It has been five days since I discovered I was pregnant. Danielle has been calling me two to three times every day to check up on me. Lucian and I went on a few dates during the first three days, but lately, I've been ignoring his calls and texts due to a major issue: my mood swings. Whenever I'm with Lucian, I find myself becoming easily irritated. Sometimes, I just crave solitude, so for the past two days, I've locked myself in my room. I told him I'm swamped with work and need space, and to his credit, he's respected my request and hasn't pushed me further.
Yesterday, I burst into tears unexpectedly when a very old high school classmate, who I wasn't even particularly close to, called me out of the blue. I could tell she assumed I cried because she reached out, and I sensed her genuine concern. However, I didn't correct her assumption.
This morning, I felt compelled to give a name to the fetus, and I settled on Lily.
The dark circles under my eyes are increasingly noticeable due to my lack of sleep. To my dismay, I've even experienced the humiliating incident of wetting myself during sleep.
Feeling dissatisfied with the clothes in my closet, I'm currently preparing to head out for some shopping.
Today, I've opted for a slightly different outfit. I'm wearing a gray hoodie paired with ankle trousers, topped with a navy blue jacket. On my feet, I've chosen black sports shoes for comfort. Completing the look with black side waist bag. It's not my usual style, but today, it just felt right. Additionally, I've made sure to wear a mask because any strong food smells tend to trigger nausea for me.
I retrieved my car keys and made my way out, a peculiar sense of company accompanying me—perhaps Lily's presence.
As I drove, an unexpected yearning for plain chocolate cake overwhelmed me. Consequently, I steered my car towards a cafe conveniently situated near the SSA designer mall. Upon entering the cafe, a wave of warmth enveloped me. However, the serene atmosphere was shattered as soon as I stepped over the threshold, and an unsettling sensation surged down my pants.
In horror, I realized I had involuntarily wet myself. Before I could gather my bearings, the eyes of both the cafe's patrons and passersby outside zeroed in on me, their hushed murmurs becoming an ominous backdrop.
"What's happened?" "Is she alright?" "Did she really...?" Their whispers swirled around me, laden with a mix of concern, shock, and judgment. Some even suggested taking pictures, their insensitivity cutting through me like a knife.
Overwhelmed by humiliation, tears cascaded down my cheeks unabatedly. The air grew heavy with the weight of their stares, each one feeling more suffocating than the last.
Suddenly, a comforting gesture broke through the chaos. Someone gently placed a hood over my head, shielding me from prying eyes and cruel whispers. With tender care, they scooped me up, cradling me with one arm supporting my back and the other beneath my legs. I wrapped my arms around his neck, clinging to him tightly as he carried me, seeking solace and reassurance in his embrace.
As I felt myself being carried away from the humiliating scene, my tears gradually subsided, replaced by a mix of relief and gratitude. The stranger's warmth and compassion provided a much-needed balm to my wounded pride. I nestled closer to him, finding a strange sense of security in his embrace, despite the unfamiliarity of the situation.
Once we were outside the cafe, away from the prying eyes and judgmental whispers, the stranger gently set me down on a nearby bench. I peeked up through my tear-streaked vision to see his face, wanting to express my thanks properly. He was wearing a mask, His features were kind and understanding, offering me a silent reassurance that I desperately needed in that moment.
"Thank you," I managed to choke out, my voice trembling with emotion.
He simply nodded. Without another word, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a tissue, offering it to me. I accepted it gratefully, using it to dab at my wet cheeks and blotchy eyes.
Once I had composed myself somewhat, I glanced around, realizing that I hadn't even taken note of who this stranger was. But before I could gather the courage to ask, he spoke up again.
"Are you okay?" he asked softly, his concern evident in his gentle tone.
I nodded, offering him a weak smile in return. "Yeah, I think so. Just... a little embarrassed.
"He chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "Don't worry about it. These things happen to the best of us.
"I couldn't help but laugh along with him, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders with his words. In that moment, I felt strangely connected to this stranger who had come to my rescue in my time of need.
"Thank you again," I said, sincerity ringing in my voice.
He waved it off with a casual shrug. "No problem. Take care of yourself, okay?"
I gazed down at my damp trousers, feeling the weight of embarrassment settle over me "Can I borrow your phone?"
"Sure thing, here you go," he replied, passing me his phone. As he did, he smoothly slipped off his white shirt. With a gentle grasp on my shoulders, he helped me to my feet. I was taken aback as he leaned in close, his scent both intoxicating and strangely familiar. My breath caught in my throat as his fragrance stirred unexpected thoughts in my mind. With a swift movement, he wrapped his shirt around my waist, skillfully tying it in place. I stood there, arms hovering in a moment of confusion, studying him.
I dialed a number from memory, uncertain who would answer—perhaps my secretary, the manager, or someone else I could recall. After several rings, the call abruptly disconnected, met with silence on the other end. Peering at him, I found his gaze fixed directly on mine. Despite the mask concealing my expressions, I managed an awkward smile.Undeterred, I dialed another number I remembered, hopeful that someone would pick up this time. To my surprise, they did. "Hello?" came a sharp, thin voice, breaking the silence on the other end.
To be continued!!