CEO’s Romantic Affair

Victoria heard the sounds of retching coming from inside the bathroom. “Cathryn, are you okay?” she asked.

“I’m fine, mom. Just give me a minute.” Cathryn was kneeling over the toilet, her hands clawed around the toilet seat as she choked and gagged. Cathryn rested her forehead against the arm that she’d braced on the toilet seat. She leaned over the toilet again, gagging, and then fell limply against the wall. The nausea was fading bit by bit.

Cathryn got up and splashed some water on her face, and went to the door. She opened it and saw her mother standing outside. They stood there for a moment, and Cathryn quickly looked away.

“Here,” Victoria said as she handed Cathryn a towel.

“Cathryn, why did you run to the bathroom so quickly? Was it the mustard greens? I wouldn’t don’t have a great-grandchild, would I?” Grandma laughed as she put the lid back on the ravioli.

Cathryn felt the blood drain from her face, “Oh, relax, I was only joking,” Grandma explained.

Before Cathryn had a chance to respond, her mom quickly said, “Cathryn hasn’t liked the smell of mustard since she was a young girl.”

Terrible anguish struck her heart. Cathryn felt a dread ache as if something was being torn inside her. She wanted to tell them the truth, but how could she? “Grandma, you are such a tease.”

Grandma smiled and winked at Cathryn and never said another word.

During the visits with Cathryn’s Grandmother, she had an obstetric appointment. Keith made Cathryn an appointment with one of the top doctors in Jonathan City. She had to have a quad screen test done. It’s done in the second trimester to check for birth defects. Cathryn called Keith as soon as she got the results, “The doctor told me everything was fine.”

“That’s a relief! I’ve been really worried about you. You spend most of your time at the hospital, and I don’t think you have been eating right.” Keith was concerned and made an appointment for Cathryn to see a nutritionist. The nutritionist gave Cathryn a diet plan to help with her fatigue.

Cathryn walked into her Grandma’s room, and her father had just arrived.

“Hello, honey,” he said. “I’m going to use up the rest of the mustard greens and make a soup for dinner.” Thinking about the foul smell of the mustard, Cathryn’s stomach started to turn.

“No, no, Clement,” Grandma quickly said. “Remember Cathryn doesn’t like the mustard greens.”

“I forgot! Okay, I will make something else,” Clement turned around and left.

Cathryn had been sleeping in a chair in her Grandmother’s room. Finally, she was transferred to the Central Hospital, and the rooms were a bit more spacious. So they were able to bring in a bed for Cathryn. Clement and Victoria arrived in time for supper and left shortly after eating. Cathryn helped Grandma wash up and get ready for bed.

When Cathryn was finished, she laid down on the bed and put her hand on her belly. ‘I can’t believe I’m sixteen weeks pregnant. Rubbing her belly, she thought, I wonder if it’s going to be a boy or girl ?’ Cathryn asked Keith to get Catherine to send her loose clothing as she didn’t want anyone to suspect she was pregnant. She knew the time would come when she would have to tell her family. ‘I know it has to be done, but the timing has to be right.’

Grandma patted the bed and said, “Honey, come over here and lie down beside me.”

Cathryn went over and snuggled in beside her. Just like when she was a little girl. Her Grandma seemed so small and fragile. Cathryn looked at Grandma’s face and saw the wrinkles. Each wrinkle told a story of her experiences in this world. Cathryn knew that one day her Grandma would pass, but she shook her head to rid herself of the thoughts.

“Grandma,” Cathryn murmured.

“Yes, honey!” Grandma gently rubbed Cathryn’s back.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“It’s been so many years, and there have been so many changes, yet everything still seems the same. There will always be a void in my heart. I miss grandpa,” Cathryn sobbed as her eyes were filled with tears.

“Me too! It’s been hard.” Grandma hugged Cathryn and stroked her hair.

“Grandpa has been gone for so long! You must miss him?” Cathryn said, trying to control the tremble in her voice.

A heavy silence fell upon the room. Cathryn took deep breaths to keep from crying. Her Grandma’s eyes grew misty, and she rubbed them to keep the tears from coming. “I will always miss him, but one day I will be with him,” her Grandma answered.

Her Grandma spent ten long years as a widow, and not a day went by when she didn’t think about her husband. The only thing she had now were memories, “Your grandpa was not only my best friend, but he was my loyal companion. We lived a life full of happiness until death tore us apart.”

“What happened to him? It was all my fault.” Cathryn let her features sink into a stony stillness but kept her fists tight, “I’m sorry! Can you ever forgive me?”

“I don’t want to hear you talk such nonsense. It wasn’t your fault.” Grandma smiled and wiped away Cathryn’s tears. “It was fate. It was your grandpa’s time.”

She turned and looked at Cathryn. Cathryn rested her head on her shoulder and said, “I don’t know what I will ever do if something happens to you.” Having said that, Grandma moved her hand and rested it on Cathryn’s belly.

Cathryn felt panicked and sick to her stomach, uncertain about what to do. She froze and awkwardly lay on the bed. Her Grandmother was rubbing her belly. “Grandma…” Cathryn never had a chance to finish her sentence.

“You’re about four months along, aren’t you?” Grandma asked.

“How… did you know?” Cathryn muttered.

“Honey, I’ve had three children. I know all the symptoms. I’m a wise old lady, remember?” she laughed.

Cathryn nodded. She knew she couldn’t hide it any longer. “Please, don’t tell mom. I don’t want her and dad to know yet.”

“I won’t tell her,” Grandma smirked. She was still rubbing Cathryn’s belly. “So I am going to have a great-grandchild after all?”