5 - Pregnant

Madeline woke up with a mild headache and felt nauseated. She hadn't seen her period in over a month now but she wasn't worried. Her meeting with her first client was today and she had to look good in all areas. Kane was up earlier and had morning lectures. A smile appeared on her bow-shaped lips when she saw a note by Kane's side of the bed. She pulled herself up to pick the note from the lamp stand and opened it.

"Wish you luck on meeting your client and, break a leg."

Madeline leaned against the headboard with her head in the clouds. She couldn't believe it all and how her life was slowly changing and not to mention how much Kane was a beast in bed last night. She unwillingly pushed her legs to get off from her bed and went straight to the bathroom. While she rinsed her face, her stomach was in a tight knot and resulted in her throwing up some few remains from last night's dinner.

Her headache got much worse and she concluded she was probably under the weather. She knew she couldn't let some mild stuff ruin her day. She rinsed her mouth and face and stared at the mirror in front of her. Her eyes were a bit puffy and swollen and her reasons was due to studying so much at night and getting less sleep. She didn't feel all better after throwing up but still managed to hop under the shower to take a bath.

She dried her hair and kept it all curls at the end before applying a bit of make-up. From what she had studied about her client. Her name was Mrs Jones and 59 years of age. Her face was cranky and she loved anything fashion. Her 60th birthday was coming up in three weeks and wanted a fabulous dress designed especially for her on that day. Madeline had some ideas in mind and took her tablet with her. By the kitchen counter, she popped some pills for her headache and upset stomach into her mouth before grabbing the keys to leave her apartment.

........

“Right this way Miss,” The butler led Madeline into a very luxurious and spacious living room with eccentric furnitures and a glass center table in the middle. “Madame will join you shortly. In the meantime, what would you like Miss?”

“Just a glass of water would do, thank you.” Madeline smiled as she watched the butler scurry away from the room. Madeline looked around to see many ancient but strikingly beautiful paintings that hanged on the walls. She recognized some of the beautiful paintings from museums and thought of Mrs Jones to being a collector.

She saw herself getting distracted by all of the marvelous paintings and eye-catching antiques and quickly took her tablet out to open her designs. She had opt for three of her best designs to show Mrs Jones and hoped she would like it. While checking for last minute changes and details, a message window from Mr Yang popped up on her tablet screen. She hadn't informed Mr Yang about quiting. She ought to reply but swiped it away when she heard footsteps reaching the living room.

“You must be Ms. Collins, the designer assigned to me from PVH Corp.” Madeline looked up to see a classy woman walk up the three steps into the living room. Everything around her screamed elegance and poise. Though she was 59 years of age, she looked nothing like her age and instead resembled a woman in her early thirties. The things money can buy and Madeline couldn't even get started on her glowing face. She wondered how many dozens of lotions and creams would be on that face of hers.

“Yes. My name is Madeline and am going to be your designer Mrs Jones.” Madeline got up to introduce herself and put on her best smiles. Mrs Jones gave a curt nod before she took her seat opposite Madeline.

The butler walked in next with a glass of water. Madeline smiled as she took the glass and sipped some before placing the glass on the side table. “Are you comfortable Ms. Collins?” Mrs Jones asked with her legs now crossed and having her red heels from Hermès latest collection on display. “Very well Mrs Jones. I've been briefed about your birthday coming up in less than a month and I have some designs to show you.” Madeline passed her tablet to the butler who passed it to Mrs Jones.

Mrs Jones scrolled through the tablet and scrunched up her nose in the process. Madeline fidgeted with her finger nails and hoped Mrs Jones at least approved of one of her designs. “You do have some talent I would give you that. But these designs aren't worth my while.” Her words were like a stone thrown at Madeline. “I just got back from Paris fashion week and the designs I saw on the models were stunning and breathtaking. The taste was exquisite and that's how I got the idea of designing a stunning dress for my 60th birthday. Am sorry but your designs aren't off the charts my dear.” Mrs Jones passed back her tablet and Madeline could literally feel that she would be kicked out the door in a couple of seconds. She couldn't let this chance slip out of her hands especially with her very first client.

“Do you have any designs in mind? I promise I can sketch the same or even better Mrs Jones.” Madeline was quick to offer and Mrs Jones smirked and didn't say a word for a solid minute. “Randy, get me the footage of the Paris fashion week.” She turned to the same butler who bowed a little and exited the room. Shortly after, he returned with another servant who held a projector and projected the footage of the models on the ramp, each adorning new pairs of stunning dresses.

Madeline watched carefully as the footage continued. Each dresses were spectacular on the models. Soon it was time for the entry of the show stopping model. A tall blonde model made her way into the ramp and her dress was one to drop someone's jaw to the floor. The model adorned a big purple puffy bubble gown with white shining sandals to match her white pearl necklace. “Pause the footage.” Mrs Jones gave the order.

“I want that type of dress for my 60th birthday Ms. Collins. But instead of purple, I want you to use pink fabric. Do you think you're up for the task?” Mrs Jones keenly looked at Madeline and saw her roughly sketching the same design on her tablet. To her surprise, Mrs Jones expected a timid girl to say no but instead saw a determined girl ready to take on the challenge of designing that same dress and that too in only three weeks time.

“How about I add tiny diamonds to the waistband of the dress and a big ribbon to make it more mature and unique as well Mrs Jones?” Now, Madeline was cooking up more ideas to make the dress ideal. No doubt it was going to be a challenge designing a dress of that magnitude but Madeline wasn't one to give up without even trying.

“That's an excellent idea. I want to see the full sketch of the design by tonight Ms. Collins. And I have to say, it is remarkable to see a young woman like you in your condition to still take on this job.” Mrs Jones smiled and her words got Madeline confused.

“My condition?” She asked,

“Your pregnancy Ms. Collins. I can tell from here that you are pregnant.” And, Madeline almost choked on the glass of water. “Are you okay? Randy....” Mrs Jones paused when Madeline shooked her head. “Am fine Mrs Jones and I am not pregnant.”

“But the signs are written all over your face my dear. Your eyes are a bit swollen and puffy. Your cheeks are rosy and it's also a keen sense from my years of experience.” Mrs Jones said and Madeline didn't want to say anything offensive and could only smile. “I have five children Ms. Collins so I know the signs of an early pregnancy. I might be wrong but it's what I feel. You should check unless you don't have a boyfriend and are still a virgin.” Mrs Jones added with a smile.

“Thank you very much Mrs Jones for your time and for trusting me with this. I will forward you the completed design sketch by tonight.” All Madeline wanted was to leave right now as she was beginning to feel uncomfortable regarding the pregnancy talk.

“The pleasure is all mine Ms. Collins. Randy will see you out.” Randy led Madeline towards the exit and Madeline quickly took a taxi towards PVH Corp. She settled on her desk but her mind wasn't focused. All Madeline's mind was occupied with Mrs Jones giving hints of her being pregnant. Earlier the talk about pregnancy and abortion with Jane and Karen and now Mrs Jones was informing her of being pregnant. She was getting tired of the pregnancy talks around. The fact that she missed her period last month was now sounding a bit alarming. No way! It couldn't be possible. There was no damn way she could fall pregnant right now. She was still in her third year and wasn't even settled in her life. Another fact that she forgot to take her contraceptives in the morning before leaving the apartment soiled deep in her gut. She was never this careless and wondered when it all started.

“Is everything fine Madeline?” Madeline raised her head up to notice Esther by her desk. “You look a little pale.” She added. “Yeah... Am fine. Just a mild headache.” Madeline assured with a smile before Esther nodded and left. Madeline was getting more anxious by the minute and decided to move her focus to the designs for Mrs Jones. She rewatched the footage of the Paris fashion week on her phone and scanned more on the puffy bubble gown and did some adjustments to her sketch.

Madeline entered her apartment and tossed the keys aside before she threw off her shoes. Her heart was a little at ease because Kane wasn't home. She dropped the bag of groceries on the kitchen countertop and took out a small bag. Her heart was beating right out of her chest and she rushed to the bathroom with the bag in her hand. She had to be sure of this otherwise she wasn't going to get any study session done tonight. She got to the toilet seat and took out a pregnancy test from the bag.

It had been ten minutes since she did the test but she dared not look at the results. With a loud breath, Madeline prepared herself for the fact that she wasn't pregnant and took the pregnancy test from the sink only for her heart to race even faster once two red lines were evident on the pregnancy test. It couldn't be. This couldn't happen now. Her eyes quicky moistened and she held her mouth as the truth was staring right at her face. She was indeed pregnant.