Ana's Daddy

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

My chest was tightening as I listened to Anne and Cecilia tell me about the woman who had asked questions about me. I started to feel the panic rise in me. Stress and fear were taking over. Reality hit me hard and made me nauseous. Whenever I could, I put it out of my mind that I was broke and pregnant. Sometimes, I had little butterfly flutters in my tummy that reminded me.

Juan and Eveline don't know I lost all my money, only that I had nowhere to stay. They took me in when I was seven and have cared for me since. I want to be independent, not someone who needs to be cared for. I am grateful they took me in. I know I am going to need help, but I want to be able to make it on my own. I don't know how I will do that. Juan has been paying for my school and supplies. Clothes and other things I want I have been paying for myself. I had the money I inherited from my parents over the last 14 years, and I spent some of it. The inheritance cost me $45,000 immediately when I was seven, but I would get the rest when I turned 25 years old. I don't know how much it is. I sure could use it now.

Mike texted that he was in the parking lot waiting for me. Finally, I left my friends and went to a study room to hide from them. I can't deal with their looks or questions right now. I exited the building and found Mike's car right away. I smiled, seeing him, without realizing I did that. He looks worried. "Ana, are you okay?"

"I'm just having a tough day." I sighed as I said that.

His worry didn't go away. Mike took my hand, hoping to get me to look at him.

"I'm your friend. You can talk to me."

"Thank you. I am grateful for everything you do for me, Michael."

Moments pass, and he lets go of my hand, and we drive away from the campus. And I took the courage to tell him what had happened.

"A woman has been finding my friends to ask questions about me. I am scared of what it is about and why."

"What the hell! Ana, don't worry, we all got your back. None of us would say anything to anyone that would hurt you. You must know that."

Michael looks angry to hear this news and quickly reassures me everything will be okay.

"Yeah, I do. I am extremely grateful for my amazing friends and you. But I wonder who wants to know about me."

I see Mike grinning like a fool.

"You like me, you like me,"

He chanted teasingly. So annoyingly, I slap his thigh.

"Hey, girly, that hurt."

"It serves you right for being so damn annoying."

"Seriously, whatever you need, you just come to me, and I do whatever I can."

"Thank you, Michael. It means everything to me."

"It's nothing, Ana. We are friends. Now go to your apartment and get some rest. Text me when you are up, okay?"

"Okay, I will. Thanks again!"

I left Mike, and as I was about to walk in the door, I saw him still watching me from the car. Always a gentleman, wanting me to be safe. I smile and wave to him, and he drives off. I get inside the apartment and feel like I can breathe easily. I am alone, and no eyes are watching me. I go to my room, drop my bag on the floor, and the same with my clothes. Everything but my underwear. I look at myself in the mirror; if you know, you can see a tiny baby bump. You might not think it's nothing if you don't know, but I'm just not as skinny as I used to be. Just maybe I had too much fast food and chips or something. I go to my bed and lay under the duvet. Moments later, I enter the dreamland.

What felt like minutes was hours. I heard Emma's loud voice singing as she slammed the door. She must have just gotten home, and without looking at the clock, I know it's late. She usually goes to yoga, the gym, or dance class. I took my phone and looked at the time. It's 5.40 pm; I should get up and have dinner at least. As I looked at my phone, I saw some notifications from social media apps. I am not much on them, but someone sent me a DM. Oh well, I will check that later. Before I forget, I text Mike so he doesn't worry about me. I tell him I feel better. I hurry to put on nighties. I am going to bed in a few hours anyway. I go to the kitchen where Emma is with dinner, and the yummy smell is to die for. She had stopped and got us Chinese food and lots of it. It's just what I have been wanting for days. Damn, she knows me so well. Emma beams and says,

"I know you want it, right? You love Chinese, and you haven't been eating much today."

"I've been wanting Chinese food for a few days. And you got it for my favorite place, too."

We sit in silence and eat. I savor every bit. Goddamn, it's the best I had in days. I feel Emma's eyes on me. I'm sure she's been concerned about me since I left school today. Emma says, on your desk in your room, I left the notes Anne gave me; it's from every class today.

"Thank you, Em."

"I don't do much. I only fed you and gave you the notes."

"Come on, you know you do so much more. You are the best friend and sister a girl can wish for."

"I am the one that is grateful to have you. You are so sweet and kind. There is no better sister and friend."

After eating together, Emma told me she needed to study for a test and left me in the kitchen. I clean up the dishes and put away the leftovers. I just remembered I had notifications to check out. I get to my room and grab my phone. There is a DM from Jaxx7702 on Tik Tok.

I go to his profile; there are a few videos. One is just a picture with music that he made into a reel. It's a beautiful places; it must have been when he went on vacations. I look at his profile picture. It's a city view in the eveningtime. It could be the city I am in, but honestly, it could be any city. I don't like that I don't see a picture of the man. It could be a disgusting-looking man, even with conflicting thoughts; his profile gives me a genuine vibe. I am curious and cautious. I go to the DM and read it. I am in disbelief. It's what I could really truly use and need in my situation. I call out for Emma to come and read this. I don't know what to think or do.

After she reads it, she looks like she's thinking what to say.

"Ana, reply and see where it goes. I mean, Ryan f****d you over, and you need money, right? And maybe he is honest and just wants someone to talk to and not to be as lonely. I don't see any problem with that. And it says nothing about meeting. It says clearly no nudes, s*x talk, or s*x. Take a chance, Ana."

I am not sure what to do. I need to think about this.