PHB 37
Deasy walked casually as she entered one of the coffee shops in Pacific Place. While carrying her laptop bag in her right hand, she continued to move toward Sean, who had been there with Veronicafor a while.
Seeing Deasy acting differently than usual, Sean immediately grew suspicious. For some reason, he was quite sure that something was amiss with his long-time friend.
That’s why, when Deasy sat down, Sean quickly asked a question. He wanted to make sure, with genuine concern, what was really happening to Deasy.
“What’s wrong, Des? You look kind of down. Are you sick? Or not feeling well?”
Deasy nodded slowly. She took several deep breaths while massaging her forehead, which was pulsating with pain.
“I’ll be honest, I’m really tired,” she said softly. Occasionally, her eyes closed as if she was truly feeling something uncomfortable within herself.
“Tired?” Sean’s eyebrows furrowed. He didn’t quite understand what Deasy meant by that. “Tired of what? Is your workload piling up? Many deadlines? Or what?”
Deasy sighed deeply. Why did Sean have so many questions? But, aside from her chatty friend, Deasy really felt that her life was completely out of control now.
“Oh, it’s probably just some guy trouble,” Veronicachimed in, as usual.
“It’s not trouble with guys, Veronica.”
“Then what is it? You look like you haven’t eaten for a week. Your face is all folded up like that. Tell us if there’s a problem.”
“Seriously, I’m just exhausted. Exhausted from this pregnancy,” Deasy complained softly. Just by looking at her, it was clear she was struggling. She appeared weak, tired, listless, and lacking enthusiasm.
“For heaven’s sake, I really feel like I can’t handle it sometimes. I get nauseous all the time. Hard to eat, hard to sleep. Easily tired. Not to mention my mood swings.”
“Deasy,” Sean responded. “I thought you had a major issue related to the company earlier. I had no idea you were feeling down due to pregnancy.”
Hearing Sean’s seemingly dismissive response, Deasy’s emotions were immediately triggered. Narrowing her disapproving eyes, she replied with a fiery tone.
“Isn’t this a big issue too?” Deasy asked curtly. “You’re a guy, after all. So, you’ll never understand what it’s like to feel nauseous, dizzy, and have trouble eating. That’s why you should tell your wife to get pregnant, so you can know what it’s like to take care of a pregnant woman. So you won’t just speak without thinking,” Deasy ranted. As if not satisfied, she grumbled again. “Oh, I almost forgot. Your wife can’t possibly get pregnant. You never even touch her. So how could she get pregnant!”
Deasy rambled on at length. Her previously pale face now turned slightly red, perhaps due to frustration at Sean’s seemingly nonchalant comment.
Deasy admitted that in recent days, her condition and emotions had been extremely unstable. She had initially felt comfortable, but now she had to endure constant nausea, dizziness, and frequent vomiting. Not to mention her mood swings.
Despite the doctor’s assurance that the second trimester would be much better than before, she felt no significant change in herself.
“Oh dear, Deasy. Why are you so angry? I apologize if my words offended you. I swear, I didn’t mean to make you mad or emotional like this.”
Deasy waved her hand in the air, signaling Sean to stop his rambling. She didn’t want to be provoked any further.
“Enough, forget it. And stop saying things that make me emotional, or I might just hit you.”
Sean nodded. Meanwhile, Veronicalaughed gleefully at her friend’s behavior. Shortly after, she handed over the drink she had ordered earlier.
“Enough with the complaints. You’re such a habitual complainer. Here, have some melon juice. I deliberately ordered it for you. When you feel better, then we can continue our conversation comfortably.”
Deasy agreed with a nod. She took the glass Veronicaoffered and started sipping the melon juice, while trying to calm her emotions and regain her composure.
Before she could finish the juice, her phone rang. Looking at the name displayed on the screen, she saw “Della” written there.
“Oh come on, can’t people see I’m trying to relax.”
Deasy was a bit reluctant to answer Della’s call at first. But, worried that it might be important news, she picked up the call.
“Hello, Ms. Deasy?”
“No, it’s Taylor Swift,” she quipped, causing Sean and Veronicato burst into laughter. “What’s up, Del?”
“Sorry, ma’am, if I’m bothering you. Is Ms. Deasy not coming to the office celebration event?”
“Nah, I’m just not up for those events.”
“Well, it’s quite lively here, ma’am,” Della responded. “Earlier, Mr. Lucas even asked about Ms. Deasy.”
Deasy was surprised. Upon hearing the news from Della, for some reason, her heart jumped. She never expected Lucas Morales to be looking for her.
“W-what? Mr. Lucas is looking for me?”
“Yes, ma’am. Mr. Lucas asked me and Starla about Ms. Deasy twice. He wondered why he hasn’t seen you. So I decided to contact you.”
Deasy smiled. Of course, she was happy to be sought after like that, especially by the top executive of their company. Plus, he was handsome. But when she remembered Lucas’s attentive behavior towards his partner during lunch earlier, her happiness quickly faded, replaced by endless annoyance.
“Ah, just let Mr. Lucas look. Besides, with or without me, the party will go on, right?”
“So, Ms. Deasy still doesn’t want to come here?” Della asked again to make sure. “Don’t worry, Mr. Daniel isn’t here.”
As if she knew Deasy didn’t want to face Daniel, Della made sure to confirm her ex-boyfriend’s absence. But despite that, Deasy had no interest in joining the party.
“Just let Mr. Lucas search. I really don’t feel like going to a party right now. Besides, I’m not feeling well.”
“Oh, I see,” Della understood. Given her boss’s recent unstable condition, she couldn’t force Deasy to attend. “Okay then, Ms. Deasy, just rest. If Mr. Lucas asks again, I’ll let him know you’re not feeling well.”
“Yes, please do that. Just let him know. Don’t forget to send my regards to everyone there. Have a great time, you guys. Especially since tomorrow is a holiday.”
Ending the call, Deasy went back to what she was doing, sipping the melon juice Veronicahad given her until it was finished without a drop left.
Seeing Deasy’s unusual behavior, Veronicacouldn’t help but wonder. After all, she knew that her friend had been chasing after Lucas Morales, the new head of the company where Deasy worked.
“So, is your office having a party?”
Deasy nodded.
“Usually, it’s a celebration for a big successful tender.”
“So, why aren’t you going?”
“Just not in the mood.”
Veronicachuckled.
“Not in the mood? Unusual. If I heard correctly, that’s the handsome version of Lucas who was looking for you, right?”
“Yeah,” Deasy nodded. “According to Della, he looked for me twice. This afternoon, during lunch, he reminded me several times to come to the event tonight.”
“Well then? Why aren’t you going?”
Deasy shrugged her shoulders, clearly showing how lazy she felt right now.
“I’m just annoyed.”
“Annoyed again? Weren’t you chasing after him just the other day? Calling him sweet, handsome, ideal type, and all that. Why are you suddenly annoyed?”
Veronicacouldn’t forget Deasy’s previous enthusiasm. Every time they met, her friend would always talk about Lucas Morales, whom she considered so handsome and charming.
“Better to drink something bitter but soothe your soul, than Lucas, who looks sweet but hurts your heart.”
“Come on, that’s almost a rhyme.”
It wasn’t Veronica, but Sean who protested. He, who was listening seriously, was annoyed because his friend often acted carelessly and unseriously.
“Just to ease the tension. Besides…” Deasy continued. “I admit, Lucas Morales is handsome, husband material, and sweet. But, unfortunately, he already has a partner. Just imagine, this afternoon he invited me to lunch. I was happy to be invited to lunch by the boss. I thought maybe we could get closer and he would charm me. Suddenly, his girlfriend arrived. And they were both showing off their affection, playing the feeding-each-other game and all.”
Veronicaand Sean burst into laughter. Both of them thought that maybe this was what was making Deasy so annoyed.
“I warned you from the beginning. It’s impossible for a good-looking guy to not have a partner. Even if he’s gay, someone must have already claimed him.”
See, Veronicacouldn’t help but tease again. What kind of friend was she, really?
“That’s why I’m annoyed. This afternoon, Lucas was acting like he was deliberately showing off and making me angry with his affection for his partner. And now he’s casually looking for me and asking why I’m not coming to the party. What’s his deal?”
Veronicaburst out laughing. It was quite amusing to see Deasy grumbling like this.
“You should just go for Lucas Orion instead. He’s single, attentive, and waiting for you to accept his marriage proposal. It’s better, polite, and considerate.”
“Ah,” Deasy sighed at that moment. “Whether it’s Lucas Morales or Lucas Orion, it’s all the same. They both said they’d take care of me for the next nine months. It’s been almost two weeks, and he hasn’t shown up to take care of me.”
“Oh, really? Just say you miss him.”
Deasy squinted. She didn’t like being accused like that.
“Me?” she pointed to herself. “Miss Lucas Orion? No way.”
“Or maybe you’ve been getting emotional and grumbling because it’s been so long since you’ve seen or been taken care of by Lucas Orion?” Veronicaasserted confidently.
Deasy rolled her eyes lazily. She really hated it when Veronicaaccused her like this.
“You’re talking nonsense. Why would I miss him?”
“Well, then, why are you complaining about Lucas Orion’s absence?”
“I’m not complaining, Ve. It’s more like I’m annoyed that he didn’t keep his promise.”
Veronicagrinned. No matter how much Deasy tried to convince her, she still didn’t believe it.
“Oh, come on, Des. Admit it. Deep down, you miss him, don’t you? Or maybe you’re actually falling in love for real? Feel the regret.”
Deasy clenched her jaw. Honestly, arguing with Veronicawas exhausting. For whatever reason, she always ended up on the losing side.
“Whatever, it’s up to you. I’m tired. I’d rather go home.”
“What? Go home already?” Sean hurriedly questioned. “You haven’t even ordered food.”This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org.
“I’m not hungry anymore. I just want to go home. Besides, you two are annoying.”
***