PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

“Damn it!!!” I cursed while hitting the steering wheel. Ignoring the slightly painful and definitely reddening hand, I quickly removed the car freshener as soon as my stomach started acting up. I threw it away in a rush, feeling confused about how I would get to the office now.

Should I hang a eucalyptus oil bottle here? Ugh, so inconvenient!!!

I massaged the bridge of my nose, trying to regulate my breathing and occasionally inhaling the scent of eucalyptus oil. I desperately tried to keep my stomach from acting up in the basement. I was sure I’d pass out if I vomited again.

“Miss Anya? Miss… are you okay?”

When I turned around, I found one of the building security guards looking at me with concern. Before I could answer his question, my phone rang loudly. I nodded briefly at him, prioritizing the phone call over his question.

“Yes, ma’am?”

I blinked, hearing the familiar voice on the other end.

“Alright, ma’am. I’m on the way.”

Now I was in a dilemma about how to get to the office. There’s no way I could take my car with such a strong scent lingering. I might not even make it to the office. And what about using a ride-hailing service? Would I need to use the car freshener again? I’d just be bothering someone else, right?

Shit! Shit! Shit!

Alright, instead of getting yelled at by a Krystal-like tigress, I chose to book a ride-hailing service. I ignored the fact that my tight skirt would make it difficult to move around.

I reminded the driver multiple times to drive carefully. What can I do? In this situation, I was contemplating death. There’s no such thing as a friendly road in Washington DC, right? Honking everywhere, not to mention other motorcycles swerving all over the place. Not to mention the cars that stopped abruptly, making me anxious.

The solution was to buy eucalyptus oil in bulk and douse myself with it when I got home. Let it be. I didn’t want to risk getting into an accident because of a ride-hailing service.

Arriving in the lobby, it seemed like the universe was still playing with my life. Let me list them. First, instead of waking up fresh, I was vomiting heavily. Even warm tea didn’t alleviate the nausea in my growing stomach. But I started ignoring it when I remembered that I had a busy schedule this morning. Second, my car was still filled with the lingering scent of a car freshener, making me even more nauseous, dizzy, and wanting to throw up. Third, I had to use a ride-hailing service while sitting awkwardly. I didn’t want to waste time changing my outfit at that moment.

This time, the last bit of misfortune. I crossed paths with Cedric. The thing that came to my mind this time was my appearance. Usually, I always looked neat and tidy. But this time, there was no guarantee, right? When I glanced at the mirrors along the lobby corridor, I felt like burying my face in the sink!

I was a mess!

As if that wasn’t enough, a familiar voice echoed through the lobby. Kelvin.

“Next time, ask me to pick you up, Anya.” Kelvin said again, there in the elevator! I knew I was being approached by him, but his approach was a bit too direct, and I, myself, wasn’t very responsive from the beginning. What could I say? I wasn’t feeling it. You can’t force the heart, right?

Inside the elevator, Cedric was there too, carrying the same paper bag as yesterday. That meant it was breakfast for Krystal. Some other staff members from the finance department were also there, whom I recognized by name but didn’t really know personally. So when they exchanged some small talk, I just smiled in response.

Dona said it had become public knowledge that Kelvin was getting close to me. However, I often set boundaries. That’s why I ended up with the label of “playing hard to get.” So, what should I do now? Should I respond to Kelvin’s words just now?

“Sure?”

I closed my eyes for a moment. Kelvin wasn’t the type to give up easily in getting an answer, for example, now.

“Yeah, next time if I need a ride. Thanks for the offer, Kelvin.”

As I waited for the elevator, he commented on me. He said I didn’t seem like myself. Maybe it was because my hair was no longer neatly arranged, or maybe because I was foolish not to wear a jacket to cover my shirt and avoid the pollution smell on the road. Oh, damn it, this morning! If Naomi weren’t on leave today, I’m sure I’d be free from this situation.

Fortunately, Kelvin didn’t say much more. At least I could breathe a sigh of relief. My mind could start working to organize what I needed to do. And when the elevator stopped at Kelvin’s and the other staff members’ floor, I just smiled a little in response to their greetings. The elevator doors closed, leaving me and Cedric.

This time, I felt something different about the guy. But so what? It didn’t matter. So I just ignored him, whether he remained silent or suddenly became chatty. It wasn’t my concern. My concern here was working. Just like him.

After making sure I looked as usual, I sat back at my desk and organized the things I had scattered around earlier. The most important thing was that I had already signed in, and my boss knew I had arrived. But as I was about to start by turning on the computer, two sandwiches with chocolate filling were laid out. Along with lemon tea, which I knew who had prepared.

The difference this time was that there were no notes.

***

It’s a crazy day… I guess. I want to cry, but I can’t. Usually, I’m not bothered when Krystal starts acting up, especially when things don’t go her way. Like now. In her office, my boss is discussing financial matters with Mr. Sarman. It’s been almost an hour, and no one has come out yet.

I’m nervous because I feel a strong aura of hostility from my desk. Krystal is observant and always focuses on one point every time she asks, even if the type of question is different. Basically, when talking to Krystal, I have to stick to the facts. If not, I’ll be torn to shreds.

The consequence for me? Oh, it’s there. I’ll be asked to get data that matches her desires precisely, regardless of the division it comes from. I’ve done it before, and every time I ask for data, they always complain. Complaining to me is pointless, as I also work under Krystal, just like them.

“Anya,” she called.

I had already known, and I was just waiting for the moment the voice would come out. My feet spontaneously moved along with my notes and pen. I didn’t want to miss these two things. It was crucial to jot down all of Krystal’s words, which sounded like a speeding train. “Ma’am,” I knocked on the glass door politely and gently pushed it open after receiving permission.

“Anya, take notes.”

I was ready to take notes while walking. Krystal wouldn’t give me a break to sit down.

“I’m requesting the financial data for the first and last half of 2018 from Mr. Sarman. You double-check everything, and I’ll forward which ones you need to verify. I’ll use them as the base for the meeting with the commissioners and shareholders in a month.”

I nodded.

“And for Mr. Sarman, make sure the data is accurate this time. I don’t want to be embarrassed because of it,” she joked. But I knew the type of jokes Krystal made was actually biting sarcasm. There’s no way Mr. Sarman would be held up that long if his report was in order. I was sure something was wrong.

“Yes, ma’am,” the man replied with a wry smile. I glanced at him briefly. Mr. Sarman’s once-friendly face was no longer amiable. Then he roughly pulled out a bundle that I was sure contained his report. “If that’s all, ma’am, I’ll excuse myself.”

“Okay, Mr. Sarman.”

Impressively, Krystal always smiled politely even when I knew her mind was at war. I followed Mr. Sarman with my peripheral vision as he disappeared through the glass door.

“Anya,”

I immediately turned and prepared to take notes again.

“I want indicators and tables according to the ones I forwarded to you earlier. You need to get the actual data. If necessary, conduct a surprise inspection. If Sarman refuses, tell him it’s my order.”

I swallowed hard. “Okay, ma’am.”

“It’s amazing how I’m not completely blind when it comes to financial reports. He answers a simple question like that,” Krystal grumbled before collapsing into her oversized chair. “Do you have any outside-of-the-office plans today, Anya?”

I quickly opened my notes, not wanting to rely on memory even though I was confident in my answer. “No, ma’am. But I have a lunch appointment with Lazade’s representative tomorrow.”

“That Crazy Man, right?”

I wanted to laugh, but I couldn’t. It seemed like Krystal didn’t like that agenda, but she couldn’t avoid it. I was sure of that.

“Well, just tell Crazy Man’s secretary to have lunch at Mandarin Hotel.”

I responded with a nod. I thought there was nothing else I needed to do here. Because I was certain that the task I had just been assigned would make me work overtime for days. Not to mention keeping up with her activities outside the office. Checking financial reports before handing them to a Krystal required concentration. It couldn’t be done haphazardly. She might scold me if I didn’t do it properly.

My suspicions were confirmed when I opened the email that was supposedly sent by my boss. I could only let out a soft sigh. This was torture. I looked at the clock on the computer, and it was already lunchtime. I decided to have lunch outside so that I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed and could recharge with positive energy to work on this report.

I grabbed my phone and typed a message to Dona. Let’s have lunch together. Sometimes Dona would go wherever she pleased if I didn’t inform her first. But when having lunch with Dona, we rarely ate in the cafeteria. That part-time guy preferred to eat at the restaurant across the office, which also had a coffee shop.

Dona: They have a new menu, and I want to try it. I also got a discount. Just join me. I don’t feel like going to the cafeteria.

I could do nothing but follow her. It was better than staying here or accepting Kelvin’s lunch invitation. Speaking of Kelvin, I used to respond to his invitations a few times. But I don’t know why I feel lazy about it now.

But if I eat there, it means I’ll see Dewangga, right? Oh my God!

“Thank you, Dewa, for treating us. Do this more often,” Dona said enthusiastically. I felt like changing my face or covering my face with a plastic bag just like Dona did. Embarrassing.

“You’re welcome, Doni. Just invite Anya here more often. I’ll treat her next time,” Dewa replied.

Dona laughed. Damn! So, this was just Dona’s scheme, huh? I had been avoiding Dewa for a long time too. The guy who was not far from me only smiled a little when we met face to face.

“Anya’s getting harder to approach. Got a boyfriend?” he asked bluntly. I winced at his words.

“Oh, Anya doesn’t have a boyfriend yet. She’s the one playing hard to get. I’ll give you a recipe to-”

“Dona, that’s enough,” I said while pinching her waist. “Thanks for the lunch, okay?”

“You’re welcome, Anya.”

I immediately grabbed Dona’s hand to stop her from continuing her senseless rambling. But before I could take a step away, Dewa called me again as he approached.

“After work, I’ll wait for you. Don’t avoid me forever.”

My mind told me to just accept his invitation. After all, I didn’t bring my car today. It’s better to go with Dewa than going home with Kelvin, who might annoy me with his words. Just as I was about to nod in agreement, I saw Cedric walking in the distance. He was heading towards the office lobby, but I was sure he briefly looked at me. I didn’t know what happened to me. I felt like his gaze was speaking without words and full of questions. I didn’t understand what it meant.

“Anya,” Dewangga interrupted.

“But I have to work overtime today. What about you, Dewa?”

Dewa chuckled. “When did I ever refuse to wait for you during overtime?”

“Alright then.”

“Reply to my message, Anya.”

I grinned. “Okay.”

“Ahem. Did you forget about me, Anya?”

I laughed softly. “Let’s head back to the office, Dewa.”

The man nodded and smiled. One thing I liked about Dewangga, the Store Manager whom Dona said was devastatingly handsome, was his smile. His row of white teeth clearly showed that he was a humble and sociable guy.

“Damn, if you weren’t pregnant. Seriously, Anya, I would prefer you to be closer to Dewa.”

I pinched Dona’s waist even harder without mercy. Making her scream in pain, but I didn’t care! Crazy of her to say that? What if someone heard?!!!