Hello, Kenzo

False Alarm

The sound of utensils clattering from the kitchen woke me up from a dreamless sleep. The sounds were muffled but still unmistakably coming from the kitchen, and I knew it was Kenzo.

A yawn escaped my mouth as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and stretched my limbs in preparation for getting out of bed. The sun was still only just rising above the horizon, and I am feeling better. I am feeling better!

I jumped off the bed, almost tripping over the tangled blanket on the floor, and quickly pulled on a pair of shorts and a loose blue button-up shirt. My hair fell freely onto my shoulders, which made me feel good.

I sprinted out of the room and ran down the stairs, carefully hugging him from behind. He did not react to the touch. I leaned forward and rested my forehead against his shoulder blades.

He took a deep inhale before he spun around, wrapping me in a tight hug and burying his face in my neck. "Good morning! Did you sleep well?"

His voice sounded so happy that all my troubles seemed to fall away like dust in the wind. As if they never existed. It was almost like everything from yesterday hadn’t happened.

"Hm. Yes, I did. I'm sorry last night; I must have been so tired and anxious about you leaving me, and..."

"Hey! I'll never leave you! Ok? I was just afraid to tell you things because you wouldn't let me!" He squeezed my waist tightly, his breath hot against my skin. "Please bear in mind that I wouldn't want anything else in life but you and Vri."

I smiled up at him softly, trying to convey as much sincerity with my eyes as possible. "Thank you!"

"So, you want to eat?" Kenzo pulled away, his hands still resting on my body but now moving upwards towards my shoulders. "I thought you'd want to take soup to warm your stomach, ha?"

"I would..." I stopped as my nose got filled with the scent of the ramen he was cooking. And my face frowned as I felt that unwanted churn once again, my mood falling rapidly back into darkness as I thought of the possibilities, but I could not just let him know that there was something wrong. "I think I'll just take something quick before going to school."

"What? You are going to school? I thought you were on leave?" Kenzo's expression twisted into one of worry and confusion.

"Yes, I was, but then I remembered I had to give my students quizzes to catch up for the upcoming periodical exams." I tried making an excuse, although it was hard for me to hide things from him.

"You sure? I woke up early to cook you something up."

"You know what, let's eat. Ok? Then take the leftovers to your siblings; I'll order for us when we get home. While at school, I want you to take rest. I don't want you getting drained." I kissed him quickly and turned away, walking briskly out of the kitchen, but Kenzo held my arm, grabbing me back and kissing me more.

His kisses were soft but persistent, demanding my attention. Then slowly, his kisses went faster, and his hands started to wander from my arms down to my hips, then to the front of my shorts, where they gripped the hem of them tightly. I pushed him backward slightly, but his grip just tightened, pulling me closer and deeper into his embrace.

"I really wanted to, but I'll be late! I promise to make it up on you; just take a rest, ok? I'll take a quick shower, and then we'll eat," I whispered breathlessly into his lips before breaking away, rushing past him and into the bathroom.

Once there, I locked myself in the shower stall and let my tears flow freely, as I didn't mean to hurt or reject him. Tears of frustration. Of anger. And most of all, of grief, that I could lose him anytime these days for good. After I finished my bath, I quickly dressed and put on makeup to hide my puffy eyes.

"You always look beautiful, Stella," Kenzo said, leaning against the doorframe, watching me from inside with a smile on his face. "Go home early, ok?"

He helped me with my things after eating as I heat up my car in the garage.

"You don't have to wait for me; you can just go back to your brother; I don't think I could go home till 9 p.m." Every word was full of pain, disappointment, guilt, and longing.

"Ok, as you wish," he said, reaching out and kissing me on the cheek.

I sighed and walked away from him. I hated to keep hurting him. I hate this!

I drove off and abducted Nai on her way to school while I waited by the school gates. "You are coming with me!"

"WAAAATTT!" Nai tried to pull back, but I held onto her wrist firmly. We got in my car, and she huffed and puffed until finally she gave in and slumped against the passenger seat. "What is so important that you need me to come along for?"

I looked at her seriously for a second and exhaled, "I want you to tell me if I'm pregnant or not!"

Nai's jaw dropped open and her eyes widened at my statement, "What?"

"Shut up!" I shook my head and started driving. "And I brought you with me because you still owe me, and if a word comes out, I swear to use up all my money to get back on you!"

"Oh, I am loving this Stella! I wish you had been this way since the beginning." Nai sounded nervous and excited. I was confused.

"You know, you don't have to say anything." I was starting to sweat, and as I tried to calm my breathing, my grip tightened on the steering wheel. "Just tell me if I am pregnant or not when the result comes out."

"What? You are not going to the doctor?" Nai was panicking.

"Just calm down, ok? I cannot go see the doctor; I am well-known around the city, and I cannot let a word come out, or I could end up killing both of my parents in dismay."

"Oh sh*t! You really are a billionaire!"

"Whatever! So, at the next intersection, I want you to buy me ten pregnancy tests. Ok?" I turned to look at her, expecting her to comply or refuse me in any way, but she was smiling widely.

"So this is why you dragged me into this, a pawn! Oh, a very known move of rich people! So, why is not Kenzo with you?"

"Stop asking, ok? I promise to grant you a grand vacation alone or with someone; just help me get through this."

She looked excited, but most of her facial expressions looked frantic. "Okay~ I will buy it for you! But you don't have to bribe me; I am doing this because I know you don't have a lot in your life who can be with you for better or worse."

My heart sank with her statement; everything she said was true. I did not bother responding to her and tried to focus on driving as my throat started throbbing while I tried to keep my tears.

Outside, the weather was perfect; clear skies and a light breeze blew through the air. The sky looked so peaceful; I wish I was in the same mood. As I took another turn at the intersection, I parked my car outside one of the smaller shops that was sandwiched between two large department stores and a restaurant. This one was not a popular drugstore, so the chances of recognizing my car or even Nai were a small percent.

"Good luck," I breathed to Nai.

"What? I used to buy here a pregnancy test, so just chill, ok?"

My jaws dropped, and I was not expecting that from her. I thought she was single all this time; well, getting pregnant doesn't require a real partner nowadays.

It took a few minutes when Nai came back with ten kits, and we rushed to the nearest public CR. to take the tests.

"Ready?" Nai squeezed my hand to calm me down and smiled encouragingly.

I nodded slowly and then took all of the kits and slipped inside the cubicles. I tried the ten and quickly burst out, handing all the sticks to Nai while I shut my eyes.

"That is quick," Nai laughed nervously. I heard her putting the sticks on the lavatory sink one by one.

The moment of silence was killing me. I felt like my whole body was freezing over and I couldn't breathe. My hands were shaking, and my heart felt like a thousand pounds of weight. I opened my eyes again and looked at her, hoping that her expression mirrored mine as I held back a sob threatening to escape my mouth. "Do you... do you think it is positive?"

She stared back at me; her eyes were not giving me any relief. "Oh sh*t! I feel like peeing again. Hold up!"

I rushed back to the bathroom and sank to the toilet. It was quick, and when I was about to flash it, my heart felt like exploding: "NAAIIII!"

"What? What?" Nai burst the door open; her face was ready to make a mess.

"I am having my period!"