MONICA POV


    THE NEXT DAY


    I frowned on my bed, my eyes closed as difort twisted in my stomach. Slowly opening my eyes, I sat upright when a strong urge to puke hit me.


    I rushed to the toilet and then started vomiting continuously, my body heaving with effort. “Monica,” I heard my name from the door, but I didn’t bother to look back. I had no strength left.


    I ced my head over the toilet again, retching loudly. “Hey, are you okay?” Nichs asked, his voice filled with concern as he held my hair back, preventing it from being stained.


    I rose to my feet, flushed the toilet, and washed my mouth. “I’m fine,” I managed to say, though I could hardly stand. As we entered the room, Nichs was closely behind me, and a pounding headache suddenly hit me.


    “Hey, this way,” Nichs said, guiding me to the bed. He held me close, his touch steadying me.


    “You look pale, Monica. Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked, his concern deepening.


    I nodded, trying to reassure him. “I’ll be fine, Nichs. It’s just morning sickness.” I felt a strong urge to go back to sleep, my body craving rest.N?velDrama.Org ? 2024.


    Nichs gently helped me lie down, his touch careful and tender. He pulled the nket over me, tucking me in as if I were something precious. “Do you need anything? Water? Tea?” he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.


    I shook my head. “No”


    He nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed. “Alright,” he said, his hand resting on my stomach and in as much it felt weird, I still like his hands on my tummy.


    The warmth of his touch wasforting, a steady presence amid my difort.


    As Iy there, I opened my eyes slightly as I saw his face. His face was etched with worry, but also something softer, something that looked like care. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from my forehead. “I’m here, Monica. For whatever you need.”


    I closed my eyes finally, letting the sound of his voice soothe me. Despite the nausea, despite the headache, I felt a bit better. Maybe Nichs was really trying. Maybe we could make this work.


    Just as I was drifting off to sleep, I felt Nichs’s hand squeeze mine gently. “Rest now. I’ll be here when you wake up,” he whispered.


    His words were thest thing I heard before sleep imed me, and for the first time in a long while, I felt so safe and loved genuinely.     I opened my eyes slowly, my gazending on Nichs’s half-open shirt. The first three buttons were undone, revealing a glimpse of his chest. I couldn’t help but blush as I took in the sight. Suddenly, his phone rang, startling him awake. I quickly closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.


    “Hey, Anthony,” Nichs answered, his voice groggy.


    “Aren’t youing to work today?” Anthony’s voice sounded clear from the other end of the line.


    “No, I don’t think so. Monica isn’t feeling well, and I can’t just leave her on her own. I need to make sure she’s alright,” Nichs replied.


    “Alright, lover boy. Stay with your damsel in distress,” Anthony teased.


    “Fuck off, Anthony,” Nichs muttered, ending the call. He ced the phone on themp table and turned to face me. I kept my eyes closed, trying to maintain the facade of sleep.


    “You look so peaceful and beautiful when you sleep,” he whispered softly. His words sent a warm rush through me, and it took all my willpower not to react.


    He gently brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch lingering. “I hope you know how much I care about you,” he continued, his voice filled with sincerity.


    I could feel my heart racing, a mix of emotions swirling within me. His unexpected tenderness made me question myself to keep my distance.


    Minutes passed in silence, and I felt Nichs’s gaze on me, protective and concerned. I slowly opened my eyes, unable to pretend any longer.


    “Good morning,” he said, a gentle smile spreading across his face. “How are you feeling?”


    “A bit better,” I replied, my voice calm. “Thank you for staying with me.”


    “Of course, Monica. I’ll always be here for you,” he said, his eyes searching mine for any sign of difort.


    “You didn’t have to stay home because of me. I knew you were supposed to be at work” I said.


    “I wanted to,” he said firmly. “Your well-being is more important to me than anything else right now.”


    I looked at him, seeing the sincerity in his eyes. “Thank you, Nichs. I appreciate this”


    He reached out and took my hand in his. “Let’s get you something to eat. You need to keep your strength up.”


    “Okay,” I agreed, feeling a warmth spread through me at his concern. “But I’ll think I would take a shower first”     “Hey, you’ve not started,” I asked,ing down the stairs in a knee-length blue silk gown.


    “No. I was waiting for you” Nichs replied, his eyes not leaving my body. I wasn’tfortable with his stare and I just rushed to sit on a chair opposite him.


    “Is something wrong with the dress?” I asked, ufortable with his continuous stare.


    “I’m sorry,” he said, blinking his eyes repeatedly as he gulped a small ss of water “There’s nothing wrong with the dress. It’s just kinda tight”


    “I’m sorry about that. The other clothes seemed to have be very tight for me and_” I tried to exin but he interrupted me, avoiding my gaze.


    “You don’t need to apologize Monica. I think it’s about time you had new clothes seeing your stomach is already getting bigger”


    “Okay thanks in advance” I responded timidly.     “Is this okay?” I asked.


    “Do you like it because I do?” Nichs said, standing up and walking to where I was. Standing behind me, he looked at my eyes in the mirror and for the first time since I knew Nichs, I realized that we had the same colour of eyes.


    “I think the dress is supposed to be worn this way” he uttered, taking the hand of the dress and dragging it down a little to give an off-shoulder style that actually perfected the dress.


    The way he stared at me through the mirror was indescribable. I just coughed awkwardly as I walked away from the mirror. “Okay I’ll just add it to the others,”  I said as I went back inside the dressing room with my heart pounding hard in my chest.


    My feelings for Nichs were beginning to get stronger and I was restless about it. The sales manager who couldn’t get her eyes off Nichs happily took the clothes from me and went to package them ahead.


    “Do you like the clothes?”


    “Yes I do” I answered, faking a smile “Please excuse me,” I said as I excused myself to the restroom.


    I breathe in and out continuously to calm my nerves. I wanted to end this contract but Nichs was making things hard for me and I was gettingfortable with being with him.


    “Monica?” Hearing my name pulled me out of my thoughts as I saw the face of someone I wasn’t ready to see, standing there with her big tummy and staring at me in disgust “Long time no see”