23. Contractions

Day after day passes by so quickly. As fast as the wind blows away the dust, before she knew it, Amelie was nine months pregnant. The baby she was carrying was getting more and more perfect.

Benitto, the owner of the shop, gave Amelie leave while waiting for the day of labor to arrive. But Amelie always refused, saying she was bored if she didn't do anything and just stayed at home.

The girl chose to keep working even though Benitto said that Amelie's salary would remain intact if she took time off. But once again, Amelie refused.

That night, all the workers at the Demiurge shop were packing up and cleaning the dishes and the floor. Everything was going on, like the previous night. Until their eyes fell on a woman shuffling along.

Amelie trudged along with both hands clinging to the benches around her. Sweat poured down her forehead. The girl seemed to be grimacing in pain, almost crying.

"Amelie, are you okay?" asked Anne, who had just finished mopping the floor.

There was no answer.