PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

“Miss, can I join the introduction with the new IT manager? Because I’m still adjusting to Mrs. Krystal’s schedule.”

I smiled. Anna was probably still having a hard time adjusting to my and Krystal’s way of working. It might take a week for her to adapt fully. I understood, especially since she started when I wasn’t there yesterday. She must have been overwhelmed.

“Sure, just come along. It won’t take long.”

She nodded. The girl who was supposed to be my assistant worked systematically and meticulously. I liked that. At least, besides being meticulous, she learned quickly and didn’t need me to repeat my instructions too often. She just lacked a bit of initiative, but I could still understand that. Once she got used to Krystal’s rhythm, she would know what to prioritize and what not to.

I chose to immerse myself in the pending financial reports and let Anna handle the rest. There were some benefits to it, but I still felt anxious and leaned more towards resignation. But still, my fears grew. It wasn’t easy to brush this aside, especially since I didn’t know what Krystal’s intentions were with me.

Indeed, Krystal never mentioned my pregnancy, but she became overly attentive to me. I could feel it. Krystal was inherently kind and caring, but she was not too open or direct. This time, it was different, and it felt strange. Even Naomi and Dona noticed the change.

I didn’t dare to ask her reasons for treating me like this. I still valued my life and didn’t want this closeness to create distance between us. But my mind was heading in the direction of someone preparing to lose me because this pregnancy couldn’t be hidden for long. Once it became more apparent, the entire staff on the twenty-second floor would know, and maybe even those on the twenty-first floor.

I didn’t know how this would turn out and who the father of this baby would be. I wasn’t ready to accept it yet. Okay, Cedric might not openly show his feelings at work because I threatened him. That was easy. I still wanted to work here for a long time. But what about his relationship with Krystal? My boss would never be able to keep it hidden and would fiercely defend me.

It wasn’t that having pregnant employees here wasn’t allowed. But everyone else was married, while I wasn’t. All the benefits for pregnant women would be provided by the company. But for me? Maybe like Krystal said earlier, she couldn’t guarantee that I would receive the same benefits.

Honestly, I didn’t mind, as long as I could still work. But I started thinking, wouldn’t there be gossip in the future? Damn it. Thinking about the future like this was making me unable to focus. How could I execute my plan now?

Regarding my resolution, if Cedric kept hovering around me like this, my plan couldn’t be carried out. When would I make my body tired? It seemed impossible. I was sure Cedric wouldn’t leave my apartment right after work. He would probably wait until I entered my room after being fed so much food and milk. Not to mention the vitamins and medications prescribed by the doctor.

I was so sure of it!

Forget about anything else, just the thought of moving even slightly that Cedric might perceive as dangerous would make him start nagging. Sometimes, it annoyed me to no end. I felt suffocated at times. So, instead of challenging him, I’d rather sit back and relax in front of the TV. Or lean back while reading a novel.

I remembered breakfast earlier. Cedric really took me to a porridge place where I wanted this and that. Before we actually left the parking lot, there was one thing Cedric said that had been replaying in my mind like a broken tape.

“I apologize for still using your car to go to the office. Pray that I can buy a car soon, so I won’t have to use yours.”

“You’re forcing yourself,” I said while buckling my seatbelt. Riding a motorbike with Cedric wasn’t bad, actually. I just didn’t like it when we were behind a truck or car with a cigarette-like exhaust, puffing out suffocating smoke. Other than that, I was okay with it. Cedric always made sure I was safe and comfortable when riding with him, anyway.

“It’s not forcing. I see it as motivation, Anya. You’re used to a comfortable life. If it were me, I wouldn’t put you in an uncomfortable situation. I’m trying and fighting for that.”

“Why?”

He turned to look at me, then started the car to let the engine warm up first. “Because besides being responsible, I’ve also decided to spend the rest of my time with you.”

“Who says I accept you?”

Cedric chuckled. “You do. Being close to you feels like a dream.”

I grumbled softly, but my heart suddenly warmed in its own way.

“But I want that dream to come true. So, I’m asking, oh… please, don’t keep pushing me away. Anyway, it seems like the baby in your belly always knows that its father cares for both of you.”

I didn’t respond. Letting Cedric press the gas pedal, we left the parking area and headed to the office area for the chicken porridge breakfast I wanted earlier. He made sure it was exactly to my taste. Until I said, “Just eat and stop talking. Otherwise, I won’t eat.”

His lips pursed, and he didn’t say much. During our meal, I didn’t even think about what would happen in the future; it didn’t cross my mind at all. Instead, I seemed to be starting to enjoy being with Cedric.

Am I being too paranoid?

As Naomi would say, my mind is filled with too many negative thoughts that I don’t really need and could be discussed. I’m not saying I disagree, but whenever I talk about what’s on my mind, it might not be well received.

Dona and Naomi sometimes leave me alone, saying, “Just let Anya think. Use her brain to think about her life, not just work.”

Ah, they tend to add more to my thoughts than reduce them.

My reverie was interrupted when the intercom buzzed. I quickly picked it up, and it was the HR department informing me that the new manager had arrived and was getting ready to meet Krystal. I prepared to inform Anna to get ready too.

Not long after, the intercom buzzed again, and the HR department informed me that the new manager had arrived and was getting ready to meet Krystal. I informed Anna to get ready as well.

“Ma’am,” I said softly, knocking on the glass door of Krystal’s office. After being allowed in, I confidently walked towards her. Standing not too far from her, I said, “According to HR, the new manager has arrived, Ma’am.”

Krystal nodded. “Sit, Anya. We’ll do the introduction here. We’ll have a meeting tomorrow, and you can take notes on the points to be discussed.”Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Again, I nodded.

Before two minutes had passed, the glass door was knocked, indicating that the new employee had arrived. Krystal welcomed them in, while I prepared myself. It wouldn’t be right to sit while Krystal stood to welcome them.

What I hadn’t prepared for was that the new manager was someone who once occupied my heart.

“Anya?”

Henry Malverick stood in front of me, looking astonished and surprised.

***