A CONTRACT ENGAGEMENT

Finally, she thought. It was true that she was busy, but it wasn’t just that. She knew there was more even if she’d been trying hard not to admit it to herself or anyone else. When she left her father’s company, she had high hopes about her career and her work with Standard Gates. She didn’t expect that in a couple of months, she would fall in love, get pregnant and then engaged. A lot was happening in her life and it was happening so fast… and she was panicking deep down inside.

“So why did you say yes if you didn’t want to marry me?” Julian asked. His voice was dangerously low, and even he couldn’t believe how he was able to stay so calm when he wanted to smash a chair against the wall.

Nina kept her gaze on the floor. “I never said that I didn’t want to marry you. I do.”

He didn’t say anything so she continued.

“All I’m saying is that, I think we’re rushing into things a bit. Maybe it doesn’t feel that way for you, but it’s that way for me. I guess I didn’t expect so many things to be happening all at once… All good things, I know, but the wedding… the baby…. It’s going to change the rest of my life. I just need some time to get used to it.

Julian stared at her. The last time she’d asked him for sometime and put a pause on their relationship, he’d freaked out and pushed her away. It was a move he’d ended up regretting. It was happening again, but this time it was different. He had no idea what to think. He felt like if he gave her what she was asking for, he’d only end up giving her a chance to move father away from him, and the thought of losing her scared the hell out of him. But she didn’t look like she shared his fears or concerns…. And why should she? She was a beautiful, amazing woman and any man would want her. He figured maybe the relationship just meant more to him.

His eyes fell on her stomach. Beneath her clothes, there was no bump visible yet, but it was slightly round and visible when she was naked. He knew that because he’d spent a lot of time watching her, learning her curves, eager to watch her grow with their child. He had a lot to say, but the words seemed stuck in his throat.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“I should go” he finally said, when he found his tongue again.

“Julian…” Nina began, but he wasn’t listening. He simply turned around and walked out of her office.

———-

Nina rolled in her bed twice before she opened her eyes and sniffed. There was a delicious aroma coming from the kitchen and she knew what that meant.

Breakfast! She thought. Abby was making breakfast. Whatever it was, she knew it was going to be good because Abby was a great cook.

She rushed out of bed and ran to the bathroom. One thing she’d noticed since she got pregnant was that her appetite was growing everyday. She loved food, yes, but now it was way more than before. She had also developed a great sense of smell, so that didn’t help matters.

She brushed her teeth and took off her clothes. Before she stepped into the shower, she took some time to stare at her body in the mirror. She had changed, she noticed. Her cheeks were a bit fuller, and she knew she was already gaining some weight. Her breasts were fuller too, she thought as she cupped them, then let her hand move slowly to her belly. She was four months pregnant now, and she was starting to show. Her bump was growing and she smiled.

She couldn’t really understand her feelings. She was happy. She was engaged to the man she loved, and she having his baby, but at the same time she was anxious and scared. Sometimes she wanted to scream and sometimes she wanted to laugh. She thought about Julian. She had not seen him since that day at her office, and apart from calling to check if she and the baby were alright, he never asked her about anything else.

She shook her head and got into the shower. She didn’t want to think about Julian at the moment. After the shower she put on a short gown and headed for the kitchen. Her added weight, rounder stomach and ass made it even shorter but she didn’t mind as long as she was comfortable.

“Hi Abby,” she said cheerfully as she walked in.

“Good morning, Nina” Abby responded, but Nina wasn’t listening. Her eyes were on Julian who was sitting in the kitchen with Abby.

“Hi,” she said as she walked deeper into the kitchen. She was wasn’t expecting to see him and she wasn’t sure she wanted to talk about their issues at the moment.

“Hi,” Julian replied. His eyes left her face for a moment and scanned her body. She could see concern in his eyes for a moment, but it disappeared immediately his eyes met hers again. She knew what he was doing… checking up on her to see if she was okay. Apparently the calls weren’t enough and he just had to make sure. Only that he was trying not to show her that he cared. It annoyed her and she frowned at him.

He seemed to understand that gaze because he rose immediately. “I have to go” he said without talking to anyone in particular.

“You do?” Abby asked, clearly surprised. “But you said you were hungry. You can’t tell me you are not anymore. You’ve been salivating since I started cooking.”

“Ermmm…” Julian stammered.

“It’s fine, Julian” Nina cut in, “I’m sure there’s enough for all of us”

Abby stared at the both of them. Something was definitely off, she thought, but she said nothing.

“This is delicious” Nina said after she was served and had a spoonful of the rice in her mouth.

Abby smiled. “Thanks” she replied. “I plan to make you the best dishes before you leave. You can think about that when the both of you finally move in together… and you can always remember that I was a better cook and roommate than my brother.”

She expected laughter or at least a giggle from the both of them, but they were silent. She watched them for a few seconds before she banged her hand on the table.