The tray filled with freshly baked cupcakes is set down on the bakery counter. Melody slips off her gloves and sets them aside. Leaning against the counter, she sighs heavily, reflecting on the past few days.
She has been avoiding Damian, and they haven’t spoken a word since that day. Whenever he tries to talk to her, she finds an excuse to flee. It’s not that she’s upset with him, but she feels overwhelmed and unable to face him right now.
As Melody softly caresses her stomach, Celestia approaches, a quizzical look on her face.
“Ma’am?” Celestia questions, closing the pantry door behind her, “Are you okay?”
Melody forces a smile, attempting to appear composed. “Oh, hey, Cel. What’s going on?
Celestia points to the other oven, “Um… your doughnut is burning…”
Melody gasps in surprise, “NO!!” Shocked, she immediately opens the oven, pulling out the blackened doughnut.
She lets out a frustrated sigh, looking at the burnt pastry. “I shouldn’t have been so careless…”
Celestia watches her with growing concern, noticing the shift in her demeanour. “Are you okay, ma’am? You look… disturbed today. Not only today but this past few days, you appear unwell.”
Melody nods, sitting down at the counter, “Just… something happened…” She fidgets with her fingers, her expression troubled.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Celestia asks, her tone caring.
Melody hesitates, unsure about how to approach the topic. “Um… it’s kind of… an unexpected matter to discuss,” she admits, her voice somewhat meek.
“It’s okay. I can handle anything,” Celestia reassures her, smiling warmly.
“If you say so…” Melody takes a deep breath, gathering her composure. “Have you ever thought about… becoming a mother?”
Soon after the question escapes Melody’s lips, Celestia finds herself briefly frozen, her smile slowly fading. She can’t help but notice the discomfort in Melody’s demeanour.
“Um… that’s not exactly what I expected,” Celestia awkwardly chuckles.
“I’m sorry,” Melody apologizes, aware the question seemed unexpected. “I know it’s quite unexpected.”
Celestia studies Melody for a moment before replying, “It’s not unexpected at all. Every woman in this world wishes to become a mother.”
Melody nods, silently agreeing with Celestia’s statement.
“You’re right…” she murmurs, her eyes briefly dropping to her lap.
“Why… do you ask, ma’am?” Celestia asks, her head tilted slightly to one side.
Melody looks up, her expression nervous. “If I told you I might be pregnant,” she starts tentatively, “Would you believe me?”
Celestia responds with a calm expression, “I would.”
Melody gasped slightly, caught off guard by Celestia’s swift response.
“That was quick,” she remarks.
Celestia laughs softly, “There’s been a rumour going around among the staff about you and Damian’s ‘one-night stand.’ So, the possibility of you being pregnant isn’t beyond belief.”
“But… I never thought about it,” Melody admits, her gazes dropping back to her lap. “I never discussed it with anyone, let alone Damian. We’ve never even talked about starting a family together.”
Celestia arches her eyebrows in surprise, hearing Melody’s words. This is the first time she sees Melody so nervous and anxious. Usually, Melody is composed, in control of her emotions, and positive about everything.
But now, her trembling hands, clenched tightly on her skirt, tells Celestia everything she needs to know.
“Ma’am… are you scared?” Celestia asks gently.
Melody nods, her voice barely above a whisper. “I am.”
“Of what?”
“Of everything,” Melody confesses. “This is a major change in my life. Having a child in my life… with an uncertain relationship… It’s complicated.” Her voice trembles as she speaks. “I don’t know what the future holds. Will I be a good mother? Will I be able to handle this?”
“What if I’m not a good mother…?” her words trail off, her voice barely audible.
She could see the fear and doubt in Melody’s eyes. She never saw Melody look like this. It’s like she is completely lost and hopeless.
“No…” Celestia softly shakes her head, “Why are you so scared? You are a strong woman. You are kind, sweet and caring. How could you think so low of yourself?”
Celestia’s lips curl into a soft smile as she reassures Melody, “I’m sure you’ll make a great mama to the little one.”
Melody gazes at her with wide eyes, hope sparking in her expression, “You think so?”
“It’s not just a thought,” she grins, her voice firm. “I’m certain of it. Sure, it might be scary and challenging, but isn’t that what makes it all the better?”
Celestia pauses for a moment. “And you’re not alone in this,” she adds. “You have all of us.”
“Me, Matthew, Victor, the guards, the servants…” she continues, her voice growing soft. “We’re all your family.”
Melody can’t help but chuckle at her words, realizing how true they are. They’ve been like family to her this entire time.
“And don’t forget about Sir Damian,” Celestia adds.
Just the mere mention of his name causes Melody to freeze. Yes. There is one more person in the equation-Damian.
___
With a gentle click, Melody closes the front door behind her, noticing everyone diligently tending to their duties. Servants discreetly tidy up, and guards vigilantly patrol the area. Her attention then turns to Damian talking with one of the guards.
Likely discussing work-related matters.
The memory of her conversation with Celestia replays in her mind, specifically the moment when Celestia mentioned Damian’s presence: “Also… Sir Damian is with you…”
As Melody locks eyes with Damian, she suddenly gasps and hurries upstairs, shutting the bedroom door with a resounding slam.
The guard glances at Damian in confusion. “It seems the madam has been trying to avoid you lately, isn’t it?” he remarks.
Damian sighs, acknowledging the truth of the statement. “She sure has,” he mutters in response.
The guard frowns, puzzled by Melody’s behaviour. “Has anything been troubling the madam?” he inquires.
Damian runs his hand through his hair, replying casually, “She just got an electric shock, that’s all.”
The guard’s confusion deepens. “An… electric shock?” he puzzles aloud.
Damian simply responds with a nod, “Yes, an electric shock.” He turns away, leaving the guard to ponder his vague answer.
Meanwhile, in the bedroom, Melody sighs heavily, her mind weighed down by thoughts. Every time she looks at his face, a barrage of negative scenarios floods her thoughts. She sets down her bag and sits on the bed, her gaze cast down.
There, within reach, rests a pregnancy test on the desk. Should she check it? She reaches slowly for the test…
The image of her holding a baby in her arms brings a soft smile to her heart. That would be the most beautiful moment of her life, without a doubt. Sometimes, it takes a significant change to make life more interesting, right?
Suddenly, the door opens, causing Melody to jump and hide the pregnancy test behind her back. Damian enters the room, looking at her with a puzzled expression.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asks, his confusion visible.
Melody nervously avoids his gaze, replying, “Nothing.”
He studies her carefully, taking in her anxious demeanour. The way she fidgets uncomfortably is quite obvious.
“Have you showered yet?” he asks.
Melody clears her throat, attempting to appear nonchalant. “No… not yet,” she replies, her voice slightly stammering.
“You can shower first,” Damian says, his voice calm. “I will use the bathroom in the next room.”
Melody, still holding the towel and pregnancy test behind her, nods nervously and agrees, “Sure. That’s right.”
As she turns to leave the room, Damian’s voice stops her. “… Mel.”
Melody’s legs come to a halt, tension coursing through her as Damian speaks.
“Why have you been avoiding me these past few days?”
Panicked, she squeezes her eyes shut, searching for a response. Admitting everything would be embarrassing. And besides, she couldn’t bear the pain she knew she’d face.
“I… I didn’t avoid you,” she manages to say, trying to sound normal.
Damian sighs, “You did. Every time I tried to call and talk to you, you acted as if you didn’t notice me. You even avoided bumping into me.”
Melody turns to face him, still trying to remain calm.
“You’re always up early and leave for work,” Damian continues, his voice firm. “It’s as if you’re willing to stop your business for a moment.”
She can’t believe what she’s hearing. How dare he say that?!
“What?! You can’t do that!” she yells, her voice rising. “You can’t use my business as leverage!”
“I can, and I will,” Damian retorts, irritation evident in his tone. He crosses his arms, determined. “I don’t want to do this, but you’re getting on my nerves. Stop avoiding me, or I’ll shut down your business until you tell me why you’re doing this.”
Melody grits her teeth, feeling the unfairness of the situation.
“You’re being a jerk!” she accuses him. “You can’t force someone to open up!”
“I don’t care,” Damian shrugs, unfazed by her insults. “I’ve given you enough time and space. Now, the time is up. Talk or you lose your business.”
Frustrated, she grabs a cushion from the couch and throws it at him, her emotions flaring.
“You’re an asshole!” she exclaims. “I’ve been nice to you by thinking about it, and if I wasn’t, I would have left you by now!”
Damian dodges the cushion with ease, a small smirk playing on his lips.
Meanwhile, the servants who are working in the hallway can’t help but overhear the heated argument. They exchange knowing looks and chuckles, shaking their heads.
A maid whispers to another, “Looks like they’re at it again, huh?”
The other maid nods in agreement, “Seems like it.”
Melody clenches her fists, knowing she can’t win this argument. Damian leans against the wall, his smirk growing wider.
“You know you’ll be the one cleaning up this mess, right?” he remarks, gesturing at the scattered items on the floor.
“I know,” she huffs in frustration.
He pauses for a moment before speaking again, his tone a bit softer.
“Why can’t you just share what’s on your mind?” he asks, concern flickering in his eyes. “Celestia has told me you’ve been looking down lately. Is it about the pregnancy news?”
Melody flinches at the mention of it, her heart skipping a beat. She lifts her head to meet his gaze, seeing the seriousness in his eyes.
“I…” she begins, her voice quavering nervously, “Um… honestly… what do you think about it?” Her fingers fidgeted with each other as she anxiously awaited his reply.
“Me?” He frowns.
Damian frowns, absorbing the words coming from Melody’s lips. “Do you want this?” he inquires, his expression unwavering.
Melody nods decisively, her fingers fidgeting. “The baby?” she clarifies.
“Honestly, I do want it… I’ve been dreaming about holding a baby with a smile on my face. It brings warmth to my heart, imagining a life change for the better…”
Her eyes glisten with hope as she continues, “I see it as a chance to change my life. I want to provide a better life for my child… a life I never had…”
Damian silently takes in her words, the weight of her confession settling between them. “It would be nice to have a baby…” she softly speaks, her hand caressing her stomach tenderly.
Damian’s gaze remains fixed on her face.
“Then… why have you been avoiding me?” He finally asks, his tone firmer than before. “Why couldn’t you even look at me?”
Melody sighs deeply, confessing her fear, “I can’t look at you because every time I do, negative thoughts fill my mind.”
Her voice wavers slightly as she confesses, “Neither of us wanted this, nor did we talk about it. It happened by accident, and I know you would be upset if the result turned out positive.”
Damian’s demeanour softens as he absorbs her explanation. He had been wrong in his assumptions, assuming she was worried about the pregnancy itself. But now, he realized the true source of her anxiety: she was worried about his reaction.
“How ridiculous…” he mutters under his breath, a hint of incredulity in his tone.
“W-What?” Melody scolds, feeling a mix of surprise and indignation.
Damian pushes himself away from the wall and walks towards her, standing in front of her. He looks down at her with a mix of amusement and disbelief.
“You’ve been so stupid to think that way about me,” he scoffs, his voice tinged with a mix of frustration and fondness.
“Seriously, thinking like that is so harsh on me. I’m not as heartless as you think I am, you know.”
“Well, I’ve learned it from my past experiences,” she retorts defensively, rolling her eyes.
He stares at her for a moment, a smile slowly forming on his face. With gentle hands, he cups her face, causing her to tense up in surprise.
“You should have asked me first instead of blindly believing in those negative thoughts in your mind,” he whispers, his voice filled with a mix of annoyance and affection. “That’s because… the result is the opposite of what you thought.”
Melody is left staring at him in shock, trying to process his words. Her mind races, struggling to comprehend the meaning behind his statement. Damian smiles gently at her, then releases her face, walks towards the door.
“Oh! Also, I kind of offended when you thought that way about me. Look like I have to change the way I act with you, huh?” He smirks. “Tell me the result once you’re ready to check it.”
By that, he shut the door.
Melody stand there, try to process everything. “Eh?”
She remains frozen in place, her heart pounding in her chest. She can’t believe what just happened. The truth of the matter is, she has been wrong all this time. Damian wasn’t as cold and distant as she thought he was.
And he wasn’t against the idea of having a child. In fact, he seemed to actually okay with it. Her mind is a whirlwind of emotions.