I fell sick.

I didn't call Anna the day I arrived in the city, I was tired so I stayed in but the next day, I gave her a call from work. She was delighted and immediately took me up on the offer to meet. After having dinner with her, we headed to a club for drinks. I was hesitant at first, but then James's voice rang in my head, asking me to enjoy. I barely had three drinks but the next morning, I had a terrible hangover with nausea and I puked my guts out in the toilet.

"Are you sure you're feeling better?" Anna asks me from the couch as I do my hair, nodding from the mirror reflection.

I took two aspirins, a little too embarrassed about having a hangover on a weekday when I'm supposed to be working. "Yes, I feel better after throwing up, surprisingly."

Because of how late it got at night, Anna stayed at the hotel and I'm glad she did. If it weren't for her this morning, I don't know how I would've arranged medicine for myself — I couldn't even call room service.

"Are you sure? You can take a day off, you know. It's not like your husband doesn't own the company." Her remark makes me flinch and she must notice because she quickly speaks up. "I didn't mean it like that, sorry."

I nod, sighing before I turn around to face her. "It's alright. I can't tell him I'm sick, because he would literally come down here."

"Wow. James Clark is whipped." She teases, laughing as she hands me a cup of coffee. "Here, drink this. There are some pancakes over there, it'll help with the hangover."

I nod, scrunching up my nose at the sight of coffee but know that she's right. "Thanks, Anna. You didn't have to do all this."

"Chill, I didn't make it. I just placed the order. Now, are we meeting tonight? There's a small carnival happening next town, we can go there or movies are always an option."

I want to agree, but considering that my head still seems to be spinning, I give her an apologetic look, "I think I'm going to pass. How about lunch tomorrow before I leave?"

She smiles, "Yes, sounds amazing. Send me your location, alright? I'll pick you up."

"Great."

Once we're both ready to leave, Anna goes her way while the company car is ready to take the employees to the branch. I never thought I'll visit a club on my own like I did last night, because I've only visited such places with James. He likes it, but not much. In case people haven't noticed, he's damn moody.

I'm glad when I haven't received a call from him since morning, because the way I sound, he'll be able to tell it in a second that something's wrong. I'm aware he has an important meeting today so I'll call him once I'm back in the room and have gained some energy. Because honestly, it feels like someone has sucked the life out of me.

To keep myself hydrated, I spend the entire day on fluids, wanting to get well before I head home tomorrow. I do miss him; it's been a while since I've gone four days without his presence but I also try to come up with something for James's birthday. Last year I made him some funny cards along with the warm pair of socks, and an audio system installed in our bathroom to have the best shower sex ever.

The cards read,

"I love you with all my boobs. I would say heart, but my boobs are bigger."

"I l ve you. Give me an O tonight."

Pinterest can be a fun place when used for right reasons. James laughed for five minutes straight when he read it before carrying me into the shower. So, I would say I have to top the gifts of last year. I already found a few funny cards to keep the tradition going for this year, but I need to have more gift planned, especially now that I have my own savings. I make a list of ideas before leaving from the office and heading back to the hotel.

By the time I'm back, I feel much better and almost want to call Anna for meeting, but she must've another plans. So, I decide to go out on my own. There's a flea market I find myself exploring with the cutest little show pieces that we can keep back at the apartment, and I end up buying a few.

I'm in the middle of paying a vendor when my phone rings and I see James's name flashing. I immediately pick it up, considering that he didn't receive my call an hour back.

"Hey,"

"Sorry, I just got back home," he says, sounding tired which makes me frown, looking at the watch to see that it's quarter to eight.

"So late?"

"Yes, I had some shit to take care of with two department heads gone, it's just extra work. I don't mind though, it's better than coming home to an empty apartment."

His words make me sad. If it weren't for me, would James always be a workaholic who keeps pushing his boundaries until he grows absolutely tired? I don't say it out aloud but sometimes I do worry for him. He remains so much on his toes, I make him get a complete health check up every six months, especially since his blood pressure shot up.

"Don't overstress yourself, please." I sigh. "I'll be home tomorrow."

"Yes, I know, can't wait. Where are you?" He asks and I look around, walking away from the flea market as I try to decide on a restaurant to have dinner at.

"I just bought some stuff from a local market, and I'm now looking for a dinner place," I explain.

"Is Anna with you?"

I shake my head, realising that he can't see me. "No, all alone."

"Why? Hold on, what happened last night?"

I was almost wishing he wouldn't ask about it with his head at other places but it's James, he always comes around to the point somehow. I finally settle on a Chinese place for my dinner as I continue to pay attention to him over the call.

"We had dinner, went clubbing, had a few drinks. Just normal stuff," I tell him, most of which is true. I'm just omitting the details of this morning, the ones I will fill him up on once I'm by his side. He's already stressed out enough, he doesn't need to worry about me.

"Did something happen?"

"No, why, did something happen with you?"

"Na, just plain old stuff. Just be back soon, alright? I'll pick you up at the airport tomorrow."

"Yes, I'll hang up now. Please eat something."

"I will. Bye, love."

I have no idea how do people pull off long distance relationships without driving themselves crazy. They must have great amount of patience that both me and my man seem to lack. He sounded so exhausted that all I want is to be there with him right now.

After I get myself a table at the Chinese place, I order minimal food for myself, aware that my appetite isn't great at the moment, but I'm craving dim-sums. Just as I'm exiting the place after dinner, a familiar voice hits my ear, making me freeze in place as I slowly turn around.

Fuck. My body seems to freeze over when I recognise her familiar blonde hair, her laugh hitting me as she animatedly seems to be talking to a man until a woman crosses the street to join them. Chloe gives her a hug and I finally seem to snap out of my daze as I move a little further to get a clearer view, to make sure that my eyes aren't betraying me.

I know the woman who's with her. I have seen her somewhere; I just can't recall where. They turn around and I immediately face the other way, letting my hair out of the ponytail to hide behind my hair as I rack my brain for the memory of the woman.

Amber Madison! It's her mother, James's former step-mother.

I thought James said she had abandoned her daughter? But as I peek at them, it looks like they're best of friends. It has been over a year since the incident with Chloe took place, so she might have reached out to her. Shit, how the hell have I managed to run into her of all people?

Just as I'm about to turn and walk away, I come face to face with her, her glare set on me as a slow angry expression takes over, her entire demeanour turning hard. I feel my blood running cold as I take her in, the thought of how she brought pain upon the man I love making anger burst into me.

"Look at what we have here." She smirks, scoffing a little as she crosses her arms across her chest. "Pretty little Lillian."

Before I can even respond to her, Amber comes over her side, the man standing behind her. "Chloe, c'mon. We're running late."

"Oh, Mom. Wouldn't you like to meet the queen of Clark Enterprise?" She looks at her mother, who immediately seems interested in her daughter's words before her eyes land on me. "Yup, Lillian Clark in flesh."

Fuck. What the hell is going on? My mind doesn't seem to process the situation but my body knows that somehow, I have to make the run for it. I'm in a strange city with absolutely no contacts around, so I can't get messed up in this, especially since the last time I saw Chloe, I smacked her pretty damn hard.

"My my, what do we have here! The woman who ruined our dreams." Amber chuckles, her eyes boring into mine with so much intensity that I almost lose my breath. "Aren't you some special one, replacing my daughter both in my ex-husband and step-son's heart?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about." I manage to speak with a straight voice.

"Yes, you do! Imagine my shock when my daughter, who had a straight plan to get one-way ticket to Clark Enterprise called me crying that my jackass stepson was planning to marry some two goody shoes instead of her."

"Jackass stepson?" I laugh, still processing her words. Fuck, Chloe was always, always in contact with her mother. What kind of mother sets up her daughter for such shit? "I think you're forgetting that the same stepson made your life hell with just one wrong word, and he can still destroy your life by the same, so be careful with what you say."

She takes a threatening step towards me and my eyes move to Chloe who seems to be encountering the entire situation with a smug look on her face. "Too damn bad Carrack caught me cheating, otherwise you would've never married James!"

"Well, fuck! I'm so sorry for ruining your plan." I remark sarcastically, faking a pout before turning to the side to walk away because I'm done with her shit, and honestly, we're starting to earn looks from the locals.

I don't want to create a scene, especially knowing that if these two would kill me here, no one would even find out for next twenty-four hours. I'm not saying they're capable of killing me but considering that Amber has always been the mastermind, she would go to any lengths.

She reaches out to hold my arm, her nails digging dip in my skin as I try not to wince from pain as she holds me back, "Let Jimmy know his mother sends love, or as close to a mother he could ever have."

That does it, I drop my bag and grab her hand, forcefully removing it from my forearm, pulling my fist back before throwing a punch in her face. A loud shriek leaves Chloe as her mother stumbles back and I give her a threatening look.

"There's a lot more to where that came from, so don't you fucking dare." I warn them both as the man finally seems to snap into his senses as he pulls her back from reaching out to me, blood prickling her nose.

Ever since that horrible night of James's promotion party, I have started working out. When James and I aren't messing with each other, he's actually taught me self-defence pretty damn well. It was my idea, I wanted to learn more than just using the gym for fun. I think I knew I had a good hook when I ended up drawing blood from his face during one of the trainings, which ended up with him showering me with more love than could've been possible.

"You should leave," The man tells me and I turn to the mother and daughter before picking up my stuff.

"I hope you both rot in hell!"

My anger is fuming as I make my way down the street before hailing a cab. My knuckles start to ache by the time I reach the room but I don't care. There are a few things I'm extremely sensitive about, and Eleanor Clark tops that list. No one is allowed to speak shit about her, in reference to her, or just anything that can possibly hurt James just knowing about it.

I'm aware that I have to tell him about what took place today, all of it, from falling sick to running into Chloe, but he's going to freak out. So, I have less than a day to calm myself before sharing it with him.

Sleep barely comes to me as I toss and turn in bed, thinking about how do I always find myself in situations such complicated as these. Is my life always waiting around the corner to knock one problem or another into me as soon as it starts to get a little stable?

I try to manage to get couple of hours of sleep when my head startshurting, afraid that if I don't get a grip on my thoughts and sleep, I would fall sick again.

In the morning, my eyes are hurting from the lack of sleep as I dress myself. I text James a good morning when I reach the office, excited to see him at the end of the day, just hoping for my headache to slip away. I leave a text at Anna's number too, sending her the office address to pick me up for lunch.

By the time she picks me up, my headache from the night has just worsened as I leave the office premises. I was supposed to work just half-day, so I bid goodbye to the employees before finding myself in Anna's car.

"Hey! What happened to your hand?" She asks when she's parking the car for lunch and I look down on my bruised knuckle.

"Ah, nothing. It got stuck between a door," I lie smoothly and her nose scrunches up.

"Ouch, that sounds painful. Do you want some ointment for it?"

I shake my head, aware that it looks more painful than it really is. It hadn't even caught my attention until she pointed it out because that's how little it hurts. To keep my mind off from yesterday's events, I turn to her, "Where are we going?"

"There's this amazing sushi place around the block, but there's huge parking problem over there. You don't mind a little walk, do you?"

"No, absolutely not. I just have to be at hotel to change and collect my luggage in couple of hours before heading for airport," I inform her and she nods. "How long are you in the city?"

She shrugs, looking at me, "Probably for a while, to be honest. I quit my job back in Atlanta, it was too much work, very small pay-check."

I understand what she means. There are so many companies out there which seem to exploit the work life of their employees. Before I gave interview at Clark Enterprise for my current position, I also explored other options. I could barely find three companies which were paying appropriate amount of salary for the work they were demanding, but I couldn't clear one interview, the others had a position lower than the one offered here, so I went for this.

"So, what do you plan to do here?"

She shrugs, "I don't know. My dad has a pretty good car dealership business, and I've always been interested in cars ever since I was a kid because of him, so I might look into that."

"Wow, cars! That's different." I smile at her.

"And exciting." She adds, laughing as she holds open the door for me when we reach the sushi place.

Once we're inside, I sigh, looking around. It seems like a nice cosy place as I check my phone for a response from James but there isn't any. He must be busy with work, so I try not to let it get to my head as I look at my surroundings.

"So, what do you want to have?"

I shrug, "I'm not big on sushi knowledge, so go ahead, order! Just get me something to drink though, my head is killing me."

"Still? Your hangover can't last that long." She frowns before picking up the menu to read it over as she waits for an explanation from my side.

It's weird how comfortable Anna can make you feel. I remember the first day I met her, how she won the taco contest but since then, our acquaintanceship has grown. But this little trip has to count as one of the best upliftment to the bond we share. She has an aura around herself that immediately relaxes you anyway, otherwise I would've never taken her up on the offer to hangout.

"I barely got any sleep last night, so I think that's catching up with me," I tell her honestly and she nods.

"Are you sure it's nothing else? I mean, from what I recall, you've learned to hold your liquor pretty well yet you fell sick yesterday."

She's referring to all the night stays we had at either Natalie or Ashley's place where she accompanied her. Even after they called quits on their arrangement, Anna came around to hang out with us at times and we didn't mind as long as Natalie was good with it.

I sigh, rubbing my temples. "I think it's just PMS."

"Damn, I'm glad to be one of those who don't suffer through it majorly."

"Lucky. James and I went to LA for the graduation celebration and I fell sick over there because of my periods, hence I don't want to go back home sick. He'll freak the shit out," I mumble, explaining it to her and she nods in understanding.

"You're the one who's lucky enough to have someone love you like that, you know? I've only seen the two of you together a couple of times, but it's pretty evident, from both your ends." She smiles at me genuinely.

Her words warm my heart because I know how true it is. I really did hit jackpot in the love department with James. I could've never imagined that he could be this loving, caring or just the way he is if we hadn't grown feelings for each other. But I'm forever grateful that we did.

"I know," I tell her, not letting my emotions overwhelm me. "Are you seeing someone?"

"No, not currently at least. I actually have a friend back here who I'm into, but I haven't gathered the guts to ask her out yet." She gives me a sheepish smile and I grin at her, surprised that someone as outgoing as Anna can be hesitant about such things as well. "Here, I'll show you her photo."

When I look at the screen, I immediately gush over her beauty, "She's damn pretty, Anna! Although, I do have a question if you don't mind me asking?"

"Yes, let me just order first." She holds up her hand. After she's done ordering the food, she turns to me, "Yes, shoot!"

"How do you know if she's you know, what her sexual orientation is? I don't mean to make this awkward but I'm just curious, that's all." I assure her.

I ask such embarrassing questions from Caleb, Austin and Natalie all the time but they have gotten used to it now, they are aware that I'm just trying to understand things from a different perspective which doesn't come to me naturally.

She immediately shakes her head, "Hey, don't worry. I'm always glad when people ask instead of assuming. She's kind of my childhood best friend, so I just know? I mean, when I was confused with my own orientation, she's the one who helped me come to terms with it."

Oh. From the way she's talking, it sounds a lot more than just like, but I don't want to ambush her with that information. My phone starts ringing and my ears perk up, hoping it's a call from James since he still hasn't responded to me but instead it's Jeremy. My smile remains intact as I excuse myself from the table to receive the call.

"Jer! How are you?" I ask, feeling like it's been forever since I last saw him even though he visited just couple of months back.

When James and I surprised him last year, I was extremely glad when I didn't find him getting high out of his mind, rather eating a two-day old pizza. That was worrisome too, but lesser than the drugs.

"Lil, god, bruh I just finished my assessment and I'm so tired. Anyway, I'm coming home for the weekend. Don't tell the folks, it's a surprise for them." He informs me and my spirits immediately uplift at the news.

"I can't wait to see you." I express my happiness. "Did you know I'm in Texas?"

"Yes, you mentioned it last week. How's it going?"

I shrug, looking down at my feet. "Pretty alright, I'm a boring person so pretty much same as Atlanta. Anyway, I'm out right now, I'll see you soon, okay?"

After hanging up, I make my way back to the table to see that our order is already there. It honestly looks delicious and I immediately get to eating, having had just a toast for breakfast.

"So, do you like it?" She asks and I nod eagerly.

"It's amazing."

"Told ya!" She grins, resuming to eat.

Just as she's settling the bill that we split, I excuse myself to washroom. My headache seems to have gotten worse as nausea starts to take over. This is more than PMS; I usually experience pain in lower abdomen and back during my periods but I'm not even on my period yet.

I'm still trying to get a grip on my nausea through deep breaths, because honestly, this is the worst feeling of all. Nausea is that one state I absolutely despise. I've been keeping myself hydrated to avoid this exact feeling but it's probably just dehydration, especially with the travelling and the stress from yesterday, my nerves are just getting to me.

Just as I try to splash some water on my face, I feel the bile rising in my mouth, making me rush for the stalls as I end up puking my entire lunch out. It leaves an absolutely bitter and gross taste in my mouth as I try to catch my breath.

"Lillian?" I hear Anna's voice from outside. "Hey, are you alright?"

She knocks on the stall door just as I finish cleaning up. When I move out, I look at her with nervousness, "I just threw up lunch."

"What? Lil, you need to get this checked. Do you have fever? It could be the flu," she says, and I nod, resting my head against the wall as I run a hand through my hair. She observes me silently, not saying a word as I tell my body to keep it together till the time I'm back home. "You mentioned PMS, right?"

I nod, "Yeah, my period's due."

Just as those words leave my mouth, my eyes meet hers and she raises an eyebrow at me, immediately making me shake my head. Fuck, no! She must see the panic clear as a day on my face as she walks over to me and keeps her hand on my shoulders.

"Deep breaths, Lil."

I nod, trying to comply to those words as I try to take deep breaths as I close my eyes, trying to place my last cycle in my head. When I open them, I give her a look, "That can't be it, Anna."

"Are you practicing abstinence?" She asks me and I shake my head.

"No, but I'm on the pill, and I'm always, always regular with it. I have never missed a day." I ramble on, starting to pace back and forth as I consider the possibility.

I cannot even say it out aloud. I just can't. She gives me a worried look before sighing, "Listen, there's a pharmacy across the street, there's only one way to find out, alright?"

I nod because I'm still processing her words. This trip has turned out to be a major twist in my life with so many things piling up that I think I'll break.

"You wait here, I'll go get a kit. Just try to calm down. Whatever it is, it'll be alright."

I nod again, not knowing what else to do as I pull out my phone to see if James has replied to me. I've never been the one to grow worried over an unanswered text but now I'm pissed that he hasn't bothered to check in on me since morning. As soon as I process my last thought, I put a stop it. Shit, I'm really losing it.

Ten minutes later Anna walks in the restroom, locking the door as she puts the kit in my hand, and I feel like I don't have the strength to hold it. But I give myself a small pep talk that this isn't the time to freak out. I have to be rational and first know the actual facts before shitting myself over nothing because I'm sure it's nothing.

Holding the kit firmly in my hand, I enter the stall to let a stick decide whether I'm going to lose my shit in next few moments or not.

•••

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