A Fateful Chance — Chapter 25: DREAM CATCHER

Deandra's POV

"Are you going to stay there for so long?"

"Yep. I will be gone for a year but don't worry about your dear Deandra, okay? I will be right back before the three of you know it."

"Dearest sister, will you be alright there, promise?" Dee said as she held my hand. I nodded as I gave her a pinky swear.

"I wish you luck. I hope you will enjoy your job abroad." It's the first time that I have seen my mom crying in front of me as she hugged me tight. All of my sisters were crying, too. It's as if they don't want me to leave. I wanted to cry in front of them but I tried to stop myself. I guess this is not the right time to show them how weak I am.

"Your school already knew that you'll be leaving the meantime?" My mom asked between sobs. I wiped her tears as I nodded.

"Y-Yes, mom. I already informed them that I will take an indefinite leave. They could see my reason as valid, that's why."

"I guess nothing can ever stop you from going away, am I right?" That question of mom made me cry so bad too. There, I lost all of what I have been hiding for so long. I hugged them more than the way they hugged me. I am sure that I will miss all of them. I know I will be alone but I have to be strong. After all, I am doing it for them. I want them to experience the kind of life that I always want them to have.

"Dear Deandra, who will sleep with you now? I cannot protect you from the bad people anymore because I can't sleep beside you this time." Dahlia asked me but she never let go of my waist as she hugged me tight.

"My dearest Dahlia...nobody will ever hurt your big sister. I am strong and you know that, right?" With misty eyes, I was able to turn my back to all of them. I don't want them to see me crying because of the decision I will make this time.

"Will you be okay being alone?" Mother touched both of my shoulders as she looked at me.

"I have my colleagues with me, mom. I will be alright."

"Please write a letter to us. Tell us where you live there. Take care my dear." She hugged me tight again as I hugged her back.

"I will, mom. I will always keep in touch. Remember, what I will do will be for all of us."

I am so sorry that I have to lie to all of you. I have to do this. This might sound really selfish but I have to be away from you all for at least nine months. I have to do the job to sustain all of you, at the same time, I have to take care of my baby as well. This baby is not to be blamed for what happened that night. I know if I will accept this job, I will somehow give a good life to my baby without asking Andrew's help.

He doesn't know a thing, anyway. He had no idea what really happened that night...

----

***flashback***

Andrew's POV

I woke up with a terrible headache. I touched my forehead as I got up from my bed and sat on it, with half of my body covered with a blanket. I slowly opened my eyes and looked around me as I blinked.

The pain in my head added up to what I am seeing right now. Why is it that I am in my room all of a sudden? I couldn't remember how I even arrived here in my place. All I know, I remembered I went to a small pub last night. I ordered eight bottles of beer and drank alone until I slept.

As far as I know, that is the only thing clear to me I am wasted as fuck I didn't even care what will happen to me that night. I was ready. I expected that many things might be stolen from me again because of my carelessness.

However, how on earth did I ever reach my place? I look around and I can see my bed messier this time. I looked at myself and the next thing shocked my core: I am naked beneath my blanket!

I touched my forehead again to try to remember what really happened last night.

Right. I had a dream. It was wonderful. I had a one night stand with a woman. I could still remember how I entered her. She kissed me back as the entire lovemaking is getting wild. Her moans excites me that I took her roughly. Fuck, that's unforgettable.

I even removed the blanket on top of me and I saw a tiny blood stain on my mattress. Was it really a dream? Or am I seeing the whole thing right this time? Did I really had sex to a woman without even knowing who she is?

I examined my bed and I saw a promotional bracelet from my ex-girlfriend's favorite restaurant. Is this from someone who is working there? Did this bracelet detached from someone whom I had sex with?

I got up from bed and went to my mini-living room. I saw my keys and wallet placed neatly on the glass table. I looked into it one by one and I noticed that there was nothing missing there. I took a bath, prepared a soup for my hangover and put on my casual clothes.

I have to know something. From the sixth floor of the building, I went down the ground floor.

"Hello...good morning."

"Hello, sir. Good morning. How may I help you today?"

"Do you know someone who went with me last night?"

"I am sorry sir, I have no idea. It's only my first day here as a receptionist.

"Oh, I see. Do you know who attended to me last night?"

"I guess the one who received you was a different receptionist who was on night shift."

"Thank you so much. I'll just be right back tonight."

"You're welcome, sir." The receptionist nodded and smiled. I decided to just stay in the library because I have a lot of lessons to study. I also have to meet my classmate there to ask some pointers on what books to buy for the coming semester.

I want to believe that it's just a sweet dream but seeing the blood stains on my bed and the promotional bracelet, I have to accept that it really did happen. I have to know who that woman is.