MY BABIES BELONG TO MY HUSBAND'S BOSS

CHAPTER 1 MIA I moved through the mall with a light, almost careless energy, the kind I only get when I’m properly happy. Today was our four-year anniversary, and I was determined to find the perfect gift for my husband. Not something random. Something he would look at and actually feel. And yes, I planned on getting pregnant today, It’s time we have our own baby. The thought kept circling in my head and making me smile for no reason. I couldn’t wait for us to have our own babies. Silly thoughts started occupying my head. Nathan always insisted on using condoms, but we will talk it through tonight. I kept walking, eyes moving across the displays, until a watch stopped me. Dark face, clean silver band, simple but expensive. Exactly the kind of thing he would wear without thinking twice. “I will take this,” I said. The woman behind the counter packaged it carefully in a black box and tied a thin silver ribbon around it. “It’s a gift for my husband, today is our four years anniversary” I said to the worker like she asked. That was how excited I was. “Congratulations dear, you look so happy, your husband must be good to you” I nodded “Thank you” and took the box from her. I placed the box in my bag next to the lunch I had prepared earlier — his favorite sandwich, the pasta salad he always finished, and two cookies. Then I left the mall and headed straight for his office. I flagged a taxi and slid into the back seat, the bag resting on my thighs. I stared out the window as the streets passed. I wasn’t sure if he actually remembered the date but If he didn’t, I totally understand. He was busy with work, he have told my countless times of how his boss will always find ways to give him extra work even if he was the one that promoted him to this very high level. I told myself I couldn’t be unreasonable about it. Still, a small part of me hoped he would remember. We have been married for four years and we got married immediately after we graduated college. Back then everyone said we were the couple that would last. We were the envy of every other pair on campus. I thought about those days and smiled sheepishly to myself. I looked down at the gift box and touched the ribbon with my thumb. “I hope he likes it.” The taxi stopped in front of the tall glass building I had visited so many times. My husband worked as a manager here, so I walked in freely. The security guards didn’t even stop me. I took the elevator up, the bag hanging from my arm, already picturing the way his face would change when he sees me. I went straight to his office and opened the door without knocking, a small smile still on my face. The food and the box in my hands dropped instantly from the sight in front of me. My husband’s so-called secretary was sitting on his desk. Her skirt was dragged up to her waist. Her legs were raised high and resting on his shoulders. One elbow was propped on the desk with her other hand in my husbands head pushing him forward as she moaned quietly, her head thrown back. My husband’s head was buried right between her open legs. They were so lost in each other that they didn’t notice me until the containers hit the floor. They jolted apart like they’d been burned. She stood up quickly, snatched her panties from the floor, stepped into them, and pulled her skirt down in one motion. She didn’t look sorry or scared. The look on her face was pure satisfaction, like she had been waiting for this exact moment, like she wanted me to see them. I looked at my husband. He couldn’t meet my eyes. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. “What are you doing here?” He asked. His voice sounded strange. I scoffed once and blinked hard, over and over, forcing the tears back before they could fall. Four years. The lunch I had made with care now spilled across the floor. The watch I had chosen so carefully. The baby I had planned to start tonight. Everything sat in my chest at once and made it hard to breathe. I turned around and walked out. He came after me immediately. “Mia, can you stop acting like a child and let me explain?” I didn’t answer. I didn’t even look at him. Outside I raised my hand and a taxi pulled up within seconds. I got in and shut the door before he could reach it. “To Monsieur Noir,” I said. The driver nodded and drove away. ZAMANI I stood at the window on the top floor and watched her leave the I building. A slow, satisfied smirk spread across my face. “Find out where she’s going.”