The Pregnancy Contract (English)

Chapter E.1

Chapter E.1

"Be the one to knock the door. Hurry!" I said almost whispering at him when we were in front of the condo of my brother, Jamster.

"Why me?" Fireus asked, his brows furrowed.

I pulled his arms and we made a distance from the door of my brother's place. "He must not see me when he is peeking in the peephole. You should be the one who will see Jamster. So he won't be panicking once he sees me in the peephole. Once he opens the door, I want him to be surprised. Now go." I pushed him.

But Fireus didn't budge. He just glared down at me. I frowned. I know what he was thinking. He wanted something. I closed our distance and clung to his arms. I tiptoed and pressed my lips on his. Fireus immediately pulled me closer and responded to my kiss.

It was a wild, passionate, and hot kiss that we both shared. I distanced my face to him and caressed his face with my hand. "Please?" I smiled sweetly.

Fireus lowered down his head and took my lips with his. Then he smiled. "Anything for you, Cejay." He stopped at the front door while I felt my cheeks flaming from what he said. It is so sweet. I couldn't help the giddiness I was feeling right now.

Fireus made a doorbell again. I became alert when I heard the unlocking of the doorknob. I pushed Fireus gently and switched places with him. As the door opened, I plastered a sinister smile when I came to meet my lil' brother, Jamster.

"A-Ate?" His lips opened wide in O shape.

"Hello, lil' brother!" After what I said, I swung my fist to my brother's face. How dare him calling me 'ate' (ah-teh) which means older sister in English.

"s**t!" He stepped back and instantly sat in the ground, touching his jaw

Fireus spun me around to face him. "What the hell, Cejay! Why did you do that?!" I just snorted from the reaction of Fireus.

"Jamster?" My brows furrowed as I heard the voice of a woman coming from inside of his condo. She showed herself and gasped. "Oh my goodness! What happened to you?" She helped Jamster. Her eyes drew into us and looked surprised when she saw me.

I narrowed my eyes to Jamster. "So, this is what you do, Jamster. You're living with a woman in your condo?" My voice almost shrieked to what I was seeing right now.

"I-It's not what you think, Ate." The woman who was the same age as him helped him to stand up.

I was about to lunge at him and urge another punch when Fireus locked me in his arms from behind. "Calm down, Cejay. You don't have to be so feisty to your brother."

That didn't calm me down. I struggled in his arms. "Don't f*****g interfere, Fireus. He is giving me another shot of headache!" I said, almost shouting.

I was fuming mad knowing that my brother is living with a woman already. Heck! I was the one who bought a condo for him!

"Ate, listen to me."

"And what? You are not f*****g ashamed of yourself? You did not give me an inch of delicadeza, Jamster!"

"Just f*****g listen to me please!" he shouted back.

"And now you are talking back to me!" I tried to free myself from Fireus' hug to get a chance to punch my brother. I really want to punch this brother of mine for causing another trouble.

Jamster rolled his eyes. And swear, I want to punch him in his gut. Like right now. How dare him he does that!

"Calm down. Hear him out first," Fireus whispered.

I didn't know why but what Fireus whispered to my ear, shut me up and my systems calmed down. That was his cue to slowly releasing me from his tight hug. "Don't worry, kid. Your older sis will listen to you. Right, Cejay?" He draped his arm on my shoulder and squeezed me. I nodded as my response.

Jamster's eyes narrowed, looking at Fireus. Then he looked at me afterward.

"I'm Jamster's tutor."

The woman beside Jamster spoke. My brow c****d to her. "Tutor?" I parroted.

"Yes, I am. He asked for my help to teach him one of his major subjects in engineering. Also, his professor recommended me to him," she said in her calm and relax tone.

I am not convinced. Yet. My eyes roamed around and fell to the books placed on the coffee table of the living room. To lessen my worries, I went to Jamster's room and checked his cabinet. I found all his clothes. I checked my room. I checked also my cabinet checking if someone uses my necessities. Na-ah. Nothing. All good.

I checked also the last room which is the guest room. I saw nothing but an empty room with the bed. I sighed in relief.

I went out of the room only to meet them sitting on the sofa. Jamster stood up. "Do you believe me now, ate?"

My eyes narrowed. "Come here." I beckoned my hand to him.

Jamster's eyes widened and shook his head. I gave him a glare. He approached me with hesitation. When he was in front of me, I have to chin up so I could match insight with my brother. My little brother is taller than me.

"That hurts, ate!" I pinched him on his ear and pulled it down to match my height.

"Come here, you i***t!" I said while we are going to my room. I pushed him off in my bed, lying on his stomach, and wrestled my brother.

"Aww! Ate! That hurts!" Jamster cried.

I pinned his hands on his back. "You have caused so much trouble, Jamster! Why am I being called again by your dean? What had you done?!" I said angrily. He was so irritating for causing me so much trouble in his university.

"Nothing! I swear! I didn't do a-anything!"

"You can't fool me again! What did you do?! Tell me the truth!" I locked his head in between of my arm.

"Nothing, I tell you, ate! It's the truth!"

"Cejay..."

I raised my glance to find Fireus' eyes locked in mine. He was besides Jamster's tutor. Both of them were looking at us weirdly.

I plastered a sinister smile again. "We normally do this. Don't worry, guys."

"Liar! It's not! She is such a li—Ouch! Ate!" I choked him. This guy was planning to snitch me on them.

I came closer to my brother's ear. "If you won't tell me of what disaster you had done, I'll take over your precious baby." I heard his gasp. I smirked upon seeing Jamster's reaction.

"No! Not her! I did not do anything! I freaking swear! Believe me, ate!"

I got off from above Jamster. "Okay, then. Where's the key? I'll be taking her. You're going to commute, okay?" I turned my back, smirking.

"Stop! Ate, please! Isn't Nissan Vision 2020 Gran Turismo mine now? Don't take Jenica away from me!"

I spun around to face him. "And that car has a name, huh? The hell!"

"I ditch my major subject class. That's the reason."

I clenched both of my fists and gave him my most deadly glare. "Fix yourself, Jamster Jeannie Canedy if you don't want your car been taken away!"

He just nodded. Then he lowered his head. I turned to the girl next to Fireus. "What's your name?"

Her eyes widened and lowered her head just like Jamster did.

"Just call her Zaira," my little brother butt in.

"Am I talking to you?" I turned at Jamster and c****d my brow. He silenced me and turned my attention back to the girl.

I nodded my head to her as my acknowledgment. "I'm Jamster's older sister. Just call me Ate Cejay."

"Better yet Ate Monster." I shot him a glare which he just shrugged his shoulders. "You are?" Jamster c****d his brow upon looking at Fireus.

"Fireus is my name. I'm your Ate's—"

"Friend." I already butt in before Fireus could say anything that I am going to regret. He gave me a look and I just ignored it. What? We're friends, right? Does he want it to add 'with benefits'?

"Yeah. Her friend," he emphasized. I just ignored his tone.

He was starting to create an argument in the dead silence.

"Why did you pay her a visit, ate?" asked my brother as I made my way to the kitchen. I spun around to face him.

"Why? Am I not allowed to go here?" My brow c****d then I placed a hand on my waist.

Jamster scratched his head. "Ate, you are being sarcastic again."

I shook my head whilst stopping myself to smile from my lil brother's cuteness. I turned at Zaira. "I'm about to make dinner here with Fireus. I tagged him along." I could feel the deep seething glare of Fireus. His stare was making my inside went wild and crazy. "Would you mind, Zaira if you come with me to prepare our dinner? I need someone to help me." I smiled at her.

"I'll help you!" Fireus volunteered.

"I will also help, ate!"

I shook my head. I don't trust these two. I looked at Zaira. "Do you know how to cook?"

"I am," she said. I saw how her eyes twinkled upon asking her about it.

"Shall we then?" I invited her into the kitchen but before I go, I turned my head to look at those two boys. "You two don't know how to cook. You two are off-limits in the kitchen. Okay?" I tilted my head to emphasize what I am trying to say.

They both glared at me and just rolled my eyes while walking to the kitchen. They can manage on their own but they can't in the kitchen.

Jamster used to be with me in cooking when I was in my college days. He helped me in the household chores. He knows how to cook but he can cook the simplest ones.

"I am going to cook 'tinola'," I said politely.

Zaira nodded her head. "That's my favorite," she answered with a smile.

"Really? Likewise!" I exclaimed. I clapped both of my hands. "I'm so excited!" Her eyes widened in surprise. She must be surprised at the way I acted like a childish one. Well, on second thought, I really want to be a childish one. I couldn't help it.

Fireus has seen my side. He was really amused every time I act like a kid to him.

We prepared the ingredients. Zaira prepared the ingredients needed for cooking the 'tinola' while I was cutting onions to make fried rice.

"What's your relationship with my brother?" I asked suddenly.

She looked at me and gave me a confused look. "What do you mean?"

I scanned her eyes. I could see a faint of surprise in my question. "There is something going on between you and my stupid lil brother. How long have you tutor him?" I asked.

She moved, uneased by now. "Three weeks from now. The dean recommended me to Jamster. I did this for my scholarship," she replied and composed herself from asking surprisingly.

"Hmm." I nodded my head that I understand her. "Do you like him?" Her eyes broadened and swear, I saw her blushing and averted her eyes. I chuckled at her reaction. She looked at me. "Be careful at him. He is a freaking casanova," I joked.

She drew a small smile then she continued what she was doing. I did what to do.

"Ate Cejay, your friend is looking at you."

I raised a glance at Zaira. "Ha?" She used her lips to point the direction of what she was talking about. I turned my gaze towards Fireus who was now looking at me intently. Jamster and Fireus were talking to each other whilst watching television. But Fireus' eyes were on me not on the television.

My heart leaps. I don't know why. Maybe because of the seething glare of Fireus. He winked at me. I rose my brow from what I saw and rolled my eyes. I just shook my head and ignored his stares, still my heart jumping. Butterflies landed in my stomach. Why was I feeling this again? Something was tickling me. I suddenly felt insecure. I don't know why but I feel so insecure about myself because Fireus had been keeping on staring at me.

We still have this petty fight. There was still awkwardness that surrounded us because of what happened earlier.

Fireus was being unreasonable. I don't know why he was acting like an asshole to Phil. He was rude. That's the point.

"What year are you now, Zaira?" I asked while my attention was on the food I was cooking.

"3rd year."

"Age?"

"19 years old."

"Same as Jamster." I turned and smiled at her. She just blushed. I chuckled. She is so demure. I like her.

"May I ask a favor, Zaira." I faced her.

"Um... Yes?" She bit her lower lip and looked at me.

"Kindly tell me if Jamster is putting himself in trouble. He is giving me headaches already since he reached 2nd-year college. Let's switch phone numbers later. Don't tell this that I make you as my accomplice. I'm just worried sick to him. He grew up being a spoiled one. I gave him what he didn't receive before," I said and lowered my tone as I got teary-eyed. "I pity my brother when he was still a kid. My parents couldn't provide us anything we need. I promised myself that once I graduated and had a decent job, I will give anything and make it up to him. That is why he was growing so stubborn and spoiled."

"I understand, Ate Cejay. You can count me in." I looked at her and she gave me her sweet smile. Her smile was contagious so I smiled back at her.

I thanked her for preparing the plates, spoons, and forks at the dining table. I told her to call them already because I am near to finishing my cooking. I love cooking. I wish I can build my own restaurant with my own recipes. That is one of my dreams. I want Jamster to finish his studies before I go with it. Plus, I couldn't do it in this timeline because I am in my recent job and in a higher position. Being a CFO is not that easy. My job is to check the accounting records of the company. You must use your professional judgment and must know how profitable the company is. I also made a decision as to the company could generate profit by teaming up with the management accountants.

"Sumptuous."

I suddenly felt chills down my spine upon the whisper in my ear. All of my nerves in my body suddenly lit up like a light bulb. I turned my head to my right only to find Fireus' face so close to me. I couldn't breathe seeing him so close. I cleared my throat and simply bumped my butt to his waist.

"What are you talking with Jamster?" I asked curiously. I asked him to divert the hot feeling lingering inside of my body. 'Till now, I still felt his mouth on my ear and that tickled a little.

Fireus shrugged. "Some stuff. Guys' gossip." He grinned.

Gossip? What? "Then what?"

He looked away and I saw him blushing anyway. I looked at him with amusement. Seriously? Did he blush? I just shook my head to dismiss it.

"Cejay..."

"Hmm?" I hummed not looking at him while preparing our viand for dinner. Fireus helped me.

"You didn't have a boyfriend before?" he asked after a moment of silence from him.

I thought and leaned in the counter. "None. No boyfriend since birth." I shrugged. "Plus, I rejected so many guys who had even tried to court me or ask me for a date. I prefer to focus my studies rather than putting myself in commitment." He nodded his head an answer.

"How about right now?" he asked while staring at me. "Do you have any plans to enter into a relationship?"

I shifted in my position. "Hmm... I don't think I'm ready for that. I'm afraid to enter into a relationship. I'm afraid to have a boyfriend who has characteristics of possessiveness and demanding. I want to be with a mature one who will understand my situation!" I said, chuckling. "Also, I'm under our contract. I don't need a man in my life. All I want is to have children of my own. That's all," I said and smiled.

Fireus silenced and didn't ask further questions. I just shrugged my shoulders.

I remembered something so I faced Fireus. "One more thing. The reason why I still don't want to enter a relationship or to get married is that I want Jamster to finish his studies first. I'll focus more on him before entering into a relationship. Do you understand my point?" I just received a nod as an answer but later on, he smiled but it didn't reach from his eyes.

I tilted my head, confused about what I saw just right now. But I just shrugged, removing away the thoughts in my mind.

After that, we all ate with my cooked food.

"Ate."

"Oh?"

"How many bundles of okra did you buy?"

"Five bundles. Why?" I asked. I enjoyed eating okra boiled in water.

"Five?" His eyes widened. "You're such a gluttonous one! You only bought two bundles and you told me that is enough for you."

I blushed from what he said. I caught Zaira smiling and Fireus grinning. I shot Fireus a glare. He pretended that he didn't see me and continued eating.

I just continued munching my food and ignored Jamster's statement. I want more okra. Is that bad?

"You look like you are conceiving, ate. Are you in your period or are you pregnant?"

We all looked at Fireus when he coughed. I immediately got him a glass of water and gave it to him. He drank from it.

"Are you alright?" I asked worriedly.

He was eating so fast that's why he got choked from it. I caressed his back to ease his feeling but he summoned his hand to stop me, giving me a sign that he was fine now...

"You sure?" I asked again.

He just gave me a look and looked away then nodded. I got confused about his action. I averted my gaze and it fell to my Jamster who was watching our movements. I gave him a what-look.

He shook his head. We all continued eating but I caught Jamster giving Fireus a glare. I just shrugged my shoulders then took the glass of water to drink.

"Ate, do you have a boyfriend?"

I spit out the water I was drinking to Jamster and coughed. Fireus was at my side caressing my back. "What the hell!" He stood up and glared at me.

I shot him a glare. "Why are you asking questions like that? Of course, I don't have!"

"Oh really?"

"Really!" I said impatiently. Since where did he get that idea? What a stupid question to ask!