In Just One Night

One step at a time

Yasmine had a whole week to think about what Amelia told her. After going through numerous situations and outcomes, the best option she found was to come clean.

"Come in." A sharp voice from inside the office boomed through.

Taking a deep breath and steeling herself for what awaited her inside that room, Yasmine walked in. "Good morning, sir." She switched to a professional tone.

"A good morning to you too, Miss Palmer." James lifted his eyes from the screen of his computer and gestured toward the seat opposite his. "Please, take a seat."

Yasmine sat down and rested her hands on her thighs, rubbing her sweaty palm on her black skirt.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?" James asked, diving right into business.

'Deep breaths.' She reminded herself. "What I'm about to say isn't work related in any way, so I'd appreciate it if you listened carefully."

James dropped the mouse his hand was rested on and turned to her, his full attention on her alone. "I'm listening."

"Right... I'm pregnant. "

'What a way to break the ice you dumbass.' Yasmine felt like punching a hole through the floor and crawling into it. She had a hundred different ways to break the news, but her mind suddenly went blank at the dying moment.

James looked at her like she had a few screws loose. He gave her a 'what am I supposed to do with that information' look but didn't say anything related. "Uh, congratulations, Miss Palmer... Are you here to ask for your maternity leave?"

"Uh, no- well, yes, but... Get it together, you moron." She said the last part as a mere whisper, but clearly, he heard it.

"Are you... okay?" James looked genuinely concerned, the 'She needs to be in an asylum' type of concern, and that just made Yasmine even more messed up.

"I'm sorry, I just have a lot to process right now." She spoke more calmly this time.

"No worries, take your time."

"I am pregnant... However, I'm here not because I want to ask for maternity leave but because it has to do with you."

James raised an eyebrow of confusion, waiting for her to give a better explanation.

"About two months ago," Yasmine continued, all traces of nervousness out of her body, "during the celebration party after your meeting was cancelled. You stayed at the party a bit longer, and we both got tipsy, extremely tipsy. Next thing I know, I woke up the next morning with you next to me on the bed, and now, two months later, I found out I'm pregnant. "

Yasmine paused, giving him time to process what she just said at the same time, preparing herself for what she was about to say next.

"What do you?- "

"Sir," She interrupted him before he could talk further, "I'm not sure if you believe me, and frankly, I came here fully expecting you not to." She paused to refill her lungs for a moment. "I won't be aborting this child, and I did not come here to ask you for money or anything like that, I'm more than capable of taking care of the baby on my own... I just thought telling you was the mature thing to do. It wouldn't be right of me to keep such a truth from you... This child is mine, and if you decide to fight me for custody," Her voice broke at the thought of that happening. "If you dare fight me for custody, I'll come at you with everything in me... But," Her voice was more gentle this time, "If you want to be a part of the child's life without any disputes between us, then I won't stop you, I'll be more than willing to comply." She got up, leaving no room for James to cough out a reply. "I'm not looking for an answer now, so anytime you're ready to talk, I'm just a call away... Have a good day, Sir."

Yasmine quickly stormed out of there before James could even get the chance to blink. She knew it was wrong to leave without letting him say anything, but that was all she could do for the day - all her mind could take. She didn't have the strength for a confrontation with him.

Her feet quickly made its way to the bathrooms, where she expelled the contents of her stomach into the toilet bowl. "Oh, god." She washed her face with cold water from the tap. Seeing her reflection in the mirror, Yasmine couldn't help but cry. She wasn't sad or anything, just exhausted, and all she wanted to do was cry her heart out. Thankfully, there was no one in the toilet to watch snot drip from her nostrils. She never was a pretty crier, after all.

"I won't let anyone take you away from me." She stroked her belly affectionately, dreaming of the day she'll hold her baby in her arms.

After resting up for a bit, she went back into the bathroom stall to call Amelia. "I told him." She whispered through tears. She didn't need to say anything else for Amelia to understand.

"I'm so proud of you, Yaz." Amelia's gentle and comforting voice came through from the other end of the line. "I'm here for you, love, always... even from across the country." She giggled, lifting up the mood.

"Thank you, Amelia... For everything."

"You don't need to thank me, what are friends for... I love you, okay."

Yasmine could hear the smile in Amelia's voice, and it made her warm inside. "I love you more." She smiled back.

The call with Amelia made her feel better emotionally, but physically, she was a wreck. Each step Yasmine took made her feel like she'd collapse any moment. "I pray I make it home in one piece." She held the wall to steady her steps for a few seconds before continuing her walk out of the building.

There was no way she'd be able to actually work that day.

Yasmine stood at the bus stop, and thankfully, this time, a taxi came fast to her rescue. She gave out her address and rested her body on the seat, closing her eyes to get some rest before getting home.

Everything would happen in its due time. All she needs is to take it one step at a time.