PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

Welcome back home, Anya. I screamed with joy inside. Once the doctor gave me the green light to go home, the main thing I’ll do is take a bath. Soak in the warm, foamy water in my bathroom’s bathtub. And enjoy the friendly aroma therapy. I also haven’t had time to find something that won’t make me nauseous, so maybe I’ll stick to using eucalyptus oil for now. That’s fine.

My two annoying best friends escorted me all the way to the front door. They were the ones carrying my bags and taking care of everything. I accepted their help gratefully, even though they really tested my patience.

Besides the two of them, there’s Cedric too. I could protest, but it’s pointless. It’s a Saturday, so no one is working, and they don’t have the excuse of their work schedules being disturbed because of me. Damn it, they’re so annoying!

I still remember the night when Cedric stayed overnight. Not for a second did he take his attention off me. Whatever I needed, he went to great lengths to fulfill it. He even insisted on helping me go to the bathroom, even though I didn’t really need it. I could still walk on my own; the only thing bothering me was the IV tube. I sent him away at 5 in the morning since he had to work, right?

At first, Cedric insisted on waiting until breakfast arrived. He wanted to make sure I finished all the breakfast provided. Did he think I had a bottomless pit for a stomach? Eating so much? Crazy! I refused, firmly rejecting his offer because, besides him needing to work, I didn’t want to spend too much time facing him.

We didn’t talk much during my hospital stay. I set many boundaries and answered his questions very briefly. I wasn’t ready to chat or, in fact, I’ve made up my mind. I don’t need Cedric’s approval. I’ll carry out my plan once I return to work actively. Krystal’s business, I’ll be honest if asked.

Facing Krystal is a different story from facing Cedric.

“Anya, I’ve put the food in the fridge. You just have to warm it up. What do you want to eat now?” Naomi asked after putting a rather large bag into the room. I’m not allowed to do anything, and Dona is restraining me on the sofa. Naomi just placed the bag and ordered Cedric here and there.

Cedric? He’s so delighted to be asked for help like this. I wonder why. Not to mention his smile hasn’t faded away! What’s he doing?! Working, just work! Why does he have to smile like that? Trying to get my attention or something?

“I don’t want to eat.” I’m being honest. I’m still full. Besides, if they linger here, I won’t be able to carry out my plan to take a bath, will I?

“Come on, Anya, you have to take your medication and vitamins obediently.”

“Hmm.” I chose to grab my gadget from my pouch. I read many messages from Dewa and Kelvin. Those two wanted to visit me, but for the sake of my peace, I banned them from coming.

“We’ll be checking on you frequently, Ya,” Naomi followed me to sit on the sofa. “If you misbehave again.”Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

I raised an eyebrow challenging Naomi’s gaze. “What?”

“For sure! I’ll be your enemy.”

I burst into laughter. “You both act like children.”

“You’re the child here. You can’t take care of yourself at all.”

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. “Please, Naomi. I’m being hunted down by Krystal. That’s why I have to move quickly. And do you really think I’d let myself faint like that? No way.”

“It’s really hard to argue with you.” Naomi then got up, leaving me puzzled. Although I do want them to leave me soon, it doesn’t mean this quickly.

“Where are you going?” I finally asked. Especially seeing Dona giving more instructions to Cedric. What’s the point?

“We’re going home. You’re in Cedric’s care.”

“NO!!!”

***

“I don’t know which one you like. I bought them all,” Cedric offered several bottles of aroma therapy. From red, soft purple, cream, white, pink, and oh my! Yellow? Seriously! That’s just not right!

Initially, I was forcing Cedric to just go home with Naomi and Dona. But my friends are incredibly annoying. They keep nagging and make it impossible for me to reject their help, so I decided to take a shower. I don’t care if Cedric wants to go home or stays in the living room. I just want to soak in the bath.

My intention to relax was not fully realized as I suddenly felt intense nausea. Entering the bathroom with its woody scent made me dizzy all of a sudden, causing Naomi and Dona to change their minds about leaving. They diligently helped me clean up the mess. Dona promptly threw away anything related to the aroma therapy I liked.

“If you leave her alone, what would happen? Turn into a corpse?” Naomi is sadistic when she talks like that. I just stayed silent.

“Are they all thrown away, Dona?”

“All done, Nao. Anya is so irritating. Let’s not use those aromas anymore.”

“I was planning to take a bath, Dona. I thought it would be pleasant and comfortable,” I complained while sniffing the scent of eucalyptus oil again. “Who knew I couldn’t handle it.”

“Buy Anya some aromatherapy scents, but not the floral ones or the ones she tried earlier. She kept vomiting. Poor thing,” Dona advised.

“Yes, Doni.” Cedric quickly grabbed his jacket, even though he had just finished cleaning my bathroom.

I felt uneasy about this. “Cedric,” I called before it was too late.

He glanced back briefly but continued moving.

“No need. I don’t need it.”

What I hate most about Cedric right now is his smile. Yes, at this moment, he smiled at me without any burden. “It’s okay, Anya. As long as it makes you comfortable, I’ll stick to using only the aroma therapy.”

As his back disappeared behind my unit’s door, Dona immediately taunted me mercilessly. “Such a hypocrite!” she said.

Damn it!

“He knows you’re pregnant.”

I turned to Naomi, who seemed to be casually talking.

“The question is simple, Nao. Did Anya tell Cedric that she’s pregnant?” Dona chimed in.

“Exactly.” Naomi now looked at me with a slightly sharp gaze. “So?”

“So? What?” I asked, pouting. “You two would be the only ones I’d tell if I were pregnant.”

Naomi chuckled. I became suspicious. “Right?” I asked, confirming.

“Uhm… how should I explain it, Don?”

Dona now laughed with satisfaction.

I became even more suspicious. There must be something they’re hiding. “What is it?”

“When you went to the hospital, Krystal and Cedric took you there. We followed after Krystal told us. When I got there, Cedric defended you gently in front of Krystal.”

Furrows appeared on my forehead. “What do you mean?”

“Enough, Nao. Let Anya have something to talk about with Cedric.”

I threw a sofa pillow, hitting Dona’s face squarely. I was so annoyed by her words just now! Some friend she is, huh?