Several days had passed, yet I felt as if I were floating—detached from everything around me. I was constantly lost in my thoughts, barely aware of what was happening in front of me.
For days, I avoided Mr. Jim whenever he tried to talk to me again. I didn't want to see him. I didn't want to accept the possibility that what he had told me was true. Until yesterday, it seemed he had finally grown tired of trying—he stopped showing up altogether.
With so many thoughts crowding my mind, I wished I could disappear, even just for a while. I wanted to run—far away from my problems. I wanted to go somewhere unfamiliar, a place where no one knew me, where the people who caused this pain didn't exist. I needed time to think. I was exhausted—tired of everything happening in my life.
I wanted to ask myself what I had done to deserve all of this.
Why me?
Why was I the one who didn't have the strength to fight anymore?
"Gianna? Ms. Gianna?"
I snapped back to reality, realizing someone had been calling my name. I looked around the room—everyone was staring at me.
"Yes?" That was all I could manage.
"I asked if you have any comments about the logo they designed for our new product," Ms. Gada said.
I turned my gaze to the screen where the presentation was displayed. I didn't know what to say. Somehow, without thinking, my eyes drifted toward Francis as I searched for an answer. I quickly looked away when I realized he had been staring at me too.
"In my opinion… maybe—"
I stopped mid-sentence as a wave of nausea suddenly hit me.
I didn't waste time. I rushed out of the meeting room, quickly finding the restroom. I barely made it inside before throwing up—three times—until my body finally calmed down. I stepped out of the cubicle and washed my hands and mouth.
My stomach still hurt.
What did I even eat earlier?
When I exited the restroom, I grabbed water from the dispenser and drank it all. I was about to return to the meeting when I noticed people already leaving the room.
I stopped one of the employees.
"Is it over?"
She nodded and walked away.
Ms. Gada came out next and immediately approached me.
"How are you feeling?" she asked.
"I'm fine," I replied.
She placed a hand on my shoulder and took a deep breath.
"You should see a doctor," she said gently. "You might be pregnant."
I froze.
For a few seconds, I couldn't move. Anxiety rushed through my chest as I instinctively placed a hand on my stomach and swallowed hard.
Pregnant?
That couldn't be right… could it?
"Gianna?" My cousin's worried voice pulled me back.
"You look pale. Don't tell me that idiot did something to you again—"
I didn't let him finish.
I walked away and hurried back to my desk.
I bit my finger as Ms. Gada's words replayed in my mind. I wasn't pregnant. Maybe it was just something I ate—something my stomach couldn't handle.
I was still lost in thought when a woman approached my desk.
She handed me a bottle of water and some medicine.
"Someone asked me to give these to you," she said, placing them in my hand.
I accepted them silently. I wanted to ask who sent them, but she had already turned away.
"Thank you," I said softly.
I stared at the water and medicine.
Maybe Gael sent them—he had seen me earlier.
I took the medicine and set the bottle aside. I leaned back in my chair and took a deep breath. Too many thoughts flooded my mind again. I shook my head, forcing them away.
The day dragged on until the moment everyone had been waiting for.
"Let's go! Time to go home!" my cousin announced cheerfully.
I grabbed my bag and slung it over my shoulder.
"You go ahead. I still have somewhere to be," I said, not waiting for his reply.
I rode a jeepney and got off in front of the hospital. Standing there, I hesitated—unsure whether to go inside or turn back. Fear gripped me at the thought lingering in my mind.
In the end, I went in.
The nurse directed me to a room. I waited for about a minute before the doctor arrived. He asked what I wanted checked, and I told him everything. He stepped out briefly, then returned almost thirty minutes later.
The wait felt endless.
"Doctor… how is it?" I asked nervously.
"Am I pregnant?"
He looked up at me and smiled.
"Why? Would you like to be?" he joked.
I couldn't answer.
"Just kidding," he said. "You're not pregnant. You probably ate something your stomach didn't agree with."
Relief washed over me instantly.
"These medicines should help stop the nausea," he added.
"And try to be more careful with what you eat, alright?"
I nodded.
"Thank you, doctor."
I took the prescription and left the room.
After buying the medicine, I walked toward the jeepney stop when I noticed a car that seemed to be following me. I had seen it earlier when I left the hospital. Now, anxiety slowly crept in as I realized I was its clear target.
I quickened my pace, listening carefully—until a horn suddenly sounded in front of me.
I looked up.
The door opened, and Nayumi stepped out.
What was she doing here?
"Can we talk?" she asked.
I didn't hesitate. Fear of the car behind me pushed me forward, and I went with her.
She drove me to a restaurant near the sea.