PHB 31
“Have you taken your medicine? Are you still feeling nauseous or vomiting like yesterday?”
A few days later, Veronica visited Deasy again. She looked worried, considering that Deasy had previously experienced severe nausea and vomiting, which had left her pale and weak.
Veronica wanted to take her to the hospital, but Deasy kept refusing, claiming she was fine.
“I’ve taken my medicine, actually. The nausea still comes and goes. The vomiting has lessened.”
Veronica then took something out of the paper bag she had brought with her. It was a box of healthy food that she had intentionally bought for Deasy to eat.
“Well, how about trying to eat now? You haven’t eaten, right?”
Deasy shook her head.
“No, not yet. Honestly, I haven’t had much of an appetite these past few days. The smell of food makes me nauseous. And if I can’t bear it, I’ll vomit right away.”
“Alright, try the food I brought. Maybe you’ll like it.”
Veronica slowly opened the bento box she was holding. However, before it could fully open, Deasy abruptly stood up, covering her mouth, and rushed to the sink, where she started vomiting.
“Oh dear, Deasy.”
Once again, Veronica rubbed Deasy’s shoulders and neck. After she seemed to have settled, Veronica guided her back to the sofa.
“I told you, I can’t stand strange smells. They make me nauseous, and if I can’t take it, I end up vomiting like this.”
Veronica quickly stood up, fetched a glass of warm water, and handed it to Deasy.
“I’m really sorry, no matter what. I truly didn’t mean to make you vomit like this.”
“It’s okay. I’m fine, really.”
“Then, you haven’t eaten anything?”
“Don’t worry, Ve.”
Veronica nodded, placing the food box she had brought back into the paper bag, sealing it tightly to prevent any odors from escaping and causing Deasy to feel nauseous and vomit again.
“If I’m not mistaken, next week your pregnancy will be three months, right?”
Deasy shrugged, seeming indifferent or maybe just unwilling to calculate the exact age of her pregnancy.
“I don’t know. I have no interest in counting or knowing anything about the baby in my stomach.”
“But, it’s your child, Des.”
“Lucas’s child. Not mine,” Deasy emphasized.
“However you look at it, it’s both of your child.”
Deasy took a deep breath, nodding in agreement with Veronica’s words.
“Yeah… yeah… it’s up to you. Instead of worrying about whose child it is, it’s better to think about my future in the next one or two months when my belly starts to grow bigger, and people around me start to notice.”
Veronica sighed. She had mentioned this several times already. It was Deasy’s constant denial that was the issue.
“It’s annoying, right? I’ve been suggesting from the beginning that you should hurry up and marry Lucas, rather than having people gossip when they find out you’re pregnant with no father in the picture.”
“It would be even more gossip if they found out it’s Lucas who got me pregnant, Ve.”
“If you’re so embarrassed by the office gossip, why don’t you just change jobs?”
Deasy was startled.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, go back to the Caribbean or Vortex Group. Besides, your position was quite good there. Why did you resign and end up joining a small company like Quantum Tech?”
“Enough, Ve,” Deasy retorted. “I’ve explained this before. I wanted a change of scenery, right? I’ve been with you for eight years. Like Sean, I wanted to have a career outside of my comfort zone.”
“If I were you, I’d rather expand your late father’s company. Instead of joining a small company that’s not even at your level.”
“Quantum Tech is not a small company, Ve. Although it’s relatively new, its growth and annual increase are very significant. Besides, I feel comfortable working here.”
“But still, your position here is just a manager. Whereas elsewhere, you could get more than this. And if you were to expand your father’s company, you could even become the top leader.”
Deasy couldn’t bring herself to respond further. Somehow, when discussing her late father, her heart felt sad and full of loss.
“Oh, by the way, today you’re accompanying me to the doctor’s appointment, right?” Deasy changed the subject.
Veronica smiled. However, instead of nodding, she shook her head and wore a regretful expression on her face.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“I’m really sorry, but I can’t accompany you to the doctor’s appointment for your check-up today.”
Deasy nodded, understanding that Veronica was busy and couldn’t accompany her for a medical examination. Besides, there was plenty of time for that.
“It’s okay. No problem. I can go to the doctor tomorrow, the day after, or next week. Besides, I still have the vitamins and some of the prescribed medicine.”
“No,” Veronica shook her head. “You’re still going to the doctor tonight, Des.”
“Huh?”
Deasy looked puzzled. Hadn’t Veronica just said she couldn’t accompany her?
“You said you couldn’t. So, what do you mean?”
“Well, you’re still going to the doctor tonight for your check-up. It’s just that I won’t be the one accompanying you.”
Deasy became even more puzzled. If it wasn’t Veronica, then who would accompany and support her?
“So, who is it?”
“Who will accompany you-”
“Good evening, Ma’am.”
From another direction, a man’s voice suddenly greeted them. Deasy turned to see Lucas entering the living room, wearing a smile. Since he had access to Deasy’s apartment, he could enter whenever he pleased.
“Lucas?”
Deasy immediately looked to Veronica for an explanation, her eyes filled with questions.
“Yeah… don’t give me that look, Des.”
“What does this mean?”
Veronica took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain to Deasy.
“Well, today I really can’t accompany you for the check-up. Instead of postponing it, I thought it wouldn’t hurt if Lucas accompanied you. After all, he has more right because there’s his child in your womb, right?”
In an effort to bring Deasy and Lucas closer, Veronica had personally contacted Lucas, exchanged phone numbers, and even made an agreement that in the future, when she couldn’t accompany, Lucas should be ready to accompany Deasy as he was doing today.
“But, Ve-”
“Enough, no buts. After thinking about it, it’s more appropriate for Lucas to accompany you.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Lucas added. “I have plenty of time to accompany and support you for your check-ups. As the father, I also want to see the progress firsthand.”
Deasy sighed. Two against one? Of course, she would lose in such a situation.
“Both of you are really something!”
“Enough, no more protests,” Veronica said with a laugh. She stood up, preparing to leave. “Lucas…” Veronica called out. “I’m leaving Deasy in your care. Please take her to the hospital for her pregnancy check-up as usual. After it’s done, bring her home and make sure she goes to bed on time.”
“Of course, Ms. Veronica. I’ll make sure Ms. Deasy is safe until she returns to her apartment.”
“Don’t forget, she hasn’t eaten yet. After this, it’s your responsibility. Please take good care of her.”
Veronica then left casually, leaving Deasy to respond with a deliberate expression of annoyance and frustration at what she had just done. Deasy was irritated because Veronica had taken action without prior notice.
When Veronica returned from Deasy’s apartment and before taking her to the hospital, as usual, Lucas prepared dinner for Deasy to enjoy.
Unlike the food Veronica had brought, which had made her nauseous, what Lucas brought, as usual, piqued her interest and whetted her appetite.
“I’m not a senior citizen or disabled, Luc. How long are you going to spoon-feed me like this?”
Lucas smiled. Ignoring Deasy’s words, he scooped up some chicken porridge from the container and offered it to her mouth.
“Come on, don’t protest, Ms. Enjoy it. What’s so difficult about it? Besides, I’m not asking for payment or charging a fee for this.”
“But what you’re doing is excessive.”
This time, Lucas laughed.
“You should be grateful, Ms. Out there, not every pregnant woman is taken care of like this by their husbands.”
“Husband? You’re not my husband, okay! Please make that clear.”
“For now, you’re right, Ms. Who knows, next week or next month you might change your mind. So, don’t rush to declare. God is all-powerful. In the next five minutes, if He wants, you might suddenly like and fall in love with me.”
“Nonsense,” protested Deasy, not accepting it.
“Nothing is impossible, Ms.”
“But what you’re saying doesn’t make sense. There’s no-”
“Enough, Ms.,” Lucas interrupted. “Instead of protesting so much, you should just finish your dinner. Take it easy. After all, I’m not asking for much or setting a fee for this.”
Deasy sighed. Why did her subordinate have so much confidence?
“I’m tired of listening to your nonsensical talk, Luc. Let’s go to the doctor now.”