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“I have to go,” I said, cupping the phone and looking at my office door feeling paranoid.
“Goodbye, Heart,” he said.
Just him saying my name like that made my arms break out into goosebumps. I didn’t let many people call me that. Most didn’t know that was the name I preferred, but only if you meant something to me. Somehow, Daniel had earned that right, and it sounded best coming from him.
“Goodbye, Daniel.”
I hit theendbutton and slid my phone across my desk. I couldn’t help but smile. The hold that man had on me was either going to ruin me or change my life forever. I hoped it would be the latter.
After work, I took the subway home and made the short walk back to my apartment. I had just five minutes to change out of my work clothes and get back to the subway to meet Monica at the birthing class. In my apartment, I kicked off my shoes and found a pair of black leggings and slid on an oversized white tee. I wanted to be comfortable.
It felt like I had popped overnight. There was most definitely a little bump. I doubted anyone else could tell, but I could. My clothes fit differently and my belly was bigger. Firmer than my normal pudge. I hoped I could get away with no one noticing for a little while longer. I didn’t need anyone asking questions at work.
If the truth came out that I had intimate relations with Daniel, I could lose my job. Then I would be jobless, without benefits, and trying to bring a child into the world. I wasn’t sure how I was going to hide this pregnancy from my coworkers or my boss in the months to come. Suddenly, I thought back to the check Daniel had given me. I had almost forgotten until now.
I walked to my nightstand and opened the drawer. Inside was the baby book I was currently reading. I opened the glossy cover and saw the check staring at me with all those zeros that felt like eyes. I still wondered about the motives behind it. A wave of nausea hit me then. I wasn’t sure if it was morning sickness, which should really be called ‘any time of day sickness,’ or the exorbitant amount written on the check. I slammed the book shut and put it back in the drawer. There was no time to think about that now. I was already running late.
On the train, I gave up my seat to a woman who had an adorable baby boy. He giggled as she bounced him on her lap. I couldn’t help but stare as I wondered what I was going to have. A boy? A girl? The thought excited me and scared me all at the same time.
I made it to the class with one minute to spare. Monica was standing outside, leaning against the building waiting for me.
“There you are,” she said.
“Sorry, I got caught up with Elma. You know how she is.”
“That woman is way too invested in the lives of her tenants.” Monica rolled her eyes.
“You havenoidea.”
We walked into the class and were met with smiling couples all seated on the floor in a circle. I noticed I was the only one there without their significant other. I tried not to let it get to me as I found an empty seat on the floor, Monica sitting beside me.
The teacher walked us through various breathing exercises and then positioned us into a few birthing positions. I felt ridiculous with Monica sitting behind me with her hands on my stomach, repeating after the teacher.
“Hee-Hee-Hoo,” she breathed loudly.
“I think I’m supposed to be doing that,” I said with a laugh.
Monica giggled, and the teacher looked over at us curiously.
“God, could you imagine if Mr. Billionaire was here doing this with you?” said Monica, her voice low. “What’s going on with you two, anyway? You never told me about your fancy date.”
“Oh, Monica, it was amazing. Perfect even. We ate at this amazing French restaurant and he took me to see a Broadway show. You should have seen him. He was dressed to the nines.”
“Wow. He’s really wining and dining you. Without the wine, of course.”
“Unfortunately,” I muttered.
“Then what?” she asked.
“Then what, what?”
“How did the night end?”
“Oh…” I said, pausing.
“Oh, my God. You totally did it again, you little floozy,” she said, her voice rising.
The teacher looked over at us, now with a frown on her face.