Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
After he left, I quickly made my way to my room and hastily dialed Nara's number. I was so eager to speak with her that I fumbled while dialing her number.
"Millie, sweetheart, I can't talk right now, but if he left you crying on the floor, I'm coming," Nara said, her voice filled with urgency.
"You were right," I said quietly.
"Honey, I'm right about many things. You need to specify what," she said, still sounding extremely focused.
"I'm pregnant," I said, trying to sound as casual as possible.
"What?!" Nara screamed. She quickly apologized, and I heard her speaking to someone before she returned to the call, her voice filled with concern.
"Why are you so nonchalant about it, Millie? You have a child growing in your body," she panicked.
"Did you tell Lewis already? Where is he? Don't tell me he ran away as soon as you told him," Nara panicked further.
"I haven't told him yet," I confessed, feeling Nara's concern through the phone.
"Are you out of your mind? You're not thinking of handling this alone, are you?" Nara's incredulous voice pierced through the line.
"Nara, please, you're overwhelming me," I responded, my panic rising.
"I'm sorry, Millie, but I don't have enough money to support another child," Nara explained, a touch of lightness in her tone eliciting a laugh from me.
"I have the means to take care of it on my own," I asserted confidently.
"Sure, but wouldn't it be better for the child if you told your millionaire boy?" Nara raised a valid point.
"But I'm terrified, Nara. You know how much he travels, and the thought of being under constant public scrutiny is giving me a headache. Just imagine his rabid fangirls lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce on any opportunity," I confided, lying down on my bed as a wave of nausea washed over me once more.
In the background, amidst the bustling sounds of the busy cafe, I could hear Nara's voice filled with strain as she conversed with someone on the other end of the line.
"Child, I'm sorry but I can't talk anymore. The customers are flooding in, and I need to attend to them. I'll call you again in the afternoon. By then, I expect you to have told Lewis, alright?" She spoke firmly, the tension palpable in her voice.
"Alright," I replied, understanding the urgency in her tone as we exchanged our goodbyes over the phone.
As I ascended the creaky stairs, the only sound that pervaded the house was the eerie silence. Summoning all of my strength, I managed to make my way downstairs to the living room, desperately hoping that the mere act of moving wouldn't trigger another wave of nausea. Collapsing onto the sofa, I mindlessly flicked on the TV, hoping for some distraction.
Then, I heard Lewis's voice, announcing his arrival. I attempted to muster a response, but all I could manage was a feeble moan of discomfort as I struggled to pull myself upright. "You look like hell," Lewis remarked bluntly as he approached me, setting his bag down on the nearby table. "Thanks for the flattering observation," I retorted, brushing the strands of hair away from my clammy face.
Lewis proceeded to unpack the bag, producing a container of broth with noodles and a carton of yogurt. At the mere scent of the broth, my stomach churned with renewed vigor, and before I could utter a word, I dashed for the nearest bathroom, promptly heaving the contents of my stomach. Once again, Lewis came to my aid, placing a reassuring hand on my back as he comforted me with gentle words. "It's okay, just let it all out," he murmured, his touch providing a small measure of solace amidst the turmoil.
As soon as it came to an end, I found myself leaning against the wall, my chest heaving for air. Sweat poured down my face as I struggled to catch my breath. Sensing my distress, Lewis gently placed a hand on my forehead and immediately detected a slight fever.
"You're running a slight fever. You really need to eat something and take your medication to get better," he said with concern etched on his face.
"I can't...eat," I managed to pant out, my breath coming in short gasps.
"But Mimi—," he started to object, but I cut him off before he could continue.
"Please, Lewis, I really just need to lie down. Maybe I can eat later," I insisted, attempting to push myself up from the wall. Without a word, Lewis took my hand in his and carefully helped me up the stairs as I struggled to maintain my balance. He led me to my room and gently guided me to lie down on the bed, tucking the quilt over me to keep me warm and comfortable. Looking up at him with pleading eyes, I whispered, "Can you stay, please?" He chuckled softly and nodded, slipping into bed next to me, sharing the quilt. We lay there, gazing into each other's eyes, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me as Lewis lovingly brushed a stray hair from my sticky forehead.
" Lewis?" I asked, breaking the lingering silence between us.
"Yes?" he responded, matching my soft, hushed tone of voice.
"I need to tell you something important," I said, feeling the weight of the words I was about to speak as he brushed his hand lightly over my forehead.
"What is it?" he asked, his touch now cupping my cheek gently from the right side.
"I'm pregnant," I said, finally dropping the bombshell that had been weighing on me.
"What?!" he exclaimed, shock evident on his face as he swiftly sat up from his lying position.
