PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

“Anya, what’s wrong with you?” Dona asked as we were having lunch at the office. Since morning, I chose to remain silent. I had no appetite for breakfast or even milk. My enthusiasm for work was all over the place.

This morning, Naomi picked me up, using my car, of course. They both conspired against me, so it was their duty to pick me up today. Naomi was being chatty and asking about Cedric’s whereabouts since I let him in. I just had a sandwich for breakfast because I hadn’t showered yet. I even felt like taking a day off, but I remembered there was a report that needed a little more work and should be finished before Monday.

Krystal wants the report by next Monday, so I have enough time to finish it if I submit it before that. Plus, there’s just one more month until the thorough inspection. Before giving it to my beautiful boss, I will double-check it.

Along the way, Naomi didn’t stop asking, which made me even more restless. Finally, Dona gave her a warning to stop asking and focus on driving rather than being chatty about Cedric.

I intentionally didn’t tell them what happened. If I were to talk about it, not only would I be affected emotionally and start crying, I’m a hundred percent sure they would scold and berate me. Yeah… the two of them are experts when it comes to scolding and berating. I can’t win against them.

When I saw Cedric, I pushed Henry roughly and gave him a hard slap. I didn’t care if he was hurt or whatever; all I cared about was Cedric. I wanted to go after him, but Henry quickly held me back. If he’s angry, I don’t care.

“Where are you going? We haven’t finished talking, Anya! You’re lying, right?! Everything is a lie! Right?!” Henry shouted loudly. I wasn’t afraid at all.

“Go away, Henry. Don’t make yourself hated by me right now.”

“Tell me this is just an excuse to reject me. Right?”

I chuckled softly. “Do I need to say that it’s in my belly?” I rubbed my slightly bulging stomach. I didn’t care about the consequences I might face. I don’t give a damn. I just want to get away from Henry and, well… maybe catch up with Cedric. “There’s a baby. Our baby, Henry.”

“LIAR!!!”

Honestly, I was trembling. I’ve never experienced this in my life. I avoid getting involved when people are arguing, especially when there’s shouting. But in front of me, Henry was screaming like a madman! I was scared, really! Oh God! Where is Cedric?!

“Do I look like I’m lying?” I said softly, trying hard not to let my voice tremble. I mustered the courage to keep looking into his eyes, which were slowly losing their emotions.

Henry’s face changed. I’m sure this information is not easy for him to digest. I myself don’t know why I said it so loudly. But really, in my head, there’s only Cedric’s gaze that keeps bothering me, regardless of whether I did something wicked or not. I don’t even enjoy his kisses, you know.

Henry rubbed his face roughly and tugged at his visibly thick hair. I don’t care. I want him to leave my unit. It’s also impossible to catch up with Cedric now. I think he’s already gone. If not, why wouldn’t he come in? Ah! Why am I so stupid, seriously! How can he come in when I look like I’m in the middle of some affectionate moment?

Oh God! Is there anything more foolish than this?

Without saying much, Henry left. He didn’t even look at me. Everything that happened within a span of not more than four hours really messed me up. All that comes to my mind is my phone. I immediately grabbed my bag, reached inside, and searched for the flat object. I swiped and made voice calls.

I don’t know how many times I tried to call him, but it was useless. Cedric didn’t answer my calls. I decided to send him a bunch of messages. But it was the same; he didn’t respond at all. There were just two checkmarks, with no blue ticks as usual.

My tears welled up slowly. I’ve never felt so ignored, and I think it’s the first time in all my time with Cedric that he’s done this to me. I feel like I haven’t been given the chance to explain. I tried my best to come back home, right? Why didn’t Cedric meet me first? Why did he just leave when he saw me being forcibly kissed by Henry?

I don’t want that guy to enter freely either. I know my boundaries. But why did Cedric leave? Yes, I know. It must be so painful to see someone you love-I heard Cedric say he loves me last night-hanging out with someone else. But…

Argh!!!

This is all my fault! Why did I agree to go with Henry? I should have told him directly on Friday afternoon’s call about his invitation. I underestimated Henry’s presence, and well… I prefer to talk about the two of us. It’s my fault. It’s totally my fault.

Now, what should I do? I’ll start with an apology first, and then I’ll explain everything. I won’t hide anything. I don’t know why I feel it’s necessary to do that, considering what Cedric did to me, but I feel it’s necessary. Extremely necessary.

I let my cheeks stay wet, damp, and maybe my makeup smudged. It doesn’t matter. I can take a shower. What matters most to me is that Cedric responds to all my phone calls. But once again, all I get is the operator’s voice telling me that the owner of the number doesn’t want to answer. Annoyed, I throw my phone onto the sofa. I roughly wipe away the tear tracks that are still falling.

With the little energy I have left, maybe once I shower, my appetite will come back. I’ve been ignoring how tense my stomach has been since earlier. It feels more bearable to be ignored by Cedric than the sensations the baby is giving me.

As I unbuttoned the blouse I wore earlier, a few red marks are clearly visible in the mirror. I’m sure they’ll disappear once I apply some bruise cream. What won’t disappear from the reflection in front of me is my disheveled face. My hair is a bit messy because I myself ruffled it out of frustration, my waterproof mascara has smudged due to my tears, not to mention my shiny and moist face because of oil.

Half-naked, I observe how my body gradually changes. My chest is slightly fuller, but the worst part is clearly the lower abdomen. It’s no longer flat, and there’s a life in there. It’s slowly but surely disturbing my sanity to take good care of it, even though I’m still halfway committed to doing it. I gently rub my belly, which is starting to bulge. Earlier, I announced loudly to someone who didn’t need to know. But I can’t avoid it anymore. Maybe this way, Henry will stop getting close. After all, our story ended more than a dozen years ago. I personally don’t want to bring it up again, even if I want to.

It doesn’t feel fair, after everything that happened, to turn to Henry. Meanwhile, Cedric?

“Baby, your dad is mad at Mama. Mama is really bad, right, dear?” Once again, tears flow from my eyes.

“Oh, Anya,” Dona immediately embraces me. I don’t know why I’m crying here, in the cafeteria when the three of us are about to have lunch. My thoughts have been revolving around yesterday’s events, and it feels like they keep tormenting me.

“What’s wrong with you?” Dona gently releases her hug while Naomi hands me a tissue.

“Is it the food? Is your stomach hurting? Or do you want something?” Naomi asks softly.

I shake my head because that’s not what I’m feeling.

“What’s going on?” Dona’s voice is so soft, full of sympathy. When Dona speaks in that tone, instead of wanting to talk, I cry even harder. In the end, they don’t say much other than gently patting my back and offering their shoulders. My tears soak Dona’s peach-colored shirt.

“Cedric, Dona,” I whisper.

Slowly, Dona releases her embrace. “What about Cedric, Anya?”

“Uh, talking about Cedric. He’s not at the office today. I actually wanted to ask you, but I didn’t.” Naomi says as she helps me get some tissues. “Did you have a fight with Cedric? I’ve been asking you since this morning, but you didn’t answer.”

“Henry,”

Both Dona and Naomi exchange glances. I know it. Even though I’m busy wiping away my tears and trying to control my emotions, I can still see their confusion about my words.

“What about Henry?” Naomi asks.

“He…”

“It’s your fault, Nao! I told you to follow Anya so we could find out what Henry was up to.” Dona glares at Naomi, annoyed. “What did he do to you?” Now Dona’s gaze turns to me.

I can’t avoid it, right? It feels suffocating to bear this alone.

“Henry kissed me.”

None of them interrupt or cut off my words because they probably know I’ll continue talking.

“Right when Cedric showed up.”