"Hi…" Rita said nervously, hurriedly adjusting her tummy as she caught Ben glancing at her through the mirror.
"Do you need something?" she added, breathing heavily, as though caught in the middle of an act.
"No… no, I don't. I just… I wanted to ask if you'd like to go for a walk with me," Ben asked, his voice cautious but gentle.
"Oh… that… yes, I will," she replied, forcing a smile. "It would be good for the baby as well."
Unknown to Ben, Rita was never actually pregnant. Weeks had passed, and she had gradually enhanced the size of her belly with a fake silicone bump. Ben, trusting and unsuspecting, had never doubted her, as she acted the part convincingly.
Ella, busy with work and spending most of her free time with Jasper, had not been around to notice Rita's deception. But, as the saying goes, secrets cannot stay hidden forever.
One of the housemaids had observed the truth. On one occasion, she caught Rita with a completely flat stomach, believing she was alone in the house. Quick to act, Rita bribed her to remain silent, promising more if she stayed quiet.
"I can't go much further," Rita said, feigning exhaustion. She carefully adjusted her posture to make her belly appear heavy and her steps labored.
"Okay… let's sit here for a while before we head back home," Ben said, concern etching his features.
They settled on a bench near the park, sharing a bowl of ice cream. Rita, trying to maintain the act, accidentally dropped some on her dress.
"Let me help you," Ben offered, pulling out a tissue.
"Oh no, no… I'm okay," Rita said quickly, wiping it herself, anxious that he might notice anything unusual.
"Is everything okay?" Ben asked, frowning, confused by her unusual defensiveness.
"You've been acting strange ever since your belly started growing. You don't allow me to touch it," he observed carefully.
"I feel uncomfortable when I'm being touched… you should understand," Rita said, her voice tight with fear. Ben hesitated, sensing something, but knowing nothing about pregnancy, he reluctantly accepted her explanation, unaware of the deceit beneath the surface.
"I guess we should head home now," Ben suggested as the sun dipped below the horizon and they had rested enough.
"Do you mind having a bath first?" Ben asked, shifting slightly.
"No, you go ahead. I want to finish up my breakfast, I'm super hungry," Rita said smoothly.
"Oh yeah… right. You need to feed my son," Ben added casually, smiling as he prepared to leave.
"Your son?" Rita asked, feigning curiosity.
"How do you know it's going to be a boy?" she continued, wondering aloud why Ben seemed so certain.
"I don't know… I just feel it's going to be a boy," Ben replied with a hopeful glint in his eyes.
Ben left for work, leaving Rita and the maid who knew her secret behind.
"Whewww… what a relief," Rita said, finally untying and removing the heavy silicone belly.
"This is so heavy and uncomfortable," she added, sighing as she stretched.
"Ma'am… what are you going to do when it's due? How will you provide a child for him?" the maid asked nervously.
"Shhhh… you talk too much. I know what to do," Rita said, a devilish smile spreading across her face. She would do anything to keep Ben, her ambition unwavering.
"Okay… if you say so… just be careful. You know Ben isn't someone to be played with," the maid added, her concern evident.
"I know… you know," Rita said, her voice confident, convincing the maid that she had known Ben since childhood and understood exactly what she was doing.