PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

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.

Krystal walked gracefully and beautifully. When is she not beautiful? Always perfect. Her wide-leg trousers almost brushed the floor, covering part of her high-heeled shoes, complemented by a matching blazer. The standout of her appearance today was her hair. Perhaps she had sharpened the highlights. I don’t know. What’s certain is that it looked more defined, adding to her beauty.

Then there’s Anna. The girl smiled awkwardly, looking down, maybe feeling shy. I gave her an encouraging smile. “Take care, Anna. You can do it,” I said. Her eyes blinked slowly, and a smile finally appeared on her lips. Maybe she felt relieved, the uncomfortable feeling of taking over my responsibilities slowly fading away.

I’m not too concerned if Krystal doesn’t invite me out for meetings. Instead, I’ve become more afraid and started taking better care of Baby. I don’t want any unwanted incidents to happen. If the worst-case scenario comes true, and I get fired for breaking the rules, while Krystal can’t defend me because it would clash with the rules, I’d just accept it.

I haven’t discussed this yet, but I keep thinking about Cedric’s words last night. It makes me want to smack or strangle him! Because of him, I’m wearing a shirt with a slightly higher collar! Otherwise, his marks would be so obvious! It might be embarrassing, but I’m enjoying it.

Tomorrow is the day when I agreed to meet his mother, or rather, his family. To formally introduce ourselves and Cedric wants to discuss our marriage. The four of us with both his parents. I can’t avoid this anymore, can I? Well, I can no longer deny that Cedric’s name has found a place in my heart, unlike Henry’s, which belongs to the past and doesn’t need to be remembered.

I’ve never visited a boyfriend’s house before. I’ve never been in a serious relationship either. Maybe because none of them have really clicked with me, and well… I’m too picky. Maybe that’s what God is punishing me for. So I won’t judge someone based solely on one aspect.

Cedric’s flaws? Many. Mine? Even more.

But as I’ve gotten to know him better and slowly opened up, he also pushes me in an unusual way. Making it impossible for me to turn away. Anyway, why am I thinking about someone who’s with me every day? If I keep thinking about him, I won’t be able to concentrate on work. Krystal is waiting for my report, even though she’s not in the office.

While I work, I occasionally check my phone. Maybe someone will accidentally tell me some gossip. But it seems not. They seem busy. Oh well. I’ll invite them over on Sunday and let them know what I might miss when visiting Cedric’s house. So our conversation will be more lively. Right?

So I’ll use the remaining time to finish all the remaining work. Let my two friends who are still unwilling to share information take a break for a moment. Also, let go of my thoughts about Cedric. So I can finish quickly and go home on time. When I left, Cedric advised me not to overwork. I’m confused; I know my limits better than anyone else.

I’m actually strong enough to carry those three folders, but Sarman pushed me, causing the pain to return. If it weren’t for that, I wouldn’t have ended up back in the hospital again. I’ve explained to Cedric many times, but he still doesn’t understand. He says I’m careless. Agreeing with my friend’s criticism of me.

“Anya?” Cedric called, making me startle. The man who dominated my thoughts-although I quickly shifted my focus back to work-is now standing in front of me. Since when did he come in? Did I not notice his steps?

“What time is it now?” I don’t need him to answer; I glance at the digital clock, which shows five o’clock. Also, a message came in about half an hour ago. From Krystal.

Krystal. K: Anya, I’m going straight home. Anna too. You should head home after finishing sending your report. You don’t have to work overtime.

“It’s already five o’clock, Joice,” Cedric says while pulling a chair in front of Anna’s desk and sitting at a distance from me.

“Aren’t you finishing your work in the afternoon?”

He just smiles. “Let Jack handle it.”

I furrow my brows. Usually, even if I leave with Cedric, he would finish his evening tasks first. I’m not sure what it is, but I don’t think it’s far from cleaning up the area he works in. I don’t mind, though, if he wants to finish it first.

After all, I’m not fully ready to go home.

“Why are you with Jack? Isn’t his area on the upper floor?”

He smiles again. “Haven’t you finished your work yet?”

“Oh, I just need to save a few files. Give me a moment. I’ll get ready first.”

It doesn’t take long for me to get ready. I notice that Cedric is busy playing with his phone, but his expression looks serious. I wonder what he’s doing. Usually, when men wait for women, it’s not far from playing online games. Maybe Cedric is like that.

My bag and belongings become Cedric’s loyal companions. I’m not allowed to carry them at all. He says they’re heavy. At first, I didn’t care and let Cedric carry them. I didn’t mind. But the longer it goes on, the more I feel sorry for him. So now, I want my bag back, but I can only ask for it when we arrive at the apartment.Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

“Where’s your uniform, Cedric?” I ask suddenly. I just realized that the uniform he wore this morning has changed to a different dark-colored shirt. Almost the same color as his uniform.

“Oh,” Cedric smiles again. “It’s in the pantry.”

I just nod. Maybe because his work hours are over, he’s free to change out of his uniform. But before I was hospitalized, Cedric rarely changed his uniform.

Strange, isn’t it?

When I recall today, he only brought me a cup of lemon tea all day. Not for Anna. He didn’t even use the tray he usually pushes to deliver drinks this morning. I just noticed it today.

Was it the same yesterday?