~Rex’s POV~
I sat down at the desk, holding to pictures. Each were samples for the new label for the frozen yoghurt. The first one had all the things I wanted but its colour seemed dull and unattractive. It would only discourage the buyers. The second had most of the qualities I liked. Asides the cartoon character on it. But it was something that could be worked on.
“I think we should go with this one. It’s not as bad as the other.” I said firmly, returning the second picture first.
I placed the latter on the desk. I leant my back against the backrest. I diverted my gaze from the picture to Paula. She had been me the nonchalant attitude all week. Even while standing in front of me, she still ignored me. She had her eyes on the files she was holding. Each time she flipped over, she flashed a glance at me. She knew perfectly I was looking at her.
“Okay, Sir. We go with the second. I’ll have the artist modify the character. Is there anything else?” The Deputy of Art said.
“No. That will be all.” I said airily, with my gaze still at Paula.
“Okay. I’ll take my leave now.” He said.
I replied in a nod, sluggishly picking up a pen. I uncapped it. The Deputy walked towards the door and left the room. Paula glanced at the door when she heard it bang. She looked at me, wearing a blank facial expression. She closed the file and tossed it on my desk.
“That’s the file you had asked for.” She said plainly.
I glanced at the file on my table. I stretched out my hand and picked it up. I flipped it open and scanned the first page. I closed the file and tossed it back.
“This wasn’t what I had asked for. There are a lot of errors in it.” I said airily, trying to annoy her.
“Fine. I’ll go and correct the errors.” She replied flatly as she picked up the file.
Paula turned round to leave.
“Why are you avoiding me?” I asked her icily.
Paula taken two steps forward and stopped. She backed me and didn’t make eye contact. She stayed mute. I stood on my feet. I walked towards her. I stood behind her. I placed my hand on her shoulder. She wiggled, removing my hand from her body.
“I have to return to my workstation.” She said plainly.
Paula took a step forward but I held her back. I pulled her closer, with my arm round her waist. She tried to break free but I tightened my grip.
“I’ve missed you.” I said softly, kissing her neck.
Paula got annoyed and angrily broke free. She looked at me, with her lips pursed.
“What? You’ve suddenly hated my affection?” I asked coolly.
“Not just that but your attitude as well.” She burst out, with her teeth gritted.
I rubbed my neck tiredly. It was going to be hard pleasing her this time.
“You were the one who sent me out of your office and now you suddenly wanted me back? Doesn’t that sound pathetic to you? I’m not some toy you throw away and expect to get back whenever you needed it.” She lashed out.
I heaved.
“Fine. I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to. That day I was annoyed by something that happened at home and vented my annoyance you. I didn’t mean to. You’re clearly the only one that makes me happy.” I said sweetly as I caressed her cheek.
“That’s not true.” She opposed.
Paula had calm down by words. Her tone was less aggressive than it was earlier. I pulled her closer to me. She was reluctant to look at me. My finger rubbed her cheek again, down to her chin. She pouted her lips and looked at me.
“Sorry.” I said softly, pecking her lips.
Paula let out a sigh. She hung her arms round my neck.
“You really mean it?” She asked calmly, wearing a faint smile.
“Does this answer your question?” I asked her.
I pulled her even closer and kissed her. It was slow, at a steady pace. I broke it. I wore a smirk. Paula chuckled.
~Jacqueline’s POV~
I lay down on the bed, with my gaze at the screen of the Obstetric Ultrasound. I had changed to a hospital gown. The gel on the probe felt cold and ticklish as it was moved round my belly.
The image on the screen was in black and white. There was a small dot. A smile appeared on my face as I saw it.
“Can you see it?” The gynaecologist said jovial.
I looked at the her and replied in a nod. I diverted my gaze back to the screen.
“It’s beautiful.” I said softly.
“As it grows, you’re likely to experience a little discomfort. Though, it’s normal for women in your condition.” The gynecologist explained.
“Mm!” I hummed, still smiling.
The gynecologist removed the probe from my stomach. She stood up from the chair. She removed the gloves she had on and disposed it. She threw it in the wastepaper basket.
“Well Mrs Northman, I’ll advise you follow everything to the tea. This is your first pregnancy and most times, very crucial. You have to get enough rest, eat—fruit included, exercise and everything will be fine. Being pregnant doesn’t limit your usual activities. Though, you will have to stop doing certain things because of the baby until it’s born.” She explained.
“Don’t worry, Doctor. I’ll do as you have said.” I said happily.
The gynecologist replied in a nod. She walked over to her office. I flashed a glance at the Obstetric Ultrasound. Unconsciously, my hand was at my abdomen. I looked down and smiled.
“You’re the most beautiful thing that has ever happened to me. I love you.” I said softly.
I wonder if it heard me? Will it be able to hear at this stage. I got off the bed and changed out of the gown to my dress. I walked through a small corridor and arrived at the gynecologist’s desk. I pulled up a chair and sat down.
The gynecologist flipped over through the pages of my file. I scanned the room, trying to pass time.
“Judging from the test that was ran,”
Her voice got my attention. I looked at her.
“Everything is okay. There’s nothing to worry about. The baby is healthy.” The gynecologist said.
She took out a picture from the file and gave it to me. I hesitated before I collect it. I looked at it. It was my ultrasound.
“I thought you might want to have a picture of it. That way, you can keep track of its growth.” She said jovially, wearing a warm smile.
“Thank you, Doctor! I guess I’ve to take my leave.” I said as I stood on my feet.
The gynaecologist replied in a nod. I walked towards the door, pulled it open and left the room. I closed it behind me. I caught a glimpse of Daisy. She was seated at the chairs in the hall. She had her eyes on her phone. I walked towards her.
“I’m all done.” I said airily, trying to get her attention.
Daisy turned to her side and flashed a glance at me.
“Oh, you’re back.” She said, activating the screen time-out. She put it in her pocket.
“How did it go?”
“Well, not as bad as I had imagined. But I’m glad things are in order.” I said enthusiastically as I sat down beside her.
“The littlest Northman?” She asked.
I stretched out my hand and held the picture. Daisy collected it from me. She looked at it and smiled.
“It’s beautiful.” She said.
I hummed. She stared at it for a while. She returned it to me.
“It reminds me of the days while I was pregnant.” She said openly.
I simply hummed.
“That reminds me. Could we stop at the company before you drop me off? I want to talk to Alex.” She said.
“Okay. But I don’t know where the company is. I have never been there before.” I admitted.
“It’s nothing to worry about. Your driver should be familiar with the place. He will just drop me off at the company. I’ll just take a taxi home afterwards.” She said.
“It’s okay. I’ll drop you home. There’s no need for a taxi when you have me.” I said good-humouredly.
Daisy smiled at me.
“What are we waiting for? Let’s go.”
I simply nodded. We both stood on our feet and walked towards the exit. Daisy pulled the door open and held it for me while I walked through. She closed it behind her. We walked towards the car. Peter waited for us to get closer and opened the backseat door. He held it open for us and waited until we had got in. He closed it and walked over to the driver’s side. He got in, started the engine and drove out of the premises.
I stared at the picture from the ultrasound. For some reason, I couldn’t take my eyes off it. I was carrying something worth silver and gold. And it was mine.
“Jackie,” Daisy called softly.
I turned to my side. She tilted her head, reminding what she is had told me earlier. I got the hint.
“Um, Peter?” I called him.
“Yes, Ma’am.” He answered.
“Can we make a quick stop at the company? Daisy wants to meet her husband.” I explained.
“Okay, Ma’am.” Peter replied plainly.
I looked at Daisy. She had a smile on her face. After minutes of driving and being on the road, we arrived at the company. I gazed at the statue an the entrance. The place was spacious and enormous. Peter pulled over at the car park. He got out and opened the door for Daisy.
“Aren’t you coming?” She asked me.
I shook my head.
“Why not? Don’t you want to show him the picture?” She followed up.
“No. I’ll just wait for you.” I declined.
“Okay. If you insist.” She said.
Daisy got out of the car. I watched through the windscreen as she walked towards the building. I leant my back against the backrest. I unlocked my phone and tapped an app on the face. I was watching reels and got bored. I exited the app. I glanced at the building ahead. I pondered on what Daisy had told me. It wouldn’t hurt if I showed him the ultrasound, right? He probably might change his mind about our child.
I got out of the car.
“I want to go and see my husband. I won’t take long.” I said to Peter.
Peter nodded. I smiled at him faintly and walked towards the building. The doors slid open automatically and I walked in. I surveyed the place as I got in. My mouth had slightly gaped. It was different from the most of the companies back home. I looked forward and found the receptionist. She was behind her desk.
“Um, excuse me.”
She raised her head and looked me. I walked closer to her desk.
“Good day, Ma’am! How can I help you?” She asked politely.
“I’m looking for Rex’s office. It’s my first time here and I have no idea where it is.” I explained.
“Okay. Do you have an appointment with him?” She followed up.
Do I need an appointment to visit my husband?
“Yes. My husband is expecting me.” I said proudly, uncertain of coming here unannounced was a good idea.
The receptionist simply nodded.
“His office is the fourth floor. The second door at your left.” She directed.
“Thanks.” I said jovially.
The receptionist didn’t reciprocate. I let outs sigh and walked towards the lift. I pressed the button and waited for the doors to open. They slid open and got in. I stopped at the fourth floor.
I walked further into the hall. I furrowed my brow confusingly. This wasn’t going to be as easy I as I thought. I turned my head swiftly and caught a glimpse of someone walking towards me.
“Hi, there!” I said friendly, hoping to get his attention.
He stopped and looked at me. I guessed it worked.
“I am kind of lost. I’m looking for Rex’s office. I was told it was on this floor but I have no idea where it is exactly. Could you help me?” I explained coaxingly.
“You’re standing behind it.” He revealed.
Huh? I turned my head round and looked at the office behind me. The walls were covered, making it hard to see through it. I turned round and faced the worker.
“Thanks for the help.” I appreciated him.
He replied in a nod and walked away. I turned round and had my eyes at the office. I flashed a glance at the ultrasound. Breathe in, Jackie! I let out a sigh. I walked towards the door. I stood there, hesitant to knock at the door. I swallowed nervously and knocked.
I turned the handle gently. I took a peek at the room as the door opened wider. The faint smile on my face disappeared as soon as I caught a glimpse of something. My eyes widened in disbelief. My brows creased. My nose crinkled. I blinked twice to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. No, I wasn’t it. Tears slowly welled up in my eyes.
Rex was seated at chair in front of his desk. He leant his back against the backrest, with his hands on each arm of the chair. There was a lady with him. She knelt down in front of him, with her face buried in between his thighs.
“Ah!” He moaned. His hand slowly left the chair and raked his fingers through his hair.
“That’s it! Don’t stop!”
My heart shattered into pieces as I watched them. I felt it being pricked by a bone in my rib cage. They had no idea was in the room. How could he—how could he do this to me? Rex gasped and turned to his side. His face turned pale when he finally noticed my presence in the room.
“Cupcake?”