old flame to start with? We would not know.

And the article went on and on about the relationship between Nicholas and Pris, and Nicholas and Sarah. And a photo, obviously taken from a hiding position of Nicholas and Sarah kissing. It wasn't like what happened between Gareth and Jennifer. Gareth kept his hands off Jennifer, and it was obvious that that Gareth was being kissed, rather than kissing.

I took a closer look at the photo. Yup, Nicholas was kissing Sarah back. This is really bad, and I bet that Pris had stumbled upon them and saw everything. It made total sense why she was so upset and came back on her own and started doing weird things around the Manor.

It was then I felt a pair of hands on my shoulders.

"Gareth, I was about to head down why--", I said without looking up and continued reading the article. The pair of hands squeezed my shoulders. I looked up, but it was not Gareth.
"Kunda?", I exclaimed in surprise.
"How did you get in?", I asked as I got up.
"Your door was opened.", he said simply and leaned against my desk.
"Oh! I--", I stammered.

"Pris is looking for you.", Kunda said softly.
"Yeah, I was about to head down.", I said and picked up my shirt. Kunda got off my desk and walked towards me. I looked at him and took a small step back.

He came up and grabbed my arms and pulled me into his embrace. I struggled, but he only held on tighter. I began to panic and struggled even more.

"Stop fidgeting!", Kunda raised his voice a little and looked down at me. I looked up in shock.
"Let me go please.", I stammered softly. I could feel my tears brimming at my eyes.
"Why Qiuru? Why?", he held on tighter. I struggled somemore.
"Kunda please, let me go. I cannot go through this again.", I pleaded with him.

Kunda looked at me and leaned in and place a rough kiss on my lips. I protested and struggled somemore. I tried pushing him away, but my arms were locked between myself and his chest.
~~~

Gareth walked towards the entrance of her room. She was to be downstairs, but it she was taking her time. He heard noises from her bedroom and gently pushed the door open.

She was kissing him.

Gareth only stared in shock from the doorway. He watched for what seemed like the longest time in his life. Then it all came flooding back on when he had caught Phillip and Justina kissing. They parted and what Gareth saw next surprised him.

Autumn legs gave way and she collapsed .Kunda was not able to catch her. She fell to the floor and Gareth rushed into the room. He glared at Kunda and scopped Autumn into his arm and gently laid her on her bed. He went to the intercom and called for Pris to get a doctor.
~~~

I slowly opened my eyes and blinked and looked around. I tried to move and felt someone holding my hand. I turned and I looked into Gareth's green eyes. They were dimmed with sadness and concern.

"Hey.", I greeted him with a weak smile. Gareth only looked on.
"What happened?", I asked him. He kept silent. I tried to sit up, Gareth continued to hold onto my hand.
"What's wrong St Claire?", I asked, beginning to be annoyed with his odd behaviour.

"Was he the reason you rejected me?", Gareth asked softly.
"Was who?", I asked him.
"That fella.", Gareth added softly, his eyes turning dimmed even more.
"Kunda? Was he the reason I said no to you?", I said in surprise. Gareth nodded.
"No! He's not the reason!", I exclaimed.
"Then what is it?", Gareth asked, almost pleading.
"It's complicated Gareth.", I said softly with a sigh.

We were interrupted with my bedroom door opening. Pris entered with Ady, who was holding a tray. I looked up in relief.

"Pris, how's--", I began.
"Everything's fine, Dr White made sure. But you need to eat, your blood levels are pretty low, because you've not been eating well lately. You know you have to eat.", Pris explained and smiled. I nodded, totally understanding what she was getting at. Ady placed the tray in front of me.

"Gareth, I need to speak to Qiuru alone. If you can excuse us for abit, and you can have her back afterwards when we are done.", Pris told him. Gareth nodded and left the room with Ady. Pris turned her attention to me.

"I didn't anything. He just came in and forced himself unto me.", I quickly explained. Pris only laughed gently.
"I wasn't going to talk about that. Besides, Kunda admitted it to me, and he got a goo dressing down from the other guys. So, don't worry about that.", Pris explained to me. She sat down beside me and pointed to the food, indicating for me to eat. I picked up a toast and took a small bite.

"Dr White has warned me about your condition. Qiu, you need to look after yourself even more, especially with this baby. With you blood count low, it's easy for you get from bad to worse.", Pris explained. I listened half heartedly.

"Qiu, are you listening to me?", Pris asked.
"I'm sorry, I'm broading about something.", I told her with a small smile.
"Gareth? You need to keep you spirits up too, otherwise the little one will be a grumpy one.", Pris teased. I laughed.

"I can't believe I said no. I said no! Oh my gawd! Why did I do that?", I asked Pris. She only shrugged her shoulders.
"What about Nic?", I asked her.
"He's left messages, missed calls and emails. Hundreds of them.", Pris said and rolled her eyes.
"Are you going to call him soon? At least let him know that you're doing fine?", I asked as I sipped the milk.
"I don't know, but enough about me. You have a baby to look after. Have you told Gareth yet?", she said. I shook my head.
"Whenever you're ready.", was all she said.
"I've got some explaining to do.", I sighed and Pris got up.
"Don't worry, he will understand.", Pris said as she opened the door.
~~~

Gareth and Ady were waiting outside. Pris stepped out.

"How is she?", Gareth asked. He was upset and Pris knew.
"She is fine. Gareth, what happened was a misunderstanding. Kunda forced himself unto her. Listen to what she has to say ok? The guys here have given him a good dressing down. It's diffcult for both of them, especially when Kunda found out about the abuse she went through. She was only into a few weeks of the court case when they arrived.", Pris explained slowly. Gareth listened.

"You mean--", Gareth began.
"Yes, he was there for her, and they almost got back together after a number of years, but she was not ready to commit. Until she met you. Her feelings for him, has changed over the years. She sees him as a close friend and nothing more. You should have more faith in her Gareth.", Pris added with a small smile.
"I should have.", Gareth mumbled under his breath.
"Go in and accomapny her, she needs it right now. The fear will never go away. Make things better for her.", Pris said and gently pushed Gareth back into Autumn's bedroom.

Gareth smiled and walked in, gently closing the door behind him.