DOUBLE THE CHRISTMAS SPIRITS

NAILA'S POV

DISCLAIMER: CONSULT A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING ANY DRUGS DURING PREGNANCY. THIS CHAPTER IS PURELY FICTIONAL, THIS SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PLACE OF A DOCTOR'S PRESCRIPTION.

My smile felt stiff as I pulled away from her grip, skin burning where she had held too tight.

Remy didn't seem to notice, he was already listening to what Daniel was saying, hands moving to explain something.

Lila nodded stiffly, her chin raised high as she turned back to Remy.

Maybe that was my cue to leave. Find a quiet place to sit for the rest of the brunch.

Before I could slip away, Daniel's voice made me pause in my tracks. “Hey, Naila. Where are you off to?”

Suddenly, every pair of eyes were on me, rooting me to the spot. I cursed in my head and forced a smile. “I was just about to get a drink.”

Daniel nodded, his eyes slightly narrowing at me. “I was assuming you didn't want anything to do with us. Considering how much I wanted to get to know you. You know…since Mr Sterling here vouched for your application even though there was nothing special about it.”

My heart sunk at his words, a sharp contrast to the easygoing smile that was plastered on his face a few minutes ago.

Oh.

Lola snickered slightly and I could see a frown forming on Remy's face. “Danielㅡ” He started, but I didn't let him finish.

“ㅡ Oh, don't worry. I just need a drink and some air. Thank you very much for receiving me very kindly and I do hope I can meet up with your expectations, I do understand the scrutiny. I hope we get along.” I flashed a smile so bright that my cheeks. So fake that my heart burned with anger and hurt.

He nodded at me, looking smug about his comment.

Bastard.

Remy took a step forward, his face blank but I took a step back. “Excuse me, sir. I'll be back in a bit.”

He immediately shook his head. “Not so fast,” his hand lightly wrapped around my hand, sending sparks down my spine as he pulled me closer to the group. “Since we're all doing introductions, I think you all are aware that Naila here is the one in charge of the reports.”

“Are you done with it?” Lila was quick to ask.

I bit back a sarcastic reply. “The meeting was originally scheduled today. So yes, I have complied every necessary document and foolproofed everything. Mr Sterling has gone through them all.”

“Brilliant work, indeed. I haven't seen anything like it. I'm also certain this will go without a hitch.” Remy nodded, looking pleased.

Soon, the conversation digressed into less urgent topics. Casual. Boring.

And it wasn't helping that my stomach felt like a rollercoaster. I couldn't even take wine to distract myself. No, I had to adhere to taking care of myself strictly.

Remy looked away for a minute, pulled into conversations from the other employees that were beginning to crowd around and I took my chanceㅡ I scrambled, slipping out quietly through the exit as I made my way into the lobby.

The hallway was empty and quiet as I pulled out my phone, fingers trembling as I called Nadya.

The phone rang twice before I heard a click.

“Hey baby, are you okay?” I heard her soothing voice come through, followed by the crinkle of a wrapped and Paul's groggy voice asking who she was talking to.

“Sorry for…calling…i just…” I took a deep breath, looking around to make sure no one was coming before I lowered my voice. “I'm having a lot of morning sickness and I'm confused because it's not going and I justㅡ”

“Okay babe, calm down. If you can get to a pharmacy, you should get Diclegis. It's going to help you, okay?”

I listened carefully, nodding as though she could see me. “Okay, thank you very much. I'll ask the receptionist for directions and stuff. Thank you so much.”

I hung up before she would launch into details about how I should keep her updated at every minute.

My feet moved, carrying me to the front desk. A couple was there, checking in and I waited for them to finish so I wouldn't have an audience.

“Yes ma'am? Can I help you?” The smiling woman at the front desk looked up at me expectantly.

I inched forward, lowering my voice. “Uh I'm sorry… I was justㅡ I wanted to know where I can get Diclegis? It's a drug and it's for someone soㅡ” I laughed nervously.

Her brows furrowed. “Room?”

I faltered at that. “Huh?”

“I'll get someone to get it and bring it to your room, ma'am. We don't have it here right now but we can assist you with it in a bit.”

My palms got sweaty. That would leave traces. Records. That a pregnancy drug was sent to the room. How would I explain that to Remy?

Fuck no.

“You know what? Don't worry, it's not that urgent.” I forced a smile, turning away as my heart thudded in my chest.

I had barely taken a step forward when I bumped into a solid figure.

“Oh my god, I'm so sorryㅡ” I immediately apologized, looking up.

And thenㅡ

My heart caught.

Blonde hair fell over a very familiar face. Gray eyes. Plump lips. And a history that couldn't be forgotten.

Kane.

“Naila?” He whispered. “Oh my god…what are you doing here?”

No way. There was no way date decided to play cruel tricks like this.

Elias Kane. The man I dated a few years after Remy. The one I broke up with months later after I chose a different path. Was he…here to check in too?

My stomach lurched.

“Why are you here?” I whispered, my face turning pale.

He looked confused. “I'm here for business, Naila. Why are you here?” Before I could answer, he was already speaking. “Doesn't even matter. I'm so happy to see you, we should catch up andㅡ”

“Wait…” I raised a hand, suddenly feeling very dizzy. “Iㅡ no. I'm here for work. Strictly. I don't have time to catch up, I'm very sorry.”

I tried to move out of his way but he quickly blocked my path. “Whoa! Let's not rush, Naila, we're still friends… Just…text or call me if you have a second to spare, okay? We need to…catch up.”

He had that look in his eyes when he handed a dark card to me. The kind that made it hard to refuse without looking like a jerk.

When did he get into business? Clearly a lot had changed.

Hesitantly, I collected the card and nodded. “Okay.”

He smiled softly before slipping away to the front desk and I hurried away.

Elias Kane. Remy Sterling. My ex boyfriends. In the same hotel. For Christmas. Oh my god.

I paused in the hallway to catch a breath. Nadya wouldn't believe this.

My hand trembled as I help up the card, trying to get a good look at it.

My stomach dropped.

Summit Analytics.

Summit Analytics?!

As in…the Summit Analytics that we were having a merger with?

Elias Kane owned Summit Analytics?!