In Between by Rizonne Alexander (the reading strategies book .TXT) 📕

Have you ever drank this much?” he asked concerned. “Naaaaaaaah, never but once the forth glass came. I felt happy.” I said grabbing onto his shoulder. “but why? Is this about Amber?” he asked me, sitting down. “A round of an applause! You are the lucky winner!” I shouted and clapped my hands. I could see Rhamaz was embarrassed. “It’s time to go little brother.” He said, taking my arm to lead me out. “Wait, no. you are not my faaather!” I replied. Rhamaz looked around, he checked the crowed and then he did something that I never expected. He lifted his hand and made time stand still. I looked at him in shock. “How? Wait you the one that inherited this power? Wow I thought the inheritance perished.” I said in shock and then I laughed taking another sip of the hard liquor. “So, either you come with me now or I will snap your neck which you know that when you wake up tomorrow morning it will be painful.” He demanded. “Argh”, I moaned and followed my brother out. we went to the room and he sat me down on the bed. “Bastiaan, are you seriously going to mope like this over my daughter?” He asked surprised. “Don’t say it like that Rhamaz. You know that I fell in love with her way before I knew she was my niece. I love her, and she broke my heart.” I said jumping into tears. “Fuck” I said again. “I’m going home tomorrow, I do not wish to be here anymore.” I said again. There was a knock on the door. “Oh brother, please tell me you ordered us strippers.” I wined and snapping away from my tears. Rhamaz just gave me a dirty look. He opened the door and in walks Amber. “You got to be kidding me Rhamaz! Why is she here!” I shouted at him. “Thank you, dad, I will take it from here.” She said to him. “If he hurts you, I will kill him.” He replied. “Bastiaan, pull yourself together.” He said to me sternly. “Why are you doing this Rhamaz?” I shouted to him again as he walked out the door. Amber closed the door and took a seat next to me. “What do you want from me Amber? Why are you even here?” I asked her annoyed. “I’m here for you Bastiaan.” She responded. “Oh, c’mon why? To hurt me further? To physically remove my fucking heart this time?” I shouted her and stood up from the bed. “Bastiaan please, give me a chance to speak” She said softly. Her angelic voice sent waves of love through my veins. I closed my eyes and remembered the hurt. “get out amber before I do something that could wipe out my whole damn family.” I said gritting my teeth. “You wouldn’t hurt me, I know you won’t” She said to me confidently, she got up and came closer to me. I placed my hand between us. “I’m giving you one final warning Amber.” I said looking straight into her eyes. Stubborn as she is, resisted and she pushed my hand away. I grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the bed and got on top of her, she started to cry. “Please Bastian, please.” She begged me. “Don’t do this.” She said again as I made my way to her neck to drain her body. “I know somewhere deep down you love me. Don’t do this.” She kept on saying. I closed my eyes as my fangs was about to go into her neck but then she took my hand and placed it on her stomach. The babies heart beat was even stronger this time. “I do love you Bastiaan, I do.” she whispered. I took a deep breath and placed myself next to her, my head was in her arms. I could not make myself to hurt her. I wanted her to feel pain, the way I felt pain, but I could not. I love her. She turned around to me and placed her hand on my cheek. She kissed my forehead, “Sleep.” She said. I held her body tightly close to mine and never did she let go.

I woke up the next morning with a massive hangover, fresh blood and booze does not mix together. I decided that I’m going back home, its where I am needed the most. Amber was still sleeping, and her mobile went off right through the night. I know it was Chad and she did not bother to even answer his calls. I slowly got up ensuring that I do not wake her up. I got dressed, gathered my things and left. Yes, that is exactly what I did, I don’t want to face her. It’s over now, I did not even take a shower or clean my teeth. Fuck I will do that back home, I need to heal. I need to move on. I grabbed some coffee and a sandwich on my way out then I sped away in the early dark morning.

Ambers POV – Chapter 13

 

It’s been two months already since I woke up in the hotel and he was no longer there. I had to make peace with it and also decide what I want. I chose Chad, my anchor to reality. Dad fetched me that morning at the hotel. “Are you okay?” He asked worriedly bursting through the door. “Yeah I am.” I said in tears. “I spoke to him over the phone and he went back home. You need to focus on my granddaughter please.” He said hugging me. “How do you know?” I asked. “We are mythical, we know everything.” He responded. “Dad.” I said. “Yeah?” He answered. “Chad has terminal cancer, he might not make it.” I told him. “Oh Ammie, everything will work out fine okay. Now let’s go. I need to head back to your mother before she divorces me.” He said laughing. “Yeah, I heard you sleeping in the dog’s kennel tonight.” I laughed back. After that day, I went back home, and Chad was furious. I expected it though because I’m with child. After I explained to him I had to deal with my father’s brother and apologised, he forgave me quickly. News also spread quickly about the fashion mogul that’s expecting the billionaire’s child. Penny has been all over me since I got back to the office and started designing again. Everyone is so fussy and even Chad changed my security too his company that he uses with two extra guards. I was so annoyed, but I do kind of understand. Paparazzi is fighting over photographs and trying to get too close to me. Me and dad had a really long video chat a few days ago, we spoke about my grandparents and also the vampiric kingdom. He also explained to me that I am a princess and my daughter is in line to be queen. There was so much information that went through my brain that I was not able to process everything. I’m twenty – four weeks pregnant and fat, I don’t have energy anymore for so much deep heavy conversations. Today, finally I will be meeting Chads parents. They have finally closed up the very long deal they had going and will be arriving in France, staying until after the child is born. I quickly packed up my things from my desk, Raymond my body guard picked up all my bags and we both walked down to the car where Chad was waiting for me. “Good evening my love, how was your day?” he greeted me and gave me a kiss. “Argh, busy and I’m really tired. Are you okay?” I asked him, touching his bold head. “I’m well thank you.” He said sarcastically with a smile. I have been with Chad throughout his treatments, going to hospital and attending to him at my place where he recovers. Although it was diagnosed terminal, he forced the hospital to continue treatment for the sake of living for his daughter. Chad has immense emotional strength and I am very proud of how far he has come. Our relationship has become even stronger and I love him so much. At times I would sit, my mind would wonder to what if he dies, what if he dies before our daughter is born. What if. My heart shatters into a million pieces. “Do you have any pain Chad?” I asked him as we pulled up to the restaurant where his parents awaited us. I could see how he was gritting through his teeth and trying to keep up a brave face. “I do, grab my case for the shot please.” He said weakly. I have him an annoyed look, “Stop pretending!” I told him off. I took the syringe out of his bag and pulled twenty-five mg of morphine. I pulled his sleeve up, tied up his arm and search for a vein. I had some intensive training a few weeks back as I’m his registered carer too. I finally found a vein and inserted the needle pushing in the fluids. When I was done, I patched him up. “Better?” I asked, kissing his sweated forehead. “Almost love.” He whispered. Raymond then cleared way for us into the restaurant and once Chad was able to sit up straight, we both got out. My stomach has already protruded so far that I cannot hide it anymore. Paparazzi was once again shouting and screaming for photographs. Once we got into the restaurant safely, I removed my coat and helped Chad remove his. “are you nervous?” he asked under his breath, “Not a slight chance” I said with a broad smile. We made our way to the table where is parents sat seated. They got up and greet us. “Son!” “Oh, my dear Chaddy boy.” They greeted him. “Oh, you must be my new daughter in-law” They announced full of smiles while I stood there gobsmacked. “Let’s sit. Waiter, please bring a jug of freshly squeezed juice and a pot of tea.” Chad said. We all took a seat around the table. “Well Chad, are you not going to introduce us?” His mother asked. “Hi ma, I actually missed your nagging hey.” He said and they all started laughing to which I kind of felt left out. “Amber! Hi guys!” I heard behind me and turned. It was my parents. I looked at Chad and looked back at them. “Surprise!” Chad said to me. I took his hand and kissed it. My parents greeted his and then me. They took a seat around the table, I was actually wondering earlier to why we are sitting at such a big table. “Everyone, thank you for joining tonight.” Chad started to say and trying to get up, I helped him steady himself. “Thank you, mom and dad, for finally sealing up the deal to make it in time for your granddaughter’s birth. Too Ambers parents, thank you for your love and support. Thank you for allowing me into her life.” He continued to say. “Oh, and for knocking her up.” My dad said, and everyone burst out laughing. I was so embarrassed. “Amber.” He