Next morning even before I completely woke up, I was leaning over the toilet; puking my guts out. Considering the only food I ate for dinner is the pasta which I ended up throwing up, I was just dry heaving; which is not at all a pretty sight.

I washed myself and got dressed for the day, ignoring the headache that was forming. I didn't wasn't to think of why I was puking this much. Or why I had gained weight. Or why I was craving litchi juice in an abnormal amount.

I just want to postpone my thoughts and get on with my day.

"Morning" Archer greeted me as I entered the kitchen. "How are you feeling?" he poured a glass of litchi juice and handed it to me. My face lightened up when I saw the drink.

"I'm feeling okay" I said grabbing the toast, hoping i would be able to keep it in.

"Good, but are you sure you don't need to visit the doctor?"

"I'm sure. But can we stop by at the pharmacy while coming home?" I asked him.

I was not stupid. I know I should have gotten my period almost two weeks ago. And stress could be the reason I didn't get it. The divorce affected me a lot. But I don't want to rule out any possibility.

"Sure, Lets head out?" I nodded at him and started my way out of the apartment.

The office building wasn't far away. It took thirty minutes through the traffic. Everyone greeted Archer as we entered.

"This is going to be your cabin" He showed me to a room. It had glass walls that made it possible to see who is inside. There was a computer on the desk.

"This is my cabin. If there is anything you need, come to me. I'll be giving your work schedule by afternoon. Till then familiarize with office. There will be coffee and tea in the kitchen, if you need any. And you will accompany me to any meetings that I go to" he spoke in a go. Boss Archer was hot. No denying there.

"Yes sir" I smiled at him and walked into my office. The chair was lot more comfortable than the magazine. I could see myself working here for hours and not straining my back.

By the time five rolled in, I was done with marking out my week's schedule. I prefer to plan things and that makes me balance my home and office life. I get to have a little time to myself.

"Ready to leave?" Archer asked as I was printing my schedule of the week.

"Yeah, give me a minute. Got to shut this thing down" I pointed to the computer.

Archer nodded and stood at the door, as I packed my stuff. I shut the computer down and picked up my bag.

We headed down the elevator to where his car was parked.

"How was your first day? Too much work?"

"Nothing I don't love" I told him honestly. He smiled at me, his blue eyes crinkling at the ends. He truly was gorgeous.

We talked on the way home. When he stopped at the pharmacy I almost forgot why we stopped.

I walked in alone, telling Archer I needed to get something personal. When I walked in towards the session where they held the sanitary pads I saw what I needed.

Pregnancy tests.

My hands shook as I took a few into my hand and went to the checkout point. Luckily it's just me in the store. There was an older lady behind the counter.

After she bagged the tests, she looked at me and smiled kindly.

"I hope it would be good news" she told me.

Dread settled in my stomach. What if it turned out that I was pregnant? Should I tell Rick? Would he want to be the part of the baby's life?

"Me either" I smiled at her, reaching for the bag.

"I notice the ring missing" she pointed to the tan line on my finger. A reminder of my divorce.

"Recently divorced" I told her.

"I raised three kids, after my husband left me" she told me, taking a bar of chocolate and giving it to me. "It was not an easy task, but it was the best thing that happened to me. My kids are my whole life, without them I would be nothing. Take your decision wisely, child" she said.

I placed the chocolate in my bag thanked her when she refused to take the money and went into the car.

"You took your sweet time" Archer commented as I sat down in the car. I couldn't smile back at him. I was too nervous.

"What's wrong?" he questioned and when I didn't answer, he drove in silence.

As soon as he unlocked the door, I locked myself in my bathroom and taking the test. It said to wait at least ten minutes before seeing the results. I couldn't do that. I didn't want to know what would happen.

I was curled up at the foot of my bed, head buried between my knees when Archer walked in. He rushed to my side, asking me what was wrong. I couldn't speak. I wrapped my arms around him, not caring if he would push me away or not.

"Lilly, you can talk to me." He whispered in my ear. I just shook my head and held him tighter, or I might fall apart. The ringing of my alarm broke my thoughts. I froze.

Almost robotically, I pushed myself off him and walked inside the bathroom, where the three tests I took were lined up. Archer walked in behind me, not his fault since I didn't close the door.

"Lilly" He whispered, tugging on my hand. His eyes were on the tests laid out on the side of the bathtub. "Are you going to look?"

I shook my head as tears started again. I thought of how one day I'd surprise Richard with the news and how we would celebrate and prepare for the birth of our baby. Now he was not here, without any idea what I was going through.

"Lilly" Archer said again. "I'll be here for you, alright? Just take a look at those"

I took a deep breath knowing there was no point in me stalling anymore. I walked over to the tub, kneeled down and looked at the result.

My heart skipped a beat when i looked at what was there.

Positive.

~*~

From today on, the updates will be every other day. I decided have a little bit of time with myself, and improve my sleep schedule and mental health.

Please bear with me.

13.05.20