Abortion Papers?

Days flew by quick as everyone had their own work to deal with. After a month of working in her company, Selina found reading contracts extremely dull and didn't understand how her husband could deal with this every day.

Tossing the black file in her hands onto the surface of her desk, she reached up to her temples and massaged it. Her eyes closed as she indulged herself in a massage break from all the reading and endless list of conditions for many contracts and reports.

Although she liked her job, she really disliked seeing the files on her desk. Sighing, she lifted her body off the chair that she had been sitting on for hours and stretched her arms into the air. After a few minutes of quick stretches, she grabbed her empty mug and walked out of her office to the food pantry.

Usually, she liked mixing milk tea and making it extremely sweetened. In the recent weeks, she found herself making it less sweet and enjoying more snacks than drinks. With her stomach craving for another snack, she decided to check out the vending machine and food cabinet later.

However, the second she pulled her office door opened and looked towards the assistant's seat, she couldn't see Lia anywhere. While turning her head left and right, she noticed a few pages of a document covered by a folder.

Thinking that the documents might be some contract that needs her approval, she flipped the folder aside and looked at the documents. "Abortion papers?" She whispered to herself subconsciously before noticing Lia coming back to her desk.

As soon as she spotted Lia walking over, she covered the abortion papers with the folder she had moved aside earlier. "Oh, Lia! There you are. I was looking for you just now."

Lia nervously eyed her desk and exhaled a sigh of relief when she saw her papers being covered by the file on top. "Yes, I went to the restroom just now. Did you need something from me? Do you want another cup of milk tea? Fruit tea? Or do you want more snacks?"

"No, I was just seeing if there was anything I needed to approve or sign. Since there is nothing else, I will go to the food pantry and see what snack options are available. As for you, you don't look too well. Your complexion is a bit pale. If you're feeling sick, do you want to rest for today? You can go home earlier today." Selina looked worriedly at Lia's pale lips.

She noticed a tiny bit of residue left on the corner of Lia's lips as if she had just vomited. When the thoughts of Lia being pregnant appeared in her thoughts, Selina couldn't help but look towards the direction where the application for abortion was located on her desk.

"Ah, I am alright. I am just feeling under the weather today. I am fine. If you need anything, do let me know." Lia lifted her arm and patted on her muscleless area.

"Mmm...Alright. Well, I'll go to the pantry now. Do you want anything? I can get it for you." Selina suggested.

"No, I have water. Thanks for asking." Lia replied and steadily got back to her seat. She turned towards the computer screen and started checking Selina's daily appointments before marking it down on her memo pad.

Meanwhile, Selina stood awkwardly for a minute before heading to the food pantry. While looking through the variety of snacks and waiting for her water to boil, she started frowning. Ever since she spotted the abortion papers on Lia's desk, she started struggling internally. She contemplated whether she should talk to her about abortion, but at the same time it is not her position to talk about it with Lia.

By the time Selina walked back to her office, Lia was gone from her position. Selina looked around and found Lia's figure by one of the windows with mini plants near it. She wanted to call out to Lia, but happened to hear her conversation with the hospital.

"Hello? Yes, I came to the hospital yesterday and requested for an abortion application. I want to ask how long will the surgery take and when is there an available appointment for the surgery? How much will it cost?" Lia walked around in circles and bit down on her lips as she asked these questions.

As she walked around, her free hand would subconsciously reach out to stroke her lower abdomen and pat it gently. Her mouth may speak certain words, but her eyes couldn't lie. She gazed at her flat tummy with anticipation, fear and agony.

Perhaps, even she hadn't realized that she was trembling as she asked these inquiries to the nurse on the phone. However, all of these small behaviors were captured in Selina's eyes. Before Lia could continue having the conversation, Selina strode over and took the phone away from her.

"Hold on! Wait! Before you decide on having an abortion, ask yourself whether you really want one." Selina couldn't help but interrupt Lia's thoughts.

"I...I.." For once in her lifetime, Lia couldn't answer Selina's question.

"Look, we've been working together for not a long time, but even I can tell you want to keep this baby. If it is money problems, I can give you a raise and promise you flexible hours. You can choose your own schedule and even work from home. Don't give up your baby when you know you will regret it. Once the surgery is done, your baby can never come back." Selina whispered at a low voice.

Selina was aware of where they were standing. Hence, she didn't raise her voice and only interrupted the phone call. With trembling hands, Lia brought her palms to her abdomen and instinctively covered it as if she was protecting her baby. Tears fell from the corner of her eyes as if her cover was exposed.

"Come here." Selina sighed and gave Lia a hug. Lia leaned onto Selina's shoulders while Selina patted her back in stroking motions. "Everything will be okay. Let's have a talk in my office, alright? If you need any help, let me know. I will do what I can to help you."

"I.. I don't want to..but what choice do I have?" Lia sobbed between her words as she held her abdomen and followed Selina to her office.