PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

Waking up in the morning with lingering frustration was not pleasant at all. Seriously, everything seemed wrong, and I needed a release! But what could I do when the person who made me upset wasn’t in front of me? I wasn’t waiting for him, but having been used to having Cedric around for the past few days, I felt like something was missing.

To make things worse, I made coffee too! Ugh!

Oh well, there was no point in having breakfast in the apartment. I’d better leave soon; maybe a croissant at Dewa’s cafe would help me for breakfast at the office. Just as I opened the door, the person who annoyed me was right there.

I really wanted to vent all my feelings, but then he might think I was waiting for him. No way! So, I chose to walk past him, ignoring his presence.

“Where are the car keys?” Cedric asked while grabbing my work bag somewhat forcibly.

“Henry will pick me up.”

His grip on my bag loosened. Luckily, I didn’t let go right away; otherwise, my bag would have kissed the marble floor.

“Oh, okay.”

“Oh, okay? What do you want?” I couldn’t hold back anymore, and finally, I spoke up. Fortunately, we were the only ones waiting for the elevator. There were no other residents around.

“Pick you up, Ma’am.”

I turned to him. The way he addressed me… changed? Since he stood in front of my unit earlier, he didn’t even look into my eyes as usual. “No need. I can manage by myself.”

“Ensuring your safe arrival is my priority.”

I hesitated. “What do you want?”

Cedric shook his head but still stared at the elevator. I could clearly see his reflection in the polished surface. There was no enthusiasm or happiness in his facial expression-just stiffness and coldness. It made me even more upset!

“I won’t put myself in harm’s way.”

He nodded. “It’d be better if it’s that way.”

“You can leave now. I really can’t stand you today!”

He ignored my words and my push on his shoulder. When the elevator doors opened, he walked ahead, leaving me staring at him. Did he dare to defy me? Seriously, he was crazy!

“Are you going to work or not?”

I immediately slung my bag over my shoulder and walked angrily. “None of your business!” I pressed the button on the panel to the basement, while Cedric didn’t press anything. Whatever!

As soon as the elevator reached the basement, Cedric followed me outside and headed toward where my car was parked. When I was about to open the driver’s door, he stopped me. “Sit there, Ma’am.”

“This is my car. You have no right to boss me around.”

Cedric nodded. “Precisely because this is your car, I’m worried you might get into an accident because you’re upset with me.”

“Oh, you realize that I’m upset with you?”

He didn’t reply.

“Move aside!” I snapped slightly harshly. What I didn’t prepare for was Cedric unexpectedly lifting me up like in those dramas. Bridal style! How dare he! Even when I struggled, it was useless as he had already unlocked the passenger door and gently placed me inside. He even buckled my seatbelt. Damn!

“You!” I pointed at him with a suppressed growl.

“I’m your driver. I’m your servant. What else? That’s how you see me.”

Cedric turned to look at me with a very sharp gaze. The glint in his eyes sent shivers down my spine. “So I’ll act that way for you. Today and onwards. Just like you said.”

“I didn’t say that!!!” I yelled in refusal. My breath was getting heavy from all the emotions.

“But your actions imply that.”

“Now what do you want? I’m not going to say you’re my boyfriend, my fiancé, or worse, my future husband.”

“At least, respect me as a friend,” Cedric said, starting the car’s engine. The words came out softly, but they made me fall silent all of a sudden. My anger disappeared, I don’t know where. Even the stack of frustrations I had towards Cedric from last night vanished.

***

“Miss, Mrs. Krystal said all her appointments are canceled for today. She messaged me thismorning, saying she’ll be late.”

My body froze completely. I hadn’t even landed on the chair yet, and this piece of information made me feel that Krystal was starting to distance herself from me. Suddenly, I felt overwhelmed with sadness, as if thousands of insects called sorrow swarmed me. “Oh, okay,” I replied with little enthusiasm. “Anna, this is for you. I bought too much earlier.” I placed a portion of chicken porridge in front of her.

It wasn’t because there was too much, but I specifically ordered it for Anna. Even though I doubted her intention to get rid of me, I still couldn’t help but care about her. She might have had breakfast already, but there was no harm in refueling. I was sure taking the KRL from Bogor was torturous.

Despite my mood improving this morning, Cedric’s offer to have porridge together at a place we’ve visited before contributed to that; it was after our debate ended with him apologizing. I was too proud to admit it, but what he said was actually the truth.

Why couldn’t I just consider him as a friend? After all, there was nothing wrong with being friends, right? If Henry gave me strange looks, well… that was his problem. In this situation, I was sure Henry’s view of Cedric was limited to just him being an office boy. Just because his job was an office boy, it didn’t mean I could treat him however I wanted.

“What did you eat last night?” Cedric asked while wiping the corner of my lips from the porridge broth. I was already used to his actions, so I only glanced at him briefly before getting back to my meal.

“Fries and bread.”

He smiled.

“Why are you smiling like that?” I was curious! Was there something wrong?

“No wonder you were so enthusiastic about eating. You were hungry, right?”

Cedric needed scolding from me!

“I won’t leave you alone when you haven’t eaten like last night.”

“Actions speak louder than words.” I grumbled in annoyance.

“Yes. I won’t deny it.”

“Wait and see,” I said lightly. I didn’t care. I just looked up and stared at him with a puzzled expression as he suddenly wiped my nose gently. Then he continued eating, and so did I. Like I said, all my anger and frustration disappeared just like that, and I didn’t know why, but I felt happier.

But it turned out my happiness didn’t last long. The information from Anna made it disappear completely. My enthusiasm to work on the report that Krystal was waiting for was also wearing thin.

I thought Krystal was just waiting for the right moment to get rid of me and replace me.

“Miss,” Anna called, interrupting my thoughts. “This porridge is delicious. Where did you buy it?”

I simply replied with a smile.

***

As soon as Krystal arrived at the office, I, who was now double-checking the financial report she had requested, greeted her. My boss still looked beautiful and elegant as always, nothing had changed, except that I felt she was keeping her distance from me. It made me more aware that I wouldn’t stay close to her for long.

Who would continue to employ an employee who frequently had drops in performance? Just thinking about it made me sad. So sad that it would require a cube root to express it.

“Anya, can we discuss something?”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

I stood up promptly. Earlier, when she just smiled in response to my greeting, she didn’t say anything. Only after she had almost entered her office did she finally speak. Did my boss have a lot on her mind? It felt impossible, considering how incredibly brilliant Krystal was in handling the company. I was even envious of her success in managing a whole company.

As a response, I complied with her request. Then she went inside her office, and I used that short time to gather some points I could discuss about my work. I also noticed Anna was busy with Krystal’s updated schedule. My boss had sent her many notes via email regarding her schedule for the next two weeks.

In this matter, I entrusted the task to Anna. I was sure she would spend more time with Krystal outside office hours. Unlike me, who dutifully maintained and took care of the office. I wanted to protest, but what could I do? Krystal and her orders were a must to be followed.

Besides resigning myself to the situation, I secretly prayed that my fears wouldn’t come true.

The report was almost 80% complete and in my hands. I wanted to report the progress and the various indications of irregularities that I had marked. I needed more data, but I had to report it first.

“Mrs. Krystal,” I said as I gently pushed the glass door. From inside, I heard Krystal clearing her throat, indicating that I was allowed to come in.

“I’m almost finished with Mr. Sarman’s report. There are many anomalies, but I haven’t dared to ask for more data yet, Mrs.,” I said as I sat right in front of Krystal, who was still busy with her gadget.

She seemed to nod, as if understanding my report. “Have you tried looking for what you need?”

I shook my head in response. “I intend to ask for the data tomorrow. Today, I will finish the report.”

“Don’t hesitate to ask; if they make it difficult, say it’s Krystal’s order.”

“Yes.”

Krystal gave a small smile. Her lips, painted with lipstick, always seemed to perfect her appearance, regardless of the color she chose, like maroon now.

“I like it when you look happy.”

Krystal’s words left me perplexed and raised even more questions about her change in attitude towards me. I felt a mix of fear and happiness, all bundled up in my head, begging to be released. But I didn’t dare to say anything. So, I decided to respond with a smile.

“Do you have a lunch appointment?”

“Not yet, Miss.”

“Not with Cedric?”

Why did she have to bring him up in our conversation? Wait, earlier, Krystal mentioned something to discuss. Why was she asking like this?

“I feel like having beef rib soup. Accompany me.”

Her statement made me frown. “Earlier, you said there was something to discuss. What is it?”

Krystal smiled and tapped the end of her pen. “You already told me earlier. I think that’s enough. I can always rely on you, Anya.”

I had said that I had been working with Krystal for several years. My performance had always been about making her proud, in a positive sense. I didn’t want to earn brownie points just because I was an assistant to the big boss at my workplace. That wasn’t who I was. And it wasn’t in my work-life dictionary.

I always tried my best to utilize everything I had within myself to demonstrate how an employee should work. I had been doing that well so far, even without praise. Yes, a Krystal Blaxton was a boss who was very conservative in giving compliments.

But this time?

She praised me?

Seriously?

“Alright then. Let’s have beef rib soup for lunch.”

I just nodded. I didn’t understand the depths of Krystal’s thoughts. Since we had nothing else to discuss, I excused myself. I guessed Krystal would immerse herself back into her work.

When I returned to my desk, Anna was still struggling with the schedule. I forgot to ask if she would join us for lunch. If she did, for some reason, jealousy suddenly surfaced even though it might not even become a reality.

Ah, my negative thinking was getting out of hand!

***

“How far along are you in your pregnancy, Anya?” Krystal asked, making me turn to look at her. We were on our way back after having lunch.

I thought for a moment, trying to remember and calculate since I wasn’t paying much attention. “Probably around three or four months,” I replied hesitantly.

“Get regular check-ups. Don’t let any issues arise with your pregnancy. It’s dangerous,” Krystal said, while gently caressing my arm, and I felt so much warmth and care from her touch. Even when we locked eyes, she looked at me as if I were… a part of her.

Why was that?

Throughout my life until this very moment, the only person who treated me so gently was Granny Sumi. Since she passed away, that warmth vanished.

“Yes, ma’am.” I lowered my head, feeling a sudden heaviness stabbing my heart. Here was someone else, my boss at the office, who seemed genuinely concerned about my well-being during my pregnancy, wanting to provide comfort while I spent time at work.

And me?

Oh, God! I felt like such a despicable person in this situation.

“It must feel great when you’re pregnant to have someone show extra care for you. Right?” I saw Krystal’s gaze wandering far away, seemingly lost in thought. Her smile wasn’t sad but rather joyful, as if she were the one experiencing the pregnancy, not me.

“I want to settle down someday, be loved like Cedric loves you. When I get pregnant, he becomes even more loving towards me. Oh…”

“Then why haven’t you gotten married yet?” Oh no, I misspoke! Krystal turned to look at me with a gaze filled with contemplation.

“What I meant was, you’ve been successful in your career, beautiful, and classy. It’s hard to believe there aren’t many suitors lining up to be your boyfriend or even potential husband.” Damn it! It was the first time I said something so foolish in front of Krystal. I was afraid she’d be offended and not want to talk to me anymore.

Instead of getting angry or offended by my words, Krystal chuckled. “Finding a potential husband isn’t that easy, Anya. It’s not just because my standards are high. I also want someone who truly clicks with me.”

I blinked slowly, processing her words. For the first time in my conversations with Krystal, this was the most intimate one we’ve ever had. She even changed from using a formal address to a more informal one.

“Like you and Cedric. Right, Anya?”