She Has My Heart

"The test results came back positive.

"Congratulations, Madam! You are six weeks pregnant."

"Oh no! Pregnant?," Reina thought.

"Doctor, please can we run another test? I just need to be sure."

"Yes madam, we can, if that's what you want. But this test is accurate. Why are you doubting it?"

"Doctor, I had sex just once, and we used a condom."

Doctor Ralph chuckled. "Madam, although very low, there are chances of getting pregnant even when you use a condom."

The doctor agreed to run another test for Reina but it still came out positive.

Reina was devastated.

She left the hospital and flagged down a cab to take her back home.

As soon as she got home, she ran to the toilet and emptied the contents of her stomach. After heaving, the tears came.

"How do I take care of a child at this stage of my life?

How do I summon up the courage to walk up to him and tell him I am pregnant for him when I clearly insisted he use a condom-and he did?

What if he rejects this baby?"

The thought of it sent shivers up her spine.

But why do good things come when we least expect it?

Having a baby is a good thing but right now?

I don't think I'm ready to take care of another human.

Hell, I haven't even sorted myself out.

Am I even mentally strong to do this?

And I cannot tell mum about it, she'd be so disappointed in me. She lamented breaking down in tears.

But getting rid of the baby is not an option, I would never do that.

No matter what happens she said as she placed a protective hand over her womb, I would raise my baby even if it means to do it all alone.

"I have to tell him though," she said out loud,

"He has a right to know about this pregnancy

Although not planned, we did this together."

If he rejects it, then I will resign myself to my fate.

But first, I need to get a job to survive.

With a baby on the way, I can't keep letting myself drown in self-pity.

I am not lazy. I am hardworking and smart, and I have an outstanding distinction in business management.

I will apply to Rylans Enterprises. After all this time, he should have gotten over his obsession with me and be kind enough to grant me a job offer in his company.

Reina resolved to go see Arthur, the man she had a one night with the next day.

Following her meeting with him, she would go in search of a job and with these two tasks to carry out in mind, she felt at peace and believed her situation would result in a positive outcome.

"I should probably tell Diane about all this.

At least it would be better than trying to sort it out alone.

I can't tell her about Arthur though, at least not yet.

Knowing Diane, she would force me to get married to him next Saturday, as if it were that easy," she scoffed.

"At least she would be excited at the thought of being a Godmother to my child," she said smiling to herself.

After a few minutes, she laid on her bed and finally drifted off to sleep.

************

"Woah, the sun is extremely hot! Even this weather is not on my side today," Reina sighed.

She walked into the building and was greeted by the receptionist.

"Hey, ma'am, how can I help you?"

"Thank you, I'm here to see the CEO, Arthur Koker."

"Okay, ma'am. Do you have an appointment with him?"

"Uhh, no, I don't. But if you could just please tell him Reina Pratt is here to see him, I'm sure he would grant me an audience."

"I'm sorry, ma'am. I can't do much for you if you don't have an appointment."

"Please, dear, you have to help me. It's really urgent, and I can't make this trip twice."

"That's why you should have made a reservation before coming."

"Okay, can you just put a call through to him? Tell him who I am, and if he refuses, then I'll leave. That's the least you can do for me, please?"

"Hold on."

She dialed a number.

"Hello Sir."

"I'm in the middle of a crucial meeting, Paige. Why are you distracting me?" Arthur roared over the phone.

"I'm sor... sorry to interrupt, sir, Paige stammered, but there's someone here to see you. Her name is Reina Pratt. She claims her case is urgent and that you'll really want to see her."

Silence.

Reina? Arthur thought. How long I have wished I could see her again. Everything I did to find her, and it just felt like she disappeared off the face of the earth.

And now she was in his building, requesting to see him?

"Wow, so miracles are indeed real," he said to himself.

"Mr. Arthur?" Paige called.

"Yes, Paige. I can't leave this meeting right now, tell her I'll see her immediately after it's over-if she can wait."

"Okay, sir," Paige said and hung up.

"Miss Reina, he has agreed to meet with you if you're willing to wait until he's done with his meeting. Mind you, it could take a long time before he's finished."

"Oh, I don't mind. I'll wait as long as possible."

"Okay, Miss Reina. Do make yourself comfortable in the lounge."

"Thank you, Paige."

Reina couldn't help but notice how rich Arthur's building looked.

Who in God's name did I have a one-night stand with? This looks surreal! For heaven's sake, these are the kinds of offices I see in movies.

She crossed her fingers and said a little prayer in her heart.

"I hope he accepts the baby. At least my child's upbringing won't be a problem financially."

---

"Ma'am, Mr. Arthur will see you now," Paige said, tapping Reina awake.

Oh my God, I can't believe I slept here!

"How long was I out for?" Reina asked.

"For about three hours, ma'am. I chose not to disturb you," Paige said.

"Damn these pregnancy hormones," Reina cursed under her breath.

"If you would walk with me, ma'am. Mr. Arthur is expecting you now."

Together, they walked down the lobby and took the elevator to Mr. Arthur's office.

Reina was fascinated by the rich decor of the building.

"Twenty-four stories," she exclaimed as they got to the top floor.

"Just how rich is he?" she asked herself.

They finally reached his office, and by this time, Reina was feeling very exhausted.

She hadn't eaten all day and had only managed some crackers to keep from throwing up. But that was hours ago, and now her stomach was growling in hunger.

She also doubted she could get anything down without throwing up again.

"I wish I could just sleep a bit more right now, I'd be just fine," she thought to herself.

Just then, Paige knocked on Mr. Arthur's door, and a clipped voice called from within, "Come in."

"Hello, sir. This is Reina Pratt. She has been waiting to see you since 12 p.m.," Paige said, ushering Reina in before turning back to her office.

*************

Reina stepped into the room, and she couldn't help but notice how gorgeous he looked.

Everything she had been trying to suppress for the past six weeks came rushing back to the surface.

She could feel the magnetic pull that always drew her to him.

She immediately broke eye contact.

"Focus, Reina. This isn't what you're here for," she reprimanded herself.

Just then, her eyes slid down to a framed photo on his desk.

A little boy and a beautiful blonde woman smiled in the picture, and standing tall beside them was-Gorgeous Mr. Arthur.

"What?!" Reina screamed in her head as the realisation of what she had just seen hit her like a truck.

She felt herself sway.

And then-she crumpled to the floor.

There was something different about her.

My God, she is glowing, Arthur thought to himself.

His heart did a double take just looking at her for the first time in weeks.

She was wearing a simple blue gown, it had ruffles around her knees. Her dress fully covered her body, there was no cleavage in sight.

"Those breasts are definitely fuller than I remembered," Arthur thought to himself.

Her long, rich brown hair was tied up in a ponytail, and looking at her hair, he immediately had flashbacks of how soft it felt between his fingers in the heat of their lovemaking. He remembered her soft, lush skin and how curvy she felt beneath his touch.

What has she done to me?

Showing up in my dreams for these past weeks.

I've barely been able to get any sleep thinking about this woman.

Get a grip of yourself Arthur, this isn't who you are!

Hell, I sleep with so many beautiful women and it ends at that, just sex, casual sex.

So what is it about this one that I can't get her off my mind?

I've never thought about any girl nor looked at her twice.

If there was a medal for playboys, it would definitely be given to me.

I get any woman I want and once I'm done with her, that's the end of that chapter.

So why the hell is this seeming to be difficult?

And seeing her now is worsening my condition.

I'm having an erection just looking at her. Arthur swore under his breath.

He knew there and then that the chemistry he had with Reina would not end with just that one night.

He was about to offer her a seat in his office when-

She's fainting?

"Reina?" Mr. Arthur panicked as he rushed out of his seat to help her.

He picked her up, feeling for her pulse. "Oh thank God it's strong."

"Reina?" he called again.

She groaned in reply and stirred in his arms.

Damn. I'm not supposed to find that sound this appealing, Arthur thought.

He carried her to the couch in his office and laid her down.

"Can I please have water to drink?" Reina requested.

Quickly, Arthur fetched it for her.

She gulped it down, then he retrieved the glass from her.

"What happened, Reina?" he asked.

"I'm sorry about this, Mr. Arthur. I'm just really exhausted, and my feet gave way. But I feel better now."

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes, I'm very sure, Mr. Arthur," she said, trying to sit up.

"I think you should just lie down."

"No, Mr. Arthur, I'm fine," she said, adding a bit of firmness to her tone.

---

What does he think he's doing?

Trying to touch me when he has a WIFE and a CHILD?

Oh God, what a fool I've been.

Getting pregnant for a married man?

How did I allow this to happen?

I had no idea he was married! Not to mention that he has a child!

Reina berated herself with questions, filled with self-disgust and anger towards Arthur.

Arthur, noticing the shift in her mood, stepped back and returned to his seat.

"If you feel much better and think you're well enough to talk-what brings you to my office?" He asked.

She looked him straight in the eye and said, "I need a job."

"You need a job?" he repeated.

"Yes, Mr. Arthur. I need a job, and I'd appreciate it if you could help me get one," Reina stated.

"This seems rather odd, Miss Reina, don't you think?" he said coolly. "You show up in my office, fainting, showing attitude, and in the same breath, demanding a job? That's not how it works. You apply through the normal process, and if you're qualified, the company calls you back. You don't just walk into the CEO's office and demand a job from him."

---

Did I just hear him talking about normal processes and how things are supposed to work?

No. You, Arthur, stop right there.

You don't get to talk about normal processes when you seduced and slept with a twenty-two-year-old girl while your young wife and little child were waiting for you at home!

I feel like slapping that arrogance off his face, Reina thought furiously.

But she didn't.

Instead, she took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Arthur, I'm sorry for not following due process, and I apologize if that's against the code of conduct for aspiring workers in your prestigious enterprise. But I know my chances of getting a job are limited, with thousands of applicants vying for different positions. That's why I decided to stand out. I'd very much appreciate it if you'd give me an audience and consider me for any position here," Reina concluded.

How am I supposed to tell him that my initial plan for coming here was to inform him of my pregnancy after one night of sex-only to find out he has a family?

All I know about this man is that he is wealthy, good-looking, and the CEO of this company.

And if he cheated on his wife to sleep with me, then he has no right in my child's life.

God knows I won't allow someone with such low moral standards to raise my child.

Now, if I can't tell him about my child, why not seize the opportunity to get a job? The pay would definitely be high and worth it.

I'd work my ass off, save enough money, and take care of my child.

It'll be just us.

No two-timing bastard will ever interrupt our lives.

It was a tough decision to make-deciding on the spot to raise her child alone-but Reina would rather have it that way than let him into their lives.

Even if I have a change of heart in the future and tell him about my baby, I would have studied him more to know the kind of person he is.

Right now, I don't know enough about him to entrust my child to his care, and what I just discovered about him is a deal-breaker. Reina resolved in her mind.

Arthur kept staring at Reina, wondering what exactly she was up to.

If I could just get into her head right now and process her thoughts like my own...

After a few minutes, he spoke. "Well, Miss Reina, you have certainly shown resilience and determination. I take into account how many hours you waited for me.

I don't care if you've written anything beforehand-right now, write a clear application letter and submit your résumé to my assistant. She will also give you a list of vacancies in my company and have your information sent to my email. It better be impressive. If I think you're qualified, you will get the job.

Now, if you would excuse me, I have pressing matters to attend to," Arthur said, dismissing her.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Arthur," Reina said, standing up to leave.

Just as Reina reached the exit, Arthur's voice stopped her.

"Reina."

She turned, watching him.

After a long pause, he finally said, "Be careful what you ask for."

Her lips curled slightly. "And you, Mr. Arthur, should be careful what you offer."

With that, she walked out-leaving him more confused.

-

"You have reached Daine please leave a message"

Diane's answering machine replied.

"Diane? Why are you never available these days!" Reina cried into her phone. "A lot just happened that I need to tell you. Girl, call me immediately you get this message"

Reina woke up from her sleep with a splitting headache, she suddenly felt nauseous.

She rushed to the bathroom and bent over the sink, throwing up all the contents of her belly.

"Every morning is the same, she thought. "Even if I have nothing in my stomach, this would be my position for at least 20 minutes" Reina sighed.

The whole process left her feeling weak after it was over.

She sat in the bathroom wondering how long it would take till she had normal mornings again.

"The nurse said if I was one of the lucky pregnant women, I should be fine after 8 weeks. Just one more week," she said, "surely I can make it till then."

She recounted the events of last week.

"That interview went well to the best of my knowledge and I should get that job."

She still felt disgusted at Arthur for sleeping with her while married and worse still getting her pregnant, so she didn't tell him about her pregnancy.

Still in the same seating position, she heard a chime from her PC in the room.

"That's an email coming in" she said

She got up to check her mailbox.

Dear Reina Pratt,

We are pleased to formally confirm your resumption as Head of Marketing at ....

YES!

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! Reina chanted as she danced around her room.

She picked up her phone to call Diane. 'You have reached Daine, please leave a message...' Daine's answered machine replied.

"What kind of a best friend leaves her pregnant friend hanging for days? I've been trying to reach you in forever! I'm starting to get worried, please call me immediately,"she said into her phone's receiver.

She refused to panic as this was normal behaviour for Daine to go off for days at intervals.

"It's just been four days, if I survived her one full week of no contact while she was perfectly fine, surely I can survive this one" Reina said to herself.

********

"Good morning Miss Paige" Reina greeted the receptionist cheerfully.

"Welcome Miss Reina," Paige replied as she smiled back at her.

"Ready to resume work?"

"Oh yes, I'm more than excited." Reina replied.

"That's good, please join me. Mr. Arthur requested to see you once you arrive." Paige said.

"Requested to see me? Why is that, Miss Paige?" Reina asked.

"I have no idea Miss Reina, just come with me," she replied

Together they took the elevator to Mr. Arthur's office.

---

"Thank you Paige, go back to your office now" Arthur commanded.

"Yes sir" Paige replied as she immediately turned back to her office.

"Sit down Reina" he ordered.

What's with that tone? If he wasn't my boss, I would have taught him how to properly talk to a lady, Reina thought.

She sat down gently despite how much her temper was threatening to erupt.

"There has been a change in your position. My personal assistant had an emergency to attend to back home, so she flew to Korea this morning. I'm a very busy person and have enough on my hands to be without an assistant. This automatically means you will be resuming work as my personal assistant. I'm yet to decide if that would be your permanent position in my company, but for now, assume the role.

If you are good enough, I might decide to keep you." he concluded, lowering his gaze to her neckline.

She doesn't even have to do too much to have me feeling all these, this is new.

I've never felt this for someone before.

Yes, I've been attracted to dozens of women but once I've had them everything dies down.

What's with this woman and what spell has she cast on me? Arthur pondered.

"And what if I don't want that position?" Reina spoke up, interrupting his thoughts.

Hmmm, she is feisty, Arthur said to himself. Does she think she has a say in this?

He stood up and went over to her seat, he held her face with his right hand and staring deep into her eyes he said in a deep low voice.

"Remember how I held you the night we made love, sliding my hands down your throat like this... You will work for me as my assistant because I own you."

They were both breathing deeply, staring at each other.

He moved his hands into her hair and pulled it to have her looking up to him, she released a tiny gasp.

Hearing that he felt his control snap.

He held the back of her head and tugged her face to his,

Hesitating for a few seconds to stare at her full, shiny, rosy lips that were calling him to kiss her.

Then she said to him, "What are you waiting for? Do it."

That was all he needed to hear.

He kissed her fully on her lips.

She tasted like apples and smelt heavenly, like a mixture of strawberry and lilies.

She reminded him of his grandmother's garden.

"God, how I've missed these lips" he exclaimed as he deepened the kiss, gliding his tongue over her lips, seeking entrance.

She moaned a little as she parted her lips.

It pleased him that she was also enjoying this as much as he did. She was very responsive.

He began sliding his fingers to the top of her gown...

Just then his office telephone rang.

"Damn!" he swore under his breath as he broke their kiss.

He went back to his table and picked up the phone to his ear,

"Do not interrupt me!" he barked as he slammed the down the receiver.

Oh my God! What am I doing?" Reina exclaimed as she quickly straightened her dress.

Making out with a married man in his office while his wife stares at you from their family portrait, kissing the hell out of her husband?

Why am I still attracted to this man this way even after lying and deceiving me?

Get a grip of yourself Reina.

But he made advances at me first.

That doesn't mean you should lose yourself completely to him! Reina battled within herself.

Then she spoke up. "This is a professional environment if you haven't noticed, Mr. Arthur, we shouldn't be doing what we just did. I'm here to work and do just that, so I would appreciate it if you do not try to make advances at me henceforth."

"If I remember correctly Reina, your hands were on me, gripping my jacket and you moaned in response to said advances" Arthur said, cutting her off.

Must he describe everything in detail? Reina blushed as she looked down, unable to maintain eye contacts anymore.

She summoned courage and looked at him again. "Well then Mr. Arthur, you should keep your hands to yourself while I keep mine to me."

They stared at each other for five full minutes.

"You seem very feisty Miss Reina, and I'll love nothing more than to keep you in control. But for now I'll keep my cool. Your office is adjacent to mine, get to work immediately."

Just then the phone rang again. Arthur, in full blown anger towards whoever it was at the other end picked up the phone and was about to yell when the person spoke up.

"You beat me to it again, expect my wrath this time" the caller said and hung up.