Beast In Love || Brock Lesnar

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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR | VERY QUESTIONABLE

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|Three Month Later|

I was pretty sure that by now, Nicole was completely comfortable with my preferable choice of outfits when I'm at home.

So what if I walked around in my underwear when I was cleaning? Come on; you know you wish you could, too.

But this morning, for some unfathomable reason, I caught her staring at me.

I blew it off, suddenly wondering if I was paranoid until she started asking me questions.

"Shaniece?" she started, grabbing a spoon to share Ben and Jerry's cookie dough ice cream with me.

"Hm?" I asked through a mouthful of ice cream.

"I know this isn't my place to ask...are you on your period?" She asked.

I sprayed out all the ice cream in my mouth, "What? Why?" I asked.

She cringed at my tone, "I didn't wanna say anything...but, you're looking kinda bloated." She said.

I looked down to examine the damages myself, okay so maybe I'd eaten a little too much over the past few weeks.

Tears sprung to my eyes as I realized that this was it, a downward spiral into a crazy old cat lady with no life and a bloated stomach.

Nicole's voice snapped me out of my depression, "Are you crying?" She asked.

I sniffed and croaked out a 'no.'

She let out a small laugh that sounded a little nervous, "I'm sorry, Shaniece. I thought that's what best friends are for." She said.

"I'm sorry," I choked. "I'm just very hormonal right now," I said.

"If it makes you feel any better, your boobs are bigger." she offered, and I laughed despite the waterworks.

"Yeah," I sniffed again. "That kinda works," I said.

♔₪♔₪♔₪♔

My outfit was simple again today, black slacks, a black ribbed tank top, and to hide my stomach, I wore an open dark gray jersey.

My shoes were kitten heels since my back was already sore.

"Good morning," I sang cheerily as I waltzed in through the glass doors.

"Thank God!" Stephanie cried, running out of her office. "I've been bored out of my mind," She said.

"I know, I know, I'm the life of the party. Please, no photography." I deadpanned.

"You're looking fabulous today, Shaniece." Demi, our news editor, informed me.

Stephanie hummed in agreement, "You have been looking pretty good lately. Healthier." She added.

"Huh," I shrugged. "I was told I looked fat this morning," I said.

"That's it!" Demi announced. "Your boobs are bigger!" She continued.

Again, the whole office heard the comment and turned to look at me.

Well, okay, my breasts.

Even Paul, who was in deep conversation with James, smirked and appraised me with his eyes.

"Great," I said sarcastically. "Now that that's all cleared up. Stephanie, I need shoes." I said.

She beamed immediately, but I continued. "Flat shoes. My back is killing me." I said as I removed the kitten heels from my feet.

She pouted a little and ran off into her office, where it was rumored to hold the promised land of all things designer somewhere in the confines of the four gray walls.

She emerged moments later with a pair of pumps, and I was instantly more comfortable.

"Good morning, Shaniece." Paul greeted me.

"Paul." I greeted him back, monotonously.

"Do you have a moment? I'd like to have a word." He said.

I shrugged, "It better be quick; your cologne makes me want to gag." I said.

I wasn't lying either.

I was feeling sick from the smell. I had no idea why he felt the need to use the foul scented stuff when his natural scent was so much better.

"Sorry to interrupt," the receptionist, Amanda, began. "but Shaniece, there's someone here to see you." She said.

I looked expectantly at the door and felt the wide smile spread across my face when I saw Rose with my godson, Lucas, in her arms.

I giggled when I saw his chubby cheeks pull up to give me a gummy smile; his dimples are only making him even more adorable.

"There's my favorite godson in the whole wide world!" I sang, taking him into my arms.

My pending conversation with Paul, all forgotten.

"Oh yeah, yeah, I'm just the one that...Oh, I don't know...gave him life!" Rose grumbled.

"You're my favorite person, Rose," I said as I winked at her, and it somewhat appeased her.

Lucas made a gurgling noise as he took in the surroundings and cooed as I beamed down at him.

My small magical moment was rudely interrupted by a throat clearing behind me, and I turned to glare at Paul.

"Shaniece?" he prompted.

I couldn't control the look I gave him, and he was pissing me off. "One sec," Rose arched a perfect brow at him, and I sighed. "Rose, meet Paul. Paul, this is my friend, Rosalie." I said.

He held out his hand to greet her, but she stared him down and looked back at me, silently asking if this was him.

I nodded, and her expression hardened even more.

"Nice to meet you," he murmured, and she responded with a snappy, 'you too.' he said.

"Shaniece, could you look after Lucas for a few hours while I get some things done at home? I need a break." She said.

"Yeah, sure," I responded, holding Lucas's small form against my chest while she slipped the baby bag onto my shoulder.

"Thank you," She said as she kissed my cheek, then both of Lucas's cheeks, and left.

"As I was saying," Paul continued, and I rolled my eyes.

"To be honest, I don't care; whatever you have to say, you can tell Stephanie. I'm busy at the moment." I said, walking away with Lucas.

"Did you talk to her about the expansion?" Stephanie asked her husband.

"No." He answered, walking away.