Baby, How's My Baby?

Instinctively, Anastasia raised her clothes to perceive herself but she wasn't smelling too bad as she had spared deodorant this morning before leaving the room and had even brushed her teeth thoroughly as well.

I stared at her through the mirror and scoffed. She doesn't even know that she has body odour and has bad breath as well.

Getting tired of perceiving unwanted smells, I exaggeratedly held my nose and ran out of the room while making a suffocating face.

Don't view me as evil, it serves her right. I don't go looking for trouble early in the morning and anyone who wants to start a fight with me is most welcome because I would make sure to shatter any form of confidence they have left.

I had not accepted Gerard as my husband but for all I know, he had been nothing but kind to me ever since I came here and if it is just to make this girl burn with jealousy, I'll do anything. 'troublesome creature.'

I went downstairs and met the second counterpart. This isn't going to be easy since this woman is far older than me and I was taught to respect my elders.

I pretended not to see her and just walked to the dining area but she called my name.

"Ayla..." I froze. Why did she refer to me with my name? This is more awkward than watching the sunrise from the north.

A warm smile was plastered on her face as she turned and looked at me making me feel like this was just pretence. I recalled what I heard yesterday and smiled mischievously. 'So this is your plan? You shouldn't play such dramas with the queen of dramas. I'll beat you to your own game.'

"Ma?" I put on an innocent smile and walked up to her. While standing in front of her, I greeted her. "Good morning ma."

I deliberately didn't apply any gesture of respect to this warm and polite greetings even when I knew that she would observe it.

The old woman smiled and asked me to sit. "Sit my daughter. You shouldn't be standing for so long in this condition of yours."

I was lost for a minute but my brain was quick to boot. Gerard had said something about me being in a particular condition. Although I didn't know what this condition was, I had my suspicions.

"So how is my grandchild doing this morning?" she asked smiling like a good woman with a changed heart. If only I had not heard what they were saying yesterday, I would have fallen for this pretence.

"I'm fine ma." I behaved like the perfect shy girl who was being pampered by a mother in law.

"Oh. I know! But hope my great-grandchild is not giving you a hard time." I was stupefied for a while but then smiled warmly and answered with a smile and a nod. So that was what the condition was? Good. I'll use this as an advantage for myself. After all, it's not a sin as I wasn't the one who started it.

"Oh yes. The baby is doing perfectly well and growing fast as well. He takes after his father a lot." I rubbed my belly and a sweet smile appeared on my face.

"After his father indeed." the old woman whispered and I heard her perfectly well.

"Huh?" I pretended to be oblivious and confused.

"No...nothing. I was just saying that this child would be very beautiful, just like you and the father." she smiled awkwardly and twisted her words.

I smiled at her and this soon became a smiling competition.

"Grandma, you called me for something?" I was getting bored by this constant stare and just wanted to leave since it wasn't interesting anymore.

"Ahm... Yes. I wanted to know your academic qualification so that I can know where you stand in society. You know, not just anyone can just marry Gerard." she had a serious expression and this one actually hit me hard. I didn't have any special educational qualifications and I don't even know if I ever will.

Indeed, she pinched where the foot hurt the most. I sighed and smiled. "I... I am..."

"She is in her final year in the university and would soon be done with her business administration program." Gerard's voice resonated in the silent room.

I looked up at him with a surprised expression. I wasn't expecting him to show up just like that but I was very grateful for it. He saved me a whole lot of explanation.

He walked up to me and placed a peck on my forehead. "Baby, how's the baby?" he placed his hands on my stomach and winked. I felt like slapping his hand there and then but I had to put up with this crazy act he had created.

"He's fine." I smiled at Gerard but I got a frown instead. I pursed my lips and wondered if I had said something wrong. Or could it be that we weren't thinking in the same direction? And he is probably thinking that I'm being serious.

My heart began to pound like a pounding machine and I was about to faint from all the stares but then, his next sentence made me feel like I had been betrayed.

"I want a girl. I'm scared a boy would possess my stubborn attributes." he looked so serious that if only I didn't know that this is all just an act, I would consider it real.

My eyes subsequently went to granny and found her glaring daggers at my belly. Poor old woman. She has no idea.

I smiled and decided to buy myself away from this crazy situation but not without any drama.

"Umm... I'm feeling dizzy, I wanted to take my morning pills before granny called me and now, it's already past the time."

Gerard glared and the helpless old woman. "I... I didn't know you wanted to use your morning pills. I wouldn't have stopped you at all. But then again, these pills aren't good for you and the baby. You should really be careful." she acted like a caring woman and successfully managed to settle the situation.

Suddenly, Gerard boomed. "Why would you even say that? You should have just apologized for delaying her medication. If anything happens to my babies, I'll not go easy with you."

I was stunned by this behaviour of Gerard. Why was he being so serious? Even I am starting to think that I'm truly pregnant. And what does he mean by babies?

"No... This isn't Granny's fault. You shouldn't talk to her that way." I scolded him but he didn't say anything and just helped me up and we walked upstairs like the perfect couple.

The old woman could not help but stare at us as we ascended the stairs. I could feel her intense gaze on me but I couldn't care less.

As we walked away, I looked at Gerard who had a serious expression on his face and pursed my lips. Why does he look so good? I stared at him with much interest but soon shook my head to clear my head of all these crazy thoughts.

But what was this that I was feeling? Why do I view him differently and why does he always stand up for me like this even though I always behaved badly towards him.