(Renata Valentini)
One week later:
“Mi scusi!” – “Excuse me!”, I speak with my face burning with embarrassment and quickly close the door to the presidency.
I really don’t want to have seen that scene, my stomach turns, tears are burning in my eyes. On that table… in the same position that woman was in, two months ago I was too, and Filippo was between my legs as we kissed madly before we went to the meeting room.
I sit on the chair at my desk, and lovingly caress my belly. I am now seven weeks pregnant and tomorrow will be the day I can hear my baby’s little heartbeat, ah, I am so excited!
Again, I feel my heart squeeze, Filippo will not be with me, he will not follow the development of our baby, nor meet him… I still miss Filippo, even though I have been abandoned, I really wanted to see him walk through that door, enter the President’s office, sit in his chair and tell me: this is all just a bad dream. I wish so much that I could wake up and have him beside me; open the bathroom door and find him taking a shower.
“Never again enter without knocking, secretary.” Helena, the new vice president, leaves the room, she doesn’t like me and the feeling is mutual.
“This is not a motel, I advise you to engage with your lover in a more private place,” I say looking at her in disgust, even if I feel embarrassed to come across two people having sex, it doesn’t take away the fact that I don’t like her.
I wanted Sophie to stay at the company, even though she was Lucas’s mistress, she didn’t treat employees with lower jobs badly, despite her faults, she did a great job and was still kind. It’s really a shame.
“You know I can fire you at any time…”
“Your husband always picks you up at seven, doesn’t he?” I can’t help but smile at the hateful face she makes, I’m not going to allow this snake to threaten me, fuck if she’s the vice president and she’s the mistress of the current president.
“Are you threatening me?” She asks, her jaw dropping.
“I’m not a woman of threats,” I talk seriously, she swallows dry, her husband is rich and almost three times her age, he is also sick and she is the only heiress, at least that’s what I’ve heard her talking to her secretary and also best friend. “Don’t get in my way, I won’t get in yours.”
Helena turns on her back and stomps off to the elevator. I breathe a sigh of relief, I can’t stress, it’s not good for my baby.
I wait ten minutes before entering the room, another long day at work.
> End of work, 6 pm:
“See you tomorrow, I’ll meet you there at the maternity ward,” I say goodbye to Amanda, her shift doesn’t end until nineteen, I still don’t feel good about leaving before she does, but my feet hurt so much that all I want to do is relax with them up and eat popcorn with nutella.
I feel my cell phone vibrate inside my purse, I pick it up and there is a notification of Caio’s message:
Caio friend:
What time are we going tomorrow?
Renata friend:
Let’s meet there at nine, don’t be late!
Caio friend:
Blz, don’t go in without me. Bjs!
I smile as I put my cell phone away, Caio and Amanda are supporting me so much, Amanda will be the godmother and Caio the godfather of my baby. I have to thank God so much for having them in my life, they are my support.
Caio is now dating. I met his girlfriend a week ago. She is a very nice and pretty girl, they are very good together. I am happy that he has found his happiness.
“Why are you smiling like that? Were you talking to some flirt?” Amanda asks and I roll my eyes.
“That was Caio, he was asking what time it is to be in the maternity ward.” I answer.
“Is that a reason to giggle?”
“I was happy, I’m not alone, I have the support of both of you and that makes me very happy and grateful to God, I don’t know what I would do, especially without you.” I speak with my eyes full of tears, lately I’ve been crying for any reason, it makes me angry, then I cry because I’m angry.
“Own, you whiny little pregnant woman,” Amanda hugs me while laughing at my face.
“Idiot!” I mutter as I release her from the embrace.
“Make sure you don’t overdo it on sweets and salty snacks.” She warns me.
“I will behave myself.” I smile, kiss his cheek and leave the company. “Oh, how my feet throb, I just want to get home!” I talk to myself.
After I found out I was pregnant, I made a deal with a taxi driver. I pay him a monthly fee so that every night he can pick me up. As I walk down the steps to the entrance of the company, I spot the yellow car.
“Good evening, Mr. Carlinho!” I greet him as he closes the door to the back of the car.
“Good evening, cutie.” I feel my blood freeze as I hear this deep voice of the unknown man.
Unable to look to check who is in the driver’s seat, I grab my belt again and try to get free of it, but before I can unfasten it, a black gloved hand holds my neck pulling me back and puts a cloth over my nose.
I hold my breath and unbuckle myself from the belt, I try to get free by elbowing the man in the ribs – who only now, in this horrible situation, I noticed was standing next to me – in response he squeezes my neck even tighter, breathlessness betrays me and I start inhaling the strong smell of the dirty cloth against my face.
The tears come down my face thick, Lord… my baby, I’m scared, more scared for my baby than for me, my son… I don’t want anything bad to happen to my son.
“Filippo…” – My last thought is directed at him… I blacked out.