OUR BABY

OUR BABY 1

"Now that I've learned that you're pregnant with my child, it would be best for you to marry me."

"I... I can't marry you."

ELY

Meeting

My day goes by between calls, emails, and papers—a day like any other being the secretary of management. Until the elevator doors open, showing Alexander Black, the most attractive blond I've ever seen. When I saw him last at the Williams house, where I met him after running into him, it was very embarrassing, and the shy girl in me came out. Anyway, that day I remembered that I shouldn't think about impossible things. He's a millionaire and partner in the company where I work, and I'm a simple secretary, so I eliminated any thought of referring to him—well, until today, when I watched as he entered with a sure step, as if he owned the world. I remain speechless until he arrives at my office and smiles, with that captivating smile.

"Good afternoon. Elizabeth, right?" he asks, narrowing his eyes.

He remembered my name. I think my heartbeat is out of control right now, so I'm certainly not as invisible as I think.

"Good afternoon, yes, yes Elizabeth. Allow me to announce it to Mrs. Williams." I make a great effort to try to speak fluently. This man in front of me makes me nervous. I took the phone and spoke to Aithana, who immediately asked me to let him in.

It's obvious that he's important to her, but I don't understand what's happening and I think that it's not something of my concern either.

"Come in," I said, walking towards the door. I open it and he follows. He nods in my direction, but he looks surprised by the rose garden that my boss's husband sent her this morning. It was such a romantic moment.

Mr. Black remains motionless for a second, this only makes me think that he has feelings for Aithana. Of course, he would have feelings; she is the best, sweetest, kindest woman he's ever met, and she's also beautiful.

"Come in, Alex, please," my boss asks, looking at the newcomer, who comes out of his thoughts. While she, with a gesture and mouthing a silent "please," shows me an empty glass, she doesn't have to say anything, because I understood her request.

I nodded, closed the door, and met one of the girls who asked me about the plans for the new projects that will be reviewed by the company's engineers and architect. It took me a while to find them. When I finally did, I gave them to her, but there were many, so I accompanied her to the meeting room to help her. Finally, and when everything is in order, I walk to the cafeteria on the floor to organize the jug of water for my boss. She's very healthy and water can't be missing in her office.

When I fill the jug and put two new glasses on the tray, I walk carefully to the office. I don't want to make a mess, and although talking to different people all day has made me a more confident person, I am still a little clumsy.

When I get to the door, I take the tray with one hand and with the other I arrange things better to balance them. However, I don't have time to do it because the door opens, and I bump into someone. The jug spills over both of them, leaving me soaked.

I rush to see if it's my boss who has fallen into the water, but I am shocked to see that Alexander Black is the one who is soaked from the waist down.

I blush violently; it seems that my destiny lately is to bump into him. Mr. Black moves quickly and holds the tray next to the jug so that it doesn't fall from my hands. The glasses are not so lucky.

"I-I'm sorry," I could barely get out as I shook out my white button-down shirt.

The man in front of me looked at his wet gray suit and blue tie. I don't know which of the two is less soaked.

"Ely, go home and change, okay? There are only a few minutes left until we leave. Come back tomorrow," my boss said, taking the tray from Mr. Black's hands.

"Yes ma'am, thank you," I replied, embarrassed, and prepared to turn around and go get my things until his deep, manly voice stopped my intentions.

"I'll take you," he said, and I wasn't prepared to hear something like that.

He wants to take me? Me?

I almost ask out loud, but my mind works fast and makes it seem like he's doing it out of courtesy, so I prefer to decline. I can take the bus home, and I'll probably dry off on the way.

"Oh, but I don't want to bother you." I tried to decline his offer, since he must surely have a lot better things to do than take me to the other side of the city.

"Don't worry, let's go." He points the way, and my boss nods in support of Mr. Black's idea.

With no other choice, I turned my steps towards my desk to grab my things while he waited for me, looking at his watch.

I walk out, and he stays by my side. For some reason, I don't feel comfortable being next to this imposing man, or maybe it's because all the women in the office see him as if he were the holy grail. He must not be a saint, I think, and avoid laughing at the thought. So I stifle my laughter and continue on my way, noticing that he doesn't notice any of them. I know he must be very much in love with my boss, who is married and deeply in love with her husband. I can imagine what he's feeling. A couple of years ago, I fell in love with someone, and my love was not reciprocated.

We get to the elevator, and a great silence surrounds us. I feel a little self-conscious, contrary to him, who exudes a confidence to envy. I look ahead as if there were something very interesting there. The mirrored walls make me see my reflection—my soaked clothes and my cheeks in a crimson tone. Of course, they think of putting me in evidence. To my fortune, or will it be little fortune, my companion doesn't notice me. His look tells me that his mind is not there, and he has a somber expression on his features, as if something bothers him greatly. At the same time, I saw a certain trace of pain in his eyes. Could it be possible that he has regretted taking me? Or does he think he will waste his time taking me home?

The sound of the elevator arriving at the first floor makes us both look in the direction of the doors, which open at that moment. I walked beside him, wanting to tell him that he shouldn't do it—he shouldn't take me home.

We arrive at his car, parked right in front.

"I... you shouldn't do it. I can go home on my own. I don't want to bother you. You must have really important things to do," I said, nervously pressing the straps of my purse together.

His brow furrows as he watches me. I feel somewhat intimidated by his gaze fixed on me, and I can't help the tension in my body when I see that he doesn't say a word. He appears thoughtful, and I think he's making a count in his mind.

"No, Elizabeth," he answers confidently. "I have nothing more important to do than get you home and keep your soaked clothes from giving you a cold or something worse," he says, making me bite my lip when I hear my name in his.

"But you..." I pointed to his wet pants with my little finger.

"Put this on," he says as he takes off his suit jacket and puts it over my shoulders. I think the jacket was saved almost automatically.

My gaze registers how his shirt fits perfectly with his muscles, and I also notice his pleasant perfume.

"Get in, please." His voice attracts my attention. He opens the car door and points the way.

Without saying a single word, I got into the car and took a seat in my assigned seat. Mr. Black closes the door and walks around the front to get to his seat, while I am impressed by how luxurious the car is inside, even more so than my boss's.