Even though I had been pregnant, I hadn’t felt anything like this before.
After a while, I emerged from the restroom. Harris sat quietly on the chair, looking displeased.
“You haven't recovered after a few days of rest? Or…” I noticed the additional hint of doubt in his eyes.
I quickly interrupted, "It’s not that."
His expression darkened slightly. "I don’t like people around me hiding things."
I looked up and said, "I’m not pregnant. I won’t cause trouble for you, Mr. Johnson."
There was no sense of relief as I had imagined. His expression grew even more somber. "That’s for the best."
I proceeded with my usual tasks, arranging work schedules and handling other duties.
While resting and pouring coffee in the break room, I couldn’t help but touch my stomach. I hadn’t expected to have a child with Harris, especially since I had taken medication.
Until I exhausted myself and had a miscarriage, perhaps this child was never meant to be.
Footsteps approached. Several colleagues entered and quickly exchanged a few pleasantries with me.
“Miss Sharlon, how’s your health? You need to take good care of yourself.”
“You’re Mr. Johnson’s favored person. With you away these days, we’ve had much more pressure.”
Whether concerned or teasing, I had to muster up the energy to respond even though I knew they were likely criticizing me behind my back, calling me shameless for clinging to Harris.
In the evening, as I watched the end of the workday approach and looked forward to a moment of relief, Harris’s commanding voice came through.
“You’ll accompany me at tonight’s dinner.”
In the past, it had always been his female companions who accompanied him, but with Cindy just having left, I was left to deal with this situation.
Feeling somewhat overwhelmed, I mustered up the energy to explain, "Mr. Johnson, I don’t have appropriate clothes."
His expression remained cold. "Miss Sharlon, you are meticulous in your work. Didn’t you prepare for yourself?"
I could only nod and force a smile. "I’ll prepare immediately."
However, there wasn’t enough time.
With some connections, I managed to borrow a gown from a high-end store.
There was no time to do much more than just put it on and I nervously accompanied Harris to the event.
At the business dinner, glasses clinked and conversations flowed.
My stomach had been problematic in recent years, but I still had to be prepared to handle drinks.