Chapter 2 – Blessing or Problem?

Giselle Saavedra

“Traitors!” I shouted loudly. Bernard immediately stood up. But instead of apologizing, he was angry.

“This is your fault, too; if you hadn't always been so difficult and uptight, I wouldn't have looked for someone else,” Bernard said.

I landed a hard slap on Bernard’s cheek. “You have absolutely no shame! You’re actually blaming *me* for your cheating? And you, Annie—you’re shameless! You betrayed your own cousin!” Annie teared up, unable to answer.

“We’re done, Bernard. Go be together!” I spat on the floor and quickly walked away.

I drove fast while crying, not knowing where I was going; I just kept driving wherever the road led. I was completely orphaned, so I had no parents or siblings to turn to for comfort.

Bea—one of the few people close to me—had betrayed me. Even the man I had loved for five years had deceived me. And what hurt the most was that he had replaced me with my own flesh and blood.

Was it a sin not to give herself away yet? To her, her virginity was sacred. She wanted to save herself for her future husband. She had intended to give that gift to Bernard, but he hadn't been able to wait.

That night, consumed by deep resentment, I went to a bar—even though I didn't usually drink. The bar was loud and packed—filled with drunken dancers and blaring music—but none of that mattered to me as my tears kept falling.

“Give me something strong,” I told the bartender. He nodded and handed me a shot of whiskey.

I downed it immediately and asked for another. And another... until I lost count of how many I’d had. But I wanted more.

“One more!” I said, slamming my hand on the counter.

“Miss, you’ve already had fifteen shots; you’re drunk,” the bartender said.

“What business is it of yours?” I shouted.

The bartender handed me some coffee. “You might not make it home in this state.”

Annoyed, I stood up, pulled money from my bag, and slapped it onto the counter. I didn't want to go home yet—I couldn't drive, and besides, being home would only make me dwell on what had happened.

I glanced outside, and through my blurry vision, I spotted a hotel: the Grand Hyatt. I knew it was probably expensive, but it was just for one night. It was better than staying in some cheap motel or sleeping in my car.

I stumbled my way over and booked a room. I grabbed the key card: Room 308. Inside the elevator, I clung to the railing, nearly sinking to the floor. When the doors opened, I forced my eyes to stay open.

Room 309? I checked the card—this was it.

But before I could even tap the card, the door was already ajar, so I stepped right inside. It was dark inside, but before I could even open the door, arms suddenly pulled me in and a kiss was planted firmly on my lips.

My mind wanted to resist, but I was swept away by the man's skillful kissing. His breath smelled pleasant, so even when he slid his tongue into my mouth, I didn't pull away; instead, I engaged him in a passionate exchange of tongues.

He immediately lifted me up and laid me on the bed; I could sense his eagerness—or perhaps intense lust—in the way he caressed my body and quickly stripped off my clothes.

He trailed his lips down my neck to my breasts, sucking on both my nipples.

“Ohhhh…” I couldn't help but moan as I held his head.

His lips moved down to my stomach and lower abdomen, eventually reaching my womanhood.

I squeezed my eyes shut as he buried his face against my wet pussy. He sucked on my clit and thrust his tongue inside me—mimicking the motion of actual intercourse—until I couldn't hold back my climax.

Then, he turned me around and rubbed his hard member against me.

*****

I snapped back to reality when the hotel bathroom door opened and other guests walked in, causing him to leave. Upon returning to the apartment, I saw my landlady, Mrs. Ruiz, waiting to confront me angrily. “Hey, Giselle! When do you plan to pay the rent? You’ve already used up one month, and the current one is already running. If you don’t pay by the end of the month, you’d better look for a new place to stay—otherwise, I’ll throw your things out on the street!”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Ruiz; I’ll just finish out this month and then leave,” I replied.

The old woman stormed off angrily. I let out a deep breath and was about to unlock the door when I saw Bernard approaching.

“Where have you been? Why didn’t you come home all night? I’ve been coming here over and over since yesterday,” he said angrily.

My temper flared, and I shouted back furiously, “So? It’s none of your business because our relationship is over! Go be with Annie and never show your face to me again!”

Bernard kept begging for forgiveness, promising it wouldn’t happen again and that he would leave Annie. But I’m no fool. To me, once a cheater, always a cheater.

“Please, Giselle, don’t leave me; I can’t bear to lose you.” He was on the verge of tears...

...this declaration.

“You can’t bear to lose me, yet you’re capable of hurting me? You even called me worthless! I’m done—I won’t let you fool me anymore!” I said in frustration.

“Please, give me a chance; I’ll do anything—wait, what’s that on your neck? Is that a hickey?” he asked, puzzled.

“What are you talking about?” I retorted angrily, though deep down, I was nervous.

“Where did you really go last night? Were you with a man? Did you let just anyone have their way with you?” Bernard shouted in a rage.

I struck him with a slap and a punch to the chest.

“Don’t compare me to you—someone who’s obsessed with lust! Get out of here, or I’m calling the police!” I said, on the verge of tears.

Bernard had no choice but to leave. I quickly shut the door and wept uncontrollably.

I regretted drinking and having a one-night stand with a stranger; I never imagined I would lose my virginity—something I had guarded so carefully—in such a way.

The very next day, at the crack of dawn, I left the apartment. I wanted to forget, so I needed to move out and relocate to a different city—to finally move on from everything.

I had no idea where I was going.

One month later…

I woke up feeling unwell, immediately rushing to the bathroom to vomit. I didn't know why, but my stomach felt like it was turning inside out; meanwhile, for the past few days, I had barely any appetite. I often missed meals because I would get home late from job applications. I glanced at my stock of sanitary napkins; not a single one had been used. I swallowed hard.

My heart was pounding wildly. I immediately grabbed some money and went to the nearest pharmacy to buy a pregnancy test.

I paced back and forth in the living room while waiting for the result, then suddenly froze. Two lines.

I’m pregnant!

This can't be happening!

I sank to the floor, stunned and dazed.

What am I going to do now? My savings are gone, and I don't have a job yet.

Suddenly, my cellphone rang. I wiped away my tears with my shirt and tried to steady my voice.

“Hello?”

“Is this Miss Giselle Saavedra?” the voice on the other end asked.

“Yes, speaking. Who is this?” I replied.

“I am Lorie from the Johnson Group of Companies, Human Resources Department. Congratulations, Miss Saavedra—you’ve been hired as an Executive Assistant. Can you come in tomorrow to report for duty?”

I was stunned. Hired? I finally had a job.

“Y-Yes! Sure!” I stammered.

“Alright, we’ll expect you here at eight in the morning. Please be on time,” she said before hanging up.

I looked at the pregnancy test kit. I didn't know if this was a blessing or a problem. Would the company accept me if I was pregnant? It seemed I should keep it a secret for now, or else they might withdraw the job offer.

Suddenly, I thought of the man from that night...

Our one-night stand had resulted in a pregnancy.