five

Hailey's POV

I wake up to the shrill cry of my alarm from my bedside table.

"Just a few more minutes," I mumble, my eyes still sealed. I fumble around for the annoying device, but I send it crashing to the ground, forcing me to finally open my eyes.

I instantly regret doing so, as the sunlight filtering into the room is blinding. I forgot to draw the blinds before I went to sleep last night.

Shading my eyes with the back of my hand, I sit up in bed. I feel groggy, my head feels like there's a whole parade going on in it.

The alarm still blares, only adding to my headache. I bend to pick it up, but I instantly regret it as a wave of nausea washes over me. I bolt for the bathroom, the remaining contents of my dinner heaving into the toilet.

Since the week began, I've been battling new issues with my body every day. Headaches, dizzy spells, tiredness, and most recently, nausea and vomiting.

Bloated and sluggish, I stare at my reflection. Each glance at myself in the mirror seems to reveal a new, unwelcome curve.

I don't know what's going on with me, but I have to say, I don't like it. Not one bit. Even more so because despite all that's happening, I still have to get ready for work.

I passed the interview and secured a job as a PR manager in a skincare company, and I'm already starting to regret wanting to be independent.

A week after the breakup, I called my parents and informed them of it.

*Flashback*

"Hi, mum," I greeted when my mother picked up the phone, after the second ring.

I could here the smile in her voice when she responded, "Honey. It's been a while since you called."

"Yeah," I breathed into the phone, thinking of how to relay the news to her.

"How are you doing? Has Jake been treating you well?"

I hesitated, playing with the hem of my shirt. "We broke up." The line went silent for a moment, I had been put on hold.

When the call was back on, it was my father's voice speaking. "What did that son of a gun do to you." Them thinking the breakup wasn't my fault, warmed my heart.

"He cheated."

"What?!" my father shouted, and I had to hold the phone away from my ear. "How dare he do that to you! I'm going to make sure he pays."

'Just wait till you hear who it was with,' I thought.

"I always knew he wasn't good for her," I heard my mother say in the background, although I'm sure I wasn't meant to hear that.

I sighed. "Yes, dad. He cheated on me with Charlotte.

My mother gasped. There was a bit of shuffling at the other end of the line, before my mother spoke. "Oh, dear. That must have hurt a lot."

"It did."

"Are you okay?" she asked softly. Her calm voice was like a soothing balm.

"I guess, but it hurt a lot. Charlotte was my best friend since forever."

"I know that, honey. They have no idea, what they'd lost, doing that to you." Trust mum to always help me remain confident. "You know, it'd be easier to deal with the heartache if you just come home," she proposed.

They were always ready to use any opportunity to get me to return, so they could hand over one of their companies to me. I wasn't ready. Not yet.

I expelled air through my mouth. "You know I'm going to refuse that offer mum. I need to figure things out on my own"

She sighed. "I know, dear. I just wished you'd listen this time, now you have enough reason. Your father and I are not getting any younger."

"I know, mum. I promise I'll come home when I'm ready."

"Stop pestering the kid, she just finally broke up with that jerk," my father said.

I laughed. My mother scolded him, but I knew she was probably smiling too. "What can we do to help from here, dear?"

"For starters, I'd really appreciate a house. I've been lodged at a hotel for a week now."

"Consider it done. Anything else?"

I shook my head, then realized they couldn't see me. "That's all for now."

"Okay, honey," she paused, and whispers followed. "Your father and I have got to go. Take care of yourself."

"I will. Love you."

"Love you too, honey," my mother responded. "I love you, Coco. I won't let that boy get away with hurting you!" my father shouted from where I assumed was across the room.

I laughed and ended the call.

*End of flashback*

I finish cleaning up and prepare for work, putting on a pink sundress—no dressing requirements for this job. My favorite part so far—and my favorite pair of sandals.

I make myself toast and eggs for breakfast, which I'm unable to eat because the mere scent of it triggers another wave of nausea, sending me running back to the toilet. 

Another meal wasted. 

I sigh and pick up the plates, moving them to the sink. With each movement, my head feels faint, a common trait I have been experiencing for about two weeks now. I decide not to go to work, in case it gets worse.

One day of not turning up won't make the earth stop rotating. Or would it?

Finally tired—literally—of ignoring the obvious signs that there is something wrong with me, I pick up my keys and head for the hospital.

...

After the first round of testing was done, I was referred to the obstetrics and gynecology section of the hospital.

It's been three very long hours since I came here, and my body is shaking with fear and anticipation of the test results.

I try to distract myself with mindless scrolling, but the bright screen only amplifies the pounding in my head. I drop the phone and take to staring at other pregnant women in the waiting area.

A flicker of unease stirs within me. Why am I here?

I look up and my heartbeat quickens, my breath catching in my throat, when I notice a familiar figure turning away from me.

My mind flashes back to that night we spent together, six weeks ago.

"You feel so tight," he groaned as his cock filled me.

He began moving, maintaining a slow place. "Faster," I begged, feeling like his pace was torture. He listened and increased his pace, the sound of our bodies slapping against each other filling the room.

I felt a knot form in my abdomen. "I'm close," I moaned, arching my back to him, as he brought his hand to tease my nipple.

"Come for me, sweetheart," he encouraged, moving faster, his hand holding my breast firm, the other one massaging my clit.

"Oh God," I cried, digging my fingers into his shoulders, something I had been aching to do after seeing him shirtless.

He increased the speed of his thrusts, guiding my body until I finally came undone. His thrusts became sloppy, and he gazed at me with hooded eyes. "I'm coming soon babydoll," he said, his voice gruff.

He attempted pulling out when he felt himself peaking. But I held my hand over his, guiding him deeper into him.

"I'm on birth control," I told him.

His expression shifted, as if questioning 'are you sure?'

I nodded. He didn't need any more confirmation before he thrusted into me, deep and hard, until he released his come into me.

I feel my cheeks warm up at the realization of what I had been thinking of in a public space like this. I can't deny that he had given me the best orgasms of my entire life.

We haven't met since that time, and I wonder if he'd still remember me. And if he does, whether he'd still be interested in speaking with me.

After all, I left him the next morning before he even woke up. I put my clothes back on and exited his room, got a new key card from the reception, and then locked myself in my room for the rest of the day. He came knocking once, but I pretended like I wasn't in. Then before he left the hotel, he stood at my door to tell me he was leaving, but I didn't respond.

So yeah, I doubt he'd be glad to see me, after all that.

The craziest thing? I still don't know his name.

He turns around, and I'm disappointed to find out that he isn't the one. My disappointment doesn't last long, as just then, I am called into the doctor's office for my test results.

"Miss Hailey," the doctor smiles at me once I'm seated. Her smile carries a lot of warmth, her eyes crinkling on the sides.

To others, it would seem like a calming gesture. But to me? It only makes me feel uneasy, especially with the ward I find myself in. 

"You are progressing well. It's good to see you've been taking care of yourself."

"Uhm, yeah. I guess?" I reply, confused by the manner she's speaking.

Why wouldn't I take care of myself?

Her gaze sweeps over my body, and I swear her smile only gets wider. "If I didn't get the signs you mentioned, I wouldn't have believed you. You look remarkably well for someone experiencing morning sickness."

I scratch my thumb with the tip of my index finger, my body racking with nerves. I manage what I hope appears as an easy smile. "What do you mean 'morning sickness'?"

Her brows furrow and her smile wavers. "You don't know?" She asks.

"Know what?" I ask, a knot forming in my gut.

I have a feeling I'm going to hate this. 

"You're pregnant, Miss Hailey."