ᴛᴀɪɴᴛᴇᴅ ʙʏ ʜᴇʀ

ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛʏ ꜱɪx

Desiree ^ 4 years Later From Equally Deranged

3rd POV

It had been two months since Akira started her job. Ciel had decided against doing his work placement at his father's company—he wasn't speaking to them right now, and he had no interest in being around them. Instead, he found another placement near Akira's workplace. Now, they had just one month left until their program ended.

"Are you really not going to talk to them?" Akira asked as they pulled up to her office building.

Ciel exhaled and ignored the question. "I'll pick you up later," he said instead. He got out of the car and walked around to open her door.

"Whatever," Akira muttered, unbuckling her seatbelt and stepping out.

Just then, a wave of nausea hit her. She gagged, pressing a hand over her mouth.

Ciel's brows furrowed. "You're still feeling sick? Baby, I really think we should go to the doctor."

"I'm fine," she snapped.

A small part of her already knew what was wrong. But she wasn't ready to face it—not yet. So she chose to ignore it.

Ciel sighed and pulled her into a hug, gently rubbing her head. "Fine. We'll talk about it again later."

She nodded, then separated from him and walked inside.

____

"Morning, Eve," Akira greeted as she entered her section of the office, managing a small smile.

Eve had become one of her closest friends since they started working together. She was the only one who knew the truth.

"Did you go to the doctor yet?" Eve asked, raising a brow. "Do you want me to go with you after work?"

"No, I haven't... but thanks," Akira replied, setting her bag down.

Eve sighed. "So, that means you still haven't told him." She crossed her arms. "Akira, it's been two months. You have to tell him sometime soon. He's going to find out eventually."

Akira rolled her eyes as she sat behind her desk.

A familiar voice cut in. "Ladies, trouble in paradise?"

Akira and Eve turned to see Desiree strolling toward them.

"Morning, girls," Desiree greeted.

The three of them had met by chance during lunch one day and hit it off instantly. Desiree, who was married to the CEO, often visited the office, and over the past two months, they had become close friends. It was one of those rare friendships that just clicked, as if they were meant to know each other.

"So, did you tell him?" Desiree asked, tucking a stray curl behind her ear.

"She didn't," Eve answered for her.

Desiree sighed. "So... do you not plan on telling him?"

Akira groaned and let her head drop onto the desk. "I don't know yet," she admitted. "This wasn't supposed to happen. I don't even want kids. Based on firsthand experience, they're bad as hell—no offense, Desiree—but they require too much attention."

Desiree laughed. "None taken. I mean, yeah, they do—especially a six-year-old and two four-year-olds. I swear they drive me crazy. But at the end of the day, I still love them." She smiled. "You'll grow to love him or her, too."

Akira sighed and ran a hand down her face. Before she could say anything, Eve and Desiree pulled her into a comforting hug.

"Girl, we're here for you," Desiree assured her. "And I'm sure your boyfriend will accept it. He may be caught off guard at first, but he won't leave you. He seems like a good man."