PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

“Morning, Anna,” I greeted Anna. The girl really showed remarkable effort, coming in earlier than me even though breakfast was still served at her desk.

“Good morning, Miss.” Anna swallowed her bite of food. “Breakfast, Miss.”

I gave a small smile. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea to stop labeling her as a potential rival for my job. I’ve been overthinking things lately, it seems. “I had breakfast at home earlier.”

Anna just nodded and continued with her breakfast while I prepared to turn on the computer. The financial report that Krystal asked for, which was nearing its deadline, challenged me to focus on it more. I couldn’t afford any interruptions to complete this report, which required extra precision. If someone asks why I’m not delegating this task, Krystal always has an answer that makes me think, yeah, why didn’t I think of that?

“Where do you live, Anna?” I asked, breaking the silence. Anna seemed a bit too serious while enjoying her breakfast, and I realized I forgot to ask her about this yesterday. At least, some small talk, even though I could read her CV again, was only natural.

“I live in Van Village, Miss,” Anna replied with a smile.

“It’s quite far from the office, Anna. Don’t you want to rent a place closer to the office?”

“I’m not allowed to, Miss.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

I nodded as if understanding. Though I didn’t really know how to understand it since I’ve never been forbidden from anything except taking care of myself. And that was from Nek Sumi. Otherwise, I decided how I wanted to live my life. Wasn’t that what I should be doing now, right? Even though my resolve was firm, I didn’t have a chance to act on it. It’s as if the universe and Cedric conspired to prevent my decisions from being realized.

I suppose I need to think of another way since my shadow remains the same. The darkness I fear is starting to creep into my life.

“Morning, Anya.”

My thoughts were interrupted as I turned and saw Krystal smiling at me. “Morning, Ma’am.”

“What’s on my agenda today, Anya? If I’m not mistaken, it’s a morning meeting, right?”

It’s not like Krystal to immediately ask about her schedule for the day. She usually takes a moment to enjoy her favorite coffee and bread, checking yesterday’s reports and emails, or just making sure that yesterday’s tasks were well-done by her subordinates.

“I’ll check, Ma’am. There were many changes yesterday.”

She simply nodded and walked towards her office. Before she was completely engulfed by the glass door of her office, Krystal spoke again, “If there are any offsite meetings, prepare Anna. You stay here.”

If I said it made me feel choked up, it would be an understatement. But what else could I do? Krystal had given her order. When I looked at Anna, the girl looked shocked. Maybe she wasn’t prepared to go outside the office with her new big boss.

“Miss… Is Mrs. Krystal serious?”

I nodded, leaning more towards resignation. Then Anna rushed to my desk with a sad face.

“Miss, I’m not entirely sure what needs to be done.”

I used to be in the same position, and no one taught me anything. Everything was self-taught, to the point where I got stressed out from dealing with Krystal’s exceptional work rhythm. Her level of perfection was no joke; it was bordering on obsession. I wanted to give up, but the lips that often wore red lipstick from a famous brand said, “If you can’t handle me, I’ll always wait for your resignation letter. It’s not a problem. But it means you can’t push your limits, Anya. Think about that. Not all jobs are easy.”

Anna was lucky; she still had me to tell her. I wasn’t so cruel as to hide things she needed to know about to keep up with Krystal during meetings outside the office. Anna’s task was to assist me in lightening the workload that I myself didn’t know how long would last. Or maybe her presence was to eventually replace me; I still didn’t fully understand that.

What I know now is that there’s Anna. And I hope my negative thoughts don’t prove anything, especially regarding my job. I can only do one thing to keep it. My intention will be fulfilled. That’s it.

***

For lunch today, I was with Naomi and Dona. I hadn’t heard from them since yesterday, and I wondered why. It turned out they were busy and submerged. Usually, they would chat or gossip, especially during the welcoming of new people in the office. But not this time.

“It’s weird that you two aren’t gossiping,” I said as I slurped the broth from my meatball soup. I don’t know why, but I really wanted to eat meatball soup with rice. Sometimes, I think my food cravings are so spontaneous and unpredictable.

“If you go to the second floor, you’ll know what’s going on,” Dona complained unenthusiastically. I furrowed my brow in response to this information.

“Who’s having a hard time, who’s having bad luck,” Naomi said in agreement.

Seriously, I was way behind on so many things. Before I could ask them both, we were interrupted by Kelvin’s arrival.

“The boss is about to resign,” Dona said with a somewhat sarcastic tone. I was really suspicious of the two of them. What’s going on? I’m missing out on news so much?

Kelvin just laughed. “Once in a while, Doni. When else, Naomi?”

They both sighed in agreement.

“By the way, the new manager seems nice, right? You’ve met her, haven’t you, Anya?” Kelvin asked, and I almost choked. What kind of question was this? Kelvin was clearly present during the introduction yesterday.

“Is that what you’re into, Anya?” he asked again.

I put down the spoon I had used to eat. My appetite disappeared completely because of this conversation that didn’t seem to have any direction. “I don’t know what’s going on with you two and how it’s related to me.”

Naomi looked at me strangely. As if telling me it’s better to stay quiet. But I couldn’t, especially when Kelvin looked at me with disdain. What’s going on?

“Even though I’ve been catching your attention for a long time, you completely ignored me or responded to me. But when it’s Henry, my goodness! You easily get close to him just like that?” Vincent said with frustration.

“So, you approached me while I was having lunch just to ask something unimportant like this?” I replied with an annoyed tone that I couldn’t hold back. I was enjoying my meal, after all.

“It’s natural for me to ask, Anya.”

“You’re asking as if I’m already in a long-term intimate relationship or at least a girlfriend. Let me make it clear, Vin. We are colleagues and friends, if I may remind you. You have no right to judge me like that.”

Kelvin fell silent, and I used that opportunity to leave them. I didn’t care about the fresh meatball soup that I could still enjoy. I was still hungry. Before I headed to the elevator in the middle corridor of the building, I stopped by the café across the street to buy something as a snack.

I really couldn’t understand them. What’s going on, and… Oh my God! It’s so strange to me. I need to find out and ask Naomi and Don to spill the beans. There must be a reason why Kelvin attacked me like that.

Soon, I typed a message to the group for both of them to read.

Anya. P: I want you both to tell me what’s going on!

Naomi: Be patient.

Dona: That’s your part, Nao. My part is to rant! Damn!

See, I told you, something is off.