PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

“Morning, Anya,” greeted Krystal, causing me to look up from my computer screen. Today, Krystal arrived a bit later than usual. She had already informed me.

“Morning, Ma’am.”

“Red lipstick really suits you.”

Unconsciously, I touched my lips adorned with red matte lipstick. “Really?”Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“Serious. It looks good. Bold. Fresh. Beautiful too.”

“You’ve already complimented me twice, Ma’am. I feel uncomfortable, Krystal.”

Krystal furrowed her eyebrows. “Why? I’m being honest.”

I smiled. Krystal and her straightforwardness. “Thank you, Ma’am. I’m flattered.”

“Be positive, Anya. Your aura will spread everywhere.” Then, Krystal walked into her office, leaving me with various questions about what she meant by that. Before her figure completely disappeared, she turned back, standing right at the glass door’s edge.

“Yesterday’s meeting results, Mr. Kelvin said he already emailed them to you. Please check it again and send the meeting minutes there. There are some important points that still need to be discussed.”

“Alright, Ma’am.”

As soon as Krystal disappeared behind her glass door, I quickly grabbed the mirror that was always within reach of my computer screen. I gazed closely at my reflection. I felt like my makeup was just average. Comparatively, it was even more natural today than yesterday. I only made my lips stand out with bright red lipstick.

I’m confused as to why Krystal said that about me. My face isn’t exceptionally pretty; it’s just average. My slightly upturned nose is my only saving grace. If it weren’t for that, I think I’d be just an ordinary woman here. My overall appearance isn’t daring in any way. Just like a professional assistant. A knee-length skirt with a fitted shirt, or dress pants with a short-sleeved blouse. No unbuttoning a few buttons to draw more attention. No, that’s not me. I’m not that kind of woman. Sure, there are times when I feel the need to show that women appreciate being noticed. But only for certain occasions.

For example, accompanying Krystal to dinner, a meeting with important clients that can only be done after 7 p. m., or Krystal’s colleague’s party with a guest list that gives me a headache. Not to mention that I feel like a bodyguard because Krystal is genuinely cautious about drawing too much attention.

Playing it safe, as Naomi would say about Krystal’s behavior, who prefers to hold my hand rather than invite her male friends.

Ah, why am I thinking about Krystal? I’d better continue working and do what my boss asked earlier. It took a while to summarize everything due to the numerous points, and some of them I didn’t quite understand. I had to direct call Kelvin several times. I’m sure he was there with a mischievous smile while teasing me between questions about yesterday’s meeting.

“Having lunch together?” he asked at the end of the phone call, for the umpteenth time.

“I have a lunch appointment already.”

“Come on, cancel it. Anya knows I’ll be resigning soon. Don’t you want to have a farewell lunch?”

I chuckled softly. “A promise is a debt, right?”

“But for the farewell party I’m throwing, you must come.”

“Okay.” I still felt uneasy about constantly rejecting him. Anyway, I’m sure many other coworkers will attend the farewell event, not just the two of us.

After the call ended, I continued with my work. Before lunchtime, the group chat became noisy. Even though Naomi and Dona weren’t sitting too far from me, they made a fuss in the group just to choose a place to eat. By the way, regarding the lunch invitation from Kelvin, I lied. I didn’t have any lunch appointments today. I just really wanted to avoid him.

I quickly responded to the group chat that suddenly got filled with numerous messages. I didn’t need to read each one individually because I was sure they were debating about something unimportant.

Anya P: Let’s eat at the cafeteria. I want pizza.

Naomi: You come in and immediately ask for pizza. Read the previous messages first. Classic Anya!

Dona: I know, right? Even though we were gossiping about her. Doesn’t she sense it, Nao?

Naomi: (emojis laughing as much as possible)

I furrowed my eyebrows. Finally, I read each message above, and to my surprise, Naomi sent a photo to the group.

Anya P: WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?!

Dona: Anya’s caught!

I don’t know if I should put on or, better yet, change my expression, huh? Naomi sent a photo of me and Cedric from the parking lot earlier this morning. I’m pretty sure it’s from Naomi’s phone; there’s even the brand name on it. Only Naomi would be so tacky with her camera settings.

Naomi: If you don’t want it to spread, treat us to lunch. Oh, marriage tax. Cedric should marry you soon, Anya.

My head suddenly felt stiff. Why is she talking about marriage? It’s true that in the photo, I couldn’t avoid the fact that this morning, Cedric once again gave me a ride. We went to the office on his motorcycle. And well, I followed his advice and wore trousers. It made my movements on the motorbike more comfortable, and I didn’t have to hold on so tightly.

I allowed him to pick me up just because I felt like it. Nothing more. Tomorrow, I’ll drive myself again. The offer of having porridge and chicken liver satay for breakfast was very tempting when I opened my phone at 5 a. m. Cedric said it’s a regular customer of his whenever they have porridge, and he wanted me to try it. I threatened him that if it wasn’t good, I wouldn’t let him give me a ride home later.

“Guaranteed, you’ll like it, Joice.”

Speaking of the name, I didn’t expect Cedric’s reason for wanting to call me that.

“If I may ask, what does the name Joice mean?” he inquired while still looking at me.

“Place to return home,” I replied. Then I continued with the dinner that had been postponed earlier. I thought he would respond to the meaning of my name, but he didn’t. He just carved a small smile at the corner of his lips. Then, like me, he continued enjoying the meal.

What was I hoping for? Cedric complimenting the meaning of my name? Crazy! The rest of dinner ended with Cedric cleaning up the kitchen. He told me to sit on the living room sofa with a cup of jasmine tea to relax.

I pretended not to care, going back and forth with the TV remote to kill time before Cedric left. I did plan to work overtime afterward. It’s useless to carry so many files and a laptop if I don’t follow through with my plans.

It seems Cedric knows when to stop. After he felt everything was done and to his liking, I didn’t ask many questions about this. It didn’t endanger me; in fact, I felt safer. He finally bid goodbye.

“So… can I call you Joice?” he asked when he was at the front door. Why didn’t he ask earlier? It made me wonder. Is Cedric’s mind that messed up or something?

“Whatever,” I replied.

He smiled annoyingly!

“Can I touch your belly again?”

And there’s this behavior of his! But I couldn’t refuse him. Well… I’m just getting angry with myself.

“Alright, take care of yourself, Mami,” he said. I only responded with a stiff nod.

“Close the door and lock it.”

When I came back to my senses, I just snorted at what he said just now. “Yes, I know! Go home!”

***