Chapter 4 Yandel Offered to Raise the Baby
When the director took Josephine in, Yandel stood up.
“What’s going on?”
The director looked at his nervous and expectant eyes and laughed.
He handed Yandel the reports.
“I gave her two checkups. Obviously, she is pregnant. Because she just got pregnant, she didn’t get a sonogram. So she may need to figure out how far along she is.”
Josephine lowered her head and pondered. She was less than 1 month pregnant. She had sex with Yandel one week after her period.
Holding the reports, Yandel read carefully. Although he didn’t quite understand, he could see the conclusion that she was pregnant.
He looked at Josephine for a long while and then at her belly. His baby was there? It was so unrealistic. He didn’t know what to do.
After a long while, he cooled down and stretched out towards Josephine.
Josephine shrank at once.
Like a frightened rabbit, she avoided subconsciously.
Yandel frowned on her fear.
“Take my arm. Let’s go. Or do you want to stay here?”
Josephine looked up at him quickly, moved forward slowly, and reached out to grab his arm.
He pulled her away. At the door, he looked back at the director.
“Keep the secret to everyone, including my family.”
Josephine followed him in sadness. She would lose her baby soon.
She asked before entering the elevator.
“I thought I would have an abortion here.”
Yandel paused and looked back at Josephine with cold eyes.
“You want to abandon my child?”
Josephine could feel his sudden anger, which panicked her. She let go subconsciously to stay further from him.
She looked up and asked in confusion.
“What…do you mean?
Yandel tried to suppress his anger and asked in a mild voice.
“You don’t want the baby?”
Josephine pouted with red eyes.
She shook her head.
“I like my baby, but I am poor.”
“Am I dead?”
He snapped. Then her eyes turned red, looking pitiful. He softened up at once.
“I’m the baby’s father. I will do my job.”
Josephine sniffed.
“Sir… Oh, Mr. Schroeder, you agreed to help me raise the baby?”
Yandel frowned over the way she called him, but he looked softer.
“It’s my baby. Of course, I hope that we can have the baby. But you are so young. It must be a burden to you. Tell me what you need. I can try my best to help you.”
Josephine looked at him. She felt he was a good man. He saved her. Although they had sex by accident, he didn’t abandon the baby. Did that mean she could keep the baby?
What about her parents? Once her belly grew bigger, they would find it out. She could not let them know.
Yandel took her into the elevator. When the door was closed, they were here alone. Josephine said nothing with her head down.
Yandel was anxious, but he didn’t force her. After all, she was only 19 years old. She must be very uneasy.
In the silent elevator, they could see the changing number. Yet, they both pondered in silence.
When they reached the third floor, Josephine looked up and asked Yandel.
“What should we do then?”
Yandel paused, somewhat touched. His family was all dependent and tough. No one asked such questions.
But now, a 19-year-old girl carrying his baby turned to him with pure eyes.
At that moment, Yandel felt like an animal. How could he sleep with such an innocent girl?
Yandel felt bad too. He had been very self-restraint. Many women tried to seduce him, but no one succeeded. However, that day, Josephine put her arms around his neck, her pure eyes appearing charming. It turned him on.
With a ding-dong, the door opened. There were noises. It made Yandel frown. He took her out.
In his car, he looked at her.
“Do you want to do it?”
Josephine nodded, touching her flat belly.
“The baby is innocent. I’m not a good mother. Mr. Schroeder, I have been very scared after I knew it. I can’t let my parents know. So I want an abortion.”
“I’ll handle your parents. You…”
Josephine shook her head emotionally.
“No. I can’t let them know. No!”
Seeing that she was very frightened, Yandel said.
“OK. Then let’s keep the secret. Don’t worry. I’ll find ways out. But your belly will get bigger in months. You may need to move out. You need someone to take care of you too. Will your parents do that?”
Josephine thought of her parents’ attitude. If she didn’t go to work after she failed the college admissions test, her mother might drive her out.
As she was silent, Yandel said.
“How about this? You move out, and I will take care of you.”
“What?”
Josephine was confused. Didn’t he need to work? How would he have time to do that? She didn’t think she needed someone to look after her because she could do it herself.
“Give me some time. I’ll tell you once I make up my mind, OK?”
Yandel was worried. But he didn’t push her. He nodded.
He drove Josephine to the hotel so that she could get her tricycle back.
It was the first time that he had been on such a tricycle. Josephine worked hard to ride it while Yandel was behind her. He was wearing custom-made clothes. The wind blew his hair. He couldn’t even open his eyes.
Josephine didn’t dare to take him to her parents. So she stopped at the crossroads. As she looked back, she saw Yandel, whose face was twisted.
She paused.
“Mr. Schroeder, you…”
Josephine pressed her lips to suppress her laughter. Yandel looked like a mess with a dark face. But he was still noble. It made her feel that he was not that aloof.
