PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

After they both left, I was overwhelmed with fear about my world that revolved around my work, activities, and the many things I still wanted to achieve. If I didn’t work, everything would lose its meaning. It’s not about whether I might get another job or that God controls our fortune. I firmly believe in that. But we still need to try our best, right? Not just wait and wait.

“What’s wrong with you?” Cedric finally asked. Maybe he noticed that I had been silent since my friends left. Cedric had been busy arranging Krystal’s belongings in my hospital room. Also, some clothes prepared by Naomi for me. I didn’t know the story and events that led them to be here at the same time. Aren’t they supposed to be working?

“What time is it?” I asked Cedric in confusion, sounding a bit absent-minded.

“It’s five in the afternoon.”

So, I fainted for a long time, huh? Should I ask Cedric how long I was unconscious? But it seemed embarrassing. If I woke up at six in the morning, then… I’ve been sleeping for more than six hours. This is not fainting; I just slept!

“Where’s my phone?” As far as I remember, I was holding it earlier. Replying to Krystal’s message briefly, then my boss arrived. After that, the doctor came and examined me. And I forgot where my phone went. Oh, Anya! How old are you to forget something like this?

“Discharged. Let me get it for you.”

Soon, Cedric handed me back my phone that was previously in my grip. I checked and saw many messages but ignored them. Then came Krystal’s latest message, making my eyes well up again. Seriously, this is really hitting me at my lowest point. I feel so useless as an employee. Just because I’m pregnant, I’m struggling. And I didn’t want to be pregnant like this! My job is like my lifeline. If it’s cut off… my life is over. What job can I do as an old pregnant woman later on? Not to mention the baby, who will take care of them while I’m working?

Would this baby go through the same things I did? Even if I leave them to work, I’ll still be like a mother to them.

“Joice? What’s wrong?” Cedric asked, and his voice sounded very concerned. Gently, he placed his hand on my right shoulder, probably trying to get me to look at him for a moment. But I couldn’t do that. How could I cry in front of Cedric?

“Joice? Is your head hurting again?”

I shook my head.

“Is your stomach upset?”

Again, I shook my head.

“Do you want something?”

Damn, Cedric is so nosy! He’s like a reincarnation of Dona, huh? When we met, Cedric rudely wiped away my tears with his thumb. His eyes didn’t wander anywhere.

“Are you unwilling to talk?”

“Who are you?” I asked, annoyed, and rolled my eyes.

“Cedric.”

I sighed, feeling annoyed.

“That’s better. If you look fierce, it’s much better than crying. Not pretty.”

“Aish, I’m being wooed by someone like you.”

Cedric chuckled. “I’m not allowed, huh? Do I have to be like Mr. Kelvin or Mr. Dewa first before I can woo an Anya Joice?”

His tone was casual, but honestly, it hit my heart hard. I couldn’t resist him, so it’s better to cut off this gaze and direct it elsewhere. That’s better.

“I don’t know what’s bothering you, Anya.” Cedric sat back in the chair next to my bed, placing some of his hands on my right shoulder. He gently stroked it, and I couldn’t resist him.

“I was really worried about you earlier.”

“Because I’m pregnant?” I hesitated after that. If I weren’t pregnant, I wouldn’t have fainted.

“No. It’s because it’s you, Joice.”

I’m not stupid to interpret Cedric’s words. “Do you like me?”

He was silent.

“Since when?”

As he diverted his gaze to somewhere else, perhaps out of embarrassment or something, it made me angry. He’s got nerve ignoring my question.

“Since when, Cedric?”

He scratched his ear, maybe because it was itchy, or maybe not. Perhaps it was to cover his nervousness. “Since the first day I started working here.”

“So… are you planning to harm me? Stalk me? And when you get a chance, you won’t miss it? Is that it?” I didn’t know where this thought came from, but really, I blurted it out without thinking. Making Cedric look at me with a look I couldn’t understand at all.

“That’s something I would never do to your life, Anya.”

I didn’t fully believe him.

“And remember, it was you who initiated it, not me. You were the one teasing, and I couldn’t resist. You’re like the unattainable version of myself.”

I was dumbfounded by what he said. Damn it! Why did it all end up being turned back on me?

“So what do you want?”

“Let’s get married.”

Not to insult him or anything, but marrying Cedric would be like digging my own grave!ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“You don’t need to worry about anything else except your pregnancy, Joice. Here,” Cedric gently touched my belly. “There’s my flesh and blood in there. And I’ll fight with all my might for both of you.”

“How?”

“Now, I work at two places. You know what my daytime job involves. At night, there are a few places where I can make some money too.”

“So, you’re a gigolo?”

Cedric shook his head firmly. “No way! Not like that!”

“Then what?”

“I play live music there. I play the guitar.”

I furrowed my brow, finding it hard to believe right away. Cedric? Playing the guitar? Having a band, you mean? Wait, that’s not too important. The two women are the priority.

“What you saw the other day was entirely my fault. I should have never accepted my friend’s invitation to ‘accompany’ him there.”

“But it still looked like that.”

“I won’t be like that again. I promise. Just playing in a band. The money is good for savings in the future.” Cedric raised his pinky finger towards me, fiddling with it for a moment, waiting for us to interlock our pinkies.

“We’re acting like kids,” I wanted to laugh but held back because of my pride. So, I held it in.

“If acting like kids in front of you makes you happy, I’ll keep doing it without a problem.”

I made a disgusted expression. “How old are you, anyway?”

Cedric blinked, perhaps not expecting that I would ask such a question. I myself didn’t know why there were so many spontaneous questions about Cedric today. Maybe I’m going crazy.

“I’m five years older than you.”

My jaw almost dropped; my mouth wide open. If a swarm of flies came by, they would probably fit a lot in my mouth. Oh my God!

“No way!”

“Do I need to show you, my ID?”

Seriously! I can’t believe this! I always thought Cedric was two years younger than me. I’m twenty-nine years old. From his face, I assumed Cedric was twenty-seven, but it turns out… oh my God!