Katherine's POV
A Month Later
I stretched, groaning as I struggled to get out of bed. I winced at how tired I felt. I had been feeling like that lately and wondered if it was because of the Osten project.
I had been working hard every day for the past one month, making plans to make the project a success. I could already smell my promotion in the air.
Within thirty minutes, I was done dressing up and was about to get out of my apartment when my stomach rumbled.
I winced as I rubbed it. Not now, I thought, pleading with it. I had an important meeting with the management this morning and would have to make a presentation on my plans for the project and how far I had gone.
I made a note to myself to buy some doughnuts and milkshake before getting to work, hating how hungry I was lately.
I guessed stress wasn't meant for me. My body had been acting strange ever since I started to plan the project. I was always up by five but now, it was a struggle to get up by six. I could go hours without eating for a day but now it felt like I would die if I didn't have breakfast before eight.
I couldn't wait to be done with the project so I could go on a long vacation. I started thinking of where to go and wondering if my savings was going to be enough.
******
"How will you get this percentage converted?" Gary asked, staring at my slides.
"As you can see, the sketches—" I began and winced when my stomach grumbled.
The three people in the conference room said nothing and kept staring at me.
I was embarrassed and flustered but I continued. I had prepared hard for this day to let it be a flop.
"—are targeted towards women in their fifties and above who are starting to feel like they are growing too old to be attractive. We can make them feel young again and there will be a high demand for the styles by the time we are done with them. I'm sure I can reach the percentage I estimated here and convert them to sales." I said, smiling.
I was convinced that I could convert more than the estimated percentage of leads into sales but didn't want to sound arrogant.
Jennifer, the CEO, nodded. "I like the plans. We can go ahead with it."
I grinned. Yes, I had done it.
"Good job, Miss Nelson." Gary said.
"Thank you." I beamed with pride as I began to pack my laptop and presentation notes.
My stomach chose that moment to grumble again.
I winced and closed my eyes, feeling mortified. The three of them stood up, chuckling as they moved toward the door.
"You should feed that thing." Jennifer said, glancing at my belly before heading out.
I sagged into a nearby chair, feeling tired all of a sudden. What the hell was wrong with me? It was barely two hours that I had wolfed down four huge doughnuts and two milkshakes which was twice of what I ate at a time.
I couldn't believe I was hungry again. I went to the snack bar, got myself some cookies and went back to the office. I couldn't wait for the lunch break so I could eat a proper meal at the cafeteria.
I was grateful when my stomach stopped grumbling and I was able to work.
"Aren't you going for lunch?" Brandon, one of my teammates, asked as he stopped by my desk.
"Is it time already?" I asked, glancing at the time. "Oh, it is. I will be there shortly."
"You work too hard." He chuckled and shook his head as he walked away.
I closed my laptop, got up and walked to the cafeteria. I felt bile rise in my throat as I stepped in and sniffed the aroma of fish. I ran out and had barely made it to one of the stalls in the restroom before puking out everything in my belly.
I sagged against the wall, feeling my vision sway before me. I stepped out to wash my mouth and hands after flushing, praying that I didn't get sick.
I headed to the hospital after work that day. This project was important to me and I couldn't afford to mess it up. I had to be conscious of my health.
"I think I am getting sick." I said to the doctor as soon as I got to his office and sat down.
"Why do you think so?" he asked, writing on a note.
"My body feels odd lately."
He nodded. "What are your symptoms?"
"I am always tired in the morning no matter how long I sleep, I get hungry unnecessarily and eat more than usual, I vomited this afternoon because of the aroma of fish which is weird. I love fish."
"How old are you?"
"I'm twenty four. Does that matter?"
He stared at me. "Did you ever consider that you might be pregnant?"
I chuckled. "Pregnant? No. It's just stress, doctor. I'm sure it is. I only need you to write me some prescriptions that can help me. You see, I have an event coming up next month that I'm in charge of. I can't afford to make a mess of it and that is why I'm here." I explained, blushing as I realized that I was rambling.
I hadn't had sex since the other night a month ago. I hadn't had the time to go clubbing ever since I got to be in charge of the Osten project.
He seemed unimpressed as he looked at me. "When was the last time you had your period?"
I blushed, realizing that my period was late. I didn't have it last month.
He nodded, taking my hesitation as an answer. "I think you should go for a pregnancy test while you are here before we know what next to do."
"I can't be pregnant. I'm sure it's stress that is making me react strangely."
He nodded but I knew he was patronizing me. "I will believe you when you are here with the test results."
He called for a nurse who escorted me to the laboratory. My heart thudded loudly in my chest as I waited for the result, hoping that the supposed baby in my belly would have miraculously disappeared.
I caught myself and shook my head. Oh no! What was I thinking of? I couldn't be pregnant. Not now.
I paled as I realized that that guy hadn't used a condom the other night. We had only been concerned about infecting each other with STDs. I should have been worried about him infecting my womb with his semen.
I had no idea I had been ovulating at that time.
"No, I can't be pregnant." I muttered, trying to force myself to believe the words.
The words sounded like a prayer but the more I said them, the less I believed them. I was nervous about what the result would be.
I saw the nurse walking towards me and jumped up from where I was seated.
"What is it, nurse?" I asked, staring at the envelope containing my test result in her hand.
"Let me walk you back to the doctor's office."
"You can just tell me." I urged her, my heart skipping a beat.
She smiled but didn't say a word. I followed like a disobedient student being taken to the principal's office by a teacher and awaiting verdict.
"What does it say, doctor?" I asked the doctor after the nurse handed the result to him and left.
He smiled as he turned to me. "You are a month pregnant."
I went still, the words echoing like doom in my ears. He was talking about how I needed to be careful and avoid stress but I didn't care.
I could see my world crumbling right in my face. I was going to lose the Osten project once my symptoms persisted. I was going to lose my promotion.
I felt more like crap when I realized that I had no idea of who the guy was.
I was doomed.