Chapter 78
1186 Words
CHAPTER 78
ANGELA
By the time Damian dropped me off, it was already evening.
We had gone out after work, nothing extravagant. Just dinner, a little conversation, and the kind of time together that had started becoming normal between us.
I stepped out of his car and adjusted my bag.
“Thank you.”
Damian leaned across the passenger seat.
“For dinner?”
“For everything.”
He smiled.
“Go inside.”
“I am.”
“You're standing there.”
“I know.”
He laughed.
I closed the door and walked toward my apartment.
The moment I opened the door, I heard the television.
Then I saw Benedicta.
She was stretched across my sofa with her feet up, completely comfortable, a bowl of popcorn beside her and several other snacks scattered across the floor.
I stared at her.
She looked at me.
Then at the door.
Then back at me.
“You're finally back.”
I closed the door.
“What are you doing here?”
“Watching television.”
“I can see that.”
“Then why did you ask?”
I dropped my bag on the chair.
“And why is my floor covered in food?”
She looked down.
“Oh.”
Then she shrugged.
“I got hungry.”
“You couldn't use the table?”
“The floor was closer.”
I shook my head.
“You're unbelievable.”
She pointed at me.
“Look who's talking. Miss Independent Businesswoman finally decided to come home.”
I ignored her and walked toward the kitchen.
“Don't ignore me.”
“I wasn't.”
“You were.”
I opened the refrigerator.
“Do you want anything?”
“Yes.”
I looked back.
“What?”
“Something sweet.”
“You have enough snacks to feed a family.”
“Those are not mine.”
I stared at her.
“They are literally in my house.”
She smiled.
“Exactly. They're yours.”
I laughed under my breath.
“You're impossible.”
“Sit down.”
“I need to change.”
“Five minutes.”
“Benedicta.”
“Three.”
I gave her a look.
She patted the space beside her.
“Come on.”
I finally sat down.
She immediately pushed a packet of chips toward me.
“Eat.”
“I just had dinner.”
“You can eat again.”
“No.”
She shrugged and continued watching television.
For a few seconds, we sat quietly.
Then Benedicta suddenly muted the television.
I looked at her.
“What?”
She sat up.
“I have something to tell you.”
Her voice was different.
The teasing had disappeared.
I turned toward her.
“What happened?”
“Nothing bad.”
She reached for the bowl of popcorn, then put it back down without taking any.
That alone made me pay attention.
“Benedicta.”
She took a breath.
“I have something growing inside me.”
I stared at her.
For a moment, I honestly didn't know what to say.
“You're what?”
She smiled nervously.
“I found out today.”
I looked at her stomach, then back at her face.
“You're serious?”
She nodded.
“I took two tests.”
A smile slowly spread across my face.
“Oh my God.”
I stood and hugged her.
She laughed against my shoulder.
“I knew you'd react like this.”
“When were you going to tell me?”
“You're the first person I'm telling.”
I pulled away.
“Your husband doesn't know?”
She shook her head.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“He's still out of town.”
She sat back down.
“I called him earlier, but he was busy. I didn't want to tell him over the phone.”
I nodded.
“So you're waiting for him to come back?”
“Yes.”
She smiled, but there was sadness behind it.
“I wanted to tell him in person. I want to see his face when I tell him.”
I sat beside her again.
“You must miss him.”
“I do.”
She looked down at her hands.
“He should be here.”
I squeezed her shoulder.
“He'll be back.”
“I know.”
She smiled faintly.
“But until then, I needed someone to celebrate with.”
“You came to me.”
“Obviously.”
She looked at me.
“Who else would I come to?”
I smiled.
“You're going to be a mother.”
She laughed.
“Don't say it like that. It sounds serious.”
“It is serious.”
“I know.”
She suddenly picked up a packet of chips.
“But I'm still eating.”
I laughed.
“Apparently this news hasn't changed you.”
“Why would it?”
“You're still stealing my food.”
“I have a future to prepare for. I deserve snacks.”
I shook my head.
“You're already using the baby as an excuse.”
“Exactly.”
We both laughed.
After a moment, she looked at me.
“And you?”
“What about me?”
“How's the new office?”
I sighed.
“Again?”
“You've told me twice already.”
“Exactly.”
“And I'm still interested.”
I smiled.
“I like it.”
“I knew you would.”
“I've started moving everything in.”
“Already?”
“Yes.”
She looked genuinely pleased.
“Angela, that's amazing.”
“It feels strange.”
“Why?”
“Because it's mine.”
She nodded.
“You built that.”
“I know.”
“And Damian didn't pay for it?”
I gave her a look.
“No.”
She grinned.
“Good.”
I laughed.
“You sound like my accountant.”
“I just want you to have something that belongs completely to you.”
“It does.”
She leaned against the sofa.
“I'm really happy for you.”
I looked at her.
“And I'm happy for you.”
She placed a hand over her stomach.
“I still can't believe my life is about to change.”
“You'll believe it soon.”
“I hope my husband comes back quickly.”
“He will.”
She smiled.
Then she unmuted the television.
“Now sit properly.”
“Why?”
“I need company.”
I laughed.
“You're unbelievable.”
“And you're going to be the aunt.”
I looked at her.
“Aunt?”
“Of course.”
She grabbed another snack.
“You don't get a choice.”
I smiled.
“Fine.”
She leaned against me.
For the rest of the evening, we stayed on the sofa, watching television, eating snacks, and talking about the future.
Benedicta was happy.
She was nervous.
And beneath all of it, she missed her husband.
But tonight, she wasn't alone.
And neither was I.
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