Chapter 12

Allison's POV

I freeze, my whole body locking up.

This can't be happening, I think desperately.

I'm so still and silent that the sound of her leaning on the door seems to echo.

"You know," she goes on, the mockery in her voice grating on my nerves, "Even though you're totally giving off the same vibes my elder sister did when she was pregnant, I thought such a thing happening had to be impossible. I mean, look at you. Who could possibly want you? But… did you really get knocked up, Allison?"

Her tone, that of a person clearly fishing for gossip, makes me clench my jaw. Emily is a lover of gossip. It's how she made her friends, how she is able to be one of the popular ones in our department. She always has some juicy story to share, and now she's digging for one from me.

No can do, Emily. Go away.

"You did, didn't you?" she titters. "To think there was actually someone blind enough to sleep with you. Oh my gosh. I can't believe this…"

She's going on and on about how shocked she is, sounding annoyingly delighted.

I curl my hands into fists but don't say anything.

She's just trying to provoke you, Allison, I remind myself. Don't give her the satisfaction of watching you react.

It's easier said than done, because Emily is still out there running her stupid mouth.

"Come on," she's saying, "spill the tea, honey. Who's the dude? Why don't you—"

"Emily!" Elsa suddenly calls, her voice very bright in that way it usually is when she's holding back from hitting someone.

I exhale with relief at her arrival.

"That's Allison in there, right?" she continues in the same bright voice. "It's so nice of you to stay here and keep her company."

"What?" Emily splutters. "No, I—"

Elsa talks over her like she isn't even there.

"Allison," she says, "I've brought your medicine. The day you stop being an airhead and forgetting important stuff everywhere, I'm going to dye my hair lime green."

I can practically feel Emily's confusion, even from inside the stall.

"Medicine?" she asks.

"Yup," Elsa replies like it's common knowledge. "Poor Allison caught an evil stomach bug last night. I did try to tell her that grilled calamari isn't for everyone, but some people don't listen to their best friends."

Emily is spluttering now, like a landed fish.

She sounds as if someone had just pulled away the rug from under her feet.

"Uh… but I err…" she stutters, speechless. "You mean that she's not… um… not pregnant?"

Elsa laughed, as if Emily has just cracked the funniest joke.

"Pregnant? Who, my celibate bestie? Pfft. You say the silliest things sometimes, Emily. Now, if you don't mind, I want to attend to my friend. You've been really kind, but you can go now. I'll take it from here."

Emily hesitates, then I hear her walking away. I wait till I can't hear her footsteps anymore before opening the door, tears filling my eyes. I stumble into Elsa's arms, and she holds me without a word.

She doesn't point out obvious things, like how I just had a narrow escape and how I have to be more careful from now on.

She just holds me, letting me soak her shirt with tears until I stop crying.

……

Emily's eyes are on me for the rest of the day. I pretend not to notice, keeping myself busy with my duties till working hours are up. It's a small mercy that I no longer look as pale as I did in the morning, or feel as ill. This must be the famous morning sickness that comes with pregnancy. I'll have to take this into account.

"Do you want to sleep over at my place?" Elsa asks as we head to my car. "Just in case you need me by your side all night. Or I could sleep over at yours."

"It's alright," I say. "I'll be fine on my own tonight."

I don't want to keep Elsa awake like I did last night.

"Alright," she says, squeezing my hand briefly.

I'm grateful when she changes the topic as soon as we get into the car.

"So," she says, a smile lighting up her face, "what are you going to wear to the luncheon?"

I turn to her with a small smile.

"Looks like someone's eager to dress up," I tease.

"Of course," she replies. "A lady needs to turn her fair share of heads. I'm thinking of wearing something silver, to catch every eye. Maybe I'll throw in some black too. Black on a lady is so daring. What do you think?"

"I think the luncheon is still two weeks away," I say.

That's right; in two weeks, the company is hosting its annual luncheon, where some members of the staff are given recognition for their outstanding contributions to the growth of the company. I had been given the Best Software Developer award last year and the year before. I believe I'll receive it again this year, despite my brief absence.

"Allison, I'm serious about this!" Elsa exclaims, slapping my shoulder in that playful way of hers.

"I doubt it," I chuckle. "If you were serious, you wouldn't be asking me for fashion advice."

"Fair point," she sighs. "That reminds me, I'll have to pick out your outfit this year as well. We're going to make you so gorgeous, all of the men's necks will break because they can't stop staring at you."

The imagery made me grimace. I don't want anyone to break their necks staring at me. I don't even want anyone to stare at me at all.

But as I drive home after dropping Elsa off, I can't stop thinking about it. When she talks about all the men looking at me… does that include Xander Black too?

I shake my head, laughing at my silliness. Of course Xander Black wouldn't look at someone like me. Not when he could have literally anyone he wanted. What we shared was a one-time thing, and I dare not do something stupid like expecting commitment from him. I won't even tell him that I'm carrying his child.

I'll take this secret to my grave.