I hated having to do that right in the middle of a major project, but there wasn't any other option. If I waited until the project was done, then I'd be very obviously pregnant. Once I started showing physical signs, there wouldn't be any way to hide it from my coworkers for very long. And that would just get the rumor mill started, with everyone wanting to know all the details. How long would I be able to hold up under that kind of scrutiny before I cracked and spilled the beans?
No, staying there any longer than necessary was not an option. It would suck, having to find another job on such a short notice, but it was doable. Other people found jobs quickly, so if I was willing to put in the effort, it shouldn't be too difficult. Especially with my resume. There had to be at least a dozen options in this town alone.
Besides, I hadn't been planning on staying at Frost Industries forever anyway. I'd signed on there and worked my way up the corporate ladder so I could learn the ins and outs of the business. It wasn't my forever job. It was just a job I was using to expand on everything I'd learned while I was in school. I did enjoy working there though, and I would miss working with everyone.
Once again, I kicked myself for being such an idiot. If I had reined myself in, then I would have been able to keep working there without any issues. But no, I had to go and be an idiot.
And that was basically how my entire night went. I slept like crap, even worse than usual. If it wasn't the guilt gnawing at me, it was my stomach, twisting and turning until I had to run to the bathroom and empty it again. It didn't seem to matter that I hadn't eaten much beyond soup, crackers, and Gatorade. My body just wanted to keep puking, like I'd been gorging myself at a buffet.
Being pregnant was going to royally suck.
I stayed in bed until my alarm went off the next morning, though very little of that time was spent sleeping. And even though I still felt like garbage, I dutifully crawled out of bed and started my usual morning routine. Part of me wanted to call in sick, but I managed to clamp down on that idea. As much as I wanted to just lay in bed and avoid reality for a bit longer, I knew I couldn't do that.
The longer I put this off, the harder it was going to be. I needed to just go in and give Christian my two week’s notice. If I didn't do it today, I was just going to keep coming up with excuse after excuse until it was too late. I knew myself well enough for that.
I made it to the office before him. Before almost everyone, actually. It was the earliest I'd ever come in, since I'd practically ran through my morning routine. Normally I took my time getting ready, giving myself time to wake up. This morning though, I hadn't wasted even a moment. And it helped that I'd barely eaten breakfast. Part of me was too nervous to eat, the other part was worried if I ate more than a couple bites I'd just end up puking it all into the toilet.
Either way, I found myself anxiously sitting at my desk, clutching the cup of peppermint tea I'd gotten on my way in. I sipped at the hot liquid, wishing it would hurry up and cool down so I could chug it and hopefully settle my stomach. I hadn't puked since the previous night, but that didn't stop my stomach from feeling like it was going to happen at any moment.
Each time the elevator dinged, I nearly jumped out of my chair, expecting it to be Christian. Despite this being essentially his floor, there were still a handful of other people who worked up there. More than once it was simply another secretary, dropping off some more paperwork for him from the other departments.
I was starting to think he wasn't coming in when the elevator dinged again and Christian walked out. My heart stopped beating as I watched him stride confidently toward his office. It was hard not to notice just how handsome he was in his designer suit. Even doing something as simple as just walking down the hall, he moved with purpose and confidence.
Just another reason I needed to get away from Frost Industries. I already knew all too well how nice his touch had felt. If I stuck around, I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep myself from acting on those desires again. No, giving my two weeks was the right thing to do, even though I hated it.
I waited until he'd gotten settled in his office, then scooped up all the paperwork that had been dropped off for him. Even though it felt like my heart still hadn't resumed beating, I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. It was time to talk to him, to give him my notice, and hopefully, begin the next chapter of my life.
I just wished it felt more like that, rather than like I was about to shoot myself in the head.
6
Christian
The call with Aspen had done wonders. I slept like a baby for the first time in ages, and by the time I got to the office the next morning, I was energized and ready to start tackling all the work that was no doubt piled up on my desk. Coffee in hand, when I
