Betrayed Twice

Ayesha's POV

Wait, I shouldn't knock. If he knows it's me, he might not let me in. Not after yesterday's drama. I pulled the door handle from outside and opened it.

Nothing was different about him. He was the usual push-and-pull boyfriend and company owner I knew him to be, only that my beloved Gemma was in there with him. There was a slip in her hand and she was crying. No wonder she wasn't at the staff office. Did he see the video and intend to fire her?

"Mr Chris," I said, because that's what I was schooled to call him at work and other formal occasions. "Please, what's going on? Do you want to fire her? Please don't fire her."

He looked hard at me. "Why did you come in without knocking? You should have knocked."

"I'm sorry… I didn't think it was necessary…" I turned to Gemma. "Are you alright?"

She didn't answer. Her eyes were puffy and swollen. I thought there was really nothing I could do if he had really decided it was best to fire her.

"Gemma, please talk to me. We can work this out. We always do." I wanted to touch her arm but she pushed me away and screamed.

"What am I going to do about the baby? Are you going to dump me like this? This isn't what you promised."

My jaw dropped and I looked at Chris, then Gemma. But nothing is true unless I saw the evidence for myself. I bent and picked up the slip she was holding since it had fallen off her lap when she stood up and screamed.

Her ovaries were in view on the scan paper and the baby was in there. The diameter, the length…and the baby was okay. So she really was pregnant. Nice. But for Chris? I hadn't heard that part well.

"Gemma, you're pregnant? When… how? You were fine yesterday."

"Chris is the father, for crying out loud. Just stop talking. Don't interfere, Ayesha. It's none of your business. He caused this. He has to fix it."

"Chris. She's joking, right? You can't possibly get another woman pregnant when we're in a relationship. Is that why you rejected my proposal yesterday?" I grabbed my head, which had gotten really hot.

"Leave, Ayesha. Just get out. This isn't your business…you shouldn't have come in here. I told you to keep things professional while we're at work and you crossed the line after embarrassing me yesterday."

"Can't I sit for a minute? I have a headache. And… why do I have to leave? She should leave she is… Gemma, why did you have to get pregnant for him? Of all people."

"As if I caused it. Think straight for once, Ayesha. We're in the real world, not whatever weird delusion you've built up in your head. He chased me. I didn't get myself pregnant."

"And you didn't tell me. I had no idea about it. You were cheering me on yesterday and you even went as far as sending that embarrassing video to everyone…"

"I'm keeping the baby," Gemma said flatly.

I looked at Chris. His expression was set. After all, he had already told me to leave. But I felt weak. I would go anyway.

"She's right, Chris. I'll leave…you don't owe me anything. It's not like we're married. Gemma… you can keep him."

I was crying when I didn't want to. We were not married anyway. I walked to my desk and picked up my handbag. Everyone was bent over their work desks doing their business. I could just sit down and get back to work. I needed this money. But I couldn't bring myself to. I tried, but decided it was best if I just left.

Everyone must be wondering why I left when the day's work was not yet over. I wished they could just mind their business, because they would never understand what was going on with me right now.

When I was dropped off by a taxi at my apartment, I dumped my shoes and fell on the bed, hugging my knees to my chest. Who goes through this much in just two days? I might lose my sanity very soon.

Eventually, I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was still in my work clothes. The light inside had dimmed, showing it was evening. I hadn't slept this long in a while. Heartbreak was a good sleeping medicine, I supposed.

When I checked my phone, it was past seven o'clock and I had a lot of missed calls from my supervisor. As expected, Chris didn't call. I would have to answer a query for leaving work without permission tomorrow. That was undoubtedly the reason my supervisor called. What would possibly happen? My salary would be deducted and I'd get scolded. After all, Mr Smith was a strict man.

I took off my clothes and stood in front of my mirror, revealing my bony hips and other features I was ashamed of. That should be why Chris was ashamed of making us public. He was ashamed of being seen with me. And maybe he didn't think I could get pregnant. That is why he tested Gemma. The fact that he even went as far as sleeping with her was something to vomit about.

I will change one day. I will be better, but not for Chris, because I won't be showing up to work tomorrow to receive that query. I picked up my phone and messaged my supervisor, because I couldn't manage speaking with him or anyone.

I typed: "Good evening sir. I would be dropping my electronic resignation letter tomorrow."

After that, I threw the phone on the bed and went to shower.