25
Kathleen stared at herself in the mirror, she was feeling a lot better, she stared at her tummy, it was still flat, she ran her hands over it and smiled, she was going to become a mother, the thought of that filled her with so much warmth and Joy and her happiness was completed when she knew Derek felt the same, he was now over the moon about her pregnancy, she closed when she thought of how he treated her, more like a China doll, she wasn't supposed to do anything, all she had to do was be in bed but Kathleen was tired of staying in bed already, Derek had gone to work so she decided to do a little shopping,
" Where are you off to," Mary asked her wide-eyed when she saw Kathleen dressed like she was going out.
"I'm going out for a bit" Kathleen responded
" But boss gave an instruction that you should only stay in bed" Mary looked round, other maids were also staring at Kathleen as if she had just grown horn, eyes frightened, they knew there would be a big issue if their boss came back and didn't see her at home, Kathleen was sudden pissed, she was going and no one would stop her, she was tired of being indoors all the time, she stared at the maids, " I'll be back before your precious boss arrive" she tried to sound persuasive but they didn't look convinced, why don't you wait until he's back and he'll take you out" another suggested.
"Am I a prisoner in my own home?" Kathleen snapped, " I'm going out and that's it" she angrily walked out the door much to their dismay, the guards also tried stopping her but Kathleen's mind was already made up and would not be deterred, she walked the road enjoying the air, it was almost winter and she was definitely enjoying herself.
She stood by the roadside waiting for a cab, refused to use the driver Derek had assigned to her, though he had instructed the driver not to take her anywhere except for an emergency as what she needed now was to be in bed, so, going with the driver would be just an easy way to inform Derek that she was not in bed, although she knew the guards will still inform him but for goodness sake, she wasn't fragile, she was only pregnant so all his treatments of her are uncalled for.
She suddenly heard the honk of a car and screeching of brakes, someone grabbed her hand pulling her away from the road, she fell on a pack of muscles, " what the hell are you doing? Do you wished to get yourself killed?"
She glanced up to stare at Stefan's face, " what are you doing here" she pushed herself away from his hold
"Was just passing when I saw you, thank goodness I was here on time to save you"
Kathleen's body quivered as the reality of what had almost happened dawned on her
"Thank you" her hands shook as she tried to remove her hair from her face.
He grimaced, "are you okay?" His face was etched in concern, "come here, sit for a while" he grabbed her hand and led her to a nearby store, she tried to protest but he paid deaf ears to her, " have your husband finally convinced you that I'm a monster to be avoided?" His tone was light, Kathleen winced at his choice of words, suddenly feeling guilty at her attempt to stay away from him when he was only trying to help, she smiled wanly as he offered her a bottle of water, she quickly drank from it and suddenly felt a little bit better, "thanks once more". He grinned at her, his gaze light, "
" my pleasure"
She stood up, "I think I'm a bit better now, I should leave"
Stefan stood up also, "permit me to drive you to where ever you want to go"
"Oh no! You've done enough already, I wouldn't want to be a bother"
"Do friends bother each other? Or have we fallen out of friendship?" His gaze was keen as he stared at her
"No way, we are still friends" she smiled at him, "alright then, if you're sure I wouldn't be a bother"
"Not at all, it will be a blessing to have a beautiful woman like you in my car"
Kathleen laughed following him to his car.
He got into the driver's seat, " where are we headed?"
Kathleen suddenly doesn't feel like going shopping after this incident, " home"
He peered at her but said nothing, " alright, home it is then".
Stefan stopped his car by the way in front of an ice cream shop, " why did you stop? She inquired but he smiled and quickly got out, he came back almost immediately carrying two cups of ice cream, he offered her one, " I thought you'd like this" she rolled her eyes but accepted it, she watched as he finished his, "I always buy ice cream here, but I'm glad I took it with someone today"
Kathleen smiled and nodded her thanks, she loved the way it melted on her tongue, it reminded her of when Derek bought ice cream for her and she hid a smile, she can't wait to be with him, they soon finished with their ice cream and he drove her home, he stopped her a few feet away from home when she insisted on that and helped her buckled her seat belt, he watched her walked the remaining distance home before driving off.
"Where the hell have you been?" Derek barked as soon as she stepped into the house.