Chapter 212 A New Life
I woke up the next morning with a headache and I felt weak and sick all throughout the day at work. After around three days of this, I knew that something was wrong. I tried my best to hide my condition from Reiner and tried to handle it on my own.
I sighed loudly as I stared at my computer screen, although my mind was elsewhere. I knew what the symptoms of what I had looked like, but I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. I waited for lunch break to start before heading alone to a nearby pharmacy.
The old lady at the counter looked at me dubiously before scanning the barcode and asking for payment. I handed her some cash and told her to keep the change before heading out in a hurry. I felt her eyes on my back and wished that she would just mind her own business.
All afternoon, I couldn’t focus on work at all. It was pure luck that things have died down a little bit at work and there was nothing major due the following day. Reiner picked me up on the dot and I was back in the penthouse in no time.
“You can just let me out here. No need to send me up,” I told Reiner briskly.
“Are you sure? I’m not in a hurry so I can walk you to the door,” Reiner replied with a smile.
“That’s ok. Take care, R. I’ll see you tomorrow!” I said as I turned around and headed into the building, waving my hand in the air to him.
…
I have to say that it’s my first time using this. After reading the instructions carefully, I sat down on the toilet seat and followed the instructions.
Now, I just have to wait for around ten to fifteen minutes as per the instructions. Looking back, I guess I already knew what the result would be and just needed confirmation. I was surprised at how calm and collected I was about all this as I sat on the bed and waited for the fifteen minutes to pass.
I don’t exactly remember what went through my mind as I waited out those fifteen minutes. I just remember that I was calm and mentally ready to embrace whatever the result would turn out to be. You may not believe it because even I find it hard to believe myself, but I remember clearly that I felt no sense of regret or guilt about what I had done.
When the fifteen minutes of waiting time was over, I closed my eyes and took in deep breaths. At that moment, before I looked at the test result, I guess I got a glimpse of my true hopes and fears. I wished with all my heart that the test result would be positive.
I opened my eyes and stared at the test result that showed two colored lines.
“Congratulations, Natalia. You are now pregnant! Well, at least according to this at-home pregnancy test” I said to myself as I unconsciously patted my still-flat belly softly.
…
I wonder if I should go to the hospital to get a more accurate confirmation of my pregnancy. But then, aren’t pregnancy test sticks supposed to be very accurate already? It wasn’t easy for me to go the hospital for a pregnancy test in secret. Even if I was somehow able to sneak out and go to the hospital alone, there was no guarantee that someone from the family or the media wouldn’t find out.
‘Walls have eyes and doors have ears’
Edward said something to that effect if I remembered correctly. I didn’t dare take the risk of my secret being exposed. Dealing with rumors surrounding my pregnancy wasn’t something that I needed. However, if I announced that I was pregnant when I actually wasn’t, wouldn’t that be worst?
I debated this internally for ages as I sat at my working desk at work. This is distracting me so much that I could hardly focus on the work at hand which had led to overtime for the past few days. What should I do?!
‘Want to go out tonight?’
The text that appeared on my mobile screen pulled me back from my thoughts.
‘Sure. I’ll wait for you to pick me up’
I texted my reply. A date night with Reiner would be perfect!
Time past by painfully slowly before the end of the workday arrived and Reiner was here to pick me up. I shot through the office doors right when it was clock-out time. I took the elevator down to the lobby of the building where I knew that Reiner would be parked out in front waiting for me.
I’ve been debating with myself whether or not I should tell Reiner about my pregnancy. It would be too optimistic of me to think that it wouldn’t come as a shock to Reiner or that he would perceive this whole thing as a pleasant surprise. The reality was that I had decided to conceive this child on my own knowing that this would be a burden to Reiner.
At the same time, I didn’t wish to burden Reiner with the existence of this baby. I honestly did not want to tie him down with me with the responsibilities that came with raising a child. However, a part of me believes that Reiner has the right to know and that I must own up to my own selfish decision.
Debating with myself about this isn’t going to get me anywhere. This spontaneous date felt like fate. It was the perfect opportunity to tell Reiner about our baby.
As expected, Reiner was in the car parked in front of the building waiting for my arrival. He got out to open the car door for me and I thanked him cheerfully. I’ll make sure to make this evening an unforgetting evening for both of us.
“Did you wait long?” I asked as I put on my seatbelt.
“Nope. I just got here,” He replied as he reached out to pat my head adoringly.
“Where are we going? It’s rare for you to suggest that we go on a date so suddenly,” I asked curiously.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
“It’s good to have a surprise once in a while, right?” Reiner teased.
“Good point. So…where are we going?” I asked excitedly.
“You’ll see…” Reiner said as he sped up the car.
–To be continued…