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."Shienna tapped her heels on the marble floor she was standing on. She had been waiting in the lobby for almost half an hour, but the man she was waiting for had yet to appear. She had purposely come to the office of the man she had spent the night with in Palmerston, Cook Island. The receptionist had told Shienna to wait, but she felt her efforts were in vain. Shienna took her cell phone and dialed the number on the business card the man had given her. "Damn it! Is he trying to avoid me?" she muttered, annoyed. She got up, stomping her feet through the men on security duty, standing in front of the escalator, making sure no one could access the metal box to get to the boardroom. "Excuse me, miss. Where are you going?" the guard asked as Shienna pressed the button for the elevator to the 21st floor, where the room of the man she was looking for was located. "I'm going upstairs to meet the owner of the company." "Do you have an appointment?" "I did a few minutes ago." "Then show m
The wedding's procession went smoothly and solemnly. It was the first time Shienna had seen a live wedding because she was the bride. Meanwhile, the look on Bryan's face did not show a glow of happiness, nor did it look sad. He could deliberately hide his feelings because he is trying to maintain an image. This wedding is not something Shienna and Bryan were expecting. Newshounds began to crowd the halls of the Gladiola Palace, checking in on the diva's wedding and the wealthiest businessman who had never been seen with any woman. It meant that the rumors were true, that they had indeed spent a hot night in Palmerston. Now, reporters are waiting for Shienna and Bryan to clarify the news. "I've asked some people to come to your house and get all the stuff you need," Bryan said once they were in the bridal suite of the Gladiola Hotel. They didn't want to spend the night having sex because that's not what they wanted. It's just that the image is what they need right now. "What for?"
Knock, knock, knock!"Shie, I'm sorry to disturb you. I just wanted to tell you something about tomorrow's schedule," Shienna's assistant said after knocking on the door late at night. Bryan, who knew the assistant as well as his wife's best friend, glanced at her and went back to his work on his laptop. "Say it, J." "Ever since you became Mrs. Sanders, the press has been polling to see who would be interested in hearing clarification from you." Jennifer paused her sentence to ascertain her best friend's reaction. "Can you do the press conference for tomorrow?" "Um... that matter..." "Ahem... let's not forget the agreement between us," Bryan interrupted, unable to hear the conversation as if he wasn't there. "Do you want me to tell people you mistakenly conceived the baby?" Shienna gave Bryan a sharp look, then returned her attention to Jennifer, awaiting a response. "Jennie, I'm sorry. There are conditions where I can't give them what they want. This marriage is a personal thing
Shienna arrived at a familiar building. She turned to Bryan when they reached the lobby and stepped into the skyscraper she knew was Bryan's office. Several employees who had been busy working got up and faced Bryan and Shienna, an assistant, and several bodyguards followed. "Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. Sanders!" They greeted. Shienna and Bryan received the same greeting every time they met another employee, even when entering the elevator. "Not the 21st floor, Bertha. Take us to 21A," Bryan ordered as the neatly uniformed woman was about to press the button she usually pressed every time she escorted her boss to the penthouse. Today, for the first time, Bryan asked Bertha to take him to the penthouse above his personal space. She nodded, took the card out of her pocket, and held it up to the sensor on the elevator wall. One side of the elevator opened to reveal a few buttons that she pressed, and the metal box they were riding in immediately went to the floor Bryan wanted. They ar
Shienna looked at Ray as he stepped out of her penthouse with a sad look. Shienna was unwilling to let go of a bodyguard as reliable as Ray, who had made her feel safe wherever she was. However, one thing she emphasized to Ray was that he should keep her updated on his situation, and if he ever needed help, she would be able to help him. Plus, there is a promise that Shienna will use his services again when her business with Bryan ends. This time, it was Jennifer's turn to sit not far from Shienna's place, who seemed hesitant to start the conversation. "Shie, are you sure you'll agree with your husband's decision? Are you going to dismiss me? Is this the end of our friendship?" "Tsk! Of course not, idiot! I don't want to make trouble with that psycho guy. Didn't you hear what he said last night? Your presence here is just as a friend, not my assistant anymore. That means you can stay here for the rest of your life." Jennifer rolled her eyes as she heard Shienna's explanation. That
Shienna smiled happily as she saw the package arrive, and she unwrapped it. Jennifer sent the piano and other musical instruments to the penthouse, bringing her to sudden tears. "Oh, look at that! She's so considerate of me," Shienna muttered as she wiped away the tears and dialed the number on her cell phone screen. "J... are you free? I want to meet you and thank you for your concern." "What? What for, Shie? Never mind... I did that as your assistant, so consider it my duty, and you've paid a good amount. Your husband has also added a severance bonus for me," Jennifer replied. "What? Are you sure he increased the severance bonus for you? Why would he do that?" "I don't know. Ask your husband." "No, I won't. I want to hear from you. La Café, at lunchtime. I don't want any rejection. This is a reunion of friends, and you must make time, okay?" After getting an affirmative answer from her friend, Shienna went back to opening some packages and arranging them in the empty room that
Shienna finally made it out of the crowd and arrived back at the penthouse. She was now holed up in her room, not opening the door—no matter who knocked from outside. She had no idea who to trust. Bryan didn't say anything when they got married, not even when she and he talked about the contract, the terms of which she forgot to double-check. However, their marriage was not based on love, so was it right for her to ask for clarity from her husband on this matter? Knock, knock, knock! "Shie, it's me. Elea said you've been reluctant to leave the room since earlier. What happened?" asked a voice that Shienna knew very well must be Bryan. However, she was reluctant to meet anyone for now. She was depressed. As long as she was a public figure, she had never once dealt with romance. Let alone being a suspect in the destruction of someone's relationship. She had always been betrayed and cheated on, and now she was making a man cheat on his fiancee. Could it be true what the woman at the c
Shienna woke up with an aching body that made her reluctant to leave the bed. Instead, she pulled the covers up and lay still until she heard a knock on the door."Mrs. Sanders, are you awake? I've prepared your breakfast and vitamins. You have a check-up at the gynecologist today, and... you'll be doing yoga in the gym today with a maternity yoga trainer and Mr. Sanders," said the woman from outside.Hearing the assistant's explanation, Shienna was forced to get up and open the door for her. "Why don't you come in?" she asked."I'm afraid you're not awake yet, ma'am.""I'm awake now," Shienna replied as she stepped towards the dining table where breakfast and everything she needed was served. "Could you repeat my schedule for today, Elea?"Elea nodded, then repeated what Shienna had asked earlier while calmly enjoying the food in front of her, and once again, she couldn't finish it all.Shienna was silent for a moment as if she was thinking about something. However, a moment later, s