Stress

Darius didn’t know what it was about Selina that kept pulling him, He had been constantly thinking about her ever since she set foot in the company.

Maybe it was the silence in her eyes, or the way she never smiled unless she meant it, or maybe how she worked. 

Whatever it was he found himself watching her more often than he should. At first, it was subtle. 

A glance from his office window when she walked through reception. When he overheard her speaking with clients, he would stop and admire the way she learned so fast and worked professionally, By the end of the week he was scheduling “routine floor checks” just to walk past her desk. 

She was different, not just because of what they shared a month ago but because there was something about Selina that stayed with you after she was gone.

Selina noticed too.

She could sense him, the way he looked at her, even when he wasn’t saying anything, The way he noticed things around her, Like when her mouse stopped working and he had someone bring her a new one within the hour or The day she was Five minutes late and he sent Malissa to ask if everything was okay. 

He didn’t speak much but his actions said enough. And that terrified her because she had worked so hard to forget that night, not because it meant nothing but because it meant too much. Because in a moment of weakness, she has let herself fall into the warmth of a stranger only to discover months later that the stranger had a name, a company, and now a presence she couldn’t ignore.

She had buried the night like a secret and tried to forget about it, but the secret had a way of surfacing when you least expected it.

Juliana noticed too, She was standing by the elevator one afternoon when she saw Darius step out of his office and pause. His eyes gleamed toward the client service floor, where Selina's desk was located, he stared at her and a faint smile appeared on his face.

Juliana was surprised.

She had worked with Darius for years. She knew his schedule, his preferences, even his moods. She had been there for him during his grief, during his silence and she had waited. 

And now a random girl with a timid smile was getting his attention. No, she wouldn't allow that to happen. 

The next morning, Selina worked into the staff kitchen to pour herself tea. Juliana was standing there, sipping her coffee.

“Oh,” Juliana said, wearing a fake smile, “You again.” Selina turned slowly, “Good morning .”

Juliana leaned her head. “Must be nice, getting all the attention from upstairs. I suppose when you play your card right, even a single mother can land a golden seat.”

Selina blinked, “Excuse me?”

Juliana's smile didn't waver. “Don’t act innocent, People are talking, you know it all over the building. You, Darius…. Your sudden employment. Quite a coincidence.”

Selina swallowed the lump in her throat. 

“I got this job because I applied and I'm qualified.”

“Of course,” Juliana said sweetly. “But let me give you a word of advice. Girls like you don’t last long here because you don’t belong here.”

Selina was amused by her words. 

Juliana leaned in slightly. “He will get tired of you sooner or later. And when he does, I will be here like I’ve always been.”

Selina stepped back, her voice steady. “Thank you for the advice. But I’m not here for him, I’m here to work.”

Then she walked away, head high but her mind was not settled. 

Later that day, Darius called her into his office. She hesitated by the door before she walked in. 

“You are adjusting well.” He said, watching her closely. “Thank you,” Selina said softly. 

“I’ve seen the way you handle clients. The way you move around this place. Like it means a lot to you.”

“It does,” Selina uttered. He stood slowly, stepping closer. “Then tell me something.” 

She looked at him. “Why did you leave that night?” Her heart skipped a beat.  “I needed an escape,” she said softly. “That night, I was broken. You were kind to me and for a moment I felt seen.”

“And then you disappeared,” Darius said.

“I was ashamed of myself, and I couldn’t afford to remember myself.”

He was quiet for a long moment. “But I did.” Their eye met. 

Then the phone rang but he didn’t pick up the call. 

“I think I should go,” Selina said.  Then she turned her back to leave. 

“Selina,” she paused. “I’m glad you are here,” He said. Selina nodded and left.

That evening, Stormy had a fever and Selina stayed up all night wiping her forehead, feeding her water with a spoon, whispering lullabies to her.

By morning, she was running on fumes. 

She dropped Stormy off with mercy, took two buses to get to work and she arrived just in time. Her stomach twisted with nausea, and her fingers were trembling while greeting her first client. 

Malissa offered her coffee, but she declined, She was hungry but everything felt irritating to her, and her Vision swam at the edges. 

Yet, she picked up calls with a smile, filed reports, and corrected a billing error with a difficult client. 

Juliana passed her desk and scoffed. “Looking a little pale there, Maybe you should go back to where you came from.”

Selina ignored her, she had too much to do. 

She was organizing documents, and then the floor tilted violently beneath her. The world spun. Heat pulsed through her face. And nothing. 

When she opened her eyes, she was on a couch. The room was dim, and the air was cool. 

Darius was sitting across from her worried. 

“You fainted,” he said. In front of everyone, I carried you here.”

Selina sat up slowly Her heart was pounding. “I’m fine.” She whispered. 

“No you’re not” he stared at her for a long time. 

“Selina,” he said quietly, “are you pregnant?”

Her lips were trembling, and he leaned forward “You don’t have to say anything. But I saw the symptoms, I noticed the way you hold your stomach.”

Her silence confirmed everything.

He sighed deeply. “Is it mine?”

Selina said “Yes.” His face went still. 

“I didn’t know for weeks,” she said, I wasn’t going to say anything, I just needed a job. 

“You should have told me,” 

“How, I don’t know your name, who you are, not even your contact,” Selina said, tears gathering. 

“And when you know?, Darius said.

“I was scared.” She said with a cracking voice.

He stood, running a hand through his hair.

He looked at him. “And I decided that I’m keeping the baby.”

He nodded slowly, still trying to process what was happening.

“You are not alone,” he said softly, “we’re keeping the baby.”

Tears stream down her face, she wasn't able to hold back anymore.

“No,” Selina said firmly.