Fear of the unknown
Catherine's POV
*At the hospital*
My hands trembled as I opened the envelope. Arthur kept on insisting I visited the hospital after I had been showing several symptoms of illness. I was scared of what could be in the envelope as I sat in the doctor's office waiting for her to come see me.
She greeted me and entered the office, she sat down on her chair and opened the file. She took a deep breath and suddenly widened her eyes.
"What is it doctor?" I said, I was almost running out of oxygen.
She was silent at first and looked at me.
"How is this possible?" She asked me as if in some kind of shock or amazement.
At that point I was sure that whatever was in that file was not good news.
"Tell me what the problem is doctor" I persisted as I could no longer tolerate the suspense.
"You are 2 months pregnant" she stated firmly, from her tune you could tell that she couldn't believe it but was left with no other choice because the reports couldn't be wrong.
"But I was told I will never be able to concive again after my last miscarriage" I questioned the doctor looking more surprised than her.
After I had 3 miscarriages, four consecutive years ago. The doctors were sure that I will never be a mother. Arthur and I made so many attempts as we went for so many treatments but I just couldn't get pregnant.
"Doctor, are you sure this report is correct because I don't want to give my husband false hope?" I was happy and at the same time disappointed because of my past experiences.
"I think we need to conduct another pregnancy test. It will be ready 2 days from now" the doctor concluded and I completely agreed with her.
I just couldn't get the thoughts out of my head, I was so deep in thoughts that I didn't even look where I was headed. I bumped into one of the workers at the hospital.
*At Catherine's and Arthur's home*
Arthur had returned home late that night and I was too worried to even ask why.
"What is it?" He enquired as we both sat to have our dinner.
"Thank you" I looked at the maid who served the dinner.
"Nothing" I lied trying to hide my concern.
Arthur clearly knew I was lying but he decided not to push the issue any further.
"So how was your visit to the hospital? What did the doctor say?" Arthur shoved a piece of meat in his mouth and drank a little wine.
"Uhrm nothing much. I just have a fever, that's all. Please excuse me" I wiped my face with the napkin on the table and walked away.
When Arthur was done with his meal and came into the room, I switched off the lights and pretended to be asleep.
As usual he went to the study room in the mansion to continue the work he brought from the office.
I don't know why I am so bothered about this. It is actually good news that I will finally have my own kids but I just can't tell Arthur yet at least till I am sure. The last time I had a miscarriage, Arthur almost took his own life.
I woke up the next day with a very painful headache.
"Celine, Celine" I kept on yelling to get the attention of one of the maids in the mansion.
"Yes ma'am" a young, fair, tall and elegant blonde ran towards me.
"You aren't Celine. Where is she?" I questioned the young girl as I have never seen her before, though it is impossible for me to know all the workers in the mansion, because they are over 500. I do keep the names of my favorites.
"I'm sorry ma but Celine went to see her family since it's the period of her 3 months off" she spoke softly and lowered her head as she spoke to me.
I completely forgot, Celine must be on her break. Every worker in the mansion works for a particular period then they get 3 months break to go see their families, normally they are set after set so it must be Celine's turn.
"Well okay, since you are here. Can you please prepare a hot water bath for me?" I said it more like a request than an order.
"Yes ma'am" she dashed out of the room immediately and in 10 minutes returned to tell me that my water was ready.
I went into my bathtub which was 14ft wide. I looked at my carved ceiling. My bathroom had two huge windows which weren't too high or too low. The floor had milk coloured tiles while the wall had light brown tiles.
I shifted the curtain to look at the other side of the bathroom which contained a 6ft deep swimming pool that was so wide I'm sure 40 to 50 people could fit in the pool at once.
I soaked myself in the bathtub with red rose petals in the water for about 20 minutes before I finally finished my bath. I took one of the 50 towels in the bathroom to dry my body and also took another one to dry my hair. I folded the towels neatl and kept them, while I put on my bathrobe. I came out with the two towels in my hand and two maids who were outside took them from me for washing. This is a daily routine.
A maid had already kept a dress for me to wear, I was given my privacy. I just creamed myself and put on a blue, mini, one handed Flora gown. I clapped my hands and three maids came to my attention. They helped me to heat my hair, making it drier and making it into a nice bun at the back just the way I liked it. The style they made my hair everyday mostly depended on what I wanted though. I was given a catalog before they started styling my hair.
Two maids stood by my side as I walked down the stairs. I got to the dining table only to find out that Arthur had left the house earlier so I had my breakfast all by myself while three security guards and the two maids stood by me waiting for my call, just in case I needed anything.
After having my breakfast, I walked towards my car and the guard opened the door for me. I didn't need to tell the driver where I was headed, he just drove me to the office at once. I was very absent minded during an important meeting at the office but I was happy that Arthur didn't notice as he didn't ask me about it or maybe he noticed and chose not to say anything about it.
I was still in very deep thoughts when my phone rang.
"Hello good morning ma'm. How is your day going?" The doctor asked from the other end of my phone.
"I am fine so far. Why have you called me doctor? Is there any problem?" I became a bit more concerned and attentive.
"Your reports are ready. You can come pick them up later this evening" she threw the bomb.
"What? But you told me that it would be ready in the next two days or so. It has barely been 24 hours yet" I protested out of shock.
", I know that ma'm but I only told you that because we usually have delays sometimes. The process is not actually long though" the doctor calmly explained.
I wasn't sure I would be able to wait till evening before I find out what is actually wrong with me.
"So what does the report say?" I asked the doctor in the hopes of finding out the littlest information.
"I am sorry but I really cannot tell you that until you come over to the hospital. I would advice you come with your husband" the doctor spoke before ending the call.
That's was rude, I thought to myself. Should I take Arthur along with me? Would he be able to handle what the doctor will say to me? What if I am actually not pregnant but I have a terminal case or something.
I didn't even notice when Arthur walked into the office, he just leaned on the door and crossed his legs.
"So are you going to tell me what the issue is or you are going to keep lying to my face?" He folded his hands and was calm. His voice was actually the thing that brought me out of my thoughts.
"How long have you been standing there?" I was concerned.
"Long enough to see that what ever is the issue it's definitely something about your test reports"Arthur sat on the chair in front of me.
I just couldn't hide it any longer but I also couldn't bring myself to tell him the truth so I lied again except this time it wasn't completely a lie.
"The doctor said you will have to come with me to the hospital before she tells me what is wrong with me and I have been thinking of how to tell you" I gave a faint smile.
"Is that why you are worried?" He looked confused.
"Yes" I lied again
"Then that's not a problem. Just tell me when we are going" he spoke calmly again.
"This evening" I replied almost immediately.
He smiled and agreed before he went to his own office in the company.