The Golden Rule 2: The One That Got Away

Honesty

Ari was sending out emails to several suppliers when she received an email from Melissa.

Hey, saw you're online. Feeling better this morning? There's some pecan pie in the fridge so help yourself.

Ari smiled and quickly typed a reply.

Suprisingly, I wasn't feeling so sick today. Thanks for the pie.

She paused as she sent her first message. Chewing her lower lip, she started typing again not waiting for Melissa's reply.

So did you hear from Marco?

She knew pregnancy could make her feel sick and paranoid and even be oversensitive at times. But she didn't know it could also make her lose her phone!

She lost it the day after she arrived at Melissa and Mia's apartment. She recalled placing it on her nightstand but she couldn't find it the next morning.

It has been six days since she left Marco's flat and she has not heard from him since. She asked Melissa to tell him about her misplaced phone but explicitly asked her not to mention anything about the apartment issues. She didn't want to worry or burden him with that problem while he's on a business trip. Besides, she'll be back in the apartment before he's due to arrive.

But she hasn't really heard from him. Melissa never mentioned anything about Marco asking about her. He could have emailed her too to check in but she never received anything. She was tempted to email him but her messages would always end up in the draft folder, never sent. It would just further break her heart if he doesn't respond.

Apart from being copied in one email, haven't heard from him. But cheer up, he should be home soon.

She sighed. Was her pregnancy really the culprit for all of this?

Once he gets back, she was going to come clean and tell him about the baby. That is if he doesn't already know and the reason for his avoidance.

She was tired of hiding it from him anyway and  she was exhausted from overthinking, wondering if he'd want to have anything to do with the baby.

But as she told Melissa a few days ago, she will keep the baby. Instinctively, her hand went to her stomach. Whatever his decision will be, she will be there for her child, even if it means being a single parent.

Ari swallowed hard at the thought. She knew it will be difficult but being captive for years taught her to be strong and resilient; She will be brave for her child.

She will do anything to keep her baby safe. She thought with determination. She will do anything to give him or her a good life.

Pushing her worries away, Ari focused on work. Ever since the pregnancy, she seldom felt like herself in the mornings and on these rare days, she tried to get a lot of things done. If Marco decides to bail on her, at least she got a job to help her augment her expenses. As long as she does her work well, their future is secured.

She just finished lunch and was halfway her slice of the pecan pie when the doorbell rang. Melissa told her maintenance might come to check on the airconditioning.

Walking to the door, she absent-mindedly pulled it open. She blinked in surprise when she saw the person standing in front of her.

" M-marco, " she rasped as she took in his disheveled state.

He was wearing faded jeans and a creased pullover that needed much ironing. His hair was a mess and his eyes had dark circles under them. It was a Wednesday and he wasn't due back in town til early next week.