I can hear the racket inside my house just by standing on the front porch. There’s music and laughter coming from inside, the lights from every floor are on and I can see thru the windows people coming and going. Such a change from the usual silence that rules in my house. Most of my relatives arrived by plane, but the ones that live nearer drove here, so there are more cars than usual parked in the front. Among them there’s a blue BMW M8 Coupé, I grin from ear to ear and rush inside.
I’m received by a wave of greetings from my relatives. I hug and kiss my way thru the dining
“What did she just say?” Stefan asks with an astounded expression on his face.I have no idea if he’s just startled, angry or if he’s getting a heart attack, all I know is that he’s not happy. I often wondered how Stefan would react when I told him and I secretly hoped that if I was, in fact, pregnant, he would stand by my side and face this with me. But that’s clearly not going to happen. Maybe he hates children or the idea of being a parent repulses him; or maybe I’m the problem, just because he often joked about us getting married doesn’t mean he actually
I wake up really early. Everyone is still sleeping, the house is as quiet as usual, no surprise there, I heard laughter and clinking glasses until dawn. My relatives really like to party, but I was feeling pretty downhearted after the rudeness everyone showed Stefan last night so, after he left, I went up to my room and stayed there ignoring the good time everyone was having downstairs.I go to the park for a run, exercise is always helpful to clear my mind and get me in a good mood. When I get back home the house is still quiet. I go in, aside from our maid cleaning the mess in the living room, ther
Someone knocks on my door. If it’s uncle Gus I’m going to start shouting until someone calls the police. Luckily, when I open the door, it’s Stefan who is standing under the doorframe.“Hi, doll, am I interrupting?” He asks as he lets himself in. “Are you ok? You look really upset.”I shake my head energetically. “No, not at all.” I don’t w
Luck is on our side. My family has no idea I spent the night out. When I come back home, my parents are so busy saying farewell to our relatives that they barely notice my presence. I stand next to them on our front porch while we hug and kiss an endless line of relatives. Short afternoon the house is empty again. My parents, Stefan and I are the only ones left, and the time to tell them what’s going on arrives.I ask my parents to come to the dining room to talk, but instead of coming right away, they take their time. I wait for them as I nervously bite my nails, Stefan gently grabs my hand to
Monday morning. I go back to the office a different person that left on Friday. I’m a mother-to-be and an engaged woman. It’s funny how much a life can change in just one weekend. I hide the engagement ring in my purse, this past weekend was exhausting and the last thing I want is to answer a bunch of questions from my nosy coworkers. David Gleason calls me to his office, I get instantly on the defensive. Did I forget to do something last Friday? I try to remember if I completed all of my chores before leaving, but last Friday seems like an entirely different life from my present. Ugh, I
I explain to David the reason I can’t accept his generous offer. He’s disappointed, but he gets it, Miranda’s mom is a stay-home-wife so he can relate to my case. Unfortunately, this means this will be my last week here. Judith, the original assistant, comes back next Monday.The following days have a strange sentiment, I feel nostalgic about leaving my first job, but also excited for what’s coming. On my last day of work, I get a little more emotional than I expected, I even shed a few tears, but I assume pregnancy hormones had something to do with it.
I barely make it to my room, once I get there I slide down against my door. I’m shaking, it’s not just the possibility of my dad being a criminal, but Stefan too... I just can’t take it. My uncle Gus said my brother was murdered so my dad would hand over his business, florists don’t murder their son’s competitors for gain, mobsters do. I cover my ears as if that could prevent me from thinking. I hear a loud noise on the other side of the wall, my mom must have dropped something in her room. Suddenly, I know what I have to do. I stumble up and walk to my mom’s bedroom. I don’t even knock, I just let myself in. She’s sitting on her favorite armchair knitting. She looks at me annoyed as if my presence bothered her.
I don’t know what time it is when I wake up. By instinct, I reach for my phone to check the time, but then I recall I don’t have it with me, I left my home in such a rush I didn’t even grab it on my way out. I get out of bed and look for Miranda, but she’s nowhere to be found. I must have overslept because my clothes are clean and dry, neatly folded on the nightstand. Miranda probably went out to get the money from the ATM.I jump into the shower, as I wash my hair I think of the day ahead of me and the important decisions I need to take in the next few hours, I have to be ver