Everyone left/ Gareth fell seriously ill.

Qiu and I sat silently in the plane.
I didn't say much, I thought it would be better that they settle their affairs themselves.


On the other hand, Nicholas and I...

The night before the Soiree, 
"Pris, let's break up." Nicholas said.I kept my silence.
"This whole relationship love thingy is tearing us apart! Even if we don't work out, I still want you in my life, even though we are just going to be friends." He added.
"I'm tired of all these guessing games already!" Nicholas said frustratedly.

I stood up and walked across the room to my bag on the bed; and took out a familiar ring box. Back facing towards him, I held it close to my heart.
Turning around, I walk towards him and gave him the box.

"Here, " I paused.
"You're free." I added.
He was stunned as he took the box from my hands.
"Do whatever you want with it, I hope this makes you feel better." I said, forcing a smile.
He stood up and gave me a hug.
"I still love you no matter what." He whispered into my ear.
"Even as a friend," I nodded.
"I accept that." I added.

As Autumn fell asleep in the plane, I sat and watched as the darkness took over above the clouds and I place my hand on my tummy.
"I'm so sorry, my precious."
"I'm so so sorry."

A week later, Autumn packed her bags.
"I'm going to visit my parents." She said. I nodded.
"Are, you going to be ok?" She asked as she stared at my stomach.
I smiled and nodded.
"Nicholas will be coming over in a week." I hide my lie with a smile.
"I'll be alright. Dr. White's around." I added.

"You told him?" Autumn replied me with a surprised. I paused.
"Yeah, I did. We are talking again. He's so excited." I lied.
"That's great! I'm happy for you." She replied. I nodded.

"You take care of yourself, alright?" I asked. She nodded.
"I will. You too." She replied. I nodded.

Autumn took off on her bike and I waved goodbye to her at the porch.
"Be back soon..." I said under my breath as I heaved a sigh.

The house was back to its own silence again.

Besides work, I spend most of my time reading pregnancy books that Dr. White help purchased for me. He also encouraged me to do some pre-natal education, so I read books and played music for the baby to listen to and taking long walks in the gardens.

Upon reaching my second trimester, Autumn had already gone for 2 months. I haven't heard from her, and I didn't want to call her as I felt her listening to my voice will bring out the pain she had with Gareth. Then I received a call from Monique telling me that Gareth was seriously ill.

"I don't know. He didn't want to come out of his room. I had to get Philip to force the door down and saw him lying unconsciousness on the floor. We're putting him on drip and every time he tried to pull the needle out. I'm desperate, Priscilla. Can you do something about it?" Monique said over the phone.

"I see what I can do." I said as I hung up the phone.
I sat down and hesitated, but I didn't want to put the pressure on to Autumn.
I finally decide to leave her a text.
'Gareth is sick. Had not eaten for a week and surviving on drip.' I paused. Then added another two sentences I conjured on my own.
'Doctor says he may not be holding on much longer. I'm flying over to see him. Get back to him asap if you wanna go with me.' Then I hit the 'send' button.

Over at Autumn's side, lying down on the beach with her sisters, she never noticed her handphone beeped.

"Prepare the plane. Benjamin and I need Dr White to come along with me. I also also need extra bodyguards." I said.

I waited another 3 hours and Autumn never called.
After preparing the necessary luggage, I set off to the tarmac. I was blessed that it was still snowing in London and that I will be wrapped in so many layers, no one will notice.

After hours of flight, I arrived in London and was shuffled to a high-security limo stretch and made my way to Gareth's place. Monique burst into tears when she saw me at the door.
It wasn't the first time I've seen Monique like this.

"How's he?" I asked as the attendant took my coat. Monqiue sighed.
I walked into his room where Philip and Nicholas are in there. Nicholas was obviously shocked on the new weight I had put on. Fortunately, my stomach hadn't shown yet.
Gareth lay in his bed, hand tied and fast asleep.
Dr. White and Dr. Nelson (Dr White's friend, a psychiatrist) was right behind me.
"Gentlemen, please." I said and stood aside and let the doctors examine.


"Much worst than previously." Dr. White said.
"Can we do um a hypnosis to get him to start eating? A temporary memory erase of some sorts?" I asked.
"Memory erase?" Dr. Nelson said as I squinted my eyes. Dr. White immediately drew a chair and got me to sit down.
"Don't forget about yourself." He whispered. I obediently sat down.

Nicholas took that all in.

"We can try that." Dr. Nelson replied. I took in a deep breath.
"Ok, we'll move him back to the chateau in Scotland, and put his memory back to 3 months after he broke up with Justina, where he already had stood up and forgot about the relationship problems." I said.
"He will stay there for 2 months while we try another way to recondition his memory, and hopefully, his heart." I said softly.

The wheels began their action and I was let out by Dr. White.

---------------------------------

Priscilla had put on some weight! And she must be so weak that Dr. White had to escort her out.
What's wrong with her?

"Pris!" I shouted, catching up to her. She turned around and gave Dr. White a nod, and he left us alone.
"Yes?" She replied.
"Well, um, you look good! Arh! I mean...um.." I stammered. She smiled. I haven't seen that warm smile for a very long time.
"I understand what you mean. It's alright, I know you meant well." She replied.
"Um, I..." I tried, but no words escape me.

"Lady Priscilla," Dr. White interrupted.
"I'll see you again." She said, and left with the entourage to get Gareth to Scotland.
I saw my love and my best friend left the door.

Monique had put her hand on my shoulder.
"Are you both having some breakdown or something?" She said. I looked at her confused.
"Why do you say that?" I asked.
"Well, it's obvious she's pregnant, and you didn't know!" She added.
"Pregnant?" I paused.
"Pregnant?!?!?!" I jumped.
"Nicholas, don't be let your relationship turned out to be like Gareth's. She's here now! You love her, and I know she still loves you, or she wouldn't have kept the baby." Monique said. I looked at her.
"Well, I know than you know, Honey. You know she's not into expressing herself. So why are you asking so much from her? She's too fragile right now." She added.
"Do you know why she helps Gareth so much?" Monique added.
"It's because she didn't want Gareth to be like her." She patted on my shoulder and left.

I stood in my tracks, stunned.