First of all, I want to thank every one of you again for the support. Sadly, I need to inform you that there will be 3 to 4 parts before the story end, and then I will introduce another one.

Happy reading!

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Katelyn wanted to have time and think before going back to the penthouse, so she asked the driver to take the longest route.

Of all the time and place to encounter Tess, it will be in the clinic. They both met while she was walking towards the Obstetrician room, while Tess came out of its door.

They both looked at each other in shock when their eyes collided. The nurse with Tess was the first to break the silence by reminding the latter the way to the cashier. Instead of going with the nurse, she pulled her, and they entered another room.

There she was asked by Tess of her reason to be there too. When she didn't answer, her friend hugged her as if she understands they are in the same predicament.

"So who's the father?" Tess asked while they leave each other embrace. When she didn't answer because of the situation's unexpectedness, her friend concluded it's a product of a one night stand.

"Who is she to contradict it when she cannot pinpoint the culprit?" She didn't deny or agreed but just let her friend believe what she wanted.

In return, she asked Tess if it is Blake who is the father, which made her friend nod and say. "This is an unplanned one, one of those contraceptives went wrong. My problem is how to tell him."

"Blake seemed a responsible man." She commented with no intention of being pitiful, but Tess sees it as one, for she hugged her again. "Know this no matter what you will decide for your baby, Nicole, and I will always be there for you."

Her phone's ringing intrudes into her thoughts, and to see Jared's name as the caller made her sigh before taking the call.

"Hon, are you done?" He asked.

"Yes, I am finished and going back to our place."

It's the fourth time Jared had called since she arrived in the clinic. She almost regretted not letting him come with her because it's still the same. He didn't let her have any peace by his constant call.

He wanted to accompany her, but she refuses, pointing out his being a multi-company CEO as the reason. She told him if anyone saw him going to a clinic and leak it to the media, they will make too much from a simple issue. As the sole heir, any question about his health status will have an impact on the company.

After her explanation, she thought he accepted her reason as he kept quiet. After a few minutes, he smiled at her and whispered, "honey, I still want to go with you."

Of course, she cannot let him come. If he did, he would know everything. So she proposed to let Mrs. Smith accompany her. The latter's name was like a spell because he agreed without argument and left for work.

Her next problem was how she could avoid going with their housekeeper. The nutritionist's arrival saved her from having a chaperone. The former needed her for menu planning.

In the end, she left their place minus the housekeeper and smiling for being free, or so she thought.

"I will be home to eat lunch with you," Jared told her on the phone, which didn't make her happy.

She doesn't know what is happening to her. Jared's attentiveness irritated her when it was just Yesterday she was lamenting about losing him.

The recent incidents and Jared's reaction had convinced her of his affection towards her, but as long as the status of his relationship to Charlize is not clear, she cannot loosen her guard.

She knew Jared would not mind her being pregnant, but the clause in their agreement, as well as the unsteadiness of their relationship, stopped her from telling him. The problem is Jared may have an idea of her condition.

He had asked her before if she was using any contraceptives. It was then she remembered the one she bought. She told him she didn't take one yet before they are not on speaking terms, so there is no need for it.

Upon hearing her explanation, Jared just told her not to use it. If there will be a child, then be it, but once her monthly period comes, she starts to take one.

After a few minutes, mind tired from all that had occurred, Hypnos visited her and granted her what she needed.

The arms which picked her up awakened her. Still, with hazy eyes, she was able to perceive a smiling face. "I am still sleepy. I want to go back to sleep."

"I know, so I'm carrying you to our bed so you can sleep in comfort."

"Jared?" She asked as she opened her eyes.

"Who else will carry you?"

"You can put me down now so I can walk." She told him while looking for his security guards if they are with him.

Yesterday, this was the second time they had seen her in this position. It heeds on her that she is wearing a knee length dress with no stocking.

"Hon, did you make sure nothing can be seen by anyone when you carried me?" She asked while her hand is busy arranging her dress.

Katelyn heard a chuckle from him on what she said and her actions.

"They will not look, don't worry." She gasps from what he said.

"You mean you didn't check?" She complained and then told him "to let her down."

Jared stopped walking. He looked at her and said, "Okay," to her surprise. he then helped her stand. Before he straightened himself, he whispered. "It was good you insisted on standing, my arms and back are aching from your weight."

She looked at his face full of merriment.

"Yesterday, you accused me of dieting even I'm skinny. Now you are telling me I'm heavy?" More of teasing than a complaint, she told him. "Maybe you are getting old, so you felt the strain of my weight." She retorted with a smile and turned her back to walk.

"So, I am old now. Okay, we shall see if, after what I will do, still, you can say those words." Without warning, he picked her up again and carried her inside the elevator amidst her protest.

Once they are inside their place, he ignored Mrs. Smith and the Nutritionist greetings. He carried her inside their bedroom.

He showed her his prowess in their room's privacy, which left her exhausted but with a smile on her face.

The ringing of Jared's phone awakened both of them from their slumber. He ignored the call and pulled her to his side, hugged her, and kissed the tip of her nose.

"Jared, answer your phone first," she told him because the continuous ringing means it's something important. She heard a sigh of frustration from him before he reached out his hand on the nightstand for the phone.

The rumbling of her stomach made her get up from the bed, but dizziness prevented her from standing up on the ground. To not alarm Jared, who was on the phone by now, she waited until her sense of spinning abated. She picked up her dress strewn on the floor earlier in the hastiness of the moment. She put it on and then walked to the bathroom.

Jared, looking at his wife back while walking away from him, just listened to Mark talks. He cannot answer back as the topic of their conversation was about Charlize and her presence in his office.

When he saw Tori walked inside the bathroom, it was the time he asked his PA to talk to Charlize. After a few minutes, he heard the latter's voice on the other end.

"I need to talk to you in person, Jared, it is important," Charlize said with a guttural voice.

"You can tell me now; I am all ears." He knew he sounds as if he is not in the mood even if Charlize had been crying.

He know her; she always made these excuses so he will come running to her. If he did it, she would feel triumphant, adding to her belief of him needing her.

"Jared, I cannot tell this to you over the phone."

"I am busy right now. I cannot go back to the office. So if you cannot tell me over the phone, wait for the next day."

"I can go to your place." As if the other end heard his impatience, "Okay, I will tell you now." After a few seconds of silence, she said. "I am pregnant."

He was speechless with what she told him.

A sound of something had broken, and Charlize shouting at someone on the other end made him come to his senses. He asked what had happened, but it seemed like she had cut off the line.

He dialed Mark's number and asked his PA. For the first time, Mark told him, " he has no idea because the latter went to his office while Charlize waited in his."

Jared then turned off the phone after telling him to check on it.

Even though he had recovered with Charlize news, which stunned him, he still cannot avoid pondering it.

The latter had always been aggressive towards people whom she thought were a threat. She had told the women he had dated before this kind of story. When it's time to confront her, she will cry and make excuses for the woman's unsuitability but will never admit she said it.

He doesn't mind her tricks before because it was also good for him. She gets rid of the woman he is not interested anymore, but this time it's different. He cannot imagine what it will do to his still-fragile relationship with Tori if she found out.

Katelyn just got out of the bathroom and saw Jared. He is still sitting on their bed, naked with only the blanket covering his waist down and in deep thoughts.

She walked towards him and dropped down on his lap, which startled him. "Hon, don't you have plans to go back to the office?"

He didn't answer her question but just hugged her so tight she complained.

"I am sorry, Hon," he told her. She looked at him, puzzled at his behavior and desolate face.

"Hey, what happened to you?" she asked as she cupped his face in her both hands and stared at his diverted gaze.

"Isn't it time for us to eat?" He answered her question with a question too. She was not able to probe on the matter as hunger distracted her.

She stood up and walked a step away from him and then turned back to remind him to go out after putting on some clothes.

The Nutritionist and Mrs. Smith were not there when she walked into the dining area. She knew they just left as the foods in the table are still warm.

Once Jared came to the dining area, they ate their late lunch.

Jared didn't go back to his office anymore but went to his study afterward. With nothing to do, she went to watch some movies. In there, she received a call from Nicole, asking about her health. The latter had found out from Michelle of her being indisposed. Her friend also told her of her supposed visit together with Tess, but the latter too was sick.

They talked a bit about her sickness, and as usual, she lied while praying for her child will not be a liar, with her always lying while he or she listened.

As she and Tess had agreed, they will tell Nicole together of their condition.

Mark came at six in the evening together with Mrs. Smith. After an hour, the latter served their dinner, and it was only the time she saw Jared since he went inside his study. Once done with their dinner, Jared kissed her head and told her to sleep first.

The next day when she entered the office, she was surprised to see another table with new personnel. She never heard of talk about adding one.

Michelle introduced her to Samantha Lewis, a secretary from the retail department head office. They greeted each other before she sat down on her chair.

Katelyn's mind was full of questions about the new assistant's presence, even when she was brewing a coffee ordered by Jared. Michelle came inside the pantry and casually asked about her health when she answered, "she was okay," Michelle nodded.

Once the coffee is ready, she transferred it to a cup. She was going to pick up the tray when her eyes drifted to Michelle's direction. The latter looked agitated as if there was something she wanted to say.

It was then she remembered the phone.

"I am sorry about your phone if I dropped it."

"It was okay; you didn't. No worries about it." Katelyn was glad to hear it, and so she turned to take the tray but then remembered something. She faced Michelle again and asked. "What was it you are supposed to let me see before I fainted?"

"Oh, it was nothing."

"Are you alright, Michelle? You look uneasy," Katelyn asked once she noticed the latter's avoiding eyes.

"I...anyway, you take the coffee now to Mr. Steele before it is going to be cold," Michelle told her after a slight hesitation, which triggered her curiosity. "Is there something you wanted to say?"

Michelle just looked at her, just the way she looked at her the other day, with pity or sadness. "Go now, Katelyn. Our boss needs coffee." Michelle told her and then turned her back to open a drawer.

Her action made Katelyn conclude Michelle has no plans to answer her. She took the tray and walked out of the door, full of questions about her colleague's behavior.

Charlize arrival in their office after their lunch break, and Michelle's meaningful stare added to her bewilderment.

END PART 31

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Hypnos- in Greek Mythology, is a personification of sleep. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypnos