Corporate Babies - Leah

Chapter 4

The day of the big presentation had arrived, and as luck would have it, I was running a bit late, dammit Murphy. Well it's not completely his fault, at 5 months pregnant and already looking bigger than most other full term moms, I wasn’t as agile on my feet as I once was but to be fair, I did have two in here.

I had to wear my navy blue dress that was usually comfortably loose on me but thanks to my expanded waist line, looked tighter almost too tight, I refused to buy maternity business clothes as ill only wear them once. The dress was making my pregnancy obvious to even the oblivious of men, but to my relief, my bump still made the outfit pretty cute, i at least didn't look like a muffin top.

For shoes, i obviously had to wear blue ballet flats, I'm not an i***t. I can't wear my beautiful heels. A light blue jacket to try reduce the size of the milk jugs I'm carting around these days, no seriously, these things were massive, if i wasnt trying to get this job on my skill and professionalism, i wouldn't have minded.

Olivia had to put my long red curly hair up into a professional bun and add a bit of makeup, just to cover my tired eyes and the bit of break out on my skin, i suppose i cant have it all. It's just impossible for me to achieve the right look at the moment, but hey, on the bright side, at least my hair was healthy and shiny, thanks to these little peas in my pod.

I waddle, because that's all i do these days, into the kitchen to grab my fruit salad and hot chocolate made in a flask that Olivia had made earlier, on my way out, "Thank you Bbf, wish me luck". She had packed my work file with the notes for todays meeting the night before. She is definitely my guardian angel and very supportive throughout this pregnancy.

I waddle to my white Mazda 323, placing my breakfast and work items into the passenger’s side, then make my way back to the driver's side. I wiggle my way into the driver's seat. It's a struggle. Thank goodness, this is my last work obligation. I start the engine and pull out of the parking spot, and 5 minutes later, I hit traffic, I sigh, but at least I can finish my breakfast.

I finally arrive at my client’s office building, admiring that sleekness and modernized structure with windows throughout the whole building. First, i need to find a f*****g parking space, and i groan, not instantly finding a park right outside the building like i want and perhaps need in my current condition. I physically can’t walk that far so I half want to call and cancel, but convince myself to take one more lap around the building and just like the sun coming out after a horrible storm, a parking space becomes available, I can almost hear the angels sing.

As luck would have it, I have found a parking space 2 rows from the door. Sliding my car into the space, i checked my hair and makeup to make sure I'm still presentable and decided it was time. i open my door and wiggle out. It's getting harder and harder to do, then i walk around, and I grab my suitcase that holds my laptop, notes, and my purse. I lock up and waddle towards the entrance, I am so used to that sequence that i am sure i am getting quicker.

I enter the building and pause for a second before heading towards the lifts, I notice that the interior is very modern with white tiles and glass walls, a waiting area, and reception. I'm happy as I spot the bathrooms. In my condition that’s always a great idea. But before i reach the lifts the guards stop me, my heart drops and think im going to be kicked out but after they explain that I need a visitors badge and to sign in at the reception desk, my panic deflates like a balloon, I head back to the reception desk to sort out my problems.

After picture taking and signing forms, I finally managed to arrive at the lifts. The receptionist told me that I'm looking for floor 12. I press the button and wait for the doors to open, i bite my lip as i worry how behind in time i am. The lifts finally arrive, and I step in. "Ground floor, doors closing," says the electronic voice, I press the 12 number, and the doors close. "Floor 12" repeas the voice.

As the elevator ascends, i smooth my dress and hair and practice my speech infront of the mirrors, and i straighten to my full hight as i feel the elevator slow down, hoping i have arrived on the right floor. "Floor 12, doors opening." Well, that seems right, relieved, I walk towards the front desk that is in front of the lifts.

I smile at the second receptionist. "Hi, I'm here to see Mr. Calisto" a middle aged lady with a blond bob looks up "Oh yes, Miss Mackenzie you are expected, please follow me" and leads me to a double wooden door that is at the end of the hall and walks in, i wait two seconds, enough time for her to anounce me and walk in. I walk in with my head held high but i almost trip when I see who is waiting for me, in my condition that could be disastrous but a fate I almost wish would happen just to get away for this situation, the next hour is going to be hell.

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I don't tolerate any late arrivals in any aspect of my life, but especially in my workplace, it's unprofessional and speaks of a weak character. We haven't been waiting long but it's unacceptable, especially in this time and age, with technology where it is there is no excuse. We are only waiting here because i was notified through security that she had arrived. I need to notify my maintenance crew about the broken acc because this room is hot my assistant could get the cool air to come through but this room is our favorite conference room with its long wooden conference table enough for 16 people and the window allowing the natural light in.

My colleagues and I are all getting hungry, as it's close to our lunch break and planning on rescheduling this meeting and going to my favorite lunchtime restaurant. I'm preparing what exactly I am going to tell this woman, if she ever arrives. There’s a knock on the door and my assistant walks in before informing me "Miss Mackenzie has arrived" i nod my head "Thank you, Mildred" I address her and she steps aside revealing, this is going to be a hard business rejection because she is beautiful but abit hefty.

That is the first thing I think to myself, but as I open my mouth to give her the rejection speech I've mentally prepared, I click who she is. My mouth closes shut again from the shock, and if that's not enough to make me pause, but my brain completely stop functioning completely when I realize that she's not fat she's just very pregnant.

I didn’t think pregnant women were attractive before this moment, mostly because I've never spent time with one, but she is just as breathtaking the last time i sow her, maybe even more so now. Her dark red hair with those auburn streaks have haunted me every night for over five months, those grass green eyes, perfect lips that beg a man to worship them have haunted my thoughts every minute, the mystery surrounding her identity has driven me insane that is until now.

Her body was every mans wet dream before but now swollen body is making so f*****g hard that I have to reposition myself discreetly under the conference table, my eyes keep drawing back to those t**s that have definitely grown since i last seen them.

"Miss MacKenzie" I double check my notes to make sure that it does indeed state Miss and not Mrs, I don't know why this gives me a sense of relief but it does and it pisses me off, I've never been affected by a woman's material status before, I clear my throat trying to dislodge those thoughts and notice her name is Leah, a beautiful name.

I look up from my notes and look at Leah in the eyes "We don't tolerate lateness in this company, Miss Mackenzie, nor in our work relationships and the fact that you're ok with it just shows the standard of work ethic we can expect from you" I know i'm being an a**h**e but she needs to learn how we work here.

I've decided to give her a chance because if i want any relationship between her and myself, i need to give her a chance to at least do her presentation. My human resources manager and head of marketing who are sitting either side of me, turn to look at me with surprise, as i suspect they know im giving her a chance because I didn't kick her out instantly.

"Sssorry, I'm late, I had a wardrobe malfunction, and this two…" she says it calmly enough but with some hesidancy as if she didn’t want to reveal too much, making me suspicious. She pats her swollen midsection as if its giving her self some reassurance, she looks me in my eye which I find damn impressive "decided to grow overnight again and I couldn't find anything that fits" I notice her face is loosing its color and she starts swaying a little

“Sit down Miss Mackenzie, you look like you’re about to fall over” I say in a harsher tone then I intended but realizing its concern for her, I lean forward to the intercom system that's on the table, my assistant answers "Yes Mr. Calisto, " i clear my throat."Please get Miss Mackenzie a glass of water." There's a pause before a reply "Yes Mr. Calisto. "I lean back into my seat and look back at Leah. "We weren't made aware that you were expecting Miss Mackenzie.”

She looks down as if she’s embarrassed, I hope she is, it may reflect the level of emotion that I am currently experiencing, the shock and disbelief to name a few “Is this going to impact the standard of work ethic that we will be expecting from you?” I ask at the same time as my HR manager asks “How long until you go into labor?" we all pause while my assistant walks in and hands her a glass of water. She thanks my assistant before drinking some water.

She then lifts her chin and looks each of us in the eyes, I notice a spark of determination in them and realize that shes gearing herself up to give us her best marketing speech, i sit back and just watch her. "Mr Calisto and colleagues, I am due in 3 months but I have already gotten my ducks into a row in example of i plan to get everything in order and to put procedures in place but I have already taken your concerns into consideration and I have hired someone to do the hard lifting when these two come join us, I in the meantime will be observing and assisting where I can"

She stands up and hands my marketing manager a memory stick and waiting for him to bring up what's on the memory stick onto the projector "I will now do my presentation, I have added my plans while I'm on semi-maternity leave into my presentation, so you will get a better idea what to expect" she waddles to the light switch and lowers the lights and returns to the front then starts the presentation.

While she goes through her presentation, i can barely pay attention because my mind starts to do the math. If I’m not mistaken, the charity party where we first met was 6 months ago, I am no expert, but she looks about 6 months pregnant.

My heart starts to beat fast, and I can feel the cold sweat starting, then what she said hits me hard, twins, f**k! She’s pregnant with potentially my baby and not just one but two! I start to hyperventilate, glad that she’s holding everyone’s attention so I can have my mini panic attack and no ones the wiser.

I drink some water and try to calm my breathing. After bringing myself back into control, I debate on how im going get this situation sorted but one thing i do know is that im to find out the truth, but the presentation isn't done and as much as I want to I can't blurt out my questions in front of everyone, we will do this in private.

My thoughts then take a dark turn and I start wondering if she purposely seduced me so I can either marry her, pay her off or award her with the contract, with women these days you can never know. I'm clicking my pen, my patience wearing thin when the meeting finally comes to an end and after my colleagues tell her we will keep in touch, they get up and leave.

She quickly starts packing her things away, hoping i would just leave the room and leave the subject alone, but tough luck buttercup, you're not getting away that easily. I get up and slowly prowl towards her, knowing I need to make sure she doesn't escape again.

"Miss MacKenzie, I think we need to talk! dont you? No, actually, I think I'll go with Leah as we clearly have been very up close and personal. " I intentionally glance down at her stomach as she turns towards me to make push my point across.

I'm about to carry on when she stops me, which shocks the f**k out of me as not many people can get away with that s**t "Mr Calisto, let’s not beat around the bush, yes I'm pregnant, yes there are two and yes they are yours" the full admission surprises the s**t out of me, I thought she would play hard to get and then finally admitting it then dissolving into tears - ok then next agenda on this list, I open my mouth but she once again stops me in my tracks, this s**t is starting to work on my nerves

"No, I don't need anything from you like money or this contract and yes, I tried to find you so I could tell you, I have the phone bill and emails to prove it, now excuse me I need to go" I'm actually shocked that I'm frozen on the spot so i almost miss it when she's almost to the door trying to escape, luckily my brain kicks into high gear and I take two strides to stop her catching her wrist just as she reaches the doors, thank f**k shes not fast anymore.

"Woah there, Leah. Join me for lunch today so we can discuss this, we really need to discuss this and im hoping for a civil meeting because i think you owe me an explanation" shes looks like a wounded animal that you approach with caution but its a necessary evil, she folds her arms and can barely manage the closed off gesture, thanks to her bump "Okay" I make a move to take her bags but stop because apparently she's not done "but just so we can discuss things then go our separate ways and im driving myself there, deal?" I nod and lead her out the door, letting her believe she has won this war but no she has just won this particular battle, unfortunately for her, this is going to be our first and definitely not the last shared meal between us. She can count on it.