172 What About Tom?

Immediately Leon left for work, Ella breathed a sigh of relief. All the while Leon was busy talking to her, half of her thoughts were elsewhere. Her memory kept replaying all Dr. Julie had told her and she became conscious of everything happening around her.

She knelt on her bed and straightened out her loose tee shirt on her body to see if her stomach had started bulging out. Alas, she observe that her stomach looked like someone who had eaten a little bit too much.

“Shit!”

Her eyes flashed in terror and her heart started thumping. She hastily jump down from the bed, ran to her bedroom door, and locked it. Then she stripped her clothes off, leaving only her panties on, and properly examined herself in the vanity mirror.

“It’s beginning to show!” She screamed in an excited hushed voice and did a victory dance. Although she was having mixed feelings, her excitement at having a gradually protruding baby bump suffocated her fears of Leon’s resolve.

“No wonder Leon told me that I was glowing and gaining a little weight.” She smiled while softly checking out her boobs.

“My gush!” She blushed. “They are getting bigger and more attractive. I can now see why Leon spends so much time on these babies.” She giggled and twirled around, still admiring herself.

After celebrating for a while, she fondly stroked her stomach and forcefully pushed it out; to see what it will look like in the coming weeks.

“You are going to be a killer mom, Ella!” She beamed at her beautiful reflection. “What would Olivia think of this? Maybe I should give her a call. Yes! I will give her a call.”

.....

She hastily wore one of her bathrobes and walked back to the bed. She sat down, picked up her mobile phone from the side table, and dialed Olivia’s number.

“Hello,” a cute baby voice said in an excited tone.

“Is that my sweet baby Matthew? Oh, my little prince, I miss you.”

“I’m not a baby!” Matthew replied grudgingly. “I’m going to be a big brother. My mummy is having a baby and grandma says I have to be tough.”

“Oh, my bad! Forgive your forgetful aunty big brother Matthew.” Ella grinned. “Grandma is so right. You are one strong, brave, and handsome boy.”

“Hurray! I am strong! I am brave!” Matthew started singing excitedly.

“Matthew, where is mummy? Give the phone to mummy.”

“Mummy is in the kitchen, she is fixing my breakfast. Are you coming?”

“No darling, but...”

“Ugh!”

“Don’t worry my sweet prince, I promise to come around when your baby sister arrives, okay?”

“Okay!” Matthew said in an extremely cute voice.

“Now, go give the phone to your mummy.

“Okay! Mummy, mummy, mummy! It’s aunty Ella.”

There was a running and screeching background sound before Olivia spoke up.

“Hi, sweetie!”

historical

“Hey baby girl,” Ella smiled. “I guess I called at the wrong time. I hope you’re not overworking yourself over there. Remember, you’ll be due for delivery in less than six weeks.”

“Not really! Mum has been the one doing everything around here. She keeps treating me like a baby and I got sick and tired of it. So I decided to make breakfast this morning. Currently, she is out in my garden plucking some fruits and vegetables to make me some salad.”

“So typical of mum, she could be so sweet and indulging sometimes,” Ella chuckled. “I hope she is doing great, I kinda miss her.” Ella’s smile slowly faded.

“She’s fine and she misses you so much even though she refuses to say it,” Olivia said reassuringly. “I just hope she realizes how much of an amazing daughter you are someday.

“Yeah, that’s by the way.” Ella’s smiles returned. “Are you all alone I have a secret to share?”

“Wait a minute!”

Ella heard some rapid footsteps and a door slamming.

“Shoot! I’m all alone now.”

“Okay!” Ella drew in a deep breath. “I am seven weeks pregnant!” She forced out the words with so much excitement.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!”

Ella peeled the phone from her ear due to Olivia’s high-pitched screaming.

“I’m so happy for you! Oh my goodness, Ella! This is the best news of the day. Oh shit!”

“What!” Ella asked in a panicked tone.

“My baby just kicked! I guess she’s dancing as well.”

“Hahaha! Oh, Olivia! You got me worried over nothing!” Ella giggled.

“Congratulation big sis. I’m so happy for you. How I wish I could share this with mum.” Olivia sighed out loud. “She would have been the most excited if she approved of Leon! You know how much she likes babies.”

“Yeah, I know!” Ella’s eyes sagged and became misty. “How I wish my life was not this complicated. First I have a mother that hates my choices in life and then I’m married to the love of my life whose mum doesn’t approve of me.”

“Don’t sound like that Ella, at least you have Leon and I’m sure he’s so thrilled to be a father. Who knows, the presence of a child has a weird way of turning things around for the best.”

At Olivia’s comments about Leon, Ella started crying.

“Ella, what’s the problem? Did I say anything wrong? Come on sis, please don’t cry. You know I hate it when you cry. I’m not there to console you. Please talk to me.”

“It’s Leon...” Ella sniffed. “He... He doesn’t want a child.” She cleaned her tears with the back of her hands as more poured out.

“Wait a second!” Olivia’s voice sounded deep and riled. “Leon is not aware you’re pregnant?”

“No... I have been... hiding it from him and I’m scared it will ruin our relationship. I can’t afford to lose either Leon or my baby.” Ella sobbed harder.

“Oh, Ella, I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say.” Olivia hissed. “There are too many conditions in this marriage and I hate it. You know what, damn the consequences and just tell him. If you need me to come around while you confide in him, then I’ll book the next flight. If he doesn’t want the child, at least you and the Porter family are capable of taking care of your child.”

Ella chuckled amidst tears at her sister’s encouraging words.

“You don’t have to come around, dear,” Ella wiped her tears and felt a little unburdened from her fears. “I’ll let you know when I’m ready. Whatever his reaction turns out to be, I will let you know.”

“Okay. Ella, I have to go, I guess what I’m cooking is burning and Matthew is yelling for me.” Olivia said anxiously.

“Alright darling, kisses.”

“Bye!”

“Bye!” Ella smiled and held the phone close to her heart.

She reminisced on her happy memories of the time her mum used to love her so much before their relationship turned sour.

“I miss you, mum.” She wiped more tears from her eyes.

Feeling suffocated by her thoughts, she stood up and walked into the bathroom for a warm bath.

After bathing and getting dressed, she left home for work.

When Ella arrived at the office, she held a brief meeting with her top management team. All through the meeting and discussion session, she observed Denise’s absentmindedness.

One minute Denise was sharing intelligible ideas for the new fashion line promotion and the next minute, she was saying something abstract.

Ella decided to finish up with her daily activities in the fashion creative department before checking up on Denise.

After almost three hours of exchanging thrilling ideas and working as a team to create some new masterpiece design, Ella retired to her office for a lunch break. She also invited Denise to join her for lunch.

While they were eating, Ella shared her ugly morning incident with Denise. But, Denise didn’t react to the story in her usual cheerful self. She only nodded a few times, laughed a little, and made a few remarks.

“Okay, I have had enough!” Ella’s eyes flashed in anger. “Denise, what’s the problem? You have been mopping around all morning and the lively Denise I know is currently missing.”

“Huh! I’m right here, Ella. Don’t tell me you can’t see me.”

“Denise, this is by far one of your lamest jokes. Come on, spit it out! Something is eating you within. You know you can trust me with anything. I’m your best friend.” Ella gently stroked her hand and smiled.

Denise breathed down her anxiety and tried to smile. Although, instead of smiles, tears flowed down her cheeks. Her behavior greatly alarmed Ella.

“Denise!” Ella moved closer to her and pulled her into her arms.

“What’s wrong?” She asked in a soft voice.

“I kissed Fred this morning in my office and I think I have feelings for him.” Denise blurted out everything that had been troubling her.

All morning, she couldn’t stop thinking of the kiss she shared with Fred or the fact the new overwhelming desire for him was popping from every corner of her body. It was as if Fred had jinxed her with a love spell and she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

Ella pushed Denise from her arms and glared at her. She stuck a finger in her right ear and wriggled it, to expel any hidden dirt in it.

“I think something is blocking my ear but I’ve removed it,” Ella said in a trembling choice. “Did you say Fred kissed you in your office here in this company?”

“No! I said, I kissed Fred in my office and I suddenly want him more than anything.”

Ella’s bulging eyes almost popped out in alarm.

“Denise, forgive my language but are you mad? What about Tom?”