PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

Cedric gave a small smile as he handed me a tissue. He said there was some sauce on the corner of my lips.

“Didn’t want to spoil your appetite by wiping it myself.”

I just scoffed and let Cedric watch me eat like a demon. I ordered a meal with two pieces of chicken and fries, and I devoured everything, leaving only the bones.

“Do you want more?” he asked.

Did he think I had an enormous appetite or something? But I still wanted the spaghetti, so why not? Oh well, I guess I have no shame. “Order the spaghetti and get another float for me.”

“Forget about the float. That’s enough. Choose something else, okay?”

I pouted. “Oh, come on. I still want the float.”

Cedric shook his head and got up to go to the counter to order what I wanted. Throughout the meal, he didn’t say much, just enjoying his own food and occasionally asking about my work. I knew he cared about me, but I didn’t like feeling like he was monitoring me and expecting reports like a teacher from his student.

Maybe it was because this KFC restaurant was located right by the roadside and at a busy intersection, even though it was a one-way street, making it always crowded. When I lined up to buy food earlier, Cedric was also in line now. As I reached for my phone to kill time while waiting for him, my gadget rang first.

Henry’s ID caller appeared on the screen. During lunch, we exchanged phone numbers and my various social media accounts, even though I only had one, Instagram. Henry had been skeptical because I wasn’t the type of woman who liked showing off on social media.

“But you know what? That’s Anya. A bit closed off and mysterious, but always full of surprises inside,” Henry said, and I laughed at his analogy. I laughed at myself too. Henry’s remarks were a sharp satire, though he didn’t know that they were directed at me. Yes, how could he know that I was pregnant?

I saw Cedric still waiting in line, so I decided to answer the phone for a moment. After all, I didn’t think I needed Cedric’s permission or why I should worry him. Right?

“I thought it would take a while for you to pick up.”

I laughed. “Not at home yet, huh?”

“Tomorrow I’ll pick you up. Tell me your address now.”

For a moment, I hesitated. I was delighted to meet him again after all these years without knowing anything about him, and I hadn’t even tried to find out. I only believed in prayers that would somehow be answered. But now that Henry was back in my life and openly expressed his desire to go back to the way things were, I was at a crossroads.

I didn’t say he could get closer. I was also afraid he might already have a wife. Well, who knows? A man would do anything to get what he wants. Besides, we had just reunited. But I couldn’t deny that I could see the same longing in his eyes.

“I usually drive myself, you know.”

“Oh, I see. Trying to save money, huh? Where do you live?”

“No need, you’ll be bothered.”

“Ah, do you have a boyfriend, Anya? So you’re rejecting me?”

I fell silent.

“New boyfriend, perhaps? Or engaged?”

“Slow down, Henry. We just met today, and you’re already pushing so hard,” I chuckled, hearing his demanding tone on the other end. By that time, Cedric had returned and sat down after placing my order. He didn’t even look at me.

“You can’t make me slow down, Anya. Don’t you like it faster?”

Indeed, the cheeky side of Henry had returned. “Shut up!” But I wasn’t angry; instead, I laughed heartily at his joke.

“Some say that if a woman is pretty and you like her, you should make her yours as soon as possible. And my feelings have never changed since then, Anya.”

“Oh, Mr. Henry is quite the smooth talker. Did you practice in front of a computer? The computers these days are quite advanced.”

He laughed.

“That’s enough. Give me your address. I’ll pick you up tomorrow. Don’t let me mess up the employee data on the office server.”

I chose to hang up the call on my own. It’s not that I didn’t want Henry to enter my life now. If only my circumstances were normal, maybe I would fall in love with Henry all over again just like that. After all, I still had some lingering feelings for him. Given time and nurturing, they might bloom again.

“Don’t you want to add anything?” I asked Cedric, who had been silent since I put my phone back in my bag.

Strangely, he answered with a shake of his head. His mouth had suddenly gone silent, huh?

***

Cedric remained silent. By the time I arrived at the apartment, he still didn’t want to talk at all. He just asked for my belongings, signaling with his hand. Was he angry? Why?

“I’m going now,” he said after preparing the vitamins and medicine I still had to take on the dining table. It was all complete, along with warm water, which he usually brought for me, making sure I drank it properly, as he had been doing recently.

Strange, isn’t it?

“Are you mad at me?” I asked, causing Cedric to stop putting on his shoes.

I hate being responded to with a smile. Did he think I understood the answer from his smile now? Clearly not, right?

“No. Why would I be mad?” he asked in return.

I shrugged.

“I have to work tonight, that’s why I’m in a hurry to leave.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Don’t forget to take your medicine, Anya.”

My eyes didn’t blink as Cedric quickly walked towards me, stealing a kiss from my cheek, which still had smudged makeup. “See you tomorrow morning, Joice.”

Ugh, that crazy guy! Even if I wanted to get angry, it was useless, as Cedric had already rushed off without knowing that he had really scared me!

***

I was buttering a piece of bread when the doorbell rang. I knew who it was-Cedric, of course. As soon as I opened the door, Cedric and his annoying smile greeted me, along with a paper bag, contents unknown. Seeing my raised eyebrow, he said something that made me pout.

“Ask the guest to come in first, Anya.”

Usually, he just rushed in without asking. Seeing my displeased expression, he chuckled. “I brought steak, but I’ll warm it up first. I bought it last night and put it straight in the fridge. If it doesn’t taste good anymore, don’t eat it.”

My eyes blinked slowly. My desire to eat steak had disappeared by now. I had said I wanted it at that moment, and if not, the desire might not be as strong. I carefully placed the box from the paper bag down and looked at Cedric, who was already sitting at the dining table.

“Did you come home early last night? Is there anything wrong?” I needed to ask this to be sure of one thing.

“Ehm… well, you know, the band played. It was scheduled.”

I nodded in response. “Did you buy this with tip money?”

Cedric scratched his neck, covering up his nervousness, I was sure. “Yeah,” he answered with a grin.

Initially, after getting dressed and doing a little makeup so I wouldn’t look too pale, I really wanted to enjoy the buttered bread and a cup of hot chocolate. But seeing Cedric’s sincerity in the food he brought, I felt it wasn’t right to ignore it. So, I chose to warm up the box and prepare it for him.

When I sat down and started to eat my sushi, I noticed that Cedric hadn’t said a word. I suddenly realized that the man was asleep. His head rested on both hands on the table, and his slightly curly hair cascaded, almost touching the table. His snoring was so soft that I hadn’t realized he had fallen asleep.

Did he play in the band until late? Did he get too little sleep? Why, I felt sorry for him!

Finally, the bread that was meant for my breakfast was prepared for Cedric instead. I sprinkled some chocolate sprinkles on it, as I wasn’t sure if he liked chocolate or sweetness. I also made black coffee, using Dona’s stock because she was a true coffee lover. She didn’t want sachets; she wanted bottled coffee with creamer. She even told me the measurements. So, this time, I used my knowledge of coffee measurements to prepare it for Cedric.

It wouldn’t hurt, right?

“Cedric,” I called softly, patting his shoulder. Slowly, his body moved, and when he lifted his head, I almost laughed because he almost fell forward. Did I startle him? It didn’t seem like it. I gently woke up Cedric.

“Did I fall asleep?”

“Hmm.”

“Oops, sorry, Anya. I didn’t mean-”

I raised my hand, signaling that he didn’t need to continue speaking. I handed him the plate with two slices of bread and a cup of coffee. As for myself, I had the steak, which I had reheated, and just needed to pour the sauce over it.

“Is this for me?” he asked, looking back and forth between the bread and me. I glanced at him briefly and smiled.

“You think?”

He laughed. “I’m really lucky. Getting bread and coffee prepared for me in the morning.”

I didn’t respond, not because I didn’t want to, but because I was a little embarrassed. So, I busied myself with cutting the steak and chewing it.

“Thanks.”

“Come on, finish your breakfast. We’ll be late.”

We fell silent again and immersed ourselves in the breakfast we had. But it didn’t last long. I was quite curious about Cedric, who had slept at what time last night. “What time did you sleep?”

“Three o’clock.”

“Do you usually come back at that time when there’s an event?”

“Not really. Only last night because there was a lot of stuff I had to find out, and it wasn’t easy. There were many missing data that I had to-”

I looked at Cedric, confused. What did he mean?

“Uh, I mean when there are a lot of guests, I can’t leave right away.”

I looked at Cedric, puzzled. He seemed to be hiding something.

“The coffee is good, sweet, and the measurement is just right. I like it,” Cedric smiled, and I was sure he used that smile to cover his spontaneous response that veered far away from my question.

***

“Are you sure you can drive?” I had doubted it since we were in the elevator. I mean, his drowsiness didn’t just disappear, especially after staying up all night.

“I can.”

“What if something happens to me?” I put on my seatbelt as soon as Cedric sat in the driver’s seat. There was no need to adjust the rearview mirror or the seat. He must have done that yesterday to make himself comfortable.

“Your prayers are so bad. I won’t let anything happen to you both.”

I snorted irritably afterwards. “Alright, let’s go. We’ll be late.”

“Roger, Anya.”

I rolled my eyes in exasperation at his words just now. “Hey, you said you played in a band. What do you do? Sing?”

I asked spontaneously. I don’t know why I felt a bit curious about Cedric’s activities last night.

“Yeah. I’m the vocalist.”

I laughed. “Are you not sure?”

“Want me to sing?”

“Don’t. Oh, I might get a stomachache.”

“True. You shouldn’t listen.”

My eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean?”

“Yeah, if you hear me sing now, you might suddenly fall in love with me, and that would be troublesome.”

I couldn’t believe Cedric could be so confident! Oh my goodness! Where did the Cedric I knew, who was somewhat shy, go?

“I’m serious, even though that’s what I hope for right now.”

“Ah! Now you’re good at sweet-talking, huh?” I pouted and gave him a sharp look. Instead, he laughed as if responding to his girlfriend’s sulking.

“I’m like this only for Anya.”

“Enough. Just focus on driving!”

“If I chat, I won’t feel sleepy, Anya.”

“You came home too late.”

“Well, not really. That was the agreement. But I won’t do it again. It’s too tiring.”

“You’re so stubborn.”

I didn’t realize at all that my desire to remain silent as I had done in previous days with Cedric had disappeared. This morning, the traffic in Washington DC wasn’t too bad, or maybe our conversation was light and fun. Before I knew it, my car had entered the office building area.

Talking to Cedric wasn’t so bad after all.