ZaraIt’s Saturday and for me ,that means deep cleaning. Only, this time, it’s aggressive cleaning.The nerve of that man!I wasn’t exactly expecting him to kiss my feet and make me a path of rose petals but I also was not expecting to be treated like a bug…You can get dressed and leaveHa!I was dumbstruck for a few minutes after he not so rudely told me to leave . He had proceeded to walk into the en suite bathroom like he did not just trample on my dignity. You give a man your virginity and he does not even have the decency to thank you…Last night may have been my first time but I know enough to not get treated like that. Tears prickle the back of my eyes. I wipe at it furiously. I haven’t cried over a man in my entire existence, I’m not going to start now…It doesn’t exactly help that I am sore all over. Imagine my surprise when I got up to stomp out of the jerk’s place and couldn’t walk straight. I had to limp all the way to the elevator and into the waiting cab outside.W
Zara The past few weeks have been hectic. After the events of that night, I threw my self into work the next week and in the weeks to follow. The only time I had to unwind was when I met with Valerie and Emily. The thought of my new friends brings a smile to my face. I never thought I’d be so open to having other people in my space but I seemed to like it so far. The girls had teased me endlessly on the first night we met. It was definitely hard to keep up with the amount of profanities Valerie dropped in each sentence. The girl swore like a sour grandma but I found myself smiling whenever she spoke. I would say she is a ray of sunshine but she puts the entire sun to shame, that one. Emily on the other hand is gentle, with the prettiest smile. They balance each other out perfectly. A knock sounds outside my office and in walks my Secretary, Leslie. My position in the company is not the highest but being a Senior Associate meant I was entitled to my own assistant. “ Ma’am , the
ZaraThe train ride to the hospital was nothing short of a nightmare. I almost puked all over the train and the innocent passengers. Why?A certain man decided to squeeze every drop of juice from my stomach , with his strong cologne. I wouldn’t go as far as calling it ‘cologne’, death trap was more like it. I was enjoying the scenery and loving the wind on my face when said man got into the seat beside me. I felt my stomach churn in a worse manner than I had experienced at the cafeteria.So, the whole trip, I had to give myself a pep talk, yunno, not to embarrass my family and all, with my fingers plugging my nose.The moment I walked into the hospital, I ran straight for the restrooms. I proceeded to puke out everything I had eaten in the last two days. Now, waiting for my name to be called, I revel in the smell of antiseptic. Have hospitals always smelled so good?I chuckle lowly. It’s funny because the few times I had accompanied my mom to the hospital for her routine examinat
ZaraI walk in a daze up to my apartment and slot in the key. Everything in the background is a blur. I drop my bag and keys on the kitchen island and slide down to the floor, my back resting on the wall. This all seems like a bad dream. Maybe if I sleep and wake up, it’ll be gone.I stare down at the tiny photo card in my hand. The Sonogram…Dr. Meyers had handed it to me on my way out. I stare at the black and white image of what seems like a blob. So, this tiny human is currently growing in me. I move my hand to my stomach and rub unconsciously . I don’t have it in me to get rid of an innocent life but I am at a loss of what to do. Maybe the girls can help…I push myself up and walk to the bag I discarded earlier on the island. I fish out my phone and dial Valerie and Emily. Valerie answers first in that chirpy tone of hers “what’s good, mama?”I immediately burst into tears. “ Help me”It is Emily that says “ We’re on our way”***********Less than an hour later, the girls ar
Zara“What do you mean you’re doomed?”I look up at the concerned faces of my friends. “ I meant I’m doomed, as in D-O-O-M-E…”“We know how to spell doomed, you idiot. You know, I’m beginning to question how you got a degree in Law.” Valerie says and proceeds to roll her eyes .Emily chimes in “ I thought you’d be happy that we finally have a clue as to who the baby’s father is. What’s the problem?”I lift my hands in exasperation. “ The problem is, just today, a man from Paradise group visited the firm and my boss just happened to assign me to him. That’s not the crazy part, he said he was representing MARCELLO ANDRES! Does the name sound familiar?”Emily hums in understanding. “ So, you’re scared because you think you might lose your job for getting hot and personal with a client?”“Isn’t that obvious?”Valerie rolls her eyes again for what seems like the hundredth time. She walks closer and squats in front of me, until she is at my eye level. “ According to you, you had no idea wh
ZaraLast night, I had tossed and turned for hours before sleep caught up with me in the early hours of this morning. I had come to a decision; go to Paradise Group and tell Marcello Andres to take responsibility.Only, it was easier said than done.The moment I walked into the magnificent architecture, I felt like an impostor. Paradise group stood towering over several buildings in the area and that was saying something, considering that this was New York .The interior is decorated with polished wood floors and marble walls. Fancy light fittings span the reception and lobby. Men and women in all kinds of corporate wears walk up and down the place, going about their business of the day. Thankfully, I am also in my work outfit; a black tuxedo dress and a pair of black stilettos. Black makes all the difference in a look. It could take you from plain to downright majestic. I walk up to the receptionist, a dark skinned lady wig beautiful eyes. "Good morning, I’m here to see Mr. Marcel
Marcello Pregnant for me?And I thought the anonymous woman libeling my name on the media was the devil. This same reason was what propelled me into getting a vasectomy. Wait a minute...She mentioned that it was her first time.Flashback;I walk back into the room to see that she had already left. Good. I hated clingy women, especially those who had to force affection for me just to get a taste of my money. I pull back the covers to get some needed rest when a patch of colour catches my attention. I turn on the flashlight on my phone and move closer to inspect it and am surprised to find a patch of blood.Shit. Was she a virgin? Did I just take her virginity like some heartless bastard ? I didn’t even get her name.*******I should have been nicer to her. Who gives a fuck anyway? I only took her virginity not get her pregnant. Who knows where she’s been since then?The door to my office opens and Michael walks in. Just the person I need to see. He catches the look on my face
Marcello Michael picks up on the third ring. “ What’s up?”“I need Zara Parkinson’s contact details.”“ And why would you need that?”“Actions first, questions later”“That’s why you’re still a hot tempered knucklehead”I chuckle. “ Alright dumbass, I just want to apologize to her. I may have said some mean things earlier”“Try rude”“Seriously bro”He hesitates for a moment then says “ Fine”. The line goes dead.I have an idea in mind and if I play my cards right, I could uplift the company’s image and still escape my father’s wrath. It’s after work hours , so I decide to head home. I haven’t seen my mother in about two weeks . It’s best not to piss her off and have her call me herself . I may be a grown man almost in my thirties and over a feet taller than her, but trust me when I say I’ll never be too old for my mama’s chanclas.Was it when I was Seventeen? I made the mistake of talking back to my mother and stomping out. She watched me walk out without as much as a peep. That’s w
MARCELLO’S POV I thought I would catch up on a bit of work before I have to go to the office but the thought of Zara keeps filtering through my mind. Acquiring a company seems like roses and extra profit on the surface, but so much work has to go in to make sure everything works without any hitch. So far, I have done some major balancing on the accounts through the merger. I know that the company employs only competent hands but I cannot afford to have mistake. Those are expensive and that’s why I have been working myself to weariness. She is fast asleep and has been for hours now but I can’t seem to catch a wink of sleep. She acts like she hates my guts most of the time but her actions tonight were on the contrary. Going as far as cooking meal when she can hardly stand on her own was what got to me the most. And that little peck on my lips earlier? Goddammit! I’m acting like a hormonal teenager. I have tasted every inch of the woman’s body but it’s that little kiss that has me ac
Zara’s POV I open my eyes to a silent room. The lights in here are dim and the atmosphere of the room feels cozy. I must have fallen asleep from exhaustion. Marcello wasn’t exactly gentle with me; not that I’m complaining. I heard him leave some minutes back, and that’s after he made sure to wipe me off with a wet rag. That was embarrassing as hell but it felt…nice.Sitting up, I scan the room in search of my clothes and find them folded neatly on one corner of the bed. I pick up my sore body and get dressed. I choose not to dwell on what transpired earlier in this place. The last few times were filled with me questioning my decision but this time, I’m just going to let it be. I can’t claim any innocence on this matter; after all , I reciprocated just as much as I was given. And I’m definitely not going to overthink the onslaught of emotions I felt today either. If I ignore it, maybe, just maybe , it’ll go away. I walk the hallway quietly as if there are other people on this floor
Zara’s POV Thankfully, the whole tabloid thing dies off in days. The company has been doing well , judging by how much Marcello has been cooped up in the office. And when he comes home, he barely sleeps, throwing himself into more work. I’m not gonna lie, I’m a bit worried for his health. He’s riding the wave of the recent increase in revenue that he’s neglecting himself. What the man does may not be my business but he has done his best to make sure that I do not want for anything during my pregnancy journey. So, I’m going to try to re turn the favour. I ask Mr. Phillip to stop by the local mart, so I can pick up a few things I may need. Last time, he cooked me a Mexican rice dish that I very well remember the taste of but can’t for the life of me, seem to remember it’s name. I just remember that it was rich in protein and veggies. So, I stock my cart with a healthy serving of beef and every other vegetable that looks good. On my way to the counter to check out the items I picked,
Zara’s POV I wake up with a start, to the insistent blaring of my alarm. My eyes are still heavy , even thou I probably slept for ten whole hours. Sunlight streams through the curtains, casting a golden halo over my face. I sit up, hands outstretched above my head. My body feels heavy, largely owing to the increasing size of my belly. At six months, it feels like I have been pregnant forever and not to sound conceited or anything but I wish the babies could give me space to breathe; maybe come out already.My attention is drawn to my phone buzzing consistently on the pillow beside me. I must have fallen asleep while texting the girls last night. Something about the constant vibrations makes me anxious. I watch dazed for a moment as the notification bar moves with more messages. Sluggishly, I reach for the phone, my movements slowed by my still booting brain. Over 500 notifications on my social media and a few messages from the group chat with the girls. Emily’s message is the fir
Zara’s POV Mama doesn’t let us leave immediately, insisting that we stay for dinner. Hence, me hiding out in Carlotta’s room. Left for me, I would take a cab home , so I don’t have to face my ugly impulsive decisions . I know I have said this before but let me reiterate; Marcello is cancerous. One minute I was bawling my eyes out in Maria’s arms and the next, I let go of my morals in Marcello’s. This stupid, stupid pregnancy hormones. Carlotta is downstairs helping out with dinner and Marcello is well…being Marcello somewhere around the house. I hope he stays busy until we have to leave . If I face him now, I might simply die of mortification . I offered to help out also but Mama chased me out with a spatula. At a few minutes past 6 pm , Carlotta pops in to let me know that dinner’s ready. When I get to the dinning room, I see Mr. Hernandez already seated, reading a newspaper with his glasses perched atop his nose. He puts down the paper when he sights me and beams “ Mi Queri
Marcello's POV True to her words , Zara stormed out of the house with a duffel bag. I could only watch, stunned, as she walked past me with every determination in her. It was only after a few minutes, that I came to terms with what just happened. Thankfully, she had Uncle Phillip drive her. One less thing to worry about…I immediately thought of calling Mama to inform her that a very angry, pregnant woman was headed her way. Mama laughed when I explained the entire ordeal to her and then proceeded to scold me for letting my pregnant and very emotional wife out of my sight, without running after her to pacify her. She promised to take care of her and threatened that if I didn’t drag my behind home within the next hour, she would personally make sure that Zara die snot return home. I really cannot understand women . Hence, I am en route the family home and I didn’t forget to buy a lot of gifts to pacify Her Royal Majesty. I have heard men say things like ‘ happy wife, happy home’ b
Zara’s POV One thing I didn’t expect that accompanied my recent bouts of morning sickness ,is the heightened appetite. Not just the appetite to eat good food, I have the most insane cravings these days; especially spicy food. Desi, Thai, Korean, Chinese , Japanese, you name them. And Marcello, bless his heart, has been a sweetheart, offering to buy me whatever I crave. Pretty sure the man has visited all the indigenous food places in New York in the span of one week but I am eating for three, so…This past week, I have gotten used to his tendency to call me random endearing names. At first, thinking about it gave me a major migraine but I’ve decided to just go along with the flow. Just as long as he keeps buying me spicy buffalo wings…I woke up this morning craving egg tarts and Julio has been MIA for a while now, only coming in one day out of five. Not gonna lie, I’m a bit worried about his absence but I’m not one to pry.It's Saturday and I know that Celine will be ordering a tot
ZaraDr. Meyers beams immediately she sees me and offers me a seat. “ Zara! I wasn’t expecting you today but it’s so good to see you” She looks at the Stony- gazed man beside me , “ you came with your husband too. This is great.”Marcello offers her a handshake in his usual professional manner and she accepts it. “ Marcello Andres” “ Sharon Meyers. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Andres.”“ Likewise”“ So, what brings you here today?”“ I woke up today with a really bad case of morning sickness. I’m worried because I no longer had that but I woke up today feeling like my stomach was twisting itself from the inside. Dr. Meyers hums in contemplation. “ Most women go through morning sickness until the end of the third trimester, so I wouldn’t be worried about that. However, what worries me is the pain you’re feeling . That’s not normal, especially at this stage. You’re nearing the end of the your second trimester and this is a critical time.”My heart thrums rapidly at her w
ZaraSomething smells awful. It’s a familiar smell but it something smells repulsive today. I rollover on to my right to ward off the smell but it seems to be me everywhere. My belly folds over life a turbulent tide on a beach, recoiling and rumbling in disagreement to the smell assaulting my senses. I feel the wave within trying to force itself out of my throat but I force it down, taking deep breaths. Only, that was a big mistake on my part. I jump out of the bed with a sense of urgency, almost tripping on the sheets wrapped around my ankles. The moment I kneel before the toilet, a torrent of vomit comes hurling out of my throat. Remnants of the rice Marcello made for dinner last night. My stomach twists uncomfortably with each bout of retching and it actually feels like my intestines are eating me from the inside out. I may have experienced bad morning sickness the first few weeks but they had ceased for a while. I guess I was wrong to be relaxed. I flush the toilet and rinse