Fly

Rix's P.O.V.

Entering the convenience store, I saw a lot of food that made me start craving.

I could feel my belly starting to rumble with hunger.

Then I realized that I had been forgetting to eat on time because I was busy staring into nothingness, and also because of the persistent nausea I had been feeling for weeks now.

There was a large round mirror hanging in every corner of the convenience store.

Curiously, I looked at it, hoping to catch a glimpse of Apollo, whom I suspected had been following me for hours.

As I sat on a chair right now, I pondered various excuses I could use to lure him to go away.

But right now, I felt drained of energy and decided to simply face him to tell him that I don’t want anyone following me.

Facing people and expressing what I wanted to say was never my strong suit. So it’s really difficult.

I preferred keeping everything bottled up inside, even if it took a toll on me. It didn't bother me at all.

I glanced at the round mirror above me, hoping to spot Apollo.

To my surprise, he was nowhere to be seen in the vicinity of the store. Where could he be?

Frowning, instead of trying to figure out where he had gone, I let it go. There’s more thing to worry about than this.

The rain started to pour outside, and I was unsure of what to do or how to respond.

I felt lost and disconnected from myself at that moment.

I needed to check if there was someone inside me, but I also needed to protect that kind of information.

I searched the convenience store shelves for a pregnancy test kit.

A saleslady approached me and asked if there was something specific I was looking for.

"We apologize for rearranging the items. We're here to assist you in finding what you need," she offered.

I looked at her bluntly, even though shyness completely leaving my chest.

"I need to take a pregnancy test. Do you have one?" I asked.

Her face then suddenly transformed into an expression of surprise.

“Oh, it is something, huh?” she teased.

As if this was the first time she encountered a girl who was buying a pregnancy test kit.

I rolled my eyes, allowing her to see the beauty of my eyes.

The saleslady's tone of voice quickly returned to normal.

"Well, if you walk around this area," she said, pointing to the other side of the shelf parallel to my current position, "There, you can find the test kit there."

I glanced in the direction she was pointing and then walked away, not bothering to return a smile or thank her for helping me find what I needed.

I quickly grabbed a pregnancy test kit, paid for it at the counter, and left.

As I stood outside the convenience store, I realized that I had forgotten to buy my own food.

But when I considered going back inside, my appetite had vanished.

"Oh well, it doesn't matter now. I need to go," I thought to myself.

I returned to the hospital and entered the comfort room.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm my nerves.

I’m really nervous!

What if...

No, I didn't want to dwell on the possibilities. I needed to check for myself.

---

Two lines.

The other line is blurry; I could even say that the line is only one.

But if I wanted to be true to myself, there are two lines.

As a matter of how they did it, it looks blurry; it seems to be as long as there's another line that appears after one dashed line. Then, yes, the result is positive.

Positive that I’m pregnant.

As I was looking at the pregnancy test, I started to tear up.

I was worried.

What if I can't do this?

I still have a brother to look after.

What if I wouldn't be able to support my child?

I know for a fact that I'm too busy looking after Andrei, doing multiple jobs, and so on.

"This can't be true," I murmured.

Since I'm the only one who just saw this kit, maybe the best solution right now is to throw it away.

Right now, even though I'm not sure, my first decision is to abort it.

I look around the cubicle, and there's no trash can available inside.

I go outside and find the main garbage bin.

I found one.

Now I was about to throw it in the garbage when someone grabbed it away from me.

I was afraid... I thought it was Apollo.

But I was wrong. Luckily!

"Harold?" I murmured. I forced myself to smile, although it was just a fake one. I still tried my best to make it look real.

"You're pregnant?" he asked.

I reclaimed my pregnancy test and threw it in the garbage.

"As much as I want to tell you more about my decision, I see right now that I have no energy to explain everything. So, I hope that you won't do anything to share this information with other people."

Harold's eyebrows furrowed.

"What are you talking about? Are you planning on giving up the baby?" I looked away and started to go.

I had already told him that I wasn't in the mood to respond to any of his questions right now, but it seemed like he must have not heard me.

I felt his hands touching my arms, pulling me back into his embrace.

"You can trust me," he said.

"Okay, then thanks," I said, reclaiming my arms.

I started to walk away, heading back to the elevator with the intention of going back to Andrei's room.

But he wasn't the type of man to give up. Harold followed me to the elevator, stepped inside, clicked each floor button, and started to talk to me.

"Hear me out, Beatrix. I wanted you to consider giving up the baby. It won't just put your baby in danger, but it might also endanger your life in the end."

I snapped his hands off me, which had been gripping me for quite a while now.

Then I pushed him, causing him to stumble back and groan in pain.

"What the fuck, Beatrix?"

"That's right, curse at me. You're only bringing more bad luck to my life, Harold. You were the first one who put my life in danger, and now you're wondering if I'll do what's on your mind right now?"

I was about to step into the elevator when it opened, pulling me back into its embrace once again.

Now we are an inch away.

"This is just the start, Beatrix. I just don't want you to live a hellish life. I know what it's like to live with Apollo, and Beatrix, I want to save you from him."

I chuckled. "If that's the only thing that bothers you, don't worry because I'm not feeling the same way you think I am."

The elevator door opened, and this time, when I was planning to start anew, Harold let me go.

"You will only hurt yourself if you try to stay with him."

"I thought you were a loyal cousin. Why does it seem like you're not on his side based on the way you speak behind his back?"

Harold suddenly changed his tone.

I felt something wrong in my chest.

What is this feeling?

"I tried to warn you, but since you insist on taking matters into your own hands, let's see how far you can go."

Harold moved his face closer to my ears.

"Don't blame me if something happens to you,” he whispered.

I left, brushed his hand away, and walked away.

Why am I starting to feel like a huge storm is about to come?

I just hope I am wrong.

Walking into Andrei's room, I paced the hallway back and forth, feeling the weight of something I might face.

I know that maybe I am just overreacting.

What is it that's bugging me?

"Beatrix..."

"Apollo?"

I can feel my feet starting to feel softer.

Apollo slowly pulls me closer, enveloping me in his gentle and soft embrace.

"I know, please, please don't hide it from me."

Instead of responding, I let myself be buried in his broad chest.

"What do you mean you know?"

"I mean I know what's been bugging you. You're worried about Andrei, right?"

I sigh. I thought he was talking about the pregnancy test I had done earlier. I was wrong. But that was the good thing.

I will have a chance to abort this.

Since I didn't respond after speculating about the reasons for my uneasiness, Apollo looks at my face, searching for answers.

Now, I felt a pang of guilt.

"What are you doing?"

"I was just trying to figure something out. It seems like there's something I need to know,” said Apollo.

Suddenly, Apollo's expression changes into someone I don't recognize. His gaze becomes grave.

“What’s bugging you?” he asked.

"I don't know, please don't ask me," I said, irritated.

Apollo sighed in defeat.

He holds me tightly while I'm perplexed by his actions.

"It's okay. You don't have to force yourself to say something you don't want to share with me. I want you to know that I am your safe place," he says, his eyes fixed on me, and so am I.

Without me noticing, my lips start to curve upward.

"Am I being too mean to you?" I asked, feeling guilty for being grouchy toward him.

"No, you're not. Don't think of yourself that way, please."

Now, I'm the one embracing Apollo.

Should I just continue this pregnancy?

Maybe I wasn't sure what I wanted because I'm having a hormonal imbalance.

"Uhm, Apollo… actually, you're right. There is something that I need you to know," I said.

He looked at me trying to guess what was on my mind.

Songs about opening my mouth and saying something to Apollo.

"Beatrix..."

Someone shouted my name.

It was Nurse Anna.

My heart is pounding so fast.

Oh my god…

I rushed inside Andrei's room.

I can hear the loud sobbing from Jade.

“What's going on, Nurse Anna?" asked Apollo.

I can't even open my mouth.

I was waiting for Nurse Anna's response... but there was a long quiet pause.

Since I couldn't wait anymore, I looked behind me.

"Nurse Anna,” I called for her.

She slowly shook her head, as if she had already foreseen my question.

Then I started to realize that there was no noise coming from Andrei's apparatus.

Could it be?

No... it shouldn't be what I was thinking.

I was fixing my eyes on Andrei's location, hoping that the nurse might have got it wrong.

"Andrei..." I called for him, almost has a whisper.

My voice is starting to break.

"Can you hear me, Andrei?"

There is no response from him.

Jade suddenly speaks. "He's gone, Beatrix. He's gone."

I shake my head, not trying to believe everything I've been hearing.

"You're lying."

"How could I lie to you? I would never. You're the one who introduced me to Andrei. My best friend."

I can't help but burst into tears now...

One of my family members—no, I was wrong, my only family—is gone now.

I rushed toward Andrei's bed.

Embracing him, I lean over my little angel.

As I feel his warm body touching my hand, I smile.

Peacefully, he closes his eyes without furrowing his brows.

Finally, there's no trace of pain on his face.

He's starting to feel cold.

But I don't know why I can't cry anymore.

Moving my face closer to his, a little closer to his ears, I whisper, "Run free, my little one. You're safe. No more pain. I love you."

I hug him with thoughts running through my mind.

Andrei was my light.

I thought I wanted him to get better,

I thought I wanted him to stay in this cruel world to experience what a normal kid could.

But that's not what I wanted

All I wanted for Andrei is to be free, happy, and at peace.

—

3rd P.O.V.

Andrei’s body was taken away by the nurses assigned to the morgue area.

Beatrix wasn't sadly crying, nor looking gloomy.

She was smiling while tears were escaping from her eyes, gladly feeling those waters stream down her face.

“I'm happy, Andrei,” Beatrix whispered into the thin air.

Apollo was on the side of Beatrix, but that's not what I wanted.

All I wanted for Andrei was to be free, happy, and at peace.

Andrei's body was taken away by the nurses assigned to the morgue area.

Beatrix wasn't sadly crying, nor looking gloomy.

She was smiling while tears escaped from her eyes, gladly feeling those waters stream down her face.

"I'm happy, Andrei," Beatrix whispered into the thin air.

Apollo stood by Beatrix's side, caressing her arm and kissing her forehead.

Beatrix thought that Apollo was no help if he insisted on staying there.

But he was.

Apollo showed extra care towards Beatrix, which Beatrix hadn't noticed.

Apollo was everything Beatrix needed.

Meanwhile, Jade stood by Andrei's room, fantasizing about him being alive.

"What made you miss my brother so much?" asked Beatrix.

"Everything. He's memorable, unforgettable. I would never forget him."

Jade's eyes were swollen like marbles.

"I know, that was my brother's poisonous charm!" said Beatrix jokingly.

Suddenly, a man dressed in full black with a tuxedo appeared out of nowhere.

They brought a wave of distraction with them.

"Who are they?" Beatrix whispered.

Then, Mr. Cartier, Apollo's father, stepped forward.

"Bring her with you," he commanded.

Beatrix was perplexed. Instead of asking too many questions, she decided to let them take her somewhere unfamiliar.

Apollo followed closely behind. Although he wanted to ask questions, he knew it would be futile and potentially put Beatrix in danger.

He quickly cut through the crowd and followed them.

Beatrix left Jade in the care of Nurse Anna.

As they reached the parking lot, Beatrix was suddenly treated badly by the guards who brought her forcibly out.

they pushed Beatrix to the ground.

That's when Apollo butted in.

“What are you doing to my wife?” he snarled, protecting his wife from any possible attacks by hugging her.

“Wife?” asked Mr. Cartier. “Don't try to fool me, Apollo. She’s who you hired to maintain your position. Come on, this is how low you could go?!”

Apollo's eyes widened, as well as Beatrix's.

Beatrix knelt before Mr. Cartier.

I'm sorry, please forgive me. I was the one who pleaded with Apollo to be his wife—”

Mr. Cartier cut her off. “Are you trying to defend Apollo from me? Stop that Beatrix. You fooled me once. I een set you guys up a date to reconcile! Come to think of it, is that also part of your plan!? Wow. maybe you did succeed in duping me. I never had the hunch of you doing this to me, Apollo. Of all siblings, how could be the one betraying me?!

Mr. Cartier's voice is starting to break apart.

“Do it,” Mr. Cartier commend.

Apollo has been pushed away, only to rip apart Beatrix's clothes in pieces.

Apollo was trying his best to get out of the tightened grip of the bigger men.

But he wasn't successful, so he ended up watching Beatrix hurt, whos now only wearing her undies.

“I told you before, Apollo. Don't you dare mess with me? Now, ill mess with your so-called wife. She wasn't important to you, either. What's the point of keeping her safe? I will make her life miserable.”