I ended up spending five more days with my parents. I occasionally called Dave to know what was going on in the office. When I got ready to leave, my mom filled my boot with vegetables from her backyard garden despite my protest.

I was back in my bedroom laying on my back with my hand rubbing my tummy in circular motions. I'd stopped at the hospital when I left my parents' house and my pregnancy had been confirmed. I was two months pregnant. There wasn't any element of surprise when the doctor told me the result of the test. I'd simply nodded when he lectured me on what and what not to do during my first trimester.

I had an antenatal appointment in two weeks, the journey had officially started. I was holding on to what my father had said earlier, and I was going to be joyful, for my baby and for myself. I still didn't know how to tell Chike about the pregnancy even though I had his new number. I had to do it soon though, because he needed to know and experience the journey with me.

I spent my Sunday sleeping in bed, resting from all the stress I'd faced staying with the boys. They were on their mid-term break so I was constantly cleaning and rearranging my room as they scattered toys and snacks all over the place. When I wasn't doing that, I was being dragged out of the house to play soccer with them. I was the goal keeper and I'd been extra careful so their shots didn't hit my tummy, not like they were accurate anyway. There had been no shots on target as they were young and their coordination was wobbly at best.

When I got into the office on Monday morning, Dave came into my office holding a box.

"What's that?" I asked.

"A company needs you to help promote their goods online."

That was unusual. "Really? How?"

"Your number of followers on your social media accounts have increased. Instagram added public figure to your bio."

"You're kidding?" I was laughing and I couldn't stop, it was just so funny.

"I'm serious, haven't you checked your pages?"

I cleared my throat and answered, "No, that's your job."

Dave sighed and sat. "You can still look and interact with your fans."

"Hold on." I looked around in confusion. "I have fans now, what the heck is going on?"

"You're the latest hot thing in town right now. Genevieve Magazine even did an article on you. It says," Dave spread his hands in front of his face as he talked, "Five reasons to like Lil Don's girlfriend."

I laughed at the 'Lil Don's girlfriend' description, they must have forgotten I had a name. "Don't they need my permission for that?" I wasn't sure how those things worked but they could have asked me.

"Not really. They're promoting you anyway so you should be glad."

"Alright." The press could invade my space all they wanted, I still wasn't going to read a single article written about me. I didn't care if it was positive or not, I was shielding my peace of mind. "What's in the box?"

"Slimming tea."

I laughed again and Dave looked confused. "I'm skinny, why would I advertise those?"

"For money, maybe."

"They're paying too?"

"Yes."

"Crap. I can't help them, return the box."

"Why?"

"Because they don't work. I can't deceive the public into buying teas that aren't effective."

"How would you know when you've never used it?" Dave pursed his lips and placed his palm on the side of his face.

"Bym was obsessed with having flat tummy some years ago. She bought these teas and drank them every time. She didn't lose weight but she lost fluid because she was constantly going to the toilet, she almost landed in the hospital. Let's just say her tummy remained the same in the end."

"I actually believed it works."

"Everyone does and celebrities aren't helping by peddling them on their pages. There's no scientific backing for these detox or slimming teas that would magically give you a flat tummy, do your research and correct me if I'm wrong."

"I sure will because I feel like I've been deceived." Dave stood from the chair and got the box.

"Let me know if I get such request from Mercedes," I said lightly.

"Funny," Dave said, wagging his finger at me. I gave him a thumbs up and he left my office.

I leaned forward in my seat as I checked the weather forecast in Santorini on my monitor. Kerry Bello was going on a vacation there and I had to pack her bag. This was going to be my first styling for her and I wanted to make a good first impression. I needed to know whether it was going to be warm or cold so I could pack trendy and weather appropriate outfits.

After successfully finding outfits for the trip, I went to the sofa and stretched out my legs. I was craving chips and peanut butter again, imagining the combination alone made me feel hungrier. I needed to open a chips producing company because it was suddenly like the best food ever made.

I decided to order salad when I realized I was getting too obsessed with chips. My feet were already looking swollen and I had to reduce my salt intake. I was munching on my salad when Dave came in.

"What's the matter?" I asked when I saw him looking upset.

Dave sat beside me. "Can you believe it?" he said.

"What?"

"Your baby daddy sent me this when I confronted him."

Dave passed me his phone and I skimmed through the exchange with Chike. He'd replied Dave with a single text saying, stay in your lane. That was all he wrote back.

"Why did you tell him? I wanted him to hear it from me."

Dave's mouth hung open then he closed it and said, "You haven't told him? I thought you said it didn't go well when you told him."

"No, it didn't go well because I couldn't tell him."

"God, I feel stupid. I just accused him of knocking you up and ditching when you needed him the most."

"He didn't knock me up." I was the one that made a mistake and got myself in this situation.

"Okay, so you're okay with the new girlfriend too?"

My heart raced. "What girlfriend?" I asked.

"I sent him the text because he brought a girl out on stage last night. He serenaded to her and they hugged, I saw the pictures on a blog and everyone keeps saying that's his girl."

"That's great. He's moving on." I could too if I wasn't pregnant. All it would take was one hot dress and my special heels, I'd go to the bar and party hard, but I couldn't do that because I was carrying a little human.

"You can't be serious?" Dave asked, astonished.

"Dave, let it go." I was learning to be joyful and even Chike's new love interest wasn't going to take that from me.

"Wasn't he just singing about loving you?"

"He didn't really admit it and in that same song he said he hated me."

"This is all shades of fucked up. How could he move on so fast, it's so unlike him."

"You don't even know him."

"His song gave me an insight to his relationship with you."

"It's just a song, every word he sang doesn't have to be true. It just had to be marketable and it is, I heard his song on the radio."

"He's the cold one now."

"Dave, I appreciate your support but you don't have to worry about any of this. I've got it all figured out, we'll co-parent in the best way possible and learn to tolerate each other."

"If you say so. I was rooting for him, for both of you actually despite my advice of caution. I wish you guys would fall in love and get back together. It's just so sad."

"You are probably projecting your relationship wishes on me."

"I'm not. He was different from the guys you normally hung out with. He is fresh, kinder, younger."

"Too young."

"Is that a factor? I watched you dancing with him at the ball, the sparks I saw could have lit up the whole room on their own. Are you going to let that just go away without fighting for it?"

"I'm not fighting for any man, please. Can I eat my food in peace?"

For once, I wasn't fighting or forcing love. I needed someone to fight for me too. My feelings were secondary and I would only give as much as I was given. No more compromise.

"Yes, boss," Dave said in a less light tone.

Dave left my office to his desk and I went back to my salad. Now that Chike knew I was pregnant, I wondered what he'd do. I needed to apologize for Dave's behavior and give him a better explanation. When I finished with my food, I picked up my phone and sent Chike a text telling him I was truly pregnant and that he wasn't obligated to be involved or concerned. I didn't want him to hit me with his accusations or insults. I also apologized for Dave's text and I added my appointment date for the antenatal.

If he wanted to be involved, then he could meet me at the hospital. I wasn't doing more than that, it was enough. I was somewhat glad that Dave had told him, because I couldn't no matter how many times I said I would. Dave had made it easier without even realizing it. The cat was finally out of the bag.