BRIANNA

TWO WEEKS LATER…

Jennie and I fall on the relaxation chair with exasperation.

We both work at the shopping mall as shop assistants. Ever since that day, I mistakenly entered that strange man's room, I just say I feel like damn.... So tired and always sluggish.

Last week happens to be the last day of the month that I should see my period, but now it is a new month and I see nothing of my menses.

Jennie leaves to bring lunch which of course is the usual sardines and bread. As much as I want to reject the food as it's not my taste, I accept it with a shrug.

Jennie opens the sardine, and picks a big lump of fish with her chopstick.

Immediately my nose meets the scent of the fish, nausea rushes to my nose and I hiccup.

"Are you so hungry that you're nauseated? It's normal since the boss only gives us expired sardines," Jennie scoffs and scoops some fish in the bread and hands it to me.

I reach out to take it but another wave of nausea rushes to my nose and I drop the bread she just gave and rush into the bathroom to vomit.

Jennie rushes after me in a frenzy and helps me hold my hair as I vomit.

"This is the second time you're vomiting this week, are you sure you're fine?" Jennie asks after I clean my mouth.

I wave my hand as I breathe as though I just vomit all my intestines, "The sardine is expired, that's probably why I'm vomiting."

"You're vomiting because it's expired?" Jennie scoffs. "That sardine is just one day gone and before you can eat even two months expired sardines what has gotten into you?"

I don't answer but walk out of the bathroom slowly. Two steps back to the relaxation corner... I suddenly feel dizzy and my eyelids grow heavy.

Thankfully Jennie is closely behind me so she quickly grabs me. "Get your head together Bree. What has really gotten into you these days? Are you sure you're not pregnant?"

"What rubbish," I quip immediately. "Did I get pregnant like Mary?"

Jennie rolls her eyes and sets me back on the chair. "Argument won't let me get a PT strip."

"Wait Jennie, it's not what you're thinking."

--

Even though I see the result, I cannot believe it, not to talk of accepting it. How can I be pregnant? It is impossible. I quickly dash out of the bathroom and shove the strip into my closet.

I need fresh air to clear my mind, so I quickly take permission from the boss and take a walk.

I can scarcely believe my ill fate. It seems the universe is out to make my life more pitiable than it already is.

Why will Olson think of me now?

The pain of the mistake I make that night rises in my chest and I wish I can turn back the hands of time to when I haven't met Olson because he's the reason for all these.

If he hasn't ditched me on the coronation day, then I won't be reduced to this.

The day rolls faster than I imagine and getting back in our petty car, Jennie and I sit down in our living room, staring at the PT strip.

We can't have dinner. This situation is more serious than eating for me but Jennie takes it upon herself.

After a while of sighing hopelessly, she begins, "You said you never slept with Alpha Olson before right?"

I frown, "What are you trying to say?"

"What I'm trying to say?" She almost sounds harsh, "You can't tell you don't know who impregnated you right? And I'm sure it has to do with that coronation night!"

"Jennie I..." My voice catches up in my throat. I want to tell her how foolishly I sleep with a stranger but telling her that it's an old man.... I'd be embarrassed to death.

"Bree we can't stay on our hands," She pesters, concern dripping from her voice as if she is the victim. "We can't raise a child in this current situation. Now that you're not with Alpha Olson who supports us occasionally, how do we take care of this!!"

Tears rush down my face. "Jennie why do you care so much about me. You should have left me to my foolishness," I sob, she stands from her seat and hugs me.

We cry in each other's arms for a while before she releases me. "Hey did you think I will leave you alone in this because you're pregnant?"

"We're not blood related," I cry. "I even met you through Olson and he was your friend first. Now that I reject him, why do you still...."

"Bree are you drunk?" Jennie interrupts trying to sound casual. "You're my friend and family, the Goddess makes us meet through Alpha Olson. So let's talk about this baby now."

After a while of hesitation, I pull out the card the man gives me out. "I... I enter the wrong room by mistake and...."

"He marks you that night," she cuts in. "I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable and that's why I didn't ask."

She takes the card from me, a glance at it, Jennie gasps, "Bree are you sure the man gives you this?"

"Yes?"

She grabs my phone from the table and presses on it for a second before giving me back, "I have told him you're pregnant!!! You're carrying a royal baby!!"

A royal baby? Jennie's words still remain confusing, "Why would you text him?"

"You don't know that man? He's the Rogue King!!"

Her voice trails off at the ring of the phone on the table. The caller ID displays an unknown number. I look at Jennie.

"He's calling!"

I pick the phone and answer the call... "H...Hello?"

"Brianna Julliard, you say you're pregnant?" I freeze. Jennie giggles beside me and I frown as if to ask her what's there to be happy for.

"Are you there?"

"Oh..." I cough. "Yes I...."

"Text me your address," then he ends the call.

"We're in a fresh problem!'