AmaijaI walk out of my meeting feeling nauseous. This is the third time I’ve felt like this in a week. I feel my forehead to check for a fever, but it isn’t warm. I take two more steps before I sway to the side. I grab the glass wall beside me, steadying myself.“Are you alright, Ms. Klein?” Amy, my assistant, asks.“I’m fine, just a bit nauseous.”“Nauseous? Was it the food? Should I...” Amy sounded very concerned. I laugh.“I’ve been raised in Japanese food, my mother has an unhealthy obsession with the culture, so I doubt it’s that,” I reply.“If it were any other woman, I would think pregnancy was possible, but you’re so focused on launching this game I....”“Pregnant?” I pause.The word hits me like a bucket of ice-cold water. I close my eyes swallowing hard as I try to figure out the date of my last period. The last time w
Amaija I roll out of bed the following day excited. Xoi is streaming today, so he’s getting ready to go to the apartment he rents downtown. He walks in the room dressed and kisses me on my cheek. “Goodbye, my heart.” He rubs my tummy. “And my little heart.”I smile as he leans in and kisses me on the lips, then pulls away. “Goodbye, have a great day at work,” I tell him. “Thank you, I will,” he winks at me and walks out of the room. Once he’s gone, I walk to the bathroom, pull my hair in a loose bun, wash my face and brush my teeth. I walk past the floor-length mirror and stop, my stomach is still flat, but it will be round in a couple of months. “I wonder what will it look like?” I say to myself. A brilliant idea comes to mind, so I run into the room, grab a pillow and stuff it under my t-shirt. I look at myself from all angles. “It suits you.” I jump and shriek, then stop when I see Jaden's face. I walk over to him and punch him. “Hey, no beating up, Oni Chan
Two months later Amaija I sit by the fridge with a pile of food laid out before me. It’s after midnight. Xoi is streaming late, so he’ll probably sleep at his office tonight. I woke up starving; this little one keeps me on my toes. Thankfully, my morning sickness had now passed, but these nighttime hunger surges are in to replace it. “You’re a greedy one, aren’t you?”I scoop another chunk of ice cream in my mouth, savoring the taste. “My heart…”I jump at the sound of his voice; he’s talked to me about having these nighttime meals, but he’s not the one carrying his big head baby, and mama gotta eat. I turn my face to the side to hide, then scoop another spoon of ice cream and swallow it. Xoi laughs as he walks up to me. “Babe, we talked about this; the doctor doesn’t recommend it.” He says. "Babe, you do want our child to starve, do you? The little one wants ice cream,” I tell him. “
An hour later, we are walking through the mall downtown. Zara’s bought a couple of lingerie pieces and a teddy bear for the baby. She’s also purchased a couple of gender-neutral baby clothes that look too cute to pass up. A little exhausted and hungry, we stop at an ice cream stand to get two cones. "So, do you think Jaden will be happy if I showed up in a trench coat and lingerie?” she’s not yet done with her ‘Jaden questions.’ I sigh. “What if you show up and he has someone over?” I ask. She shrugs, “I would just leave.” “Wouldn’t it break your heart?” “No, I’m not in love with him... I’m just trying to see what that mouth does,” she replies. I groan. “That is my brother, so I don’t want to know that.” She laughs. “All of y’all are nasty, mom and dad, Brin, you, every single one of y’all.” She is still laughing as something, or someone catches my eyes. I tilt my head to the side, staring at the person who looks a
Amaija “Oni chan!” I whine. It’s been a week since I found out Xoi is a two-timing piece of shit. Since then, Jaden has discovered that the apartment he films in he, well I own it, he bought it with my money, signed my name on the mortgage, and lives there with his girlfriend of 5 years. I was the queen of idiots in this relationship, but the worse part of it is that I miss him. How do I miss someone who lied to me and used me? I feel the tears coming again, but I push them away. He’s not worth my tears. “Oni chan,” I call Jaden again. “Imoto?! Are you okay?” “Yeah, can you pass me the remote?” He frowns but grabs it. “Imoto, I have a lot of work to do,” he tells me. “Oni Chan, l need a hug,”He sighs and sits beside me on the couch, and pulls me into his comforting arms. He pulls away slowly. “We changed the locks on your apartment,”
Amaija I’m lying on the couch in my apartment. It’s been a month since I moved back in, and all I do is go to work, come back and watch movies. My family has been bugging me to go out, but why would I need to? Everything can be delivered nowadays. Well, everything except a man, but I’m off those for the next few years. It’s Saturday, and I’m in my mid-Saturday routine of ice cream and N*****x. I chuckle at a joke on the tv when my doorbell starts ringing. Ugh. I know it’s someone from my annoying family. I know they mean well but trying to drag me out of the house every weekend is not helping. Ding Dong! Ding Dong! I turn up the tv; they will leave eventually. Ding Dong, Ding Dong! My phone starts ringing. I ignore it. It vibrates. It’s a text message from Brin, ugh, not her. Anyone but her, she and Federico just got engaged, and while I am happy for her. I can’t sho
Eriq I sit naked, my balls freezing as this man pays me to pose for him. How are we in the same profession, but he can pay someone while I can barely afford rent? “Higher, lift your leg higher,” Pavlo instructs me. “This is the highest it can go, Pavlo,” I tell him. He scowls, gets up and walks over to me then leans in. “Hey, hey, no touching,” I remind him. He smirks. “Having fantasies about me, Enrique.” “It’s Eriq, asshole; you’re the one paying me to look at my ass,” I glare at him. “True, your body is a work of art. Now spread it wider,” “This doesn’t feel right; I already feel a cold draft on my balls,” I tell him. “And what Magnifique balls they are,” Pavlo says. I want to punch him in his face, but I’m two months behind on rent, my paintings aren’t selling, and I don’t want to ask my parents for money again. So I clench my fist but follow his instructions. He nods, then re
Amaija “Are you sure about this?” Brin asks. I nod as we scan through pages of information about sperm donation. Krystel emailed me a couple of days ago. It’s been two weeks since I’ve decided I wanted to have a baby. So far, I’ve only told Brin. “I’m positive, Brin; stop asking.” She sighs. “And what if you meet Mr. Right, but you’re pregnant by some stranger?” she prompts. “If he’s Mr. Right, he won’t care,” I respond. “What man wouldn’t... Frederico!” Brin calls her fiance, who pops his head out of the kitchen. “Si Belleza (yes beauty)” He comes in and kisses her long, passionate kiss. Why did I even come here? I should have told Zara we could wallow with ice cream and N*****x in our singleness. “Miele (honey), would you care if I was pregnant by another man when you met me?” “Of course not, Belleza. You are my soulmate. Even if you were pregnant, you were mine.” “ahh,” Brin says before they ki
EriqI can’t keep myself from smiling as I peel the potatoes. Her mother likes me. I have one ally in my goal to win over Ami.“Mom!” Jaden runs into the kitchen, snatches the potato peeler from me, and glares at me.What’s wrong with him? He’s acting like the first time I met him. “Mom, why didn’t you tell me you need help? Why did you ask him?”He says, his eyes still shooting daggers at me.“I didn’t ask him. He offered to help. You can help if you want to, but he’s already doing the potatoes. Why don’t you make the dough for the fried dumplings?”“Okay, mom.” He throws the peeler down, walks over to her, and kisses her cheeks.I shake my head, confused, before resuming what I was doing. We all work together in mostly silence for a while.“Are you two done?” Mrs.Klein asks after a while.“Almost,” I say as I look down at the potatoes and see only three left. “Do you want anything else done?”“I’m almost done, mom. You can have me do it instead.” Jaden comes running towards us, his h
Eriq I glance back at Ami, and sure enough, she looks worried. Our eyes meet, and I smile to reassure her before her mother pulls me away. Judging by her mother’s attitude toward me, I don’t think it will be as bad as she does, but I know she is worried for my sake. Which means I have some place in her heart even if she doesn’t love me yet. It gives me hope that maybe someday soon, I can tell her I love her. I have been holding back for the last few weeks and feel I’m suffocating without saying those three words. “I bet he’s Asian.” someone says as we draw closer to the family room. “No, this one is white,” Jaden says. “White, that’s new. How old is he?” “I don’t know,” Jaden says. “I bet two hundred and fifty thou he’s twenty-four.” “I’ll take that action,” “No, you’ve already met him. So both you and Zara are excluded.” I chuckle, amused by their banter. They remind me of my family. I guess all families are the same no matter how much money you have. “So 250, who’s in…” “Ah
AmiI pull my pants on, then my shirt, and grab my shoes. We’re getting ready to leave for Jamaica soon. I frown. Two weeks with my , overbearing family is not my idea of a good time. Especially since I’m still a little miffed, that Mom felt the need to blackmail me into going. She can be so annoying, but I can’t be too upset since Eriq is right. The entire family changed their schedules so that I could go. I mean, even if is overbearing, it is sweet.I feel the corner of my belly stretching, pulling me from my thoughts. I smile as I reach down and touch my stomach. Every time I feel them move, it makes me so happy. Our baby.“Daddy and I can’t wait to meet you.” I sigh, my heart feeling troubled as I remember I haven’t told Eriq it’s his baby. I was going to tell him, but his father for sick, and then mom changed the date of the trip, so it didn’t feel like the right time. I can’t drop this news on him and two weeks with my family at the same time. I’ll just wait until we get back fr
Eriq I inhale, trying to calm myself as I stare at the arrogant shit smirking at me. I want to punch in Flavio’s teeth for what he pulled today. However, they outnumber me and are probably all armed. I glance at the three men in the room, one by the door I recognize from the picture and two other men behind him. “Welcome to the family business.” “The family business is an auto shop, Flav. What the fuck was that today?” “This is the new family business. Your little friend will be untouched if you comply.” Anger burns through my body. I clench my jaw, trying to resist the urge to lunge at him. “I already told you I’m not interested in whatever bullshit you have going on. This is not the life I want to live.” “Are you living the life now? I see that pretty little thing you’re with. What will happen when she needs money to do her hair or her nails but her boyfriend is broke?” I chuckle at the thought of Ami needing money from me. “You won’t find it funny when she leaves you for ano
EriqMy heart almost stops. I immediately sprint out of the room, ignoring Glen’s calls as I head for the door. What if Flavio kidnaps her? I have never seen him harm someone, but he set my apartment on fire to get what he wanted. What else is he willing to do? I should have known better than bringing her here. I should have suspected he may have been watching Glen. I should have moved out to keep her safe, but I selfishly stayed because I wanted her. Now she’s in danger and all because I couldn’t stay away from her. I swear if he touches her; I grit my teeth as I run down the last flight of steps out of the building. I run to the car. She’s not there. I look around. She’s nowhere in sight. I grab my phone and dial his number. After a second ring, he picks up.“Where the fuck is she?”“So, she is important to you?”“I swear if you lay a finger on her, I’ll bury you six feet deep.” My voice trembles with anger and fear at the same time. “Finally. I like that. Who knew it would take a w
Amaija “She did what? How do you know it’s broken?” Eriq asks. “Well, I’m in the middle of something. I’ll let you know.” He removes the phone from his ears as his friend screams. “What’s wrong? Is it an emergency? We can cut our date short.” “It’s…” He pauses and presses the speaker. “Are you seriously going to leave me here?!” Glen shouts. “Yes, call your parents,” Eriq says. “I don’t want my parents to see me like this.” “Call the ambulance. I’m busy. I told you to stop picking up random women.” I furrow my brows. What does a random woman have to do with this? “She was really hot and you know that our health insurance is shit. I can’t afford the emergency room fee. Especially after getting robbed.” “A woman robbed him?” I ask, stunned. “Yes, and she also, according to him, broke his Ummm…” He trails off. “Broke what?” “His—his—uh, the thing you painted today.” The thing I painted. I furrow my brows, confused. I painted his thing; I blush, recalling the picture. It makes
EriqFinally, we’re going on a date. It’s a bit late considering all the things we have done, but it’s better late than never. I just hope she likes it. She is used to the best of the best and I’m sure this won’t compare to some dates she has been on, but I hope it’s good enough because she deserves nothing but the best. My smart, loving, tough cookie with a heart of gold. My little weirdo. The memory of her crawling in my room on all fours makes me chuckle. I couldn’t believe she was the one nabbing my shirts, but knowing my smell makes her feel better is the best feeling in the world because it means she’s attached to me. And maybe this thing we’re doing will be more than a fling. Well, it already is more than that for me, but I can’t read her. I know she likes me, but I don’t know how much. I want to ask, but I’m afraid of the answer. I shake my head, Stop thinking of the future and just live in the present. Let’s just focus on tonight. I take one last look, grab my watch, and put
Amaija “Ami, I’m going to take a shower!” Eriq says.“Okay!!” I shout from the couch, pretending I’m reading as I watch him disappear. After five minutes pass, I drop my iPad and sneak up the stairs to his room. I tiptoe to his door and press my ears against it, listening to see if he’s still in the room. Hearing nothing, I slowly open the door and hurry across the room to his closet. I’ve been sneaking in to steal his shirts for the last couple of days. Okay, it may sound weird, but I promise it’s not what it seems. His smell makes me feel better. No, not in a weird way. I had no morning sickness at the beginning of my pregnancy and thought I would make it to the end without ever getting sick. But two weeks it arrived with vengeance. I’ve been suffering from morning sickness the last two weeks, more like all-day sickness since it doesn’t just happen in the morning. It does stop when I’m sleeping, but otherwise, I’m by the toilet.Before the shirts, I tried everything. Mom even r
EriqAfter checking a couple of Ami’s emails, I head downstairs to find them when I hear them talking.“Come on, tell me. You were having sex with that guy, your new assistant, right?” I guess they are having girl talk. Should I go in? No, it will probably be awkward if I enter now. I stand back and wait for the conversation to turn to something neutral so I can enter.“Shh, he might hear you.”“So that’s exactly what you were doing. How was it? Give me all the details. You know it’s been four years since I’ve gotten any….” Four years, wow that’s a long time.“Shhh… he’s my assistant. And you’re choosing not to have sex. You can have any man you want.” Ami says.“The dating pool has urine in it. Girl, you know. They are all either cheaters, users, or gays.” Ami chuckles her cute little laugh.“There are some good ones left,” Ami says.I smile, hoping she’s thinking of me.“I guess he must be something special for you to have that stupid grin on your face.”“What grin?”“That stupid gr