PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

I collapsed on the bed in my room. I massaged my temples while sighing repeatedly. My mind is occupied. How can it not be? Ever since Krystal brought up the lunch plan, I’ve been on high alert. Afraid and worried about my future if Krystal does indeed know about my pregnancy and my relationship with Cedric, as that man claimed. Damn Cedric!

During the ride in Krystal’s luxury sedan, she only talked about work-related matters, which I responded to professionally, as usual. I also noted down the key points, just as I always did before. Krystal mentioned that after lunch, she’ll be meeting with the Crazy Foreigner, who I’m sure is a high-ranking Lazade executive.

I asked if the meeting was rescheduled from last week. Krystal chuckled softly in response.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Anya doesn’t like to meet him alone. If there’s someone else, the Crazy Guy won’t cause any trouble.”

Actually, the man Krystal referred to as the Crazy Guy has never done anything strange whenever I’ve met and interacted with him. Well, it’s not that frequent. I meet him when Krystal has some business with their side. But from what I can tell, James Andrew Willam is a gentleman. Handsome, authoritative, not much of a talker, and I think he likes Krystal.

Well… they do seem compatible.

“What do you want to eat, Anya?”

I blinked slowly. I couldn’t look away as Krystal stared intently at me. I nervously swallowed my saliva. Krystal had never asked me about my food preferences before. And fortunately, I wasn’t picky when it came to food. Before. Now? Don’t even ask.

“Anything is fine, Ma’am. I’ll follow your lead.”

She smiled faintly, gently touching my arm with her slender and soft-as-cotton fingers. I’m sure 100% that Krystal has never touched a kitchen or even held a broom or mop in her life. Her hands are so refined. “Pregnant women usually crave for strange things, Anya.”

I choked on my own saliva. This made Krystal panic and offer me a drink. I quickly finished the mineral water she gave me. Once I was sure there were no drops left on my lips, I mustered the courage to meet my boss’s gaze. “You know?”

“Thank your fainting spell for that, you created quite a spectacle.”

I felt like crying. Truly. In my 27 years of life, I’ve shed tears a few times. Several times, but the most heart-wrenching was when my grandmother, who raised me, passed away. That was when I was nineteen. When my mother left, I cried all day. The day after, I started forgetting because my father was still there. But when my father left, I cried for two days and two nights.

Maybe my teary eyes have lost their sense of propriety and decided to release what I’ve been holding in so strongly. I softly sobbed with a torrent of emotions that overwhelmed me, not caring that Krystal was right beside me, the woman who is my role model.

“Why are you crying, Anya?”

“It’s… It’s very confusing,” I whimpered.

Krystal patted my shoulder gently, as if providing a different kind of energy that I considered acceptance. “Take care of your pregnancy, Ya. Don’t stress too much. We’ll have someone to help you soon.”

I became even more agitated. Letting even more tears fall. “What do you mean?”

“You can’t handle the workload alone, Anya. Unless you provide a copy of your marriage certificate for maternity leave. Maybe I can back you up.”

Krystal Blaxton, a Board of Director, a high-ranking executive in the company where I earn a living. She spoke so lightly, making me feel… noticed. My heart suddenly warmed.

“Thank you, Ma’am. Thank you.”

Krystal then smiled and held my hand, stroking it with her index finger, which was painted with peach-colored nail polish, matching the accessory she wore today. “Take care of your pregnancy, Anya.”

I couldn’t respond to her words. I chose to remain silent throughout the journey to the restaurant Krystal suggested. Ah, that’s just the beginning.

After lunch, accompanying Krystal to meet the handsome Crazy Foreigner, I returned to the office to finish all remaining tasks for the day. Even though Krystal occasionally reminded me to have snacks, she even specially bought me various types of dry cakes and put them in jars. She said she was afraid that I might want to eat something. Truly, I felt uncomfortable. I couldn’t even refuse. Krystal seems overjoyed with the news of my pregnancy.

Oh God! I suddenly have a headache.

When office hours were over, Krystal said, for the first time, “No more overtime starting today. I won’t have overtime until you have an assistant, Anya. Let’s go home now. Did you bring your car?”

I feel like my pretty boss has been possessed.

As soon as we entered the elevator, the only person I don’t want to meet steps in without hesitation. Strangely, he’s wearing a cap that seems to intentionally obscure part of his face. He greets Krystal politely and then glances at me.

“Cedric can drive you, right?”

Suddenly, something feels off.

“I can, Ma’am.”

“Good. Cedric will safely drive Anya. Don’t let her drive. Be responsible, Cedric.”

The man nods obediently. I’m completely baffled.