PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

I even remember Cedric’s words clearly, despite his face being partially covered by the cap. I don’t know what he meant. Embarrassed? I’m the one who should be embarrassed! Not him! It just makes me angry!

“I won’t let you do anything strange, Miss.”

I pout. Especially when we arrive at the parking slot, annoyingly, he opens the car door for me, makes sure I wear my seatbelt, and adjusts the seat to make me comfortable. I don’t want to thank him for his actions. This is my car, after all.

I spend the time during the drive replying to incoming messages. It’s not that I didn’t want to reply earlier, but I felt so flustered by Krystal’s behavior. My phone was forgotten when I wanted to send messages to Naomi and Dona. When I checked, there were many notifications from them in our ‘DEWI KERANG’ gossip group. The three of us are in the group.

Naomi: Anya, eat already.

Dona: Anya, do you want to get something for us?

Naomi: Anya, answer, hey.

Naomi: Should I buy some fruits?

The messages were sent around lunchtime, and I only read them now. Guilt immediately washed over me. I quickly made a phone call to Naomi. She’s my closest friend and understands me the most.

“I’m driving, Anya.”

I grimaced. “I forgot, sorry. I just saw the group chat. I had lunch with Krystal and had a meeting.”

“Yeah, I know. Okay then, take care. Don’t speed. Let me know when you’ve arrived.”Belongs to (N)ôvel/Drama.Org.

I ended the call immediately. When I accidentally looked over, I clearly saw a bruise on Cedric’s face. What could it be from? Was he beaten? Why? No wonder he doesn’t look like his usual self. Earlier this morning, when he brought lemon tea for me, he seemed fine. So the bruise must be recent? Or did I not pay enough attention?

“Are you okay, Cedric?” I suddenly asked.

“What?” He turned to look at me.

“Take off your cap.”

Cedric hesitated. It means something did happen to his face. Was he punched? Why? That’s probably why he’s not dressed as usual. Earlier this morning, when he brought me lemon tea, he seemed fine. So, the bruise must be recent? Or did I just not notice it clearly?

“It’s nothing, Anya.”

I insisted. “Take it off, Cedric.”

I could clearly hear him sigh softly. Then he took off the cap that had been hiding part of his face, making me wince at what greeted my eyes. In addition to the bruise on his cheek, the corner of his lips was also injured. There were traces of dried blood still visible.

“What happened to you?”

Cedric shook his head.

Somehow, I had this urge to touch the wound and treat it. But damn, he brushed my hand away. It surprised me.

“Sorry, Miss. I’m driving. I’m afraid I’ll lose focus and put you in danger.”

I snorted and immediately glared at him disapprovingly. And yet, I had good intentions, right? Rejected! Bastard. Not only was I already annoyed because he intervened with my car, but when I asked about his injury, he wouldn’t answer, and when I wanted to treat it, he pushed my hand away.

I carried my annoyance until we arrived at the apartment basement. I quickly asked for the key and told him to go home, not caring how he would get back to his place. But what annoyed me even more was that he just smiled. He followed me inside the unit. Then he suddenly pulled me into the living room and seated me right beside him, firmly holding my hand without any intention of letting go. Even though I protested and asked him to release me.

“I’m glad you want to treat me. Here. Not in the car.”

I turned my face away.

“It’s dangerous, Anya. Your safety is my priority now.”

My silence was still his answer. Then I saw him stand up and walk towards the first aid kit that I kept not far from the kitchen area.

“Treat me, Anya.”

Nuts!

***

Cedric went home after making sure everything was in order, including the vitamins I have to take regularly every day. I wanted to scream when he waited for me to drink them. I really wanted to press on his injured lip. Let him learn his lesson.

He looked like a little child as I cleaned and treated his wound. My sharp scolding only elicited a smirk from him. “It stings, Anya,” he complained when I applied antiseptic on the injured area.

“Endure it.”

Again, he smiled.

“No need to smile like that. It annoys me.” I quickly put away all the first aid items. “Put them back where they belong.”

His response? A smile with a smirk. So irritating.

“Thank you, Miss, for treating me.”

I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

“I’m going home now.”

“Fine. Don’t linger here too long. I want to rest.”

Instead of leaving immediately, he made sure of many things, including the balcony door. He warned me to always lock it, even though we were on a relatively high floor. It’s better to be cautious, he said. I let him fuss around. I didn’t ask or tell him to do it anyway.

“I’m really going home now.”

I just nodded.

“But…”

I saw Cedric walk closer to where I was sitting casually on the sofa. He had already prepared to put on his shoes. This suddenly made me feel wary. “What do you want?”

“Can I touch your belly again, Ma’am?”

Oh God. Can’t I get rid of Cedric from my life?

***

“Anya, have you heard the rumor?”

I chewed my chicken soup a bit slower and looked at Dona with a questioning gaze. Usually, without needing to ask like that, Dona would already start blabbering non-stop, telling me all the information she knew, and adding her own opinions on the matter. She loves spicing things up.

We were having lunch in the cafeteria, a forced choice by Naomi since Dona prefers the restaurant across the street. She said she wanted to see Dewa. Personally, I’m not too comfortable with that. I feel bad because I keep rejecting Dewa, who wants to get closer. Especially when he said he was waiting for me to go home together, which ended with me fainting in the office.

Naomi didn’t seem to be affected by Dona. Maybe she already knows?

“What?” I asked as Dona hadn’t continued her sentence.

“Kelvin is resigning.”

Fortunately, I wasn’t drinking or eating anything at the moment. My last bite had successfully passed through my throat. Otherwise, I’m sure I would have choked upon hearing Dona’s words.

“Seriously?” I quickly grabbed a glass of orange ice and sipped it mercilessly, leaving only a little inside.

“Yes, seriously. I heard from HRD, and they already have a replacement ready for the handover.” Naomi added. There you go. My suspicions were correct. Naomi must have known. They share the same floor with HRD, and they probably hear office regulations gossip first. Especially Dona, who is an HRD staff. She wouldn’t miss out on juicy information like this.

I started to recall my last conversation with Kelvin. What does this mean? Is he really resigning?

“Is he getting a new job?”

Dona shrugged. “I don’t know. When asked, Kelvin just smiles.”

I chuckled.

“But if he gets a new job at the same level, I think, dear, he must have been hired for a promotion somewhere else.”

I agreed with Naomi’s statement. Kelvin’s career has been quite impressive. At his young age, he’s already a manager. Dona once spilled his salary to me when she found out that Kelvin was getting closer to me. According to Dona, it was also a consideration in case I thought about the future with Kelvin. Dona always has her ways.

“I know who’s happy about this news.” Dona winked mischievously at me. I rolled my eyes in annoyance. I’m really amazed by her way of thinking. Plus, Naomi couldn’t help but laugh at her.

Before all the teasing could continue, the universe joined in. Kelvin walked over to our table, still with that smile that most of the women in our office would be mesmerized by. His well-proportioned body, impeccable style, and always perfect look, not to mention his somewhat oriental face that still managed to make him part of the popular guys in the office. I can’t deny that about him.

However…

“Hi, Anya.” I smiled slightly in response.

“Doni and Naomi are here too.”

“I thought we didn’t get a greeting from you, Vin,” teased Dona, earning laughter from Naomi.

“I’m really happy to see you in good spirits.”

Kelvin is always straightforward when he approaches his target. He doesn’t beat around the bush and always makes it clear that the girl in front of him is within his reach. Possessive, right? That’s not all. In our limited conversations, since I often avoid him, he always makes me uncomfortable.

His discussions usually revolve around his life achievements, his opinions on things that don’t meet his standards, and snide remarks about things he thinks can be achieved better by the person he’s talking about. As if he’s the epitome of success in life.

I can’t keep up with someone like Kelvin. Not because I’m afraid he’ll find out about my past, left by my mother and father, but because I don’t want him to get too involved. I’m not ready for it, and he’s already made too many interventions in my life. I want to be free, not tied down by a bunch of rules that only make me feel smaller.

I thanked him for his earlier comment. Then, I continued with my meal. I don’t know why this chicken soup tastes so good that I wanted to order more. “Naomi, do you mind helping me with another bowl of chicken soup?” I asked.

Naomi looked at me with a horrified expression. “Not enough?”

I grinned.

“Order a half portion,” Dona suggested, which Naomi agreed to immediately.

“Are you still hungry?” Kelvin asked, looking at me in amazement.

“Yeah.” I couldn’t care less about his judgment. All I knew was that I still wanted more chicken soup.

As soon as Naomi’s half portion of chicken soup arrived, I wasted no time in devouring it. The hot broth and the smell of tomatoes mixed with the soup made my mouth water.

“I noticed you’ve gained some weight, Anya.”

I stopped moving my spoon, which was filled with vermicelli and chicken slices. Did he really just say that?