1. Her Wish

~BLAIR~

Is this a blessing or a curse? 

My fingers trembled with the pregnancy test strip as I stared at the two red lines through my vision blurred with tears. 

What have I done?

How could I let this happen? 

My marriage with Raymond is only based on a contract. How is he gonna react to this? 

I wiped my tears, holding in a deep breath to control my heartbeat. 

My memory flashed to that night a few weeks ago, of Raymond suddenly barging into my room, drunk and haggard.

I doubt if he even remembers. He never spoke about it.

I don't even know how he feels about it!

Running all fingers through my hair, I sniffed back my tears as all negative emotions flooded my mind.

What will Raymond's reaction be like? 

Will he be angry?

Will he accept it?

But, what if he actually likes this baby? 

What if he'll be willing to accept it? 

Standing up, I touched my tummy, a mix of anxiousness and fear compounding my chest. 

Well, Raymond should know about it.

Maybe… Just maybe, he'll accept our baby. And maybe my wish will finally come true.

This marriage is more than a contract to me.

I've loved him all my life. 

Every night, I fear the day it will all be over. Our contract will end in a few months and I dread the idea of it. 

Pulling myself together, I washed the streaks of tears off my face and stared at myself in the mirror, rubbing my flat tummy gently.

This pregnancy can be the beginning of a wonderful life I've always imagined, or not-

Well, I have to be positive.

Raymond isn't a jerk or a monster. I bet he'll understand. 

I left the washroom with hope in my heart, almost bumping into the two employees walking down the hallway. 

Oh, great!

“If it isn't Blair, the clumsy genius!”

“Hey, Blair. Did you forget to organize the finance reports again?”

“I heard the CEO has been looking for you.”

“Oh, wait! She's gonna get fired!”

Ashley and Sabrina. 

I honestly don't have their time. 

The mention of the CEO alone has me distracted from addressing their mockery. 

Wait! 

Raymond is looking for me!

My heart skipped a beat, a strange feeling buzzing in my stomach.

“Cat got your tongue?” Sabrina cackled. “Believe me, the CEO won't spare you this time.”

“Just know that we'll miss you,” Ashley snickered, fluttering her eyes. “This place is gonna become so boring after you're gone.”

I groaned, shoving her palm off my shoulder. 

Of course, I've been summoned to the CEO's office several times for mishandling documents.

Clumsiness is just my weakness. 

Thank goodness, I never get fired… Oh, wait! The CEO is my husband, and this job came with the contract. 

He'll never have the heart to fire me.

How I wish I could rub it on their faces. Their reactions will be priceless.

Squaring my shoulders, I rolled my eyes and walked past them. 

But along the way, as I approached the CEO's office, my footsteps slowed down, the frantic beating of my heart returning.

I- I can do this.

I just have to remind him about what happened between us that night.

He'll take responsibility, and…

I paused as I heard him speak from inside the office. 

Raymond's voice was so loud, filled with irritation. It was unlike his usual calm self.

“What do you mean by she's wounded? How? Don't leave me hanging, I'll come right away!”

Before his voice stopped, his heavy footsteps approached the door and he flung it open.

I gasped, seeing the deadly look on his face. “R- Ray, are you alright?”

Raymond’s face was tense with unease. Despite the anger in his eyes, he looked weary.

He didn't answer my question but gave the command, “Those documents you brought are disorganized. Fix it.”

There's a bit of annoyance to his tone, a cue for me to behave. 

I couldn't help but stare at his handsome face which always had my heart racing. 

He frowned, staring at me. “Is there something on my face?”

I averted my eyes, my cheeks heating up. “I, uhm…actually, there's something I'd like us to discuss-”

“It can wait.” Raymond glanced at his wristwatch, tapping his feet impatiently. 

I truly hope we’ll discuss it now. 

I'm as impatient as him. What if I lose my courage later? 

“I'll be back soon…” He softened his voice and let out a sigh. “I guess It's something important.”

I nodded. 

Can he read my mind? 

I stepped out of the way, my heart fluttering at the tone of his voice. 

Raymond breezed past me, and he was gone in a second.

I waited… impatiently.

I spent the whole day pacing back and forth in his office.

He never returned, and all I could think about was, ‘Is he alright?’

I returned to the mansion alone that evening. I couldn't even reach him on the phone. 

My worries turned into fear and I spent hours waiting on the balcony, looking towards the gates. 

In the middle of the night, Raymond returned. 

His appearance reminded me of that night. He looked so drunk and haggard, and when he stumbled forward, he fell right on me.

I gathered all my strength to support him inside the house, my heart throbbing with unease. 

“What's happening with you?” I sighed. 

He slouched on the couch and I squatted to remove his shoes. 

“You look so beautiful tonight.” Raymond suddenly lifted my chin, making me stare at him. 

I gulped as he inched forward, my heartbeat picking up a new rhythm.

Is what happened that night about to repeat?

I closed my eyes as he kissed my lips gently. 

He picked me up on the couch, and then, he just hugged me like that. “Have I told you how much I've missed you?”

His soft snores resounded after saying that. 

Stuck in this awkward position, I don't know what to feel at first.

But his words.

Does he mean them? 

I woke up from a blissful dream the next morning. 

I dreamt that Raymond and I had a baby. We were such a perfect family. 

Turning on the bed, I stared at the ceiling, my heart thumping. 

Did he bring me up last night?

But he was drunk.

I made to sit up when the door opened and Raymond stepped in. 

The fatigue from yesterday lingered in his eyes. As he sat beside me on the bed, I composed myself.

Is this the right time to tell him?

“Blair-”

“W-What I wanted us to discuss.”

We spoke at the same time, but my nervousness kicked in. I nodded, giving him the go-ahead to continue. 

Raymond wiped his face, and his eyes flashed with hesitation.

Somehow, an eerie feeling crept into my heart as I read his expression.

“Let’s get a divorce.”