CHAPTER 22

“Hey,” a soft voice spoke as I felt a gentle touch on my face.

I slowly opened my eyes and found the gentle face of Achetbir. I roamed my eyes and found myself lying down on my bed. I quickly got myself up and shyly looked at him.

“Sorry, Sir. I made it even harder for you to carry me,” I apologized as I played with my fingers.

“It’s okay. I was about to go. I just woke you up so you can eat. I already prepared your food in the kitchen,” he said softly.

I was feeling mixed emotions at that moment, “T-thank you, Sir,” was all I could say because I couldn’t utter a single word that expressed my feelings.

I knew he was doing all of this to clear his conscience, but I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the way he cared for me, for our baby.

He distanced himself and cleared his throat. “I’ll go ahead,” he bid me goodbye.

I looked at him and gulped at the intensity of his eyes. “Take care, Sir,” I said huskily.

He just stared at me, then licked his lower lip. “I should leave now,” he said as if he were literally speaking to himself and not to me.

“Yeah,” I murmured weakly and averted my eyes.

A few seconds passed, and still, no one dared move.

“Jandie...”

I glanced at him again when he called my name in a sweet voice. Since our breakup, this was the first time he called me by my first name, which made my heart beat so loud.

Our eyes locked with each other, trying to read each other's souls.

“Can I have you back? I am willing to be the father of your child, even though it’s not mine. Just...come back to me. Please...” he softly pleaded.

It was like I swallowed a rock that caused me to hardly breathe after what he had said. I didn’t know what to say. The only thing I did was avert my eyes.

I stopped breathing when he held my hand and gently squeezed it. “Please, babe," he pleaded with his shattered voice.

My eyes clouded over with tears as I felt how suffocating our situation was. I badly wanted to be with him and raise our child together, but I couldn’t. 

I was with him at his best for the years that I had been working at the company. I could see how people were amazed by and respected him as he reached success. I couldn’t blame his mother for not liking me because she thought I would only make her son’s name fall. I was only a simple secretary. I was just a normal person with no title to my name. I did not own any company like Achetbir’s fiancée did.

“I-I’m sorry,” I barely managed to say without looking at him.

I heard him sarcastically laugh as his voice cracked in despair. “Do you really love him that much?” he asked bitterly.

I love you this much.

“Yes,” I said emotionlessly, trying to hold the pain.

He didn’t even dare to speak. The room was filled with silence until I sensed him stand up.

“Don’t worry; this will be the last time I bring us up. Maybe I should really move on this time. I have loved the wrong girl,” he said in a cold voice.

I was tongue-tied enough to hold back my tears. I took a deep breath before glancing at him.

Our eyes once again met, but this time, coldly.

“Goodbye,” he said.

I secretly pinched my hand and nodded. “Goodbye...”

He broke our stare and turned his back on me. I covered my mouth the moment he closed the door. I let myself cry while withholding my dramatic sobs.

I'm sorry...I am really sorry.

Absentmindedly, I went to work the next working. I was in shock when I saw Achetbir leaning on his swivel chair as I walked into the room.

He was too early,

“Good morning, Sir.”

He just looked at me for a few seconds. He didn’t dare nod or give any pinch of emotion. I just shrugged and sat on my chair to start my work. I secretly glanced at him when I sensed that he was still not moving from his position. He seemed lost and bothered. Was it because of yesterday?

I expected his cold treatment of me after what happened yesterday, but his weird actions bothered me. We both sat straight in our chairs when the door opened. “Good morning, love,” Patriza greeted Achetbir excitedly as she walked toward the man.

The second Achetbir saw Patriza, his face turned pale, and he slowly looked in my direction. I just looked away and focused on my work.

“What are you doing here, Patriza?” Achetbir asked cautiously.

My brows furrowed as I heard his reaction.

Something was off; I could feel it. 

I started to feel strange and anxious for no reason. My hands got sweaty as if a great deluge were about to come.

“What? I should be asking you, Achetbir. Why did you leave so early after what we did last night?” Patriza sulked.

I felt like a glass of cold water was poured on me at that moment. I froze in great pain.

Did I hear her right?

I slowly lifted my eyes to them. Patriza was sitting on Achetbir’s desk with her arms crossed on her chest. Achetbir, on the other hand, was looking straight at me as if he were waiting for me to look at them.

“Let’s go; we’ll talk about this at home,” Achetbir spoke emotionlessly and stood up from his chair.

“Talk about what? Besides, Aunt Emily is coming right now,” Patriza informed him about Achetbir’s mom's arrival.

“Fuck!” he hissed and glanced at me secretly again.

I controlled my breath and tremblingly went back to what I was doing.

“Why are you cursing, love? It’s fine. Our wedding is also near, so no need to feel guilty about last night. Can’t you remember? We were so happy doing that. You know, we can produce our own baby.” Patriza chuckled.

“Patriza, stop,” Achetbir uttered coldly.

I didn’t know what was really happening at this moment because my mind was flying unconsciously. I just came back to reality when someone banged on my desk. It was Achetbir's mother, who was standing in front of me. I immediately stood up and bowed my head to show respect despite the coldness I was feeling.

“From now on, I want her out of this company. If you need to transfer her to another company, then do it. I just want her to stay out of your marriage,” she said in a cold voice, which made me stare at her.

“Mom, stop this. Come on, we’ll talk about this at home,” Achetbir pleaded and packed her things.

“Why not here? Why, Achetbir? Is she really that important to you?” she said while pointing at me.

He remained silent and deeply sighed. “We are talking about our family issues in my freaking office, mom,” he pointed out.

“And so?” his mom blurted out.

He rubbed his temple as if he didn’t know what to do anymore.

“And you, flirty woman. When will you stop? Do you think that him giving you his attention doesn’t reach me? How much do you want? Tell me, and I’ll give it to you, but in return, get out of his life,” she exclaimed straightforwardly.

I knew that I really didn’t deserve being accused this much, but I couldn’t move, and I didn’t want to lose my respect for Achetbir’s mother. She was not contented yet, and she moved closer to me and gave a harsh slap on my face.

“You’re a whore. My son is getting married, and you are already pregnant with another man, so why still flirting with my son?” she asked.

Achetbir immediately went near to her mother and moved her away from me. “STOP HURTING HER!” he shouted angrily. 

“Why, Achetbir? Do you still love that woman?” Patriza mocked in annoyance.

“Can you two please stop?! Can’t you see she’s fucking pregnant!” Achetbir yelled.

The old woman laughed sarcastically. “That’s it, Achetbir. Can’t you see that she’s pregnant by another man?”

Achetbir didn’t utter a single word in answer. I could feel my heart crumpling right now. This was what I was always trying to avoid, but unfortunately, it still happened.

“Take her to another company, Achetbir, and as soon as possible. Marry Patriza before her stomach blows up,” his mother said.

“Okay...” Achetbir surrendered.

I bit my lower lip as a thousand needles pricked my heart. Yeah, this was the right decision so that everybody would be at peace.

I grasped hard at my desk when my womb ached. I heard Patriza shout as I felt a warm liquid between my legs. I slowly looked down and started to tremble when I saw a pool of blood under the table.

No…my baby.

“Ahh!!” I shouted in pain as I held on to my belly.

Achetbir quickly carried me up. “Hold on, fuck,” he said, panicking.

“My baby, no! It hurts!” I screamed and whimpered in pain.

“Shh...Hold on; everything will be okay,” he pleaded as we rushed out of his office.

“My child, Achetbir, my baby,” I exclaimed repeatedly while crying. “Ahhh!!” I yelled again as my stomach ached too much. “Please save him. Save our baby, please...”