"How are you feeling, Arden? You look pale. We shouldn't have come here. You don't look well." Tyler asked with a voice filled with worry as he sipped his juice and pushed a glass of water towards me, urging me to drink up. I smiled a little and took a sip.
Three days have passed since my check-up, and I just gathered enough courage to tell Tyler my situation. In order to avoid getting my head chewed out, I decided to bring him to that restaurant where Mr. Il Volo frequents, the one Tyler wants to go to.
"I'm okay Ty, but there's something that I need to say--"
"Hold up. Is it good news or bad news? Because I have been wanting to taste their food here and I don't want to puke everything if it turns out to be a bad one," he warned me beforehand with a doubtful expression on his face.
I chuckled and shook my head. "Okay, go on. Eat first, but don't gobble it down. You might want to keep your stomach light for this one." I chuckled nervously and wiped the insivisible sweat on my forehead. I am fucking nervous because I don't know how Tyler will react. Will he look me in disdain? Will he judge me for my carelessness? Will he think of me as an easy lay and criticize me for being a hypocrite-- seeing as I am impregnated by a species I am repulsed of? Will he--
"We suffer more in imagination than in reality."
I snapped out of my spiral and gave Tyler an incredulous look. "W-what?"
"I got it from Seneca, a philosopher. Stop overthinking, Arden. Whatever it is, my love for you is greater than that. You are my family, so whatever it is that is making your face twist in a pained and confused expression, snap out of it. It does not suit you." He reached for my cheek and touched it gently. "I'm here. I won't leave, so take your time."
My throat tightened up and my eyes burned at his words. I was not expecting to receive such gentleness. If unconditional love could take in the form of a person, it would be Tyler. And River. And Aunt Becca. They always love me despite all my faults. They will scold me from time to time, but all of those were coming out of love.
"T-Tyler..." I sniffed and grabbed his hand that was now busy searching for some tissue paper in his bag.
"Yes? Do you need anything? More water? Stop crying, Arden. I'm panicking. You rarely cry and I don't know how to calm you down! Should I call River?"
"Tyler..."
Tyler shoved me some tissue paper and grabbed his phone. "I'm calling River. He knows what to do."
"Tyler, calm down." I wiped the teardrops on my cheek and felt my chest lightening. Seeing Tyler panic for my sake is refreshing. He really cares for me, and I have never doubted that from the start. He may be smaller in stature if compared with me, but he has the guts, the wits and the courage to punch anyone who tries to bully me. Not that someone ever attempted to, since River and his friends always kept a close eye on Tyler and me. Rumors has it that those who dared to approach us with malicious intentions always wound up in the infirmary or in the hospital. Ouch.
"Um, should I get you ice cream? Why is River not answering?! I swear I will kick his balls when I see him later--"
"I'm pregnant, Tyler." It's better to be straightforward about it rather than put River's balls at risk. I can't have that happening.
Tyler slowly placed his phone on the table and looked at me. I smiled awkwardly and nodded. His eyes slowly widened and his jaw went slack. "F-fudge. I can't breathe. Wait a second. Give me water." I was about to give him some when he snatched it from me and downed the glass in three gulps. He stood up and gave me a stare. "Don't go anywhere. I'll be in the bathroom. I need to let this out or I'll go crazy."
I giggled and waved him away. "No problem. I'll have them prepare your order."
Tyler nodded firmly and took large strides to the comfort room. The waitress approached our table with our food in a trolley cart. "Miss, does your restroom happens to be soundproofed?"
"Um, no, sir. Why?"
I raised my index finger to stop her. "I AM GONNA BE AN UNCLE!!!!" Tyler's cheerful scream reverberated around the room, leaving the restaurant staff and the waitress dumbfounded.
"I'll pay extra for that. I'm sorry."
The waitress blinked slowly and smiled. "No need, sir. Congratulations. One of our specilaties will be on the house."
"B-But..." I want to ask what made her conclude that I was the one pregnant but I shut my mouth. "Thank you, Mina," I read her nameplate.
She just smiled. "Again, we're so happy for you. Hmm. How about this: everything will be on the house. It's a celebration of life after all."
My jaw dropped but she just chuckled. "But... the owner... you will lost your job..." I stammered and looked at her with worry. I don't think a waitress is allowed to do that.
"You don't have to worry. The owner is my friend and also a carrier. If he hears about this news, he will be over the moon. Oh, in fact, I believe that he will visit today. It would be nice if you could meet. He's a very lovable person," she added with such fondness in her voice. It's easy to tell that she favors that person.
"I would love to. I don't have any friend who is a carrier. What's his name, by the way?"
She smiled. "Elijah. Elijah Salazar."
****
After the meal, Tyler glances at my belly from time to time like a crazy weirdo, his eyes twinkling and a wide smile plastered on his face. He even tried to drag me to a store for baby clothes but I explained to him that doing such is premature. I explained to him how I got pregnant in detail, and he listened intently.
"River is correct, Arden. We will support you all the way. You don't need to worry. We will raise the baby in a happy and healthy environment. You don't need that baby's father."
I agree. I never once thought of looking for that person. I'll leave it as a one-time mistake and move on. After all, I got what I need. "Tyler, can we rest for a while? I'm getting dizzy and nauseous."
He gasped out loud and gingerly led me to a nearby cafe. "Wait here. I'll buy you something cold and sweet. Do you want to drink water?" I nodded. "Okay. Sit still and don't move so much."
"Thanks, Ty." He nodded and smiled, then proceeded to the queue. I took a few deep breaths to relax. Closing my eyes for several seconds, I let the calmness wash over me. I was in my own, little world, not minding the shushed commotion. Just then, my phone beeped. I reached for it in my bad and frowned.
"Look up?" I read the text and when I did, it felt as if I was hit squarely in the chest, knocking the air out of my lungs. "Mr. Il Volo..." I barely uttered as my heart thumped erratically in my chest and my hands clutching my phone as if it has the power to teleport me to another place away from this charismatic man.
Mr. Il Volo's face was inches away from me. He is so close that I can smell his minty breath and feel his piercing stare that can melt my entire being then and there. All of a sudden, my stomach felt like it was turned upside down. It must be his mouthwash or mouth spray... it's the minty smell.
"Step back. I don't feel well." I placed my hand on my mouth and pushed him away a little.
"What?" His brows furrowed and did what I said. He took a step back, but the wrinkle on his forehead remained. His eyes were silently examining me, trying to figure out what was happening to me. I stood up and rushed to the restroom with my hand covering my mouth. From my periphery, I could see Tyler's confused and worried expression.
I signed that I was going to the restroom because if I speak, I would vomit all over the floor. Opening one of the cubicles, I grabbed the rim of the bowl and threw up my insides. The worst part is most of the contents were water and saliva. It's the worst feeling: the acidity in my mouth, the unpleasant feeling in my belly, my throbbing head, and just feeling weak all over.
The doctor told me that there will be food cravings and aversions, but he forgot to mention that I would also be sensitive to odor. I grabbed a handful of tissue paper, flushed the bowl, and wiped my mouth. "Water... I need water."
"Here. I don't know how to react; it's the first time that someone puked because I got closer to them," a familiar voice said with a tone dripping with amusement. When I looked up, I saw Mariano Il Volo leaning on the tiled wall, holding a bottled water, with his eyes filled with curiosity.
I grabbed the bottled water, drank the contents in three gulps, and nodded at him thankfully. "Thank you," I uttered with a grimace when a hoarse voice came out. A sharp pain stung my throat, probably from the acidity when I hurled the contents of my belly.
When he offered his hand, I took it without hesitation. I'm already weak as it is; this is no time to act like a demure damsel. He tilted his head ever so slightly and the softness in his eyes that glimmered for a second told me that I did the right thing. His hand was larger than mine, slight rough, but the gentle grip was in contrast to his strong and dominant frame.
"How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay. I think I ate something bad last night," I lied. It's not my responsibility to share my life story to my former potential sperm donor.
He hummed and never said a word after that.
When we got out of the restroom, the place was empty, except for Tyler and the man who introduced himself as Hal. Hal was the one who allowed us to enter the estate that night and he should have been more cautious, then the incident wouldn't have led to... never mind. There's nothing I can do about it anyway. I rubbed my flat belly softly and giggled. Everything happens for a reason, after all.
"Arden, are you alright?" Tyler slowly approached me and glanced at my right before taking my hand into his. I blinked and blushed softly, only to realize that Mr. Il Volo never let go of my hand up until Tyler glanced at him. From my periphery, I noticed the slight wrinkle on his forehead and they way he eyed at Tyler's hand grabbing mine.
"Arden?"
"Yeah?" I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at Tyler's face painted with worry. "I'm fine, Ty. Don't frown." I smiled and smoothened his wrinkled forehead. Tyler giggled and led me back to the table. Mr. Il Volo sat beside Hal who couldn't strip his gaze away from Tyler. Hmm. For someone who said that he found his daddy, Tyler sure looks composed... or not. A tinge of redness spread on Tyler's ears and cheeks as he squeezed my hand with a slight tremble.
"Hal, leave us. I need to talk to Mr. Coleman alone," Mr. Il Volo's clear and crisp voice caught our attention. Hal stood up and walked towards us, his eyes still fixed on Tyler. Tyler blinked in confusion and I can tell from his expression that he doesn't want to leave me alone. "I won't do anything to him, if that's what you're worried about."
"Arden..."
"Go on, Ty. Come back in an hour." Honestly, I don't want Tyler to go, but at the same time, I have to behave. As much as possible, I don't want to provoke Mr. Il Volo or else he could throw me in jail for stalking him. I know how powerful he is; my life will be ruined in one snap, and I can't risk that, especially now that my body is not my own anymore.
Tyler sighed heavily and went out with Hal, leaving me with this intimidating hunk of a man oozing with danger and sex appeal. Filling my lungs with air, I looked straight at Mr. Il Volo. "What do you want from me?"
His composed expression did not crack and instead, slid a small box and a flash drive. "Marry me."
"W-what?" I whispered breathlessly and stared at him with wide eyes when I finally came back to reality. "What the fuck?!" I stared at him in shock at the sudden turn of events.
His lips moved for a small smirk as he cooly crossed his arms over his chest. "Arden Coleman, marry me, or I'll sue you for stalking me."
Kill me now.
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