Chapter 61: The Initial Plan
Chapter 61: The Initial Plan
I was taken aback by her sudden confession. All this time, they were actually relatives? Initially, my assumption was that Joday and Kiro shared a romantic past. Little did I know, their bond was tied by blood. "Promise me, Lyka, you won't breathe a word of this to anyone, alright? Not even to Miss Linda, she doesn’t know, too," she pleaded, her voice filled with an urgent plea. I nodded in agreement. It was clear that this was not my place to share. "Why the silence, Lyka?" she asked, a tinge of concern in her voice. "I'm just a bit surprised, to be honest. I had thought that there might have been something romantic between you two in the past," I admitted, feeling my cheeks warm with shyness. At that, she burst into laughter, a hearty, genuine laughter that filled the air around us. "What? Me and Kiro? That's too absurd to even consider! Ew, no way! It's incestuous, dear! Incestuous!" She managed to maintain her laughter even as she spoke. I berated myself internally for jumping to conclusions. So, they were connected by blood all along. I see. "But let's clear the air, Lyka. That's something I'd never even entertain! Let's not even think about it," she insisted firmly. I nodded, understanding her perspective. We reached an unspoken agreement, deciding to head to the kitchen where Miss Linda awaited our company. As we approached her, her expression displayed a mix of curiosity and concern. I took a deep breath, my nervousness palpable. Joday noticed and gave me a gentle nudge, encouraging me to step forward toward Miss Linda. "So, Lyka, what's the outcome of the pregnancy test? Are you expecting?" Miss Linda's question hung in the air, waiting for my response. Unable to find the right words, I simply nodded, confirming her inquiry with a subtle movement. In response, Miss Linda brought her hands to her face, using them to conceal her amusement. Her muffled laughter escaped, as if she couldn't contain her happiness. "Really? That's wonderful news! Oh my, Lyka, I'm absolutely thrilled for you!" she exclaimed, genuine joy radiating from her.
"Count me in on the celebration too! I'm overjoyed for her!" Joday interjected, her voice infused with genuine excitement. I remembered her mentioning that she was looking forward to having a niece with me. Joday, someone I never could have foreseen becoming part of my life. "We should definitely celebrate this! It's an occasion worth rejoicing—" All of a sudden, Madam's voice sliced through our laughter, causing us to jump slightly. The mood shifted as we were reminded that our secret couldn't be revealed to her. I discreetly pinched both Miss Linda and Joday, a quick gesture meant to signal them not to spill the beans. We exchanged a brief glance, understanding the need to be cautious. Our secret was something we wanted to keep safe, and this silent communication was our way of ensuring we stayed on the same page. The challenge was clear – we had to act natural while making sure our hidden truth remained hidden, waiting for the right time to come out. "H-hello, Madam!" "Good morning, Madam!" Madam gracefully seated herself on her customary spot on the sofa. "Is there a reason for celebration? What's going on?" Her confusion was evident. "T-there's nothing special, Madam. I just mentioned to them that today marks Dodong and Datdat's birthday..." I closed my eyes briefly, then reopened them. It was hard to believe I had resorted to lying, and the lie seemed almost painfully transparent. "And who might Dodong and Datdat be?" Her inquiry was punctuated by her discerning gaze, a testament to her intelligence. "They are my garden pets, Madam. I mean, they're like my pet plants... Yeah, I call them 'pet plants' because they feel like friends," I stammered, breaking the silence that had fallen. I could practically feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I took a steadying breath, attempting to conceal my awkwardness.
"Plants as pets? Your plant buddies are quite something, Lyka," Madam commented, a hint of aNôvelDrama.Org owns all content.
smile playing on her lips. I returned the smile and let out a few light chuckles, aiming to make things feel less tense. "Yeah, Lyka is a unique pet mom, Madam. She has her own fun ways," Miss Linda added, her tone light and easygoing. I wasn't exactly sure if she was teasing or complimenting me, but I took it as a friendly gesture to keep things positive. "Alright then, Madam... we will get back to work," I chimed in, redirecting the conversation from the 'pet plants' topic. The three of us headed to the kitchen, where we could continue our tasks without any lingering awkwardness. Yet, beneath my composed exterior, a flutter of nerves persisted. What if Madam were to find out that I had lied to her and Miss Linda about Kiro not touching me during my first day working here? The memory of that day played back in my mind - the stolen glances, the racing heartbeat, the quickened breath as I stepped into his room. I hadn't expected Kiro's touch to send such a jolt through me. In a moment of embarrassment, I had fabricated the story that he hadn't touched me at all. As I focused on my tasks in the kitchen, that lie loomed over me like a shadow. What if my deception were to unravel? What if Madam discovered that my initial encounter with Kiro had left a lasting impact on me, despite my attempts to downplay it? The worry gnawed at me, adding an unexpected layer of complexity to the day ahead. "Phew! That was a close call!" Miss Linda exclaimed with a relieved expression. "Wait, Lyka, why didn't you tell Madam about your pregnancy? If Kiro is the father, then Madam would be the grandmother..." Joday questioned a valid point that I had considered. However, I wanted to surprise Madam in my own way. And I still don’t want to tell her. I had decided that I wanted to share this news with Kiro first. After all, it was our journey together, and we should both have the chance to tell Madam together. "I plan on telling her when I inform Kiro. It's part of my surprise for his birthday tomorrow," I explained, hoping they'd understand my reasoning. "Oh, that's right! Tomorrow is Kiro's birthday. How do you plan to break the news to them, Lyka? Do you need some assistance?" Miss Linda offered, her willingness to help evident in her tone.
"If you both are willing?" I inquired cautiously. "Count me in, Lyka," Joday stated firmly, followed by Miss Linda's agreement. Perfect! I now had a planning team for Kiro's upcoming birthday. "Alright, here's the plan..." "As morning arrives, I'll be the one to deliver Kiro's breakfast. The actual confession will happen in the afternoon, so both of you need to be ready in the living room, where it will take place. We'll need some festive decorations as a backdrop, along with a box filled with an array of vibrant colors..." "As morning comes, I'll go to his room, as there's something he'll be unboxing with me—" Before I could continue outlining my plans, Joday interjected with a smirk. "Ah, this 'unboxing' concept, Lyka. Are you planning to unbox his boxer shorts or something? But, by all means, continue. It's just a joke, okay? Joke. Joke. Joke," she teased herself, laughing at her own jest. Internally, I facepalmed at her quite cheesy humor. Argh, Joday. "Alright, please continue," she playfully commanded, clearly entertained by the situation. "Alright, our first step will be to open those rectangular boxes in his room, as he mentioned they hold something special to him... The following hours will involve casual conversation with him, and both of you will play your assigned roles." "Of course, the day will be spent together, probably with a few subtle hints about my pregnancy. When afternoon arrives, the surprise will unfold, leaving fate to decide the outcome," I explained. I wanted to keep things simple yet memorable, considering we were celebrating both Kiro's birthday and my pregnancy. "Oh my gosh! It's such a sweet and simple plan, Lyka! I love it!" Lady Linda exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Absolutely, Lyka! Just remember, I've got your back, alright?" Joday chimed in, offering her support. I nodded, touched by their encouragement and camaraderie. "But, honestly, I'm still quite nervous about his reaction..." I confessed, my uncertainty showing. Joday cut in reassuringly, "There you go again. You've got to trust the process, Lyka." I nodded at
her, pushing aside my lingering doubts. I hoped fervently that tomorrow would turn out well. Additionally, I needed to gather the courage to tell my parents, Dodong, and Datdat about my pregnancy. It was a daunting task, and I wished I could convey the news without breaking down in tears.