
Catalina took a sip of the warm chocolate she had made. It's been almost a week and he hasn't found anyone willing to adopt baby Marilyn from the clinic and also from his friends who work as fellow nurses in the clinic even in the hospital.
It seemed like he had to think of another way to save the baby's life. Catalina got up and went into her room, opened the wardrobe and pulled out a drawer. He searched for a book that he had kept there.
After getting the ledger of her savings account, Catalina again stepped into the small living room of the flat she had rented as a residence.
"Ah ... It seems like I should use you in the end," Catalina said softly on the small book she opened. He looked at the balance in the book. His savings while working at the clinic and a little inheritance money from his late mother.
He collected money little by little so that later the ideals that his mother always dreamed could be realized. A dream from her late mother who wanted Catalina to be realized in a real form.
Catalina turned off the little TV in her living room. He took a deep breath.
"Huffhhh ... If there's no other way, what can be done. A life is more precious to be saved. I'll work even harder to make our dreams come true, Mom." Catalina sighed heavily. I hope the decision he made was right.
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Catalina gawked looking at Marilyn from across the table. Marilyn invited her to meet, the pregnant woman wanted to talk about Catalina's plans to her baby one week ago.
They met at a cafe. After ordering a drink, Marilyn went straight to the core of their meeting. She asked if Catalina had found anyone who would adopt her baby. Catalina lies by saying that she has found a married couple who want a baby. Then Marilyn mentioned the number. The figure that then made Catalina gawk at him.
"Oh .. don't be surprised, Catalina. That's pretty little compensation!" Marilyn flicked her hand seeing Catalina gaping at the nominal he mentioned.
"You're crazy! That's called blackmail!" Catalina realizes that Marilyn is using her baby as a tool to make money. If he fulfills that demand, then his entire savings will run out.
"Tell me ... Are they rich?" ask Marilyn again.
"No. They are not rich!" Catalina answered short. He twisted his brain, no husband and wife would adopt as he told his brother. Catalina just lied so Marilyn wouldn't fuss over wanting this and that if she knew Catalina herself would take care of the baby.
Marilyn seemed to frown, weighing Catalina's words.
"I thought you'd take this opportunity. You don't have to work for the next few months. Then there will be a salary for you and compensation money. But not as big as you want! This husband and wife live a simple life. They have little savings. They've longed for a baby."
Catalina tries to influence her brother.
"But of course it's up to you. You want to spend the rest of your money to throw away your baby and face the risk of losing your own life with the side effects of his actions later" Catalina said .
"You mean?" Marilyn looked at her sister in wonder.
"I mean, you could've lost a lot of blood when the act was done. Then you'll feel tremendous pain. More than the pain you feel when you give birth normally."
Catalina tried to scare Marilyn into accepting the terms Catalina had set.
Marilyn looked thoughtful and somewhat pale. Catalina feels a little outrageous. But he needs to do so.His savings are unlikely to be spent to pay Marilyn. He needs it to meet the baby's needs if Marilyn agrees to give it.
"They can only pay you half, Marilyn. That's already pretty big. Take it or not at all. It's up to you." Catalina was waiting for her sister's answer. Pretend not to care too much Marilyn will accept or not. Though he hoped that his brother relented and accepted the amount he mentioned.
"No. You'll receive your salary and your living expenses every month. They'll transfer it into your account." Catalina explained.
"What about the compensation money." This time Catalina was sure her sister was really interested and would accept the amount she offered.
"Take good care of the money you're given to your account, Marilyn. If you give birth later, then the compensation money will be received after the baby is handed over."
After being silent for quite a while hearing Catalina's explanation, Marilyn then nodded.
"alright. So when do I meet this couple?"
Marilyn's question was answered with a headband by Catalina.
"There's no meeting with them, Marilyn. They don't want you to know them. You can only contact them through me" Catalina said firmly.
Marilyn shrugged both of her shoulders. "alright. It's up to them then. When will I start taking the money?" Marilyn sipped the juice she ordered while looking at Catalina.
"As soon as you send me your account number. Send it to me so I can give it to them" Catalina said. Feeling relieved everything was in accordance with his plan.
"Okay, our conversation is over. I'm going first. I'll send you the account immediately." Marilyn stood up and was about to start stepping in when Catalina called out to her.
"Accomplish this deal as planned, Marilyn! Or the compensation money you crave will float." Catalina threatened in passing. Seeing the woman nod and sniff her shoulders.
"I don't want it. If anyone's gonna babysit it then I'm gonna give it to him. You take it easy, I'll give you this baby after it's born. Just take care of everything, including the place where I'm going to give birth, so you can just take this baby and give it to them." Marilyn's voice sounded flat, without sadness. It was like giving up an object instead of a baby who lived 9 months in his womb.
Catalina looked at her passing sister, a growing belly that indicated that she was pregnant as if it was an encouragement for Catalina to recapitulate her money that would be lost. A baby, the life of his own niece, and for Catalina, it was worth it.
His mother will understand up there. It would even support his plan if he were still alive. Her mother spent the rest of her life nurturing orphanage children who needed attention and affection. So saving one unwanted baby will really get support from him. Although the legacy money that Catalina got must be used.
Catalina drank the juice out. Looking at the street in front of him with a glare. Remember the state of the home where children who have started crammed. They need a new building, but what power ....
It seems they still have to wait ... Catalina will work even harder, raising money so that her mother's dream can be realized.
Her mother dreams of providing the children with a comfortable home, learning facilities and decent food every day. The building is now old and worth renovating. They also need the addition of a new building so that children are comfortable and not crowded.
Catalina was so amazed and grateful that the sisters there were always patient and did everything sincerely. Make it more motivated to give the money they need to build the parlor to be better.
Catalina stands up, leaves the cafe and returns to her flat. He'll be at work in an hour. There is still time before he leaves, he can rest and enjoy a glass of iced orange first before going to work.
N E X T >>>
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