PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm my racing heart and the breath that felt like it stopped for a moment. How could I not? I found Henry in the parking lot, probably on the phone. And what added to the shock was that his car was parked just three cars away from mine.

Since the last time he called me, I ignored all his messages. Not without reason, though. I had too many things on my mind that couldn’t be mixed with the presence of a man who was, in theory, my past.

“What’s wrong with you?” Cedric’s question brought me back to reality, now that I was in the car with him. A moment ago, I felt like I experienced a time distortion. It was just Henry staring at me with a strange look, and I didn’t know how to respond.

“Nothing,” I replied briefly. I looked back at the road ahead, which was starting to get congested. I remembered how Henry asked me this and that. Eventually, he said, ‘Reply to my messages, Anya. Or else I’ll dare to go to your apartment.’

Meaning, he knew where I lived. His joke became a reality. Oh my God! I almost forgot that when Henry wants something, he’ll make it happen immediately.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Can you just be quiet? My head suddenly hurts a lot.”

“I know this is bothering you, but can I know who Henry is to you?” Cedric ignored my complaint this time.

Obviously, Cedric would ask that. He wouldn’t pay attention to my complaints because ever since we got into the car, he suddenly became silent. Although he approached me in the office, even took charge of my things, his lips were still asking questions, especially about my workday.

“Why do you ask?” I replied with a slightly challenging tone. My eyes were no longer on the road ahead but turned towards him. He only glanced at me briefly before focusing back on driving. From the side, his facial expression wasn’t usual. Maybe he felt offended, I don’t know.

“I’m just curious if this time my competition is too much again. Until the label of being Anya’s servant is on my forehead.”

His words were soft, accompanied by a smile that was filled with sadness.

“But if you forget, I am the father of the child you’re carrying, Joice.”

A car horn from behind or the side, I wasn’t too sure, made Cedric start driving again. I heard him mutter, even if softly. Maybe the noise bothered him. Even though he was the one who rudely stopped while the car in front started moving, right?

“Am I completely insignificant in your life?”

I didn’t know how to answer.

Until the car was perfectly parked in the basement, Cedric didn’t say a word. He didn’t offer me anything to eat or engage in any conversation, which was usually what he did. I suddenly felt enveloped in a deep sense of guilt.

He slowly opened the door to my unit, turned on the air conditioner, and placed my belongings inside. “I’m going home,” he said without looking at me.

I looked at Cedric strangely. Somehow, I didn’t like being treated coldly like this. But last night, oh God, Cedric treated me like a queen.

“Are you angry?” I finally asked before Cedric could close the door to my unit completely.

“Why should I be? I don’t have the right to be angry with you.” Cedric raised his head and looked at me sharply. I was quite surprised to see how troubled his expression was.

“But I have the right to be angry with you if you neglect our child.”

“You didn’t even ask what I want to eat tonight?”

“Is that all I’m good for? Being your servant?”

I was taken aback. Seriously, that’s not what I meant.

“Fine. What do you want to eat? I’ll buy it for you.”

“I don’t want to. I don’t feel sincere about it. I don’t want to eat. You can go home if you want.” Even though I was slightly afraid of the words that just slipped out, I had the courage to believe that Cedric wouldn’t do anything inappropriate with me. Like yelling at me, for example.

“Okay. I’m going home.”

And Cedric truly acted on his words. It made me gape and blink in disbelief at what was happening. Annoyed, I threw the flat shoes I was wearing quite hard, almost hitting the glass door of the balcony.

Damn you, Cedric!!!

Anya P: You don’t need to pick me up anymore. I’ll drive myself.

I sent this message three hours after Cedric returned from my apartment. My frustration was still at its peak. How could he act that way towards me?! Was he angry about what I said to Henry in the parking lot? Well, I guess if I were Cedric, I’d be really upset too. But ignoring me? Seriously?

Not even two minutes later, my phone vibrated, indicating a new message. I quickly opened it because I was waiting for a reply.

Cedric K: Okay.

WHAT THE FUCK!!!

Right now, in front of me, was a plate of french fries. These were actually Dona’s stock, but I fried them as a snack because I was hungry. If Dona asked later, I’d just tell her to buy more. After all, it’s my fridge, and I have the right to use it without permission from anyone. I ate the potato pieces with increasing annoyance.

How could he…

A full plate of fries was gone, but my frustration remained. I still wanted to eat more, if possible until my stomach exploded. On the dining table, there were slices of bread, margarine, and chocolate sprinkles. Maybe that would reduce this uncomfortable feeling. Frustrated, I walked to the dining area and spread the bread with chocolate spread and margarine one by one. I was so annoyed that I couldn’t even spread the toppings properly.Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

I don’t care. It’ll be in my stomach soon anyway. My mind was dragged back to the incident in the parking lot after work. When I got out of the elevator, Henry was there. He was standing with his back to me, his phone pressed against his shoulder.

I had already planned to ignore him and walk as if he wasn’t there, until his voice successfully stopped me.

“Are you really busy, Anya?” he asked, and I was sure he wasn’t far from where I was, now almost reaching my car. Cedric was leading the way, not too far away. Maybe because he heard someone calling me, Cedric stopped and turned.

“You’re with… Cedric?”

“Ah, no. He’s just helping me carry my work bag. It’s heavy,” I replied, feeling a bit embarrassed.

The problem with Cedric was that he walked slowly towards me and extended his hand. “The keys.”

I was flustered and quickly searched my bag’s contents.

“Driving your car?” Henry asked, making me turn slightly towards him. I nodded and continued searching for my keys. “Here,” I said, handing the car key to Cedric.

“Cedric doubling as your driver?”

I knew Henry was just asking, but I couldn’t say anything, right?

“Yes.” That was all I could do to answer.

“Oh, thank goodness. I thought you had something going on with Cedric,” Henry said, appearing to let out a soft sigh. “Cedric, you don’t need to drive Ms. Anya tomorrow. I’ll take over.”

The man standing not far from me, I could even glance at him from the corner of my eye, and I could see the change in his facial expression.

“And you, don’t ignore me all the time.” Now Henry moved closer to me, tucking my stray hair behind my ear. His action made me take a step back. “Reply to my messages, Anya. Or else I’ll dare to go to your apartment.”