PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

If you’re wondering why I’m so insistent on getting rid of this fetus, you already know why for sure. Krystal hasn’t softened the torture, not at all. In fact, it has raised a series of question marks that I can never answer. Krystal always has a way of changing course without me knowing, and I can never predict when she will turn, swerve, or dive so sharply. Throughout our acquaintance, Krystal has always been the type of person who, although spontaneous in her actions, has already measured far before she acts.

She uses her spontaneity to surprise her opponents.

It’s the same with my fear of work. Even with Anna’s great help, I still have to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Although, I admit, Cedric is starting to interrupt me. There are times at night when I want to sleep, and I find myself thinking about this again. It’s not just a passing thought or a firm resolution. No. It’s reevaluating the dominating ideas in my head.

Cedric is a good guy; I know that very well. Regarding work, he seems to be a hardworking and diligent type of man. But the kind of work he’s doing now isn’t something he can rely on to sustain his life for too long. If Cedric’s band is no longer in demand, what other side jobs will he do?

I don’t know.

Regarding this matter, I’ve never talked to him at length. I’ve only allowed him to enter my life, as if he’s allowed into the yard of my house, but I haven’t invited him inside. I’m more cautious when it comes to a relationship with the opposite sex.

Ah, it reminds me of Dona and Naomi’s crazy confessions about relationships with the opposite sex. Kelvin Stubborn, the IT manager, has been acting out since Henry arrived. Especially after he left Krystal’s office. I really don’t know what happened because I was busy working and had a quick lunch with Henry. I thought it was normal since we used to go to the same school.

What’s strange is that Kelvin suddenly started seeking attention from Henry. Oh God, what’s that about? Seriously, it’s not right! Besides, when have I been that close with Kelvin? Never.

Although I occasionally have dinner with him, it’s only after numerous times of refusing and feeling guilty for constantly rejecting him. That’s it. But just because of that, it doesn’t mean I can be labeled as a woman who’s close to Kelvin, right? I really need to know the full version of this, but I can’t do it now. Damn!

Besides, Cedric is already waiting for me, and suddenly Naomi had to leave immediately. I understood why. Her father has been experiencing health issues and needs a lot of attention, especially from Naomi. She lives alone with her father. I usually visit her, but for now, Naomi strongly forbids me from doing so. She said I need to get enough rest. Isn’t that a bit exaggerated?

“You’ve been daydreaming, Joice. What’s wrong?” Cedric suddenly asked.

Maybe he’d been trying to talk to me for a while as he focused on driving my car. I don’t know. I was really absorbed in my thoughts.

“What do you want to eat?” he asked again. When I noticed, the road I was on was almost reaching the apartment. It wouldn’t be right to ask Cedric to turn around just to eat satay. I don’t know why, but I suddenly wanted to eat satay again with two portions of rice cakes and lots of fried shallots.

“Anya?”

“But you’ll turn back later,” I said, and when I turned to look, Cedric was staring at me intensely. What’s wrong with him? I became suspicious. Was there something wrong with my appearance? His gaze made my forehead crease. “What’s wrong?” I couldn’t resist asking.

“It’s nothing, I just want to see you for a little longer.”

I snorted. “You’re driving.”

Cedric responded with his small smile. “It’s a traffic jam. I know the situation when I want to see you.”

“I want the satay in front of the Peninsula Hotel. Turn back.” I couldn’t help but feel that Cedric was asking for my heart, as if he wanted to have my gallbladder too! To make his life even more bitter!

“Alright, ma’am!”

As soon as the car was free from the traffic jam caused by the traffic light ahead, Cedric immediately turned back towards the road we had just passed, but this time turned left at the intersection ahead. If it’s a little congested, it’s fine. I can wait. The thought of satay drenched in peanut sauce made me unable to resist and eat it immediately.

***

I don’t know why this is happening to me again. I was fine after eating the soup earlier; there was nothing wrong. Returning to the car wasn’t a problem either. Chatting with Cedric, who I occasionally showered with sarcasm, didn’t make my stomach feel weird. Seriously.

How is it that just after I placed my work bag, I suddenly felt nauseous? Until I couldn’t help but throw up everything I ate earlier. I felt like I had used up all my remaining energy. I remember holding onto the edge of the toilet because I felt so weak. Luckily, Cedric hadn’t come home yet since he felt something was off when I rushed into the toilet.

He helped me clean up. He didn’t ask any questions and just left me to sit at the edge of the bed. I was still trying to regain my composure, inhaling the scent of the aromatic oil that Cedric gave me. I was very sure that he had rummaged through the bag in the living room. I didn’t care; what mattered now was that I felt a little more comfortable.

Then, rather impolitely, Cedric opened my wardrobe. From his movements, I was sure he was looking for comfortable sleepwear for me. I was about to protest, but I gave up because it wouldn’t serve any purpose. I was too weak.

“Change your clothes, Anya,” Cedric said softly. Maybe tonight my appearance was really pitiful. Cedric looked at me with a gaze that… perhaps showed pity? I don’t know, but I didn’t like that look. It made me feel so weak. My heart suddenly felt sad, and without realizing it, I started to sob.

“Why are you crying?” Cedric quickly positioned himself in front of me. I didn’t want to look pitiful in front of him, so I turned my face away. But before I could even accomplish that, Cedric’s fingers held up my chin. “It’s my fault that you’re like this. Don’t cry; I feel even more guilty, Na.”

I closed my eyes, and tears kept falling.

“Change your clothes now. Your shirt is wet.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

I shook my head.

“You might get sick later.” Cedric offered me his choice of clothes again, the one I refused earlier. He tidied up my messy hair and gently wiped away the tears that fell. “Can I make you some hot chocolate?”

Again, I shook my head.

“Don’t make me force you to change your clothes, Anya.”

“Are you brave enough?” I felt like I needed to lecture him a bit more. How could he say such things to Cedric, whom I was very sure would never refuse an opportunity. Right?

In the past… yes, I was the one who teased him. But if his intentions were not to be tempted, he wouldn’t be, right? Ah, it’s just my own fault feeling so cheap in front of Cedric. Who is he to make me like this in front of him?

Without needing to say much, Cedric’s fingers began to unbutton my shirt. I didn’t resist, but instead, I paid close attention to how focused he was in undressing me. His intense gaze never diverted anywhere else but on me. When his eyes landed on my slightly bulging stomach, he fell silent.

“Why?” I asked softly. I had no intention of hiding my body that was only wearing a bra in front of him. Cedric responded to my words by gazing into my eyes intensely.

“My child is inside. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Direct your anger at me, not the baby.”

Then he slipped a loose T-shirt over my body, asking me to stand up so he could replace my skirt with knee-length loose shorts.

“There will be a stain that will never disappear in my life, Cedric.”

“I don’t mind.”

“My body won’t be tempting to you anymore.”

“I’m always tempted by you, you know. But I restrain myself because I know you still hold on to thoughts that are contrary to mine, Joice.”

We stood very close together. Our breaths fought for space as the air supply around us was so thin.

“If I agree with you now, what would you do?”

Cedric’s smile emerged, very faint. “First, I would kiss you.” And somehow, it wasn’t a push from me, that’s for sure. It must be Cedric’s child. I’m sure of it. He must be collaborating with his father to make me let my guard down. Cedric’s lips explored mine once more.

This time, it was incredibly gentle, and I got lost in it. I wrapped my arms around his neck, holding Cedric’s nape to deepen the kiss. Until we ran out of breath, only then did Cedric let go.

“And secondly, I want us to get married soon,” he added, planting a long kiss on my forehead. For a while.