PREGNANT AFTER ONE NIGHT STAND

Cedric was not letting me do any strenuous activities at all. Earlier in the morning, I had a long discussion with Anna about the tasks that needed to be completed. Luckily, I had already sent the deadline requested by Krystal on Friday afternoon. At least, my workload wasn’t too heavy because I had to leave my work again.

So, I could continue resting fairly peacefully. I told Anna not to hesitate to call or message me if she had any difficulties.

“But don’t feel disturbed, okay? Anna is still very shy about asking directly to you,” she said on the phone, with a cautious tone. I couldn’t help but smile, as I was sure that Anna’s face was blushing with a mix of shyness and reluctance.

“No, just call if you need help.”

“Okay then. Have a good rest. If you’re really sick, you don’t need to come in, so you won’t get even more exhausted.”

I laughed. That was the most appropriate reason I could give to the HRD department as well as Anna. I had to play it safe before delivering even more surprising news. I don’t know if I’m ready for it or not yet. But I guess I can’t avoid it anymore, can I?

Before calling Anna, I had informed Krystal first. I told her on Saturday so that she wouldn’t be surprised if I suddenly took a day off on Monday. She had even wanted to visit me, but I remembered that she was still busy with her personal matters. Her mother was sick, just like Cedric’s.

There couldn’t possibly be any connection, right?

This was just a coincidence, right?

Thinking about things I couldn’t reach was tiring. So, I let it be. Between Krystal and Cedric, there was no connection except that one was a big boss and the other was just an office boy. My phone rang, one message came in. It was from Cedric. I don’t know why, but I was smiling happily.

Cedric K: Just remember all my instructions, Joice.

Cedric’s long list of nagging this morning really annoyed me. I couldn’t sit on the balcony for too long. I couldn’t soak myself for too long in the water because of the fear of catching a cold. I couldn’t even be late in eating various fruits that I used to snack on. And that was not all. I was completely restricted from doing too much physical activity. I could only sit and enjoy novels or watch drama series.

It wasn’t really a problem, but it just felt strange. I was used to being active, and now I was limited.

“Just think about it. Do you love the baby or not? If you love it, then you should think before acting,” Cedric said softly before leaving me alone in the apartment. Today, he went back to work. He was already wearing his office boy uniform, just buttoning up his jacket that he usually wore while riding his motorbike.

“So… you’re willing to take a complete rest as the doctor recommended? For the sake of the baby? You love it, don’t you?” he asked.

“Of course, I love it!” I almost shouted because Cedric was casually doubting whether I loved the baby in my belly or not. Well… even though I initially didn’t want to accept it, it didn’t mean that the feeling of love didn’t arise, right?

“If you love it, then you’ll obey what I say.”Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

I kept staring into his eyes. Not saying anything, just observing him as he got ready to leave. Cedric’s fingers were busy buttoning up his jacket and putting on his shoes.

“Cedric,” I called softly. “What perfume are you wearing?”

He paused. “Don’t like it, huh? Should I change it?”

I shook my head firmly. “No! I like it. I like it a lot, actually.”

“Don’t like the person wearing it too?” he teased.

I scoffed. That’s enough. Cedric was not an easy person to win over, it was like asking for a heart but receiving a gallbladder. Annoying!

“Eh, you’re turning away,” Cedric stopped me from moving away. “You haven’t received your good morning kiss yet.”

“I already did earlier!” I couldn’t accept Cedric saying that! When we woke up, Cedric gave me a long kiss until I was out of breath. And we hadn’t even brushed our teeth or washed our faces! I was annoyed! I felt like I needed to make a special rule about the lip-locking event. It had to be done after going to the bathroom!

“Not enough,” Cedric stood right in front of me, towering over me. I had to tilt my head up to look at him. But from what I remembered; I only reached his shoulders. Why do I feel like such a dwarf in front of Cedric? I’m so small compared to him. And now, his hands were already wrapping around my waist to pull me closer to him.

“Your lips always get me addicted, Joice.”

Well, when this man wasn’t making me swoon with his attitude. Instead of pushing him to leave, I found myself wrapping my arms around his neck, giving him even more access than usual.

“You’ll be late, Cedric.” I took in as much air as I could. My lips were right in front of his. I could feel Cedric’s lips forming a small grin.

“Yeah, I know.”

As a final touch, Cedric planted a long kiss on my forehead. His first hobby.

Cedric stayed over at the apartment last night. Taking care of me. Nothing strange happened, though. We really just slept after exchanging many stories. Anything and everything. Including Cedric’s stories about his mother. I liked the way he spoke about his life with his mom. I could feel that Cedric loved and respected both of his parents deeply. I didn’t ask much about his father, though.

Cedric just said his father worked. That was it.

Granny Sumi once told me, “A good man is someone who loves his parents, dear. Look at how a man treats his mother. He will also respect you as a woman and love you wholeheartedly.”

“But, Granny … My father isn’t like that. He doesn’t love you, right? That’s why he left, just like my mother. He doesn’t love my mother either, right?” I was a teenager at that time. My views on parental love had been eroded by the many unanswered ‘whys’ that I still couldn’t find the answers to.

“Maybe I also had a part in doing wrong, dear. Forgive your father and your mother.”

I felt sad hearing that. “I’m confused when you say there’s something wrong with her actions. I can feel what’s genuine and what’s not, Granny.”

The old woman, with slightly wrinkled eyes, just smiled. “One day you’ll understand, dear, what I said earlier.”

There was nothing I could do but smile, even though I doubted her hope. It felt impossible, right? If indeed a man truly loved his mother, then he would love his partner wholeheartedly as well. What about my father towards Nek Sumi? He just left her like that? Didn’t he love her? No matter how ugly and wrinkled she was, she was still Granny Sumi, his mother. A mother who deserved the highest respect from her son.

What did she get? Abandoned along with her child. What did we do wrong? At that time, I let the feeling of frustration take over until I met Henry. Even though he was mischievous and troublesome, Henry loved his parents very much. He tried to fulfill their wishes as much as possible. And in the end, I confirmed in my little heart that Granny Sumi’s words were true.

Henry truly loved me wholeheartedly, even though we were both far from being mature. And it was that love for his parents that made us decide to separate and pursue our respective dreams. I never blamed what had happened. What’s the use anyway? No matter how hard I tried, it seemed that God knew that I was powerless against destiny.

Henry was indeed my first love. The person who occupied a part of my heart that craved love. Until I met Cedric.

I forgot where I read this quote before. I read many romance novels. If I’m not mistaken, the words were like this. Someone else may be your first love, but it doesn’t mean they’ll be your last. It’s possible that your last love is someone so close to you, without you realizing it.

Similar to my story with Cedric, right?

Ah, I suddenly want to hear his voice. This time, I’m not blaming or dragging Baby into it. It’s purely my own feelings.

“Why, Joice? Do you need something? Is something wrong with your stomach? Are you in pain again?”

It feels like we’re exchanging lips, not just saliva. Why is Cedric being so chatty?

“No.”

“Then what is it? What’s going on?” I can hear a sigh of relief from Cedric on the other end.

“I miss you,” I say softly, closing my eyes. I’m sure my face must be blushing uncontrollably.

“Come on, Joice. Don’t say that.”

Huh?

“You don’t miss me too? Really, Cedric?”

I hear Cedric laughing. “When you say you miss me in that adorable voice, it distracts me from work.”

My lips pout.

“I’m serious.”

A smile unconsciously forms at the corner of my lips. “Just wanted to say that. Bye.”

I don’t need any response from him because I’m already embarrassed. But this warm feeling creeping into my heart is no joke. Oh… I’m like a teenager in love! The intensity of this love is even stronger than what I felt with Henry. Seriously!

Cedric. K: I miss you, Joice. Always.