Hello, Kenzo

Craving

"Nai, I submitted a sick leave today. Can you visit my kids from time to time and update me?" I asked Nai while fixing my things on the table in my classroom.

"Are you sick?" Nai asked with concern. "What's wrong?" she asked again as she hurried to check on my temperature.

"No, I have my meeting coming up to pitch on new cloth designs for my business," I replied before I started packing up my stuff into my bag.

"Oh yeah, my secret billionaire of a friend," Nai teased me before I finished zipping the bag and putting it on my shoulder.

"Shut up, Nai. I'll be back by Thursday, so take care of my students. You still owe me big," I snapped at her and made my way out of my room.

I'm pitching tomorrow, and I decided to take two days off since Kenzo would go home by Wednesday. I walked to my car and headed home to my hometown, but as soon as I entered the café, my stomach churned with nausea. The familiar smell of coffee and pastries filled my nostrils and made me feel even more nauseated, though I had never felt it before. I felt weak on my knees, so I held onto the metal opening of the café to steady myself.

"Miss, are you okay?" My personal assistant rushed to me.

I was lost for a moment, but when I smelled her perfume, I felt fine automatically. "I am fine! I guess I was just tired, and I haven't had breakfast yet."

"You can go rest, Miss; I'll take care of your things. I'll ask the others to prepare all you will need tomorrow, so you only focus of your pitch, though I know you will slay it once again."

"Enough with that; you are overestimating me!" I grinned before handling my bag and some paper bags I purchased along the way so Papay could taste some new pastries.

I went to the kitchen and grabbed some foods to fill my stomach, but I was shocked that I was not satisfied or that my mouth could not handle the taste of anything in the kitchen.

"Mommy! You liked the pasta?" Vri came with Dad, carrying her as usual.

I paused before answering as I tried to swallow it up, in fear I might disappoint Dad. I knew that it was not the pasta that upset me; it was something else, and I could not think about it now. I still had to take my goal tomorrow and see Kenzo the next day.

"Yes, I loved it. It's perfect!" I said enthusiastically as I hugged them both while trying hard not to show Dad something was wrong.

Dad let out an audible breath and gave a small nod as he looked at his watch. "Well, we should get going then. We already missed our lunch break; you should prepare for tomorrow. Good luck, Ne," Dad said before they headed out.

I set aside my anxious thoughts and spent my time preparing for my pitch tomorrow. I could just be tired, and I'll be fine once I get to be with Kenzo.

By the time the clock struck 9 p.m., the entire office was buzzing with excitement. But I felt anxious, as for the very first time after a long time, I felt sleepy. I felt drowsy trying to fight the sleepiness, which kept getting stronger until I finally gave in to it.

"Miss, it's time for you to wake up!" My personal assistant gently shook my shoulder; she sounded muffled as I winced at the sound of her voice.

"I fell asleep?" I panicked as I shot up from my seat.

The office fell silent before breaking into loud laughter. "You slept like a baby!" My dad came with hot coffee and a croissant.

My eyes scanned the room to find my team members. "What time is it?"

"Relax, you still have one hour, and I know you will nail this!" My dad said as he sliced the croissant, and the scent of cinnamon, chocolate, and sugar wafted in the air.

My stomach churned at the smell of the cinnamon; the rich scent almost made me puke in my mouth. I held it in as I never hated cinnamon; in fact, I am obsessed with cinnamon, but why couldn't I stand its smell?

"Hey, are you okay?" my father asked worriedly. "You look pale."

"Well, I'm still allowed to be nervous, right?" I assured him, I'm fine, but I knew that something was off.

My team and I drove to the place where I was scheduled to do a presentation, and I did pull it off; however, when the meeting was continued to the restaurant, I found myself unable to stand the various smells coming from different foods. I felt irritated.

"I know this is unethical, but I need to leave you all here to celebrate; I needed to rest. So, if anyone needs anything, my personal assistant will handle it all for you. Thank you, bye guys!" I said before I got out of my chair and left for the nearest bathroom. My stomach was hurting, maybe from the lack of food, and my head was pounding so hard that I could not bear another minute. I badly wanted to lie on my bed.

I drove to my apartment and took a hot shower, hoping that the water would help soothe my headache. But as the hot water poured down upon my body, my head throbbed harder, and I gripped the edges of the sink while waves of dizziness rushed through me.

"No," I gasped as the realization struck me why I was experiencing such a sensation.

I cried silently into the basin as tears ran down my face, and I squeezed my eyes shut before releasing my grip and falling backwards with my hand over my forehead. This couldn't be happening. I sat there motionless and unmoving as my pain worsened.

Finally, I heard someone knocking softly on my door. I ignored it, but Kenzo managed to force his way into the bathroom.

"What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Kenzo asked, panting, with all the concern written across his face.

He crouched beside me as he placed a hand on my knee. His touch brought relief to me as he began caressing my leg gently. "Did someone hurt you? What happened?"

His gaze shifted to his hand over mine before returning his gaze back to my face.

"You're tired? Ok, I'll finish showering you, then I'll cook something to ease the exhaustion." Kenzo continued to stroke my leg, trying to comfort me, which seemed to calm me enough for my pain to subside slightly.

I nodded and closed my eyes to stop my mind from racing with too many thoughts. It was the only gesture I could make, as I am too afraid to look at him. I feel so guilty; I should have been careful!

"Hey, talk to me when you are feeling fine, please?" he said softly before leaning forward to peck my lips gently. "Relax, and I'll give you the best shower you can have!"

He said it naughtily as he helped me sit in the tub. Kenzo then started removing his clothes, but I stopped him. "Not now, Kenzo! I'm sorry. Can you please step out and I'll finish my bath? I'm tired," I politely asked of Kenzo, so he wouldn't think I'm angry or what.

"Fine! I'll wait for you outside then. Eat before you go to bed, ok?" He left, looking hurt. I knew he was tired too, but he was trying to make some time for us. If my guts were correct, this would be chaos.

I could, but now was not the right time or the right moment for us to have a child. I couldn't be pregnant, my family would be so hurt if it turned out to be that way.

After bath, I dropped on my bed with the pillows supporting my back as I listened to the rain hitting the window of my room. The sound of my door creaking open made me snap out of my thoughts, and I sat upright.

Kenzo came in with a tray of food and placed it in front of me. "I knew it. I was waiting for you outside but you never came. You must be so tired. Well, I hope you like everything because I don't want you to go to sleep hungry. Is there anything else you need? "

"Thank you, Kenzo; everything is great." I smiled at him; my heart was wrecking. I could raise our family financially, but I am afraid that if I choose Kenzo and if there is really a child inside me, then I'll lose my family.

"Good. I'll take a shower, then we'll rest."

As soon as he stepped into the bathroom, my tears flowed freely, but I didn't bother to stop them. I wanted to cry more, but I was afraid I could scare Kenzo if I cried out loud.

And I could not deny how my mouth had been watering and craving Kenzo's cooking since yesterday.

"Oh god, I love this sour soup!" I cried happily, eating the food like I hadn't eaten for days!