Chapter 6

"Ava?" I heard and I shook. I frowned. Who kept waking me up?

"Ava!" the person insisted, and I whined. I looked up and it was Pascal. Wait! Pascal? I was at work?

"Uhm hi Pascal," I said sheepishly. This was the third time he was waking me up today. I didn't know what was happening to me but every time I closed my eyes, I drifted off to sleep.

"Are you okay? Are you sure you aren't sick or something like that?" he asked in concern, and I frowned unhappily. It had been like this for a week now. I honestly couldn't explain it. I didn't feel horrible or anything. I just felt really tired.

"I honestly don't know Pascal. I am just so, so tired," I explained. "I don't even know when I fell asleep. I was just sitting here one second and the next you were waking me up."

"Maybe you should take today and tomorrow off and rest," he suggested, and I nodded.

"I'll do just that. Thank you so much Pascal," I said shooting him a grateful smile. I was glad it was him and not my boss who had found me like that, sprawled all over my desk, most likely snoring and drooling.

I decided to stay for the rest of day. I was just going to call in sick the next day so that I would be able to stay two days and home. And maybe go to the hospital so I could find out what exactly was wrong with me. I was aiming for a promotion and if I was sick, I wouldn't be able to get it. Being sick meant less hours and less hours meant less chances of being promoted. I needed to get my shit together if I wanted to prove myself.

As soon as four pm reached, I hurried out of the office and went straight home, hailing a cab because in spite of all the things I had achieved in my life, driving was something I had always been terrified to do. Hana had offered to teach me but every time I entered her car, I almost died. So it was a no from me.

As soon as I got home, I texted her and asked her to come over. Hana made a mean broth. And I knew it was going to make me feel better. And I definitely needed to feel better.

I don't know when I fell asleep on the couch, but Hana woke me up. I shook and looked around, surprised to see that I was still in the living room. "Hey babes," I rasped out in my sleepy voice.

Hana was frowning. But she looked concerned. "Why didn't you come back from work sooner if you weren't feeling fine?" she asked unhappily.

"Promotion," was all I said, then I threw my legs over the couch. I hadn't changed from my work clothes yet and I needed something more comfortable than a shirt and black slacks.

"You're not going to kill yourself because of a fucking promotion, Ava!" Hana exclaimed. It wasn't the first time she was saying this.

But she wouldn't understand. Hana had her own cake business. And it had pretty much been a success from the time she opened. I wasn't saying she hadn't worked hard but she didn't need to prove herself to anyone. I had to. If I didn't show my boss that I was hard working and I deserved that promotion, I was going to stay in my position for another long while. And that was the last thing I wanted.

"Can I go change before you scream at me?" I asked, my voice a little stuffy.

Hana didn't say anything. Just shook her head and walked to the kitchen. I sighed. I hated worrying her. I really did. But this wasn't something I could help. I couldn't stop working simply because Hana didn't want me to. I had my future to think about.

I changed into a large sweater and some cotton shorts, and I walked back to the living room. I sat on the couch until the aroma of whatever Hana was making hit my nose. I fought the urge to gag, and I walked to the kitchen slowly.

"What are you making?" I asked, rubbing my belly.

"The broth like you asked me to?" she said, confused. I ran to the trash can and dry heaved over it.

"Can you please take it away?" I asked weakly, "You can put some in a bowl so I can eat it later."

I heard rustling so I knew Hana was doing whatever I had told her to. It wasn't in my nature to boss her around. But I didn't want to puke either.

After spending like five minutes on the floor of the kitchen, I walked to the dining room. Hana was pacing there with a frown on her face. She looked terribly worried, and I felt bad that it was me who had put that feeling in her.

"Are you better?" she asked, as she rushed towards me.

"I am," I said, managing a smile for her. I hated when she worried about me like this.

"Here," she said and gave me the bowl of broth. I fought the urge to gag, and I took it from her. As soon as I sat on one of the chairs, she sat opposite me.

Hana was very motherly, and she has always hated seeing me in any kind of pain. She was always the one who nursed me when I got sick, which was a very rare occurrence.

"I'm fine. Stop looking at me like I'm going to die," I protested at her sad look.

"Eat then," she pleaded, and I sighed.

I took a spoonful of the broth. And closed my eyes. I always loved this broth. But today, for some weird reason, it tasted like crap. I swallowed though, but as soon as I put another spoonful into my mouth. I couldn't help it this time. I placed the bowl on the table and ran to the kitchen, puking my guts out into the trashcan.

Hana was right beside me, lifting my hair and smoothing my forehead. "What is happening to you?" she cried and swallowed, then immediately regretted it.

"I don't know Hana," I croaked out.

"Let's go to bed," she said then we walked to the room, me leaning against her. We reached the room and she placed me on the bed. I immediately rolled over sideways and closed my eyes. The fatigue had come back, and I needed to sleep at all costs.

"Did you eat anything special today?" Hana asked, forcing me to open my eyes so I could talk to her.

"I didn't eat anything today," was my response. I hadn't been able to eat anything because I was either sleeping or nothing held appeal.

"It's five pm, Ava. And you haven't eaten anything. Can you take care of yourself?"

"Hana I'm not some kid. I didn't eat anything because nothing held appeal. I know you're worried about me but please don't scream at me," I rasped out pleadingly.

She nodded. "But tomorrow we are going to the hospital. I don't care about work or whatever excuse—"

"I already planned to call in sick," I informed her.

"Smartass," she quipped. "Okay, make an appointment and I'll come here by whatever time you would need me. Okay?"

"Okay mom," I said, and we laughed.

"Can I leave you here? I have a large order and I have to get supplies," she asked apologetically. I waved her away. She had already done so much. I even felt bad about taking her away from her work.

"It's okay Hana. I'll just let you know what time we are supposed to go to the hospital."

"Bye baby. Call me if anything else happens," Hana said then she placed a kiss on my forehead and left.

I sighed and settled in and tried to fall asleep, which would not be hard at all given how much I had been sleeping these days. All I hoped was that whatever this bug was, it wasn't permanent.

***

"Are you sure you have everything?" Hana asked for the five hundredth time.

"Hana if you don't shut up now. I don't need anything," I cried impatiently. First, I was subjected to her horrible driving and now she wanted to pester me with questions. It was almost as if she had never been to the hospital before. I didn't need anything special. She was acting like I was going to give birth or some shit.

"I'm sorry…It's just that I get worried," she said, and I immediately felt bad.

"Hey, I'm sorry for screaming at you too. I'm just very tense and nervous," I admitted. "I don't want it to be something serious. If it is, then I might just say bye bye to the promotion."

"Can you stop thinking about that fucking promotion and think about your life here? God! Ava."

I stayed quiet. Just turned my head away and looked out of the window. That promotion was my life. It sounded stupid but I needed it. I hadn't worked so hard all my life, skipping out on fun, studying when everyone else was partying and doing stuff they liked just to come and give up now. I couldn't.

We reached the hospital and walked to where my usual doctor was. I really hoped there weren't a lot of people present because I didn't want to keep Hana away from work any longer than I had to. At least one of us should be productive.

It seemed like fate was on my side because there was only one other person in the waiting room. Which explained why I had been given an appointment so easily the previous day.

My stomach grumbled and I blushed. Hana and I had already stopped for breakfast and I was still hungry. It was strange because I was never one to eat much. Especially not after I had puked my guts out yesterday. I didn't pay much attention to it. The doctor was going to tell me what exactly was wrong.

"Ava Summers?" the receptionist said after about thirty minutes.

"That's me," I said with a smile. "Can I go in with her?" I asked hopefully, pointing at Hana.

The woman flicked her gaze towards my best friend then nodded. I let out a sigh of relief. If they were going to tell me that I had some sort of incurable cancer, then I definitely needed some emotional support.

We walked into the doctor's office. I smiled at her. The woman was already used to me bringing in Hana sometimes, so she greeted both of us. We sat in the chairs and removed our coats.

"How are you feeling, Ava?" the doctor asked.

"Horrible," I admitted. Hana sent me an accusing look.

"You said you felt better!"

"I do feel better Hana. But I don't feel good."

She sighed and turned towards the doctor.

"What's wrong with you? What has been happening to you?" she asked.

"I…I've been extremely sleepy. I sleep even at work. And I have the weirdest appetite," I answered.

"Don't forget that you puked yesterday. And doctor, she loves the broth I make," Hana added.

"Oh, and do you have a high temperature?" the doctor asked.

"No doctor. That's all there is to the symptoms."

"Hm. Okay. I'll call a nurse to take your blood and in about an hour, I will have the results ready. You could decide to wait here, or you could come back and collect them."

"I'll wait," I said automatically. I had nothing to do today. And if I left for home, I was going to end up falling asleep.

"Okay you can do that in the waiting room. After the nurse takes your blood of course."

I shuffled to the waiting room with Hana in tow after the nurse had taken my blood. "You don't have to wait with me. I'll just text you as soon as I get the results so you can come later if you want."

"Are you sure?" Hana looked dubious.

"Yes. I know you have work today. Goooo," I urged her, and she sighed. After hugging me, Hana wore her coat and walked out. I tried to make myself as comfortable as I possibly could and removed my phone.

Pascal had texted.

Hey. You called in sick?

Yeah. I'm not feeling any better.

I watched as the dots came up showing that he was typing a response.

Oh damn. Do you want me to come see you after work? :)

I widened my eyes. I definitely didn't want him to get the wrong idea. And I knew that it was never going to end at just coming home after work to see me because I was sick. It was probably going to extend to coming on weekends because he wanted us to hang out.

No, it's okay. I am going over to my friend's later.

I felt guilty for lying. But I couldn't do anything.

Oh okay. Feel better.

I let out a sigh of relief and typed a thank you. Anything with Pascal would be plain weird. He was a nice guy generally. And I had considered picking on the numerous hints he had dropped. But I didn't want out working relationship and friendship to get ruined.

I looked up and sighed. This hour was going to be extremely long. I didn't have a lot of friends and there was really no one I could text. I didn't want to bother Hana. I knew she would text me right away, but I also knew that he had a lot of work, so I didn't want to bother her.

So I sat. And my thoughts started drifting. I thought of Logan, something I rarely did these days. It wasn't that I still thought myself to be in love with him. Definitely not. But when I got lonely, I remembered the warmth of his chest as I cuddled into him and how good his hands felt around my waist.

Those were the things I craved. The desire that had shone in his eyes that night; I wanted that. I unconsciously found myself comparing every man to him. And if I could not have the same chemistry with them, then I didn't want them at all. I knew looks and sex were not all that made up a relationship (Paul had proved that). But they were very important aspects.

"Ms. Summers?" I heard. I looked up and saw the receptionist looking at me weirdly. It was almost like she had been trying to get my attention for a while, judging by the exasperated look on her face. I blushed and stood. Then walked to the doctor's office. Her smile was still bright, so I had hope for myself.

I sat in one of the chairs and waited for her to announce to me whatever she had to. Her smile was so bright it was actually creepy. I grew scared. Was this some kind of doctor's ploy so that I wouldn't feel like she was going to tell me anything sad?

"Hey doctor," I said hesitantly.

"Ava, I am pleased to announce to you that you do have a bug. But it is going to come to an end in seven and a half months."

I looked at her in horror. She sounded so damned pleased telling me that I had a bug and that it would be gone in that period of time?

"So I'm going to die in seven and a half months?" I asked, my heart beating extremely quick.

"No. You're going to have a child."

"Sorry what?" I asked, not wanting to believe whatever I was hearing.

"You're pregnant!"