Chapter Five
After a few weeks, Clara wasn’t sure how to explain her relationship with Nate. She had woken up the next morning to Nate cleaning her off gently with a soft warm cloth, his eyes soft and adoring. They had exchanged gentle kisses and a warm shower, but as soon as they entered the workplace they became two separate people again.
He explained to her that as much as he wanted to show affection to her during the day, the last thing he wanted was for her to end up with a bad reputation because of him. They could have each other in their free time and at night, but during the day they weren’t lovers. They were employee and employer, and Clara was happy about this.
Things were going great until she started feeling nauseous in the mornings. After waking up and rushing to the bathroom immediately for a week straight, she shook off the idea of food poisoning or a stomach bug and quickly realized that they might have a far more severe problem on their plates.
She was pregnant, and she had no idea how she was going to tell Nate.
Sitting at her desk with her head in her hands, Clara groaned as she glared down at the decaf tea sitting on her desk, wishing desperately that she could have coffee or at least something with caffeine with it. She had a headache that could split a board and her stomach felt as though it was attempting to escape her body through her esophagus.
“You don’t seem to be feeling well this morning,” a voice hummed behind her, earning a grimace from Clara as she looked up. Her supervisor, Jeremy, was eyeing her slowly as he tapped a pencil on his clipboard. “Late night?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at the cup of tea on her desk. “I could get you something with some caffeine if you’d like. It might help.” He grinned, his eyes flashing as if he knew.
She had never liked Jeremy. He was aloof and incredibly self-important. He had never liked her either but had never had an excuse to get rid of her. She was good at her job and close to the boss, and as his personal assistant, this seemed to infuriate him.
“No thank you,” she grumbled, forcing a smile onto her lips as she looked up at him. “I’m trying to cut caffeine out of my diet. Healthier for you.” She shrugged, her hand unconsciously fluttering to her stomach when she saw the irritated look on his face.
“Ah, I see. Good for you. I understand how difficult it is to give up one of your vices,” he rumbled, his pale eyes flickering towards Nate’s office before returning to Clara’s face. “Who knows, maybe you’ll be able to let this one go?” He smirked, turning and walking towards Nate’s door as it swung open.
“There you are, Jeremy. Would you mind running these files down to the first floor for me?” Nate asked, handing the man a stack of files before moving over to Clara.
Clara couldn’t help but notice the glare that Jeremy sent their way, her already unhappy stomach clenching at the near murderous look in his eyes. She knew that the man hated her, but she wasn’t sure why he had suddenly got so violent.
“Clara, I got your memo.” Nate smiled, meaning the text that she had sent him saying that they needed to meet up. “Would you like to get lunch and discuss it now?” he asked with a raised eyebrow, resting against her desk with a carefree smile.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to eat, but I do need to discuss this, so yes.” She nodded, moving to her feet and snagging her purse. “C’mon, let’s go,” she whispered to him, ignoring the worried look in her lover’s eyes as he followed her into the elevator.
“Is everything alright?” he asked, once they were alone in the small space, his hand reaching out to rest on her cheek, his thumb brushing over her warm cheek gently. Pressing against his warm palm, she hummed softly, reaching up to clutch at his hand gently.
“Everything is fine,” she mumbled. “I just have something I need to tell you that’s very important and potentially life changing.” She sighed as he pulled back before the doors opened. Nate looked back at her with a worried expression on his face but said nothing to push the matter.
The diner that they selected to eat at to be alone was a bit further away than anyone would normally travel to lunch, but it was quiet, and Clara enjoyed everything on the menu. Sitting across from her lover with a sigh, she smiled when Nate’s hand gently took her own and his lips pressed against her knuckles gently.
“Tell me what’s going on that is so life changing,” Nate ordered, his soft eyes locking onto her own with a concerned look on his features. Sighing softly, Clara lightly squeezed her lover’s fingers and ran her fingers through her hair slowly.
“Nate, I’m pregnant,” she mumbled, looking up at the other through her lashes to catch the change of expression on her lover’s face.
It seemed to take a moment for him to realize exactly what she was saying. His face was frozen in a sort of dazed expression, his mouth hanging open while he fought for the words he needed to say right then. Reaching out to touch his hand, she smiled when she seemed to draw him out of his daze, his eyes fluttering up to meet hers while a smile formed on his face.
“Sweetie, that's great!” He laughed, a beaming smile forming on his lips as he took her hands in his. “This is amazing! I mean, this changes a few things, of course, we’re going to have to announce our relationship to the company, but we can figure out the logistics and such later!” He grinned, earning a laugh from Clara as she rolled her eyes.
“I’ve been applying at a few other corporations so we don’t have to worry too much about a scandal,” she explained, laughing when he leaned across the table to kiss her on the lips.
“We can figure all of this out once you get off maternity leave,” he insisted, squeezing her fingers with an adoring look on his face. “I just hope that the baby has your looks.” He grinned, pressing a kiss to her button nose and earning a soft hum from his lover.
“I’m just going to be happy if it comes out with all its toes and fingers,” she grinned, leaning back with a relieved sigh when he continued to all but bounce in his seat with excitement. “Why did I think you were going to be upset?” she asked, earning a laugh from the man.
“Not a clue! I love children! I just wish we could have gotten married first,” he lamented, earning a snort from Clara.
“No marriage until this thing is out of me. The last thing I want to do is try to fit a baby bump into a wedding dress,” she insisted, earning a shrug from Nate, who leaned in and kissed her once more.
“You’re my mate. The marriage is just for the press.” He winked, cupping her cheek in his palm. “I promise everything is going to be just fine, my love,” he whispered, rubbing circles on her cheek before pulling back with a sigh. “Now, what are we going to order?” he asked, lifting up the menu.