Christmas' Misery

Chapter eight

[Christmas]

It is 2:00 a.m. now and I'm still awake. My eyes are darted the whole time in the pregnancy test that I bought while I'm heading here at my apartment. I am scared on what might be the result if I use this. I am scared as well on how I will deal this alone if I really am. Just like what I had said, I'm really going to regret and I am now!

"Damn it!" I get off my bed and head to the bathroom to use the pregnancy test to get rid of these thoughts of me.

After a minute that I spent inside the bathroom, I am with the result now inside my hand. I go back first to bed and place my pillow into my lap. I close my eyes for a moment, praying for the negative result.

"Please, make it negative so I won't see anymore Duke," I whispered in the cold air and slowly open my hands to see what is really the result. I almost drop the pregnancy test as I saw it's positive.

I woke up ear-no, no, no! I didn't even had a sleep since I saw the result! The sun is already waving outside and I'm still in my bed. I was thinking the whole time on what should I do with this inside me. There something inside me that I want to tell Duke about this, but how? I'm sure he won't believe me and worst is he deny this. That's a double kill!

"Argh! What should I do?!" I asked frustratingly.

(Phone ringing)

"Hello auntie," I started as I answered the call.

"Where are you? You should be here by now," she asked in the other line.

"Uhm-ahh I-I'm sick right now auntie," I lied and immediately act that I'm coughing to make her believe that I am really sick.

"So, you can't make it to be here?"

"I'm not really feeling well auntie." I cough three times.

"Okay, okay whatever," she only said and off our line.

[Lorie]

"Excuse me, Miss."

I am on the middle of opening my Laundry Shop when a man suddenly showed up at my side. He seems familiar to me. "Have we met?" I asked him.

"Yea, yesterday we met," he answered, "You are Christmas's aunt, right?"

I nodded. "Yea, I am and you are? What is your relation to her anyway?" I asked because he didn't formally introduce himself yesterday.

"I'm Carlos Xyloses." He lend his hand to shake my hand and I take it.

"So, what is really your relationship to Christmas?" I repeated the question, raising my brow to him.

"I am her very close friend," he answered, giving his charismatic smile.

"Ah-eh okay?" I only replied and open the glass door of my shop, "Come inside and let's talk what you came here again." I said and turn on all the lights here.

"I just want to see her and talk to her. That's it," he said, "What time she will come here?"

"She must be here by now." I glanced at my silver watch. "It's already 6:00 and I guess she will come late again." I shook my head.

"Could you please call her now and tell her to hurry?" he requested and I don't know if he is trying to seduce me with his tone or it's just really his style?

"O-okay, I-I will call her." I immediately took my phone and dialed the number of Christmas.

"Hello auntie," Christmas started as she answered my call.

"Where are you? You should be here by now," I asked and glimpsed a second at Carlos who is watching me.

"Uhm-ahh I-I'm sick right now auntie," she answered that made my forehead knotted.

"So, you can't make it to be here?"

"I'm not really feeling well auntie." She coughed in the other line.

"Okay, okay whatever," I replied and ended the call.

"What do you mean she can't make it to be here?" Carlos asked, focusing his dark eyes deeper on me.

"She is sick. Maybe you can stop by here again tomorrow," I said and about to turn my back at him when he grab my arm. "What?"

"Can I treat you a dinner tonight?" he asked and free my arm.

"With me?" I pointed myself.

"Yea, you are Lorie," he answered and the way he say my name makes my cheeks burned in red.

I gulped. "W-hy dinner with me?"

"I just want to talk to you and talk about Christmas."

I nodded. "O-okay?"

"Is that a yes or no to my treat?"

"Of course, it's a yes!"

He chuckled. "Great! I will come back again here at 7:30 to fetch you."

Before I could give my reply, Carlos already walk away at my shop. He left me speechless on what the hell is just happened? He just looking for Christmas then he ask me to have dinner with him? What the hell?

[Christmas]

"Are you going to take out your order, ma'am?" asked of the crew here in the counter.

"Yes, please," I answered.

"Okay, ma'am just wait for a moment while your order is being cook."

I just gave her a nod and wait as what I had been told. I'm here now at Kres Chophouse Restaurant, buying food for lunch that I'm going to bring later as I headed at Duke's company. I order a Yellowfin Tuna and Duo of Duck and I don't know if he going to eat this.

I just made up my mind that I'm going to see him today. If he really serious about what he said yesterday, why not to give him a chance? I think he and his fiancee are already over?Besides that I want to give him a chance, I don't want to raise this thing in me all by myself. I can't afford all the expenses.

"Here is your order, ma'am," said of the crew that made me back to my senses, "Thank you for patiently waiting." she added and hand me my order, wrapped by paper takeout bag.

"Thank you," I said and walk out at the restaurant, holding my order. I signal my hand in the air as I saw a cab that heading on my way.

"Where are you heading, ma'am?" asked of the driver as I sat here at the backseat of his cab.

I gave him the card. "Take me in that address."

"Okay, ma'am," he replied and start driving the cab.

While we are on our way at the company, I can't stop my toes in shaking because of nervous. I'm starting to think how I am going to tell him that I'm carrying his baby. Am I going to tell him directly as I step inside at his office or just tell him on other day?