Chapter 77: Chapter 77

KRISTIN

Edith stood at the door like her feet were glued there.

The phone was still against my ear, and I was now divided between Dija's voice and Edith's confusing stare.

"I have to go now," I murmured into the phone, silently praying that she heard. She said something that sounded like a threat before I placed the handset back on the telephone and leaned into my seat with my eyes closed.

I knew Edith was coming close. I could hear the clinking sound of her heels against the floor, and perceive the unmistakable womanly scent that perfectly combined with the waft of flowers in her perfume.

When I opened my eyes, I gave her a once over. She was dressed in a tight-fitting blue gown that stopped just below her knees and had her hair tied in a ponytail, leaving some wavy-styled strands around the sides of her head.

"Good morning, Kristin."

She had greeted me early in the morning when I arrived, but I answered anyway.

"Good morning. How was your night?"

"You asked me that same question this morning when I greeted you," she teased me with a smile.

"So why did you greet me again?"

She did not expect my tone. Hell, I did not expect it to.

"Kristin, what's going on?" She stood on the other side of the table, peering into my eyes with a look I recognized was from frustration. And Edith hardly looks this way, so whatever was troubling her seemed so mighty.

"I'm fine," I said with a shrug. I hope she got the message.

She nodded and sighed. It was clear that she wasn't satisfied with my response. Her eyes ran over my table, stopping just on the cup of coffee she had brought to me.

"You didn't drink it?" she asked softly, inclining her head to let me know she was talking about the coffee.

"I... I was kind of busy... and then a call came in that spoiled my mood."

"The coffee will help," she smiled so brightly that I feared the sun would retreat in fear. "It will help to lift—"

"Edith, I'm fine."

Good lord, what have I done? Can't women understand the concept of "no strings"?

Can't they stop putting so much love and faith in the wrong person?

I swallowed the need to palm my face.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw her move towards me. She was approaching, slowly twisting her body with each step, her curvy figure swirling to her rhythm.

When I finally got sick of her seduction and looked up, she was right before me, smiling seductively and biting her bottom lip.

"You have been avoiding my calls," she whined and caressed the buttons on my shirt. Her hands got to my collar before I realized that she was going on her knees.

"Edith, what are you doing?" I reached out and accidentally grabbed her thigh to stop her further descent. She must have taken that as a sign.

Edith wasn't giving up. She grabbed my hand on her thigh and moved it up, lifting the hem of her gown and leading my fingers to her pussy.

She wore no panties.

"Fucking hell, Edith!" I pushed her away and shot to my feet. "What the hell are you doing?!"

She moved back in confusion. "What has gotten into you, Kristin?"

Was I too harsh? Possibly I reacted too much.

I exhaled to calm myself down. "Edith, we are at work. I want you to know that, and—"

"We have made out in this office more than I care to remember," she said, cutting me off. "And for once you have never complained about it. What changed?"

What changed? Yes, what changed?

JUNE?

Right, it was June.

Oh, no, it was me. I changed.

I changed the mediocre love I had for June. I embraced—and was still embracing—the love I had always rejected.

Maybe that was what made it look like I was committed to someone else. Maybe that was why I was suddenly eager to get off work and rush back home, with the knowledge that there was this special someone who was waiting.

"Edith, you don't seem to care about the company anymore," I started out of the blue, aiming to use accusation as leverage. "Nowadays, you are slacking."

Edith's lips dropped and almost touched the floor. "Are you kidding right now?"

"No, I'm not."

"Goodness, Kristin, you are the one who has been slacking!"

"Huh?" I blinked repeatedly. "No, you've been the one slacking. You don't even care about the latest with Dija's second contract."

"How am I supposed to get info from you when you keep avoiding me?!" she was almost shouting now. "For weeks now, we've not received any email from Dija about services involving the running of the first contract, and you haven't said anything to me about it! Hell, you hardly talk to me."

"I have work to do. Please, excuse me, Edith." I leaned into my chair and fixed my eyes on the door.

"You've done something, haven't you? You've probably done something to destroy all we've laboured for... Tell me I'm wrong," she pleaded.

"Edith, leave."

She looked at me for a minute, her eyes not blinking even once.

After the stare that seemed to last a century, she turned around and walked out...

*. *. *. *.*

I stayed in my office all day. The issue with Dija hardly crossed my mind, mainly because I was focused on thoughts hovering around June.

I don't know if she was home. And she hadn't called. Maybe she had a busy day... I itched to call her, to hear her voice, but I didn't do that.

I left the office very early.

Driving home now seemed like an eternity. I just wanted to be with June, to be in her arms like it was meant to be from the start...

When I got to the front door and pushed in, a sigh of relief escaped me.

The aroma that assailed my nostrils made me salivate. June had cooked—again.

"I'm upstairs," she called out to me. I know she can recognize the sound of my car even in her dreams.

She came down the stairs, dressed in a big shirt that covered her thighs.

Seeing June in my shirt made me smile.

"Hey, doll," I murmured and opened my arms for a hug. Her body felt very warm against mine, soothing, healing, forcing the stress of my day out the window. It wasn't enough.

I was soon kissing her, tasting her lips, diving into the warmth that resided on her tongue, and caressing every part of my body my fingers could find.

I sensed her weakness... She seemed to have had a very long day. At least, we have that in common.

"You look exhausted," I whispered, my breath escaping in a rush. "Had a long day?"

She tried to smile, but her face didn't allow it.

"I think we can call it that."

"June, are you okay?" I pulled back to look into her eyes. "Doll, are you fine? Do you need me to do something?"

"I am fine," she managed to force out a smile, mainly to put me at ease. "You have given me the treatment I need to continue going. Your hugs and kisses are healing." This time, she chuckled. Her hands cupped my cheeks, "Besides, you look exhausted. Had a long day?"

"Nothing I can't handle," I smiled. "I can see that you cooked. You know you didn't have to bother."

"I want to bother." She pulled away from me and started for the kitchen. With a serious tone, she said, "I need to talk to you when you are done eating."

The tone of her voice made my heart ache.

"What's wrong?" I demanded. "Tell me now."

"Nah, I don't want to spoil your appetite."

I rushed forward and grabbed her, turning her to face me and grabbing her waist.

"June, you know I don't like seeing you like this. Please tell me what is wrong!" I begged, scared of what she wanted to talk about.

Her eyes turned glossy with unshed tears.

"Kristin..."

"I'm here, baby," I whispered in a voice that matched hers. Her hands on my shoulders got tighter like she was scared the news would make her lose balance. "Please, tell me. Don't keep me in suspense."

"Kristin..." The tears she had been holding started to fall. Barely a whisper, she said, "I am... pregnant."