PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

When Krystal gave me the warmest smile, I couldn’t turn away. I hid my anger towards Cedric and put on the fiercest face I could muster. I disguised myself perfectly, even though my heart wanted to explode with all the thoughts in my head.

“Anya, I’m sure you were very surprised when Cedric just told you about this, right?”

I knew exactly what my beautiful boss meant. I nodded quietly.

“But I’m also sure that he already told you the reason behind it, didn’t he?”

From my seat in her luxurious car, Cedric did tell me everything. Especially the reason why he kept it a secret. At first, he didn’t want to reveal his identity, except later, after we got officially married. Cedric was furious because of Sarman’s slight push that triggered his anger last Monday. All of Sarman’s deception in front of the other top executives was exposed, and Cedric officially revealed his identity. Only I, yes, I, didn’t know who he was. Even though Sarman was arrested not at the office but at the airport, Cedric’s appearance still caused a commotion among all the staff.

Cedric Blaxton, the youngest son of the Blaxton family. The real owner of the company where I work. Krystal is just running it because her younger brother didn’t want to get involved in the family business.

“I did all of this for Krystal, Joice. Let alone being a janitor, I’d be willing to be a scavenger as long as it was for Krystal.”

I felt a tug at my heart, but it quickly vanished. The feeling was just a passing moment, and anger once again took control of my heart. If Cedric wanted to protect his sister, why didn’t he just tell me from the beginning? After all, I wouldn’t pose any threat to Krystal, right? I was her assistant, her companion at work. Have I ever deviated even slightly from her instructions? As far as I can recall from working with Krystal, I have never done anything like that.

Why didn’t Cedric want to tell me?

“I also asked Krystal not to talk about who I am. Just keep an eye on us from a distance, although she was really fond of you, who tends to be a bit reckless. Anyway, the child in your belly is her niece.”

Cedric slowly slipped his hand into mine. I didn’t want to look at him even for a second. I let him hold our intertwined hands and gently kissed them. I completely ignored it. All that was spinning in my head was his confession about who he was.

Cedric Blaxton, the youngest son of the Blaxton family, and the younger brother of Krystal Blaxton. He said he didn’t want to get involved in the business world because he felt incompetent in managing the company. He loved music and cafes more than a career behind a desk with piles of paperwork as accessories. That’s what he told me.

He wanted to get involved this year because there were indications of fraud that happened without Krystal’s knowledge. Maybe because she was handling so many things that she became careless. I remember, a year ago, there were a lot of things I did with Krystal, including aggressive promotions. Krystal herself personally handled many cases that should have been assigned to her subordinates.

Krystal was the type of boss who was very perfectionist. Even a small mistake would make her upset, and she would handle it immediately. She didn’t care if she needed rest or if something was overlooked because of her busy schedule. Including Sarman’s case. I admit that.

“Papa said I should help Krystal. I couldn’t let her work alone, right? Even though I’m busy with my own business, as Papa’s child, I want to serve him, so I agreed to do it.”

“Don’t be angry, okay? I was wrong, and I’m really sorry.”

I still didn’t want to respond until the car entered the tall gate opened by several people. I could clearly see the luxurious white-painted mansion with its grand pillars near the main entrance, a spacious garden, and yes, not far from the main door, Krystal’s car was perfectly parked.

It confirmed everything that Cedric had told me along the way.

Leaving me in inner turmoil.

***

“Where are you going, Anya?” Naomi asked, immediately pulling back her blanket as soon as she realized I was awake. Even though I just wanted to go to the bathroom, did I really have to report it?

“Anya?” she called again.

“To use the bathroom. Do you want to come?” I replied with a somewhat curt tone. After crying so much, I wanted to lie down. I ignored Dona’s offer of dinner, but this glowing-faced guy insisted. He even spoon-fed me! My goodness! He said I needed to eat a lot and be filled with healthy dishes. But his own cooking wasn’t that healthy. It was some omelets with noodles mixed with various vegetables from the fridge.

“I thought you weren’t aware when you woke up.”

I scoffed. When I passed the dressing table with a mirror in front of it, I shuddered a bit when I saw my reflection. Swollen eyes, red-tipped nose, and tangled hair. I looked like Anya, which Dona and Naomi often teased me about.

“Relax, Anya. You’re still beautiful.”

“Shut up. I’m still mad,” I retorted.

Naomi just chuckled and shrugged. “Don’t stay mad for too long. Your husband is really worried; you know?”

“He’s not my husband.”

“Soon to be, Anya. You can’t avoid it anymore.”

“I can. I’m sure I can.” I picked up the ointment that might reduce the puffiness in the morning. “Why can’t I?”

“Cedric said you’re not working at the office next Monday? Filling in temporarily for that jerk Sarman?”

Unable to contain it, I threw the ointment tube at Naomi. She caught it skillfully and burst into laughter, teasing me.

“Enough, you can’t refuse anymore. You can’t even pretend to be a janitor, and now you’re even going to be the boss. Your life is done, Anya.”

“Geez, you seem so happy seeing me like an idiot, right? Did you know about this too, Naomi?!” I said, almost shouting. Perhaps my shouting attracted Dona’s attention, and she entered without permission.

“What’s wrong, Anya?”

“You too!” I exclaimed.

Dona looked puzzled. “What’s wrong with me? I’ve been watching Netflix all this time.”

“You and Naomi are the same!”

Naomi burst into laughter, and Dona’s confusion only grew. “What do you mean?”

“Both of you knew!” I accused them.

Naomi managed to compose herself and grinned mischievously. “Well, you found out eventually, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, but you could have told me from the beginning! I felt like a fool!” I protested.

Dona looked between us, still not understanding what was going on. “What are you guys talking about?”

“Nothing, Dona. Just leave us alone,” Naomi said, still giggling.

Dona shrugged and left the room, probably thinking we were just being silly. Once she was gone, Naomi turned to me, her expression softening.

“Anya, we didn’t want to spoil the surprise. We wanted you to find out in the best way possible,” she explained.

I crossed my arms and pouted. “Well, it didn’t feel like the best way to find out. I felt betrayed, you know?”

“I understand, and I’m sorry for that. But now that you know, aren’t you happy?” Naomi asked.

I sighed, my anger starting to subside. “I am happy, but I wish you both had told me earlier.”Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

“I promise we had good intentions,” Naomi said sincerely. “We just wanted to make it special for you.”

I nodded, realizing that they did it out of love and excitement for me. “Okay, fine. But don’t keep any more secrets from me, alright?”

Naomi held up her hands in surrender. “Deal! No more secrets.”

“Good,” I replied, finally cracking a smile. “Now, let’s go celebrate together, but first, I really need to use the bathroom.”

Naomi laughed and followed me out of the room, and as we walked down the hallway, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future, knowing that I had an amazing support system in Naomi, Dona, and, of course, Cedric. The journey ahead might not be easy, but with them by my side, I knew I could face anything that came my way.