Yufa

I was so embarassed.

I grew up in a community where people are so conservative, that even a slightest touch in your hands could get you in a serious trouble. People think this is indeed the 21st century, where tolerance is practiced as if everything we do is to be accepted without any complaints. We often forgot our morals because one wrong move and everything you will do will backfire to you, too afraid of what everyone will say about you. We tolerated wrong doings so much that we forgot we are already hurting someone.

The moment I reached home, tears never stopped falling from my eyes. I was so embarassed that I couldn't stop them even if wanted to. Maybe I was too hurt, or maybe my baby felt my embarrassment and he was hurting too. My poor baby, he shouldn't be feeling this way. But no matter how I dry my tears, still they keep streaming endlessly.  The last thing I remembered was crying, and when I opened my eyes, the sunlight peeking through the windows stung them. I must have fallen asleep while crying. I tried to get up but a sickening feeling settled on my stomach and my head start throbbing. I almost forgot about my morning sickness. I lied back down and reached for the candies I was hiding under my pillows. I opened two pieces and shove it into my mouth. Candies helped with the sickness and it eases the pain in my belly. Because I rarely eat, my stomach seemed hollow, I am hungry though. When finally I decided to eat something, my appetite would retreat back into deepest parts of stomach and block the entrance of foods which is so annoying. The candy did appease that feeling anyway. It's sweetness battled with the bitterness of my mouth and kept the sickness at bay.

Nathan didn't came home last night. What do I expect anyway? Him coming home and discuss about what happened earlier? That's so not like him. He won't rub it on my face even if I wanted him to. He just wanted to embarass me and make sure that I won't do it next time. Even if I spend time figuring what was he thinking that time, no answers will ever come since he is Nathan; cold, heartless, a man with very few words.

I continued about my day, the next day, the next weeks and months. It has been 2 full months since that day. Nathan rarely comes home saying he was out on some business trips, but I'm not buying any of it. Maybe half of it is true since he is a business man, but the rest is spent on his bloody womanizing habits. I've tried so many times to get his attention to tell him about my pregnancy but each time I approach him, my confidence eventuallu dissolves into  a heap of stammering words and I end up irritating him.

His absence offered a good opportunity though. I renovated one of the spare rooms of the house and convert it into a room befitting for a baby. I painted it green because I am sick of pink and blue. Green would suit either for a girl or boy, or maybe both. Who knows? A twin will be more than enough. I painted it as early as I can so the scent of the paint will fade as soon as the baby is out. I already filled the room with a wooden crib, stuffed toys and everything a baby needs save for the clothes. I still wanted to know the baby's gender before I shop for his things. Arriane helped me with the renovation plans since she experienced it herself. Her advices will be of much help considering I am having a hard time deciding which is which.

I also spend too much time travelling. I don't know but travelling seemed to lighten up my mood. Usually, Arriane would invite me over the Mansions since I already told her about what travelling is doing with my mood. So instead of coming over to our house, she would let me come to her and together we eat something sweet since she have an incredible passion for sweets. So much for sweet tooth. She would bake cookies and cakes for me and she  makes the tastiest icecream I've ever tasted. I devoured them to my heart's content.

"Are you and Nathan really okay, Yufa?" Arriane asked for the nth time. I pursed my lips and put down the cookies I was munching happily.

Of course we aren't okay. Ever since we got married, we never have mutual understanding on certain matters. We always end up arguing with each other.

"O-of course we are, how else would we have a baby if we are not, right?" I lied. I'm getting really good at lying this past few months. Arriane is a very suspicious one and I know she doesn't trust her brother. But what good it is to tell her the truth? All of them will just be worried and to be honest, them knowing the real situation will only get it worse. I have to keep this facade and make them believe we are doing good and great until the baby comes out. I believe when that time comes, everything between Nathan and I will be change. We are already a family. Family will always change a man and by that time, I won't be lying to any of them. I should endure it a little bit more. Good things comes after a storm.

She frowned but smiled nonetheless. I know she doesn't believe in me. Somehow, she knows her brother more than me but kept her thoughts to herself. We dig back into our snacks once again and let the matter slip through the delight the cookies brought to us.

Arriane wants me to sleep over since her husband, Dexter is still out of the country for days now. She felt lonely and her son is especially fond of me so I didn't refuse. I made sure Martha pack the necessary things before heading to the mansions.

We were preparing for our sweet dinner since Ali and Nate is joining us for dinner. We were so busy preparing everything when Arriane's phone buzzed on the counter. She picked up the phone and was surprised to hear Dexter on the other line. They spoke for a couole of minutes before she hung up.

"Yufa, I'm so sorry. I can't join yoh for dinner." She said apologetically.

"Why? Is something wrong?"

"No, but Dexter wants to meet me and our son at the airport so we could spend dinner together. He's back." She beamed at me knowingly. I smiled back to her and understood it.

"That's wonderful, Arriane. Go. Prepare yourself and little Spencer over there. Make the best of this evening." I cooed.

"You sure? Are you going to be fine by yourself?"

"Oh. I can manage. It's only a dinner with Ali and Nate. After that, I'll let Reomero drive me home."

"I'm so sorry, Yufa. I really wanted this sleepover to happen. I even planned everything already." She apologized again.

"There is always next time." I reassured her.

Nate, Ali and I had a wonderful dinner. I can't remember when was the last time I had spent a dinner with my family. Its been ages ago. Nathan's family is full of kind and beautiful people. They never mistreated me, only showed me kindness and love as if I were a part of their family long time ago.

An apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I believe Nathan is a kind soul  deep within him, buried amidst his anger and his heartbreak. I'm still looking forward on uncovering those soft side of him or maybe I couldn't but I know his child will. After our dinner, Reomero drove he home. Ali insisted that I should stay for the night but I refused. Besides I don't want them to see how sick I am when the morning comes. They were still oblivious about my situation and Arriane also suggested to keep it from them since her parents cannot contain the happiness of having grandchildren. They were too loud about it.

The drive was smooth but as we neared to our house, I'm feeling something isn't right. I felt nervous and my heart beats wildly inside my chest. Maybe it's just the baby feeling excited to be at home.

Upon arriving home, I saw Nathan's car sitting on the garage with its door still wide open. I frowned. Did Nathan came home when I wasn't around? Is he that drunk enough?

I continued to walk towards the door, feeling nervous. As I neared the front door, thats when I heared a faint giggling coming from inside. At first it was the sound of Nathan's laughter, and when it died down thats when I heared the giggling of another person, clear as waters. I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing it down along with the fear of the unknown.

Someone is at home.

I listened to their giggling a little bit more. Like the giggling of two children rolling over the playground. They must be having a very good time, I see. While they laugh their hearts out, here I am gathering all my strength to keep myself upright. My hands start shaking, my teeth ground with each second I spend listening to them and my eyes starts watering. I lost all the coolness I had and I felt sanity slip. With all my might, I pushed the door wide open.

My body felt cold and hollow as I saw Nathan sprawled casually on my favorite seat with a blonde snake under his arms, enjoying the last moments of their happiness for this night.

*******

A/n

Sorry for grammatical errors. New chapter up!

We're about to enter the next phase of Nathan and Yufa's story. Brace yourself for more dramas and major turn of events. Thanks! 😇

----Maiah❤