Chapter 31: Chapter 31

I ignored numerous calls and doorbells that kept bothering me. Breakfast wasn't enjoyable at all since I felt rushed. When I finally opened the door, Cedric was standing in front of me, his gaze fixed on me. Even though I was all dressed up and ready to leave, I didn't give Cedric permission to enter.

Even when he greeted me and asked me questions, I didn't feel like talking. Instead, I pressed my lips shut and blocked out the world with my earphones. I didn't care about his puzzled look. Honestly, I was surprised by my own audacity, acting like I didn't do anything wrong.

Damn it! What was I hoping for?

"Anya, why have you been acting so strange?" Cedric stopped my steps, making me flinch and glare angrily at him as I stood right in front of him in the parking lot, heading to my parked car.

"I have work."

"Yes, I know you have work. That's why I came to pick you up. But you've been silent the whole time. Is something wrong?"

I rolled my eyes. "Move aside." I brushed off his hand. Fortunately, Cedric didn't hold on for too long. I walked confidently towards my car, ignoring his strange gaze. Why should I bother looking at him? A damn guy!

Exactly, wasn't my decision to terminate this pregnancy the right one? He just pretended to be responsible, but where was the actual responsibility? What has he been doing this whole time? Damn it!

That's not responsibility at all. For me, what Cedric did was just a way to get my attention. So that I would soften towards him and he could carry out his mysterious plan, whatever it was. He probably wanted to marry me just because of the child in my womb. No, I didn't want something like that to happen in my life. I'm pretty sure Cedric is planning something.

After he succeeds? Then what will happen to me? Misfortune. Especially after witnessing how affectionate Cedric was with those two women whose faces I couldn't forget.

The image of the good and straightforward guy version of Cedric that I used to know vanished into thin air. Damn it, I was a bit deceived. Although I can still carry out my plan with not fully satisfying results, at least I didn't lose focus. Now, my determination is resolute without any excuses.

Damn it!

I was so frustrated that I accidentally hit the steering wheel. The honking sound startled the motorcyclist in front of me. He turned and gave me a sharp look. I grimaced at him and apologized. Although it was through the car window, at least my intention was good. I apologized for this unintentional accident.

Arriving in the lobby of the building, I didn't go straight to the floor where I work. I chose to cross the street to get some hot chocolate and croissant or chocolate donuts as company. At least, when I meet Dewa, I won't have any anger in my heart towards him. At most, I would feel bad for not having to pay for my order.

"Anya, it's been a while since you ordered breakfast here," Dwi, the cashier, greeted me. I just smiled. Dwi was right; it had been a long time since I visited this place in the morning.

"Hi, Anya."

When I turned around, Dewangga Obrey stood not far from me. I smiled back at his greeting. And indeed, I wasn't allowed to take out my wallet. He said this breakfast was special from him.

"Thanks, Wa. You're so kind."

"Feel free to come often. As long as you come alone."

Again, I just smiled.

"Wanted to invite you for dinner, but afraid of being rejected. It's a burning desire."

"Tonight?"

Dewa looked at me as if in doubt. "If you're okay with it."

"Bring your car, but... It's okay. I won't have to work overtime tonight."

Dewa's smile appeared. Well... consider this as returning the breakfast that was now inside the paper bag. I wasn't taking advantage of the moment anymore. That's not true. I ignored Cedric because that's what I should do, right? Maybe God is opening my eyes wide, that the guy who claimed to be responsible for me is not that good after all. Yeah... it's the same with me; I'm not a good woman either.

But I'm trying to be as careful as possible—except for tonight. I ignore Kelvin's and Dewa's bright eyes because I feel we're not a match. It doesn't mean I'm giving Cedric much leeway. No. Until this moment, I haven't said or asked Cedric to take responsibility.

Not at all.

So I thought it would be enough if Cedric wanted to get close. I had already made my decision, and there was no strong reason to let him come near me.

"Okay. See you later, Ya," Dewa said affectionately with a smile. I just nodded. As I left the cafe, I saw Cedric. As we met, he took wider steps towards me. I tried to act normal because we were in the workplace. At least I had to maintain my composure, right?

"Good morning, Ms. Anya," Cedric greeted when he was about three steps in front of me. The scent that usually accompanied my journey home from the office lately greeted me gently.

"Good morning." I walked confidently towards the corridor where the elevator was located. We joined several other employees from different companies, some of whom I recognized from previous encounters. Including Cedric. I was sure he was following my steps.

Together with other employees, whose names I knew from the name tags hanging around their necks, we entered the metal box. I pressed the first floor while others pressed various floors. I didn't care. The most important thing was that my destination floor was already selected.

One by one, the elevators stopped and opened on the chosen floors. It didn't take long for me to arrive at my destination floor. The sound of high heels tapping echoed in tune with my steps, heading towards the corridor where my office was located. I was sure I heard Cedric's shoe taps too.

When I entered the room, Krystal hadn't arrived yet. I was relieved after all. So I still had time to enjoy the warm chocolate and the pastries I bought earlier.

"Are you angry?" Cedric suddenly asked.

I glared angrily at him, and he seemed completely unfazed. Even the shy gaze that I used to remember, the one that didn't always meet mine, was gone.

"I need to know what's going on with you. If I—"

"Just shut up and go away for me. This is the office. I don't want any misunderstanding here. You and I are different," I said, holding back my very evident anger.

I could see that Cedric didn't take well to what I said. I didn't care. The most important thing was that he moved away from me right away.

"We need to talk."

Before his scent could fade away completely, my stomach acted up. I winced in pain. Why, of all times!!!

***

I managed to deal with all the pain by drinking hot chocolate. It didn't alleviate it much, but at least I could finish some work. Fortunately, there were no plans today that required me to leave the office with Krystal. However, I wasn't entirely sure, considering Krystal's habit of changing her schedule.

Honestly, the chocolate I bought at the café downstairs was really helpful. I was surprised that my stomach suddenly felt tense and uncomfortable. Was it common for young pregnant women to feel like this? I had no experience, and there was no one here who was pregnant like me. Besides, there were only a few people who knew about my pregnancy, and I thought that was enough. I didn't want to add new people to the list who knew what I was hiding.

My phone vibrated, and a message from Cedric appeared. I didn't feel angry about what I saw last night. It's just that I started to doubt him, his claims of being responsible. How could he be responsible if I saw him, spending money carelessly? How much was his salary anyway? To hire two women at once.

Forget it. Thinking about Cedric gives me a headache.

"Anya," Krystal called out as she was now in front of me.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Join me for lunch, okay?"

I blinked slowly. "With a client?"

Krystal grinned. "Just accompany me."

When it's like this, I knew for sure who the client she meant was. It was none other than that Mr. Andrew. I was accompanying her as a shield. "Alright, ma'am."

"Do you have plans for lunch outside?"

I furrowed my brow.

"Like with Cedric?"

I closed my eyes. I forgot that my boss knew who the father of my child was. "No, ma'am."

"He never invites you to have lunch together? He should be attentive to you. What's going on?"

I really didn't understand the thought process of Krystal Blaxton. Why was she making a fuss and getting angry about this? I'm not even angry, and it looks like I'm avoiding Cedric. Now, why is she acting like this? I even distinctly heard her frustrated sigh before she turned away and headed back to her office. I felt relieved after making sure Krystal was about to be swallowed by the glass door.

"We leave in an hour, Anya," she said.

I just nodded. I checked the time; it was already fifteen minutes past ten. I couldn't relax so easily. What about my report? Even though Krystal invited me to lunch outside, I still had to finish my work before I left. Hopefully, I could do it quickly.

Unknowingly, time flew by quickly. Luckily, I only had to arrange one more section before it could be rechecked. After lunch, I could send it directly to my boss's email. I quickly packed up my belongings, not entirely sure whether to bring my laptop or not, but I prepared it anyway. If Krystal said to bring it, I'd just carry it.

When I opened the third drawer, which was quite spacious and used to store spare high heels, the book that I had been hesitant to throw away appeared. The book that the hospital gave me as a reference for pregnancy and notes about the changes and medication I received, all written there.

My fingers trembled slightly as I picked it up. There were also photos from the ultrasound. Unconsciously, I gently brushed them. My thoughts were in turmoil. But no, this was final. I had been wavering before, just having intentions in my heart. The first attempt tired me out, but there were no results. Then I remembered Cedric's expression, whatever you want to call it—disappointment, anger, or something else—when he saw me. It annoyed me.

Before, I was considering reevaluating my plan to terminate the pregnancy.

Before, I started to think maybe Cedric was a good person.

Before, I hoped that, even without love, I could still accept it.

But seeing Cedric at the club last night erased any doubts and reconsideration from my mind. There was no more deviation from my original plan. Indeed, the heart knows best, and I believe this is for the best.

"Can you believe it, that Andrew has no brains?"

Can I laugh? Is it a sin to find it amusing that Krystal Blaxton is furious after our lunch today? We leisurely walked without carrying anything, and our intention was simply to have lunch. Just lunch. But privately, we ended up in one of the upscale hotel restaurants. I don't know, maybe it was initially planned as a romantic lunch or something, but it definitely failed.

Maybe because of me. However, Mr. Andrew himself also invited his assistant, Gina, her name. Fortunately, we managed to eat separately and had a lot of chat. Gina was fun to be around, actually. Sometimes she complained about her boss, who seemed to have a big ego. Lucky for me, even though Krystal could be annoying, I still admired her.

And because Krystal was in a bad mood, I got the chance to accompany her wandering around the mall. I was also carrying some makeup items, for some reason, I felt like Krystal was going crazy for them. She didn't choose or compare one with another. She just grabbed them, checked the brand, and paid. Although I got the chance, it still wasn't Krystal.

I became curious, what were they talking about that made my boss so angry? But it's not something I could do. It would violate her privacy, and I was sure Krystal wouldn't like it.

"Anya, are you even listening to me?"

I grimaced. "I am, Ma'am. Your question is just strange, and I don't know how to answer it. If Mr. Andrew had no brains, he wouldn't be a top executive at Lazade."

"I know he's smart, but oh... he's just too much. You're lucky you have Cedric, who's not into sweet-talking. But Andrew? Oh my God! He's all about sweet words!"

Wait... something feels off here.