PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

I have to find out more about what happened on Monday. I’ll wait eagerly for the full story from both of them. They’re behaving too suspiciously. I have to do it. If necessary, I’ll use the tantrum technique with Baby. Let them give in to me. No one can resist my whining, right? We’ll see. I’ll definitely find out what happened that day. There’s no way I’m missing out on gossip.

***

Damn, I’m busy. I even left half an hour later than the office closing time. Krystal was waiting for me to finish, checked on me briefly, and then almost chased me away. Anna was also busy, having to change many schedules abruptly because Krystal changed her agenda for the next two weeks.

I helped Anna, who was swamped with the last-minute changes our boss gave her just two hours before the end of the workday. If it were me doing the work, it would take only an hour to finish. Anna? I think she’ll take a while to get used to Krystal’s whimsical tendencies. I was slow at first too, but experience is the best teacher, right?

Anna will be able to follow and keep up with our work rhythm. I’m sure of it.

While I worked on my overdue tasks due to my leave, Krystal didn’t put any pressure on me. She only asked when I could finish everything and which parts she should work on first. I felt guilty for her kindness.

Especially after lunch today, she gave me a bag full of various fruits. She said she remembered that pregnant women should consume lots of fruits. I kept some in the fridge in the corner of the room. The rest, I shared as an afternoon snack with Anna.

I don’t know, maybe just saying thank you isn’t enough to express my gratitude to Krystal. During my leave, she occasionally called me to make sure I was okay. Even when I was in the hospital, I really hoped that would be the last time during this pregnancy, but she still monitored my progress. I feel like I have an older sister. Really. Her attention sometimes makes me wonder if I deserve it.

According to the three of us, it’s indeed excessive.

Speaking of excessiveness, I felt it again when Krystal made sure I left after finishing my work. She waited until Cedric arrived at the office, not wanting to take my word for it. So, I sent a message to the man who was now focused on driving, telling him to come to the 21st floor immediately. If not, I was sure Krystal wouldn’t leave.

When I saw Cedric’s figure at the end of the hallway, Krystal finally got up from her seat and left, leaving Anna and me. I couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. I think Anna felt the same.

Is it really necessary to go to such lengths?

“Why are you daydreaming? What’s wrong?” Cedric asked while gently patting my head. “Tired?”

“Who’s not tired from work, Cedric.”

He laughed. “That’s true. Sleep is tiring too, right?” Our eyes met. “But why are you daydreaming like that?”

I just shrugged. “I didn’t get to gossip because Naomi and Dona had to work overtime. It’s annoying.” I couldn’t hold back my pout, which must have advanced at least five centimeters. If only Krystal hadn’t sent me home, maybe I would have preferred waiting for Naomi and Dona to finish their overtime. I’m so sure that the delayed gossip would be extremely exciting. They couldn’t possibly be hiding something that would make our conversations even more fun, right?

Right?

“I feel embarrassed in front of Baby, Joice.”

I’m annoyed! Doesn’t Cedric realize how curious I am? Especially with the suspicious behavior of the two people closest to my life! It’s obvious that I’m incredibly curious and frustrated because I can’t be satisfied.

To alleviate both my annoyance and frustration, I accidentally hit Cedric’s waist with my elbow. He winced a little because of my action, but whatever.

“What do you want to eat? Since we’re outside, we might as well eat something.”

“Spaghetti with melted mozzarella on top.”

“Really?” Cedric turned to me, perhaps to confirm if what I said was true.

“Spaghetti with melted cheese.”

Cedric smiled and then pointed to the tip of my chin. “Is this what Baby wants? Or is it what you want?”

I furrowed my brow.

“You often say, it’s Baby’s preference. But when is it your actual preference?”

I pouted! Damn Cedric!

***

“I’m going home, okay?” I glanced at the clock in the living room; it was already ten o’clock at night. Cedric’s face didn’t look like usual. Exhaustion was clearly etched on it. I felt guilty if he had to force himself to go home, but what could we do? He really had to leave.

I asked if it had something to do with his band’s schedule, but he shook his head. He told me with certainty that his band only played on Saturdays and Sundays. Fridays were sometimes included, depending on the situation. I just nodded. He seemed very enthusiastic about his side job, saying that it paid quite well.

I don’t know, I didn’t want to know too much about it. Isn’t it too early for me to know more details? He already told me about this issue, and I thought it was enough for now. I think we should discuss finances more thoroughly after we get married. It’s not a trivial matter to be talked about. Money matters are sensitive in a relationship. At least that’s how I see it.

“There, daydreaming again. Why? Thinking about Henry?”

“As if! Can you come up with a more ridiculous accusation?” Oh my goodness! Is there a better accusation than that?! Where did that come from?!

“Then why are you spacing out like that?” Cedric laughed again. Once more, his hand mischievously went to play with my chin. I pushed away his hand that was so freely toying with my face. Annoying.

“If you want to go home, go ahead. You know where the door is, right?”

Instead of stopping his laughter, Cedric laughed even more. “How can I go home if you’re pouting like that? Smile first, then I’ll go.”

I pouted. I’d better go to sleep soon. I still have to work tomorrow. Many tasks are waiting for me, calling out loudly to be completed, and I want Krystal to have as few obstacles as possible during her meetings with many clients next week. Even though I’m no longer attending the meetings, all the meeting reports go to my email, and Krystal only wants me to compile them into one cohesive document.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Before I could take another step away from the living room, Cedric held me back. “Angry?”

I shook my head. Not angry, just annoyed. There’s a difference.

“If you’re not angry, why are you pouting?”

I still didn’t want to speak. Instead, Cedric pulled me closer. Since earlier, I’ve been distracted by the scent of his perfume, which he refused to tell me the brand. He said if he mentioned it, I’d go buy it. As if I didn’t have any affection for it anymore because I already found a replacement. Cedric’s signature perfume.

Doesn’t that reason sound unreasonable?

“Joice?”

Combined with Cedric’s voice, my brain was greatly affected. Especially when he called me with half dominance and half sweetness. It’s hard to turn my face away! Oh my goodness! What is Cedric using? A charm potion?

“I’m not angry, Cedric,” I said, pushing gently on his chest to create some distance. But Cedric tightened his embrace, even more than before. “If you want to go home, then go, I won’t hold you back.”

He nodded softly.

“Be careful,” I added. “It’s late already.”

I don’t know how many times Cedric has a habit of dropping his forehead on my shoulder. Half of his weight falls on me. I could clearly feel the warmth of his breath against my neck.

“I actually miss you.”

I swallowed nervously.

“But I have to go home.”

Spontaneously, I nodded before losing focus due to Cedric’s mischief, as he played with the tip of his tongue. I could feel it getting wet because of his actions.

“I also wish it was already Saturday.”

Part of my brain went numb from the little bite Cedric gave.

“So you can meet Mom and discuss wedding matters.”

Damn it! A sigh escaped as Cedric ended his little game with a gentle suck that turned into quite a forceful one. I think it wasn’t just a red mark he left behind but a bruise.

[40]

I felt like the two friends I treated were avoiding me. I invited them for lunch, but they said they already ordered delivery. This morning before work, I offered them breakfast from our favorite restaurant, but they didn’t want it. They only replied to my messages with short and often repeated responses, so I wonder, did I do something wrong?

It doesn’t seem like it.

We’re still on good terms. We haven’t had any arguments or debates. Is it because I pressed on the gossip issue? So what? I just want to know! Could they really just leave me hanging like this? It’s strange!

“Anya, we’re going out until evening,” my boss informed me. She was getting ready with her Hermes bag, while Anna was still rushing to keep up with Krystal. There was a meeting scheduled for this afternoon, and originally, they planned to have lunch together. But Krystal refused, according to Anna, who was worried about being asked many questions by the client about why her boss declined the lunch invitation.

In my mind, I was certain that Krystal didn’t want to spend too much time with that crazy Andrew again. Even if Anna communicated with her personal assistant, there would still be a barrage of questions about why she wasn’t having lunch together. Why she was stalling. Why she didn’t just meet outside the office.

Something like that, probably.

Because I knew their habits, one chasing with enthusiasm while the other avoiding because she didn’t want to. I always said, “Ma’am has given her orders. I’m just conveying them.”

Anna didn’t dare speak like that; she was afraid, she said. I just laughed when she complained two hours before Krystal decided not to have lunch with a high-ranking Lazade executive.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied with a slight smile. I had to get used to this even though it was difficult since I wasn’t accompanying Krystal to meetings anymore. I couldn’t be selfish, right? I should be grateful that Krystal understood my situation. I shouldn’t force myself to go here and there and exhaust myself again. The foolish things I did some time ago were enough.

Thank goodness, Baby is fine.