3. +

Three months later...

"Shie, how are you feeling? Are you still thinking about Bryan and your passionate night with him?" Shienna's assistant asked as she found her holding Cello, but her gaze fixed blankly ahead. Shienna was deep in thought, seemingly transported to another place and time, even when her assistant tried to snap her out.

Shienna still couldn't believe that the man she had slept with was Bryan, her ex-boyfriend from college. She only remembers the bad things about him: his bulky body, odd jobs at a fast-food outlet, and being able to attend college because of a scholarship.

Shienna started dating Bryan two years ago, and they continued their relationship for a considerable time. Bonding of their hearts must have happened during these two years. Two years is not a short time or a flash in the pan, as their hearts should have bonded over time. Unfortunately, this was not the case for Shienna.

As the youngest daughter of a wealthy family and one of the richest business owners in the world, she didn't want to accept just any man. Even though Bryan was not a man with an ordinary level of handsomeness, he was also not a man whose intelligence was perfunctory nor a man with a lot of style. Bryan was the complete package—if only he weren't so overweight.

"Shienna Miller, are you still here?" snapped the friend and assistant who had repeatedly called her name, only to realize when the woman with the tablet tapped her arm.

"Uh, you... What's wrong? Did you come to tell me my schedule for this week?"

"Yes, I think so." The woman scrolled through the screen of the object in her hand. "The most important thing is tomorrow's weekend. There's a party at the Gladiola Palace. It's the biggest hotel and culinary company party, and they've invited you to perform."

"How much are they willing to pay? I don't want to lower my rate."

"Don't worry, they'll pay whatever you ask."

"Good. Please call our regular fashion designer. I want the best. If they're willing to pay a high rate, we can't let them down."

"Yes. Anything else?"

"Um... can you buy me something?" Shienna paused before saying what she wanted the assistant to buy for her. "Chinese food. I'd love to eat seafood."

"But you're allergic to seafood, Shie. How about I order it from your favorite restaurant? Veggie seafood! It's your favorite, right?"

"No." Shienna waved her hand. "I'm bored and want to throw up at the thought of having to eat that again. I want seafood. Period."

The assistant gaped in disbelief. Shienna was very rigid when it came to food. It was unusual for her to be desperate to eat anything that she had long abstained from and disgusted by her favourite food. What was happening to her?

"Alright. I'll buy you what you want. Anything else?"

"The designer, don't forget. And buy my food right now."

The girl nodded, then went to carry out her friend's orders. However, her lips couldn't help but murmur in response to Shienna's strange behavior. "How strange..."

***

After deciding what kind of dress design she wanted, the big day she was looking forward to finally arrived. Shienna and her assistants and a few personal bodyguards protected her from the media. She had become the target of gossip due to rumors of breaking up with Dave and spending a night with someone else.

Shienna ignored the news but kept mum and wouldn't give any details. She felt secure when she arrived in the room. The security was so tight that reporters couldn't break in.

Shienna began to perform to a large crowd of guests from several companies. Her performance was mesmerizing when she played the violin, occasionally holding her cello and switching to the piano. At the top of the show, she played the piano and sang a song that she composed herself.

She ended the song beautifully. Everyone applauded. Her eyes widened with a radiant smile on her face. She then found a figure staring at her with a crooked smile, walking slowly towards her.

Shienna was wide-eyed, rose from her seat, and seemed to be waiting for the man to be before her.

"You look stunning, as always."

Shienna could not reply as her tongue turned numb. She did not expect to see the man now when she had even managed to forget the last incident that made her want to disappear so she would never have to see him.

"Take it easy. I don't want to bother you. I only invited you because I know you're the only one who can entertain us well at this big event."

Shienna circled the room as if looking for something. And when her eyes caught a banner that read 'Shines Hotel and Culinary'. She was familiar with the name but couldn't remember where she had seen it. And this man's presence... for what?

"Taste our banquet, Shienna. I know you'll like it. Do you still like cake? You can eat as much as you want during the feast."

Shienna couldn't stand it. She stumbled and collapsed as her chest tightened and her eyes rolled.

***

"Shie, are you okay?" asked someone fanning and applying aroma therapy to her ears and closer to her nostrils. Shienna slowly blinked, casting her eyes around and not finding the man who was like a scourge in her life, especially since three months ago.

"What happened?" she asked.

"You fainted. That's why I was forced to bring you back home," she replied. "She... I'm sorry about this. I didn't know that the event was—"

"Bryan's? I know. I'm sure he did this on purpose to upset me. Never mind, let it go. All that matters is that I'm home."

The assistant nodded. Then noticed Shienna's paled face. "Seriously, Shie. Are you okay?"

"Yes, I guess. For some reason, the last few days, I haven't been feeling well."

"Do you want me to call a doctor?"

Shienna didn't answer but got up, held her foggy head, and staggered to the bathroom. The ball gown still clung to her body, making it difficult for her to move. But she didn't care and quickly squatted down to face the toilet so she could vomit the contents of her stomach that had been churning.

HOEKK!

The assistant just watched with a furrowed brow. She waited in front of the bathroom door with anxiety. Not long after, Shienna came out with a weak body and a pale face.

"Oh my! Shie, what happened? Why are you—"

"I have a terrible headache, J. Can you buy me some med? Or a nausea reliever, or anything that will make me feel better."

Shienna's assistant and best friend nodded, then hurried out of the room and returned with a doctor.

"I asked you to buy medicine, not call a doctor!" snapped Shienna.

"But this is serious, Shie. I'm asking you, have you had your period yet?"

"What do you mean?"

"I checked your tampon, and it's intact."

Shienna was instantly stunned. The hectic schedule after her return from vacation made her not notice how much time had passed. It seemed like only a minute, and when she met the man who had disturbed her peace, time stopped, and she realized that she had been traveling in a different time zone.

... or maybe she deliberately forgot all about Bryan.

"Let the doctor examine you. Please..." The assistant added, and Shienna reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"To make sure, please use this," the doctor said as he handed over a long box, which Shienna hesitantly accepted.

She took a step towards the bathroom and did as the box said to do, waited a few minutes, then came back and handed the box to the doctor.

"Well, then, our hunch was correct. I'll prescribe the vitamins you need."

"Wh-what do you mean, Doc?"

"You are pregnant, Miss Miller. Regarding your gestational age, you can check with a specialist for further answers."