INLOVE WITH A ONE NIGHT STAND

Chapter 7

Liliana entered her office and shut the door behind her. She crashed into the chair feeling exhausted.

Meanwhile katherine sashayed into Jake's office with a smile on her face to hide the

anger she was feeling from just being insulted, "Hi Jake, long time no see", she said swaying her hips from side to side before stylishly seating on the couch with legs crossed. Jake stared in annoyance before turning to his mother with an expression that says what is all this?.

His mum shrugged and stood up to leave,

"I just remembered I have few errands to run for myself so I'll leave you two for now" she said picking up her bag to leave but Jake stopped her.

"Katherine excuse my mum and I please" he said with emphasis on the word please as if he didn't want to say it. Katherine shared a look with his mom before exiting the office.

"Why are you doing this mother, you know my engagement to Katherine has been canceled, so why bring her here" he said with so much displeasure in his voice. His mother looked surprised at his outburst before explaining,"I'm sorry son I didn't know bringing her here will upset you so much, I just want you to find love and settle down so I can see my grand babies before I leave this world" she said feigning sadness. Jake's expression softened when he saw that his mom was sad because of him and he knew the only way out of this is too assure her of her wish, "I've found someone mother", her eyes quickly lit up in excitement as she spoke "You did, when can I meet, where is she from, tell me everything" she questioned. Jake breath a sigh of relief before answering her "calm down mother, you'll get to meet her in due time but not now because I don't want to overwhelm her so please keep Katherine away from my office and stop giving her false hope".

His mother gave him a reassuring smile before responding "of course I'll do just that now that you've given me hope but don't take forever to introduce me to her I might get impatient and start snooping around, you know me.... " she said with a mischievous smile before leaving the office.

Liliana got back home and was welcomed by the aroma of food from the kitchen" Humhhh... " she breath out a sigh of relief before slumping into the couch" what will I do with out you Anna, the smell of your cooking fills the air "she said with a soft smile and Anna smiled back.

"You're lost in thought.....", Anna said working over to sit beside her friend. Liliana looked at Anna and shrugged" just rumors and gossip I heard at the office", Liliana said and then went on tell Anna the gossip about Jake's mum visiting Jake to rematch him with Katherine and how Jake turned it down.

"So, the dragon-lady and her trophy contestant came to visit today. Did His Royal Highness even flinch?"

Liliana groaned and rubbed her temples

"He was icy, but professional. He shut down his mother's attempt to set him up with the former beauty queen, Katherine, almost immediately. I heard them talking about it on my way to the bathroom and I saw Katherine waiting outside his office so I assumed he was talking to his mother alone inside his office while Katherine was asked to wait outside."

"Go on. The good part." Anna urged.

Liliana sighed "He told her he was seeing someone else. He even promised to introduce them soon."

" A new girlfriend? That's fast" Anna said with raised eyebrow

"Exactly! He's Jake White, He probably has six girlfriends, it means nothing. Katherine looked like she wanted to melt the entire office with her eyes, though" .

"Lily, listen to yourself. The most eligible bachelor in the city, whose mother just tried to parade a perfect society princess in front of him, tells her, privately, that he’s already found someone and promises an introduction. You were exhausted today. You kept rushing to the bathroom. You were wearing that baggy sweater to hide your... situation even though you don't have to because your bump isn't showing yet. And yet, he kept you close, he even took you to lunch yesterday in his private office because he wanted to know you "outside of work" Anna said stressing the outside of work part.

Liliana sat up straight, defensively "That was about being comfortable with my boss! A sort of... team-building exercise! It was soup and salad, Anna. A glorified working lunch!"

"He kept you as his assistant".Anna argued.

"Because I’m good at my job! He’s trying to be discreet." Liliana replied

"You’re missing the point. The one night stand, the pregnancy, the job… it’s a chaotic intersection, Lily. But you two are the only common factors. Why is he telling his mother he has a new woman right after shutting down the one she brought to his office?"

Liliana replied frustrated "you are trying to make a fairy tale out of a mistake! I’m pregnant, Anna. I’m tired and I’m hiding my mistake from a powerful man I have to see every day! He doesn’t look at me like a girlfriend. He looks at me like a highly efficient employee who also happens to carry his child—which he doesn't know about!".

Anna turned to face Liliana, her tone softening.

" Sweetie, you can't keep up like this, I know you’re tired. But Jake white doesn't have a single move that isn't calculated. Think about it. He turned down a perfect, established date, and promised his mother someone new. He’s closing off his options. It might not be a fairy tale, but it’s certainly not a coincidence".

She paused, "Just... be careful what you do around him. If he’s protecting something, he won't let you leave easily".

The doorbell rings sharply, interrupting their intense conversation.

Liliana Jumped up, relieved for the distraction "finally, the pizza! I swear, I could eat the whole box".

Anna worked to door, looked out the peephole, her expression hardening

"That’s not the pizza guy, Lily. That’s a courier from white Industries. And he’s holding a very large, expensive-looking box.

Liliana stood up Confused,

" White Industries? I didn't order anything from the office".

Liliana walked to the door and hesitated, peering around Anna’s shoulder. The man on the step was in a crisp navy uniform bearing the silver W crest of white Industries. He held a large, heavy-looking, and oddly shaped box.

“A courier?” Liliana muttered, pulling the door open just enough. “I think you have the wrong address. I didn’t request anything.”

The courier gave a practiced, neutral smile. “Ms Liliana? Package sent personally by Mr. White. No signature required. Have a good evening.”

He handed the box over. It was far heavier than it looked, and Liliana struggled to carry it inside, dropping it with a low thud onto the plush rug.

Anna came over, circling the cardboard cube. “What did the man send you? "

Liliana sliced the thick packing tape with a kitchen knife. Inside, the box was lined with protective foam. She pushed aside the foam peanuts, and the contents slowly came into view.

It wasn't files. It wasn't office supplies.

The first item was a sleek, silver, ergonomic footrest, still sealed in plastic, the kind that advertised lumbar and venous support. Beneath that, tucked into the corner, was a delicate tin of organic, caffeine-free herbal tea labeled, ironically, "Gentle Calm."

Anna plucked the tea tin out and gave Liliana a sharp look. “A footrest, Lily. And Gentle Calm tea. Is this normal management behavior now? Sending ergonomic care packages home to your assistants?”

Liliana’s heart began to thud, slow and heavy, against her ribs. This wasn't professional; it was personal, intrusive, and far too specific. She reached deeper into the box. Her fingers brushed against something soft but densely padded. She hauled it out.

It was a small, high-end, lumbar support pillow, covered in breathable microfiber. She looked at the label: Optimal Lower Back Support.

The exhaustion she’d felt earlier vanished, replaced by a cold spike of adrenaline.

“He knows,” Liliana whispered, her eyes wide as she looked from the supportive pillow to Anna’s worried face.

“Knows what?” Anna asked, her voice low. “Knows you’re tired?”

Liliana shook her head, clutching the pillow to her chest. “No. The chair I sit in at work is already perfect. I haven’t even complained about my back. He knows I’m pregnant. Jake knows.”