Chapter 9

"Is that what you do?" I asked between the tears. He nodded, "Yes, I look back, and I reflect on what happened to my mother and me and use it to better myself. I try not to think about the past much because it's depressing and sad and I don't want to go back to that. I want to move forward. You should too. You're going to eat the food, take a shower and go to bed. Then tomorrow when you wake up you'll be a new person. Not a homeless pregnant teen who has no one, you'll be Jakoby, the pregnant teen who lives with Billionaire Uvaldo Dakoda. I will not let you suffer and go back to that life. That's above you now. Let me hear you say it. That's above me now." I took a deep breath then repeated his words, "That's above me now." As I said the words, there was something deep inside me that wanted to believe it. But how could I? After all, I am still pregnant and homeless, and I continue to be until I am living in an apartment and paying my own rent. For now, I'm just passing resident to the billionaire, but for some crazy unthinkable reason, I didn't want to be a temporary resident, and I didn't want to be the pregnant homeless girl. I wanted to be someone he loved because then the kindness he's showing me now would multiple to times over. Mr.Dakoda pushed the bedroom door open, "Go on." Following his command, I entered the room. "This is your room." The first thought that came to my mind was Wow. The room was well furnished and was painted dark blue. A zigzag black and white mat lay beneath the queen-size bed which was in the middle of the room. Above the bed was an abstract painting that contrasts with the colour scheme of the room. At the end of the bed, there was a grey storage bench. A wooden dresser was to the right of the bed and a matching nightstand to the left. On the nightstand, there was a marble ceramic lamp. "Do you like it?" I turn to Mr. Dakoda, did he ask that question. No, I wouldn't say I liked it. I freaking love it. Not even the room I shared with my mother was this furnished or this big. "I love it." He smiled, "Great. The Tv remote is in the drawer. It's already connected to Netflix and Youtube and some other apps." I frowned, I didn't see any tv. He noticed the look on my face and laugh. "Move a little more in the room, and you'll see the tv." I moved from the door and walked further in the room then I spot the flat screen tv on the wall. It was about 36-40 inches, nothing compared to the big back tv that my mom and I had. I turn to look at the stranger who was willing to give me a place in his home and smiled, "Thank you, Mr Dakoda. You don't know how much I appreciate your help." He smiled, "You're welcome. You can call me Valdo. Mr Dakoda makes me sound old." "How old are you?" the question came out before I had time to process it. "Twenty-eight." I nod. I knew he's wasn't past thirty, but I didn't realise he was that old. I didn't know what to say after he said his age, so the room became silent and awkward. After about thirty seconds he cleared his throat to break the silence then said, "The bathroom is two doors down. My room is the one besides yours if you need anything knock, but most times I stay in the living room. If you feel hungry help yourself." His blue eyes were staring into my brown ones. Without breaking eye contact, he rubbed the back of his head, "Well, Goodnight Jakoby. I'll see you tomorrow. Sleep well." "Goodnight," I mumbled before he walked out the room. He turned and offered me a small smile before closing the door behind him. Maybe I should tell him my real name and age. After all, he has been very hospitable, or perhaps he was pretending. I walked around the room looking for anything remotely suspicious like cameras and wires. But I didn't find any wires or hidden camera. I gave in. Maybe he was, after all, just a guy trying to help someone who was in the same situation as his mother was. I walked to the bed and sat down on the lavender silk sheets. I brush my hands over it and moaned at its softness. I've never slept on silk before, only cotton, concrete and cardboard. This was a new feeling for me, and It felt great. I pushed myself down on the cotton bed and starred at the white ceiling. "That's above me now." That's behind me now. My prayers were finally answered. I had somewhere safe to stay and a comfortable bed to lay in. But I still had doubts Valdo's real aim of letting me stay. I wasn't used to people being this nice without having an agenda. I shook my head and brushed the thoughts from my head. Think positive. The only thing I need now was a job so I can buy some clothes for myself and my baby. A knock on the door, caused me to sit up, "Come in." Valdo came in. "I noticed that you didn't have your bag. You might want to change your clothes. So I brought these for you. They belong to my mother. You can use one, and then tomorrow we go shopping for something that might fit better." I look down at his hands and notice the bundle of clothes he was carrying. His kind gesture brought tears to my eyes. "Thank you." I swallowed. I stood from the bed and walked over to him. He placed the clothes in my outstretched arms but didn't let go.