Todos os capítulos de Pregnant by my Ex-Boyfriend’s Father: Capítulo 11 - Capítulo 20

I’d just had a terrible day at work. There was a messy reacquisition of some tech startups, and the legal issues involved were a nightmare. So, I went to one of my flagship hotels and bars in town and booked the topmost floor for myself, my usual routine.After stepping into the shower to take a bath and retire for the night, because I was too tired to do anything else, I came out with a towel hung loosely around my waist. That was when I heard my door unlock, and a very ravishing young woman stepped into view.Oops. I hadn’t locked the door because I was expecting room service.I stared at her intently and told her, “You’re in the wrong room. Leave now before you wake up to something you can’t handle.” She was tempting my soul and she didn’t even know it.Instead of leaving, the young lady- eyes wet, looking either drunk or high on something- came closer and began rubbing her hands across my chest. The rest, as they say, was history.Afterward, I slept deeply, the kind of sleep I had

The following day, I went to work. I was so anxious and literally walking on my eggshells that morning. I resumed earlier than most of my colleagues, hoping my punctuality could somehow erase my mistakes. I had already planned out my apologies. In about 30 minutes, everyone resumed. The receptionist said hi to me and continued with her day, then she gave me a list of tasks I needed to get done for the CEO: • Sort and review the weekly financial reports • Prepare the draft agenda for his 3 p.m. strategy meeting • Compile the client feedback file for the multinational deal • Confirm time zones and arrange his call schedule • Print, staple, and label the new contract summaries • Deliver the updated design brief to the creative department After going through the files, and still head-deep in them, I heard some muttering around me. I looked up and realized the CEO was around and I was the only one who didn’t greet the CEO. Everyone was staring at me. Including him. I quickly

After I left his office, it wasn’t long before lunch break rolled around. Considering I hadn’t eaten anything remotely sensible in the past twenty-four hours, my hunger was brutal. I absconded from my workspace immediately and made my way to the cafeteria. Today’s menu had a meaningful option: a combination of coconut and jollof rice, paired with KFC crispy chicken and some fresh grape juice. My favorite things in the world- chicken, rice dishes, and grapes- all in one plate. I practically ran to grab a seat and dug in with fervor, ignoring the world around me. Halfway through my first bite, one of my colleagues approached. He asked if the seat across from me was free. I recognized him, marketing department, always polite, always easy to talk to. I nodded, gesturing for him to sit. He immediately launched into small talk, asking about my welfare, how I was settling in, if the workload was too much, whether I found the office environment manageable, if I had any challenges with the sy

I slid into the cafeteria, spotting Tom and Ben, the marketing guys I spoke with yesterday, waving me over. “Hey, Aria! Mind if we join you?” Tom asked, already balancing a tray piled with food. “Of course,” I said, motioning to the seat beside me. Ben grinned, plopping down. “So, I read this article last night about kids barely picking up books anymore. It’s all tablets, smartphones… digital this, digital that.” I nodded, scooping a spoonful of rice. “Exactly. I mean, kids can read online, sure, but nothing beats holding a book, feeling the pages. There’s something about it, slows you down, makes you focus.” Tom leaned in, his eyebrows furrowed. “Right, but how do we get them back into the habit? Most parents just give in to the screens because it keeps kids quiet.” “I’ve been thinking about that,” I said, eyes lighting up. “What if we gamified reading? Reward systems, little challenges, like, read a chapter, get points. Make it social, too. Kids love sharing achievements.”

Ethan and Chrissy were heading straight toward us, her arm hooked tightly around his like she was scared someone might steal him. The first thing I noticed was her dress — a silver, overly-shiny, sequined thing that screamed “I just got money yesterday.” It glittered under the lights in a way that felt almost… aggressive. Typical “I’ve arrived” energy. She plastered on a smile. “Good evening, sir. I’m Chrissy,” she purred at Alexander. Ethan jumped in fast, as if her introduction wasn’t complete without him. “Yes, Dad, meet my girlfriend. Chrissy.” Alex barely gave her half a nod. “Hi.” Typical him, the man didn’t waste breath on unnecessary syllables. Then Ethan’s mouth ran ahead of his sense. “Dad, why did you bring… this thing with you?” He flicked his eyes at me like I was some lost accessory. “There wasn’t anyone else available?” I saw Alexander’s jaw tense, that subtle shift he did right before something iced over inside him. “Ethan,” he said, voice clipped, “I told yo