Attacked!!

I tossed and turned in my bed and sighed.

Pris and I were back in the Manor after spending the week in London for Gareth's birthday. Pris has informed me that she will be bringing back our Ridge's tradition. The much awaited ultimate Christmas Party. Looks like old and new friends are to be invited this year. I've not taken a peek at the guest list yet, since Pris had decided to handle this project mostly on her own. But I believe that I already know most of the guests.

We have been back for almost three weeks, and I'm totally missing Gareth. With this baby coming up, I need him around even more. Gareth's been most attentive in the week that I was in London.

Well, the paparazzi there had the most fantastic coverage about us, the newest couple in town. The media had been covering Gareth's new title and how he is handling his label and the estates, and me. The gossip pages apparently got wind of my rumored pregnancy, which is still a debate if I really was pregnant or not. This sparked the debate on whether the Duke would be proposing anytime soon. They also covered how much more attentive Gareth had become towards me, since the last time the media saw together. The week had been a whirlwind.

We were in the news so much that week, taking the attention away from Pris and Nicholas for abit. The media also covered Phillip and Justina. It had been a crazy and utterly enjoyable week when Pris and I were in London. And now, it was back to reality.

There was another week to Christmas, and I can't wait, because it will when I tell Gareth of the baby, and hopefully, something good will come out of it. I cannot wait to see the look on his face when I break the news to him.

I stared up at my ceiling and smiled. I was about 11 weeks into the pregnancy, and my waist was thickening already. I picked up the latest photo of the ultrasound scan. The little one's hands and feet are more obvious. Dr White had given me the clean bill of health, also stating that the pregnancy was progressing smoothly.

Time to get to work. It was then my mobile phone rang. I picked it up and looked at the number, it was not familar.

"Hello?", I answered the call. Silence.
"Hello? Is anyone there?", I tried again. The hair on the back of neck stood, something did not feel right.
"Qiuru.", the other voice answered. I gasped and kept silent. I started shaking.
"I'm out on parole and I will be looking for you.", the voice said before hanging up abruptly. I shivered in fear. It cannot be, I quickly got out of bed and ran to Pris's room.

I knocked on her door, and opened it without waiting for her response.

"Qiu, what is it? You look pale. Are you feeling ok?", Pris asked as she led me to her bed.
"He... He... Al...", I stammered.
"Qiu, you're shaking! What happened?", Pris probed again. I handed my phone to her.
"Allen is out... On... Parole. He called me... Before I came running here.", I stammered and began to cry.
"He what? I'll check with our lawyer. We need to get you a bodyguard, you are not to be left alone, especially now that you are pregnant.", Pris said and frowned. I nodded.

Pris settled me in and made the necessary phonecalls. She was with me the whole time and by lunchtime, my bodyguard arrived.

"Qiuru?", a familar voice called me. I looked up.
"Richard? What--"
"He's your bodyguard.", Pris said simply. I looked at her then at Richard, back and forth.
"I run a bodyguard agency, aside from you know.", Richard explained.
"I never knew.", I replied astonished.
"You never asked.", he said. I opened my mouth, then closed it, not knowing what to say. It was true that I never asked about him.
"I didn't expect to be protecting you.", Richard explained. Pris looked at both of us.

"You two know each other?", she asked me.
"Richard was one of my guys when I was still in the mafia. He now runs the group in my behalf.", I explained to Pris. She only nodded.
"In any case, you are not to leave her alone for a second. Even in the bathroom.", Pris directed the order to Richard. He looked at Pris and frowned.
"What I mean is...", she began. Richard only laughed.
"I know, I know. I'm to be with her at all times.", he said with a smile. Pris nodded in approval.

"So what is going on that you need a bodyguard? You can look after yourself.", Richard asked as we all settled in the kitchen. Ben was about to serve lunch.
"It's complicated.", I said to him. Richard frowned. I know that frown. It would mean that I have to spill everything single detail to him. I sighed. Pris expression was neutral.
"I was physically abused by an ex-boyfriend after I graduated from school. Pris helped me to put that guy away, but he has gotten out of prison on parole. Apparently, from our lawyers, he is actually out because of good behaviour. I can't believe it!", I explained.

"You were abused? How did that happen? You are better than that Qiuru. Why didn't your fight back?", Richard asked, shocked at this news, and held my hand.
"I don't know Rich, I just lost myself then.", I said softly aned squeezed his hand.
"Don't worry, because I'm here now.", Richard assured me and I nodded.
"Thank you. There is one other thing though Rich, that I should mention. There is a reason as to why I need your protection.", I said to Richard. He raised an eyebrow at me.
"Well, you see.. The reason that I cannot fight back now, or rather exert myself too much is because, well.. I'm pregnant.", I said quickly.

"You are what?!?!", Richard exclaimed in shock.
"Pregnant.", Pris said simply. Richard's jaw dropped. I nodded.
"With whose child? Do I know him?", Richard managed to squeak out. He frowned.
"Should I kill him?", he asked, mafia mood turning on. I laughed and squeezed his hand.
"No, he's a good man Rich.", I explained.
"Then is he going to do good by you?", he asked gently.
"He will, I'm sure he will.", Pris assured Rich. He only nodded.
"Well then! This is actually rather good news. Don't worry dear, I'll be by your side until you decide it is safe to be on your own again.", Rich said with a smile.
~~~

It was mid-week when Pris finally let me have a look at the guest list for the Christmas party. Looks like Gareth is invited, although I don't see his family or Nicholas. I expressed that it would be great if Gareth's parents and brother could come. Not to mention to invite Nicholas as well, more so for formalities sake. He is afterall a close family friend.

I decided that I should at least start looking shopping around for baby stuff. I indicated my desire to Pris and she gave me the green light, making ever so sure that Richard was around every where I went.

"I feel tired Rich.", I said to him as we settled in for a drink after walking around for abit.
"Take a breather, then we will continue. Take as long as you like, we have time.", he said. Richard looked around, scanning the area. Then focused on me again and smiled.
"Thank you Rich.", I said softly as I touched my tummy. He smiled.
"Would you like a drink?", he asked as he got up. I nodded.
"All you are going to have is steamed milk.", he teased and left.

I looked into my shopping bag when someone loomed over me. I looked up and tried to get up. The person pulled my hair and practically threw me to the ground. I couldn't scream out of fear.

"I told you I'll find you.", Allen smirked, then raised his hand to hit my face. I screamed in pain.
"You will not get away this time.", he said as he grabbed my hair and banged my head into the edge of the wooden table.

I wrapped my arms around my tummy. My head didn't matter, all that mattered was the baby. Allen threw me to the ground started kicking me. I turned and he kicked my back. He pulled my hair, lifting my head up and slapped me. I screamed and tried to fight back. The next punch to my stomach, although buffered by my arms was the last, as I felt him being pulled away from me. I looked up and it was one of my boys. Another came around and grabbed Allen. Richard was by my side, his arms wrapped around me. It all happened in a flash.

"Chloe...", I whispered to Richard, as I felt wetness between my thighs.
~~~

I woke up, groggy and disoriented.

"Qiu?", it was Pris.
"Qiuru?", Richard's voice rang out softly.

I closed my eyes and slowly opened them again.

"Slowly, your head..", Pris said slowly. I reached out, but winced. I felt a gentle hand on my arm. I sighed.
"Don't move too much.", Richard said gently.
"Pris..", my voice croaked.
"Yes?"
"She's gone.", I whispered and tears fell. I felt Pris's hand hold mine.
"Sleep Qiu, it will get better.", was all she said.

My eyes drooped, as if something made me groggy and sleepy. Tears still fell as I drifted off to sleep.