Chapter 21
Bernard responded that he is actually having lunch at the moment.
Their conversation was filled with warmth and laughter, with both Zoe and Bernard smiling from ear to ear.
"That's alright, duty calls," Zoe said with a chuckle as they wrapped up their conversation. "But it was great catching up with you," she concluded.
The call came to a gentle close as Zoe and Bernard said their affectionate goodbyes.
As Zoe reflected on their conversation, she sensed that her bond with Bernard was growing stronger.
As soon as Zoe got into her apartment after closing from work on that day, she collapsed into the couch, drained from her exhausting workday.
Her pregnancy has made every workday feel like a marathon, leaving her exhausted and ready to collapse.
Zoe sighed, "I feel so exhausted, I don't even have the strength to get up from this couch to go take a shower, hush!"
After some minutes of rest, Zoe slowly rose from the couch, stretched her weary body, and made her way to the bathroom.
Refreshed from her warm bath, Zoe wrapped herself in a robe and headed to the kitchen. She craved something light and easy, so she settled for a bowl of cornflakes and milk.
Following her satisfying bowl of cornflakes, Zoe reached for her prenatal vitamins and took them as prescribed, prioritizing her health and her baby well-being.
Feeling refreshed after her dinner and prenatal vitamins,
Zoe headed back to her room to indulge in a rejuvenating sleep.
Just as Zoe drifted off to sleep, her peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by an incoming call from Bernard.
"Oh, no, I'm so tired right now" Zoe said, with her eyelids drooping, she couldn't summon the strength to answer Bernard's call, letting it ring until it went to voicemail.
***
Zoe enjoyed a restful night sleep, the next day brought Zoe renewed energy.
She was up from sleeping, as she swung her legs over the side of the bed, Zoe vividly remembered Bernard's overlooked call.
Zoe reached for her phone and was greeted with a screen displaying three missed calls from Bernard, evidence of her exhaustion-induced sleep.
"Unbelievable, I must have slept incredibly deeply, unaware of the phone ringing multiple times." Zoe said to herself.
She quickly dialed Bernard's number and he picked almost immediately.
"Hello, good morning, sorry I missed your calls from last night, I slept off." Zoe apologized.
Bernard had called the previous night, as his habit, to check in and ensure Zoe was doing well. Zoe being pregnant for him and living alone bothers Bernard.
"I'm alright." she responded. She quickly prepared for work after the call and zoomed out.
A product and profit review meeting was on Zoe's agenda for that day, to be held at their office
Zoe was to coordinate the meeting, she left home early without taking breakfast and her morning dose of prenatal vitamins.
Zoe arrives at the office earlier than her colleagues, only to find the CEO already seated in his office, busy typing away on his laptop.
Zoe didn't want to disturb him, so she silently went into her office.
As a secretary at an average-sized enterprise company, Zoe's workload was consistently heavy, especially on a day for the company's review meeting.
Zoe coordinated and finalized all logistical details, preparing the groundwork for an accurate review for all.
She walked into the meeting hall, scrutinizing every detail to guarantee a seamless gathering.
Zoe's eyes flicked to her wrist watch, she saw that the time had already 7:30am.
The office resumed work at 8am, but Zoe had a head start, arriving at 7am that morning because of the meeting.
As Zoe settled in, she noticed that Rachel, her colleague from the marketing department whom she became friends with, had not yet arrived.
As the clock struck 8am, Zoe observed that nearly all her colleagues had already reported to their offices.
Promptly 8:20am, the meeting started and moved forward swiftly, addressing all necessary topics.
By 11am the meeting was concluded, and Zoe, being a pregnant woman, was already experiencing strong hunger pangs as she didn't eat before leaving for work that morning.
After the meeting concluded, Zoe quickly organized the space and departed for lunch.
Despite taking lunch, Zoe continued to experience discomfort and pains due to eating later than usual and it wasn't agreeing with her pregnant body.
Zoe was back to the office and was on her desk, but the intensifying abdomen pain made it impossible for her to focus on work.
"Geez, this is too much." Zoe said as a sharp, stabbing sensation pierced her abdomen, radiating outward intensifying with each passing moment.
Rachel walked into Zoe's office and sensed that Zoe wasn't feeling alright.
Despite her evident discomfort, Zoe forced a weak smile and pretended everything was alright.
"You don't look alright to me, Zoe." Rachel insisted.
Zoe snorted, "Remember no meddling in our private lives, Rachel.
"What's making you so secretive, Zoe?" Rachel asked, seeking understanding behind her, "no meddling" stance.
Zoe had long suspected that Rachel had a habit of meddling in others personal affairs.
"I don't feel like disclosing my personal matters, is that too bad, please, I want to be left alone." Zoe requested.
"Are you dismissing me for showing empathy?" Rachel asked.
"I'm not, Rachel, I have work to attend to, maybe you can return later." Zoe said as her eyes betrayed her pains.
Despite being dismissed, Rachel stood her ground, refusing to budge from Zoe's presence.
Zoe's upwards glance revealed Rachel still standing there, rooted in the same spot.
With Rachel's persistent meddling, Zoe pondered if extending friendship to Rachel was an error.
Rachel's fixed stare made Zoe visibly uncomfortable, prompting her to stand and hasten to the restroom.
"Geez, this lady is actually a meddling bitch." Zoe muttered as she entered the restroom.
Zoe stepped back to her office, relieved to find out Rachel had left.
Despite feeling discomfort, Zoe quickly tidied up the files still scattered on her desk.
Moments later, Bernard called Zoe to inquire about her well-being, and told her he would come pick her up after work.