One More Time

Chapter 4

"Good morning, ma'am." Clement twists the doorknob, and flickers the lights on, ushering Alina in.

"Good morning, Clement. Thank you." She walks in airily, placing her coat on the hanger.

"You look quite unusual." He says, moving the curtains to brighten the office.

She blinks fast, "How do you mean?"

"Err…" He adjusts his collar, "Just not like yesterday."

"Oh. I feel better than yesterday, I guess." She places her bag on the table and starts a countdown.

"I have some work to do and a deadline to meet up."

"Deadline?" Clement walks to the door, quite confused. She doesn't have to deal with deadlines. She is in an equivalent position as her husband, young and famous Tim Sanders.

She almost stares into his confused eyes. "Yeah. Self-made."

"Okay, ma'am. I'll leave you to it." He slips out of the door.

"I can see I am almost done." She mutters to herself, flipping through the files.

Yesterday was hell for her. Mood swings, deep sleep, weird dreams, and nausea. But today, she feels unusually energized—the urge to clear up her desk and move on to the next agenda. Unlike yesterday when her world was spinning around her and she had no option but to seek comfort in her bathtub and bed.

She takes a glance at her stomach, expecting to see a little bump but it is as flat as ever. She doesn't feel like she has a fetus in her yet, the thought of being pregnant makes her tummy twirl.

She silently goes through the files on her desk and writes notes while the stopwatch continues ticking away.

In between the times her head is buried in files, she takes gulps of water and chews on the fruit gummies from her candy jar.

Time ticks away fast and soon, she sees herself opening the last file. She heaves a big sigh of relief: “I’m at the end!”

She stretches her arms, subtle sounds of cracking bones fills the office.

Skimming the file, she sees the last piece of the company's financial status and quickly pens down a few notes in the thick covered journal.

Just as she slams the file on the heap of files on the floor beside her, the telephone buzzes almost loudly.

Her fingers fumble around before grabbing a hold of it.

“Hello.” The change in her voice is almost noticeable, possibly, her ‘telephone’ voice.

“Hello, Mrs Sanders.” A soft male voice hits her ear.

“This is Mr. Sanders’ personal assistant. Mr. Sanders requests your presence at his office.”

Alina’s heart skips a beat, “Alright.”

“It is quite a matter of urgency. So, he is expecting you at the moment.”

She swallows hard, “Oh, okay. I’ll be there shortly.”

In her head, she could feel herself screaming. She has not seen Tim in days and it feels like years even though she is already used to being a married woman and almost a single lady at the same time.

She moves her chair and quickly makes her way to the bathroom mirror. She lines her lips and puts some shiny gloss on them.

“Why am I doing this? Obviously, it is not about me.” She thinks aloud and walks out of the office, snatching her phone from the table.

“I’ll be back shortly.” She taps on Clement’s desk and hurries to the elevator.

“Okay, ma’am.”

The elevator doors open up so quickly, ushering her into a spacious hallway. She walks briskly towards his office.

“Good morning, ma’am.” The bald ebony man bows his head.

“Good morning…” Alina’s voice fades off as she is clueless on what to address him.

“Mr. Sanders is waiting for you.” He opens the door.

She looks at him again and again before entering in, “Thank you."

Alina's palms and feet turn misty as beads of sweat envelope her despite the chill and manly fragrance-filled office. The huge mahogany table is the only barricade between them as the door shuts gently.

Tim clears his throat, seeing Alina. Alina feels uneasy as he stares at her from her fallen wavy hair to her black stiletto heels.

"I called you in for a brief discussion concerning the financial data you've been working on." He says, taking his seat. His arms firmly molded into his blue tuxedo. He looks so perfect: his brown eyes, wavy full hair, smooth skin, pointed nose and manly yet pretty fingers adorned with silver rings.

Alina's voice feels feeble, taking quick glances at him, "Okay. I had to go through the physical files to know how the finances were managed from the onset."

"Great." He stares at her again, "Take a seat, Alina."

"I…thank you." She stammers and grabs a seat.

"So, are you done with it? Is scheduling a meeting necessary?" He plays with a small ball in his hands.

Alina clears her throat, trying hard to fit into the professional atmosphere.

"No. I can just send a detailed email to you and you can go through it. It isn't a big deal. It is just to track our steps financially and have a stable financial reputation." She scrubs her fingers together.

"Alright." His stares feel almost permanent.

Alina always admired his fierce yet soft stare. She likes the tinge she feels whenever he looks at her.

"Anything else?" He flips his hair backwards.

Alina swallows hard, looking down on her tummy.

"Alina?" Tim calls, raising his left brow.

After a while of contemplating, she blurts out, "Tim, I'm pregnant."

Tim's eyes widened in shock. "Pregnant?"

"Yeah." Her cheeks grow pink as nods her head.

"You are married to me and you are pregnant with someone else's child?" He looks at her with disgust.

"No, no. It's you. It is you, Tim." She taps her hands on his table.

"It can never be me! Just get out." Tim stands up at once.

Alina stands clueless. She won't lie for no reason.

"Won't you leave?" He barks.

Her feet are planted to a spot as she is lost for words. How would she explain that night?

"You can't tell me you have a child for me. Our marriage is a business plan. Don't twist it, you liar!"

Tim shakes his head and walks to the door in fury.

Alina's jaw plunges as he bangs the door after him.