GoodReadDorothy didn't want to be a wallflower, so after hearing those few words, she retreated to her own office.
It wasn't that she had anything against Ophelia, but she wasn't exactly Mother Teresa, going out of her way to ask Austin to let Ophelia in on the due diligence.
Firing up her computer, Dorothy smoothly logged into the Lopez Corporation's system.
These days, she couldn't help but sneak a peek at the meeting channel to see if Everett had anything scheduled.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtEven though she swore she'd never sit in on one of those meetings again, there was still this feeling that keeping an eye on the channel somehow brought the elusive Everett just a bit closer.
The ringtone of her cell phone cut through the silence on her desk.
Glancing down, she saw Kenneth's name flashing on the screen.
"Kenneth." "You're not at the apartment?” "Uh, no, | started working at the Lopez Corporation.” There was a pause on the other end before Kenneth asked tentatively, "Did Everett set that up?" "I was with East Star Enterprises before they merged us into Lopez Corporation, right? Working here is normal, not his doing." "Oh... So, what time do you get off? I'll come and pick you up." pL "Today's my birthday." Dorothy froze, the words of refusal stuck in her throat.
"Then, I'll let you know when | get off." "Great!" Hanging up, Dorothy organized her workload before seeking out a local bakery to order a birthday cake.
You can't show up empty-handed on someone's birthday.
But he wouldn't just invite her, right? Surely Karen would be there? And if Karen was going, Jeffrey would be tagging along, no doubt.
Just in case, Dorothy shot a quick text to Karen on WhatsApp.
Better to avoid the awkward possibility of it just being her and Kenneth.
Karen's morning sickness seemed to be getting worse, not better.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe day before, she had managed only a bit of oatmeal, which she'd promptly lost not an hour later! Jeffrey was beside himself, looking as though he wished he could whisk Karen off to the hospital for an abortion right then and there.
"You can't keep going on like this, not eating! Surviving on pickles is going to wreck your stomach.” Curled up on the sofa, Karen was a pale shadow of herself, drained of energy.
At least the sour pickles seemed to offer a momentary respite.
"Just let me eat them. | feel awful.” "Karen, should | just go ahead and schedule the procedure?" Jeffrey couldn't bring himself to sit, pacing with anxiety.
Karen's brow furrowed as she looked at him. "Have you decided?" "Yeah! You've only been pregnant for a short while, and it's already this tough. | can't imagine what ten months will do to you! | don't want a child anymore. Let's just be child-free forever!" "But didn't you say you wanted to be a dad before? Weren't you envious of Everett having Abigail and Langston?" Jeffrey shook his head. "Not anymore. I've got you, and that's enough.” "Can you pass me my phone, please?" Jeffrey remained silent.
"We're officially together now, and you're saying we don't need the baby, so why do you insist on keeping me cooped up here?" Jeffrey's lips were dry as he pressed them together, "I'm scared you'll leave, disappear to someplace | can't find you." "To a place even you can't track?" Karen extended her hand, "Give me my phone; maybe if | play around with it, | won't feel nauseous!" "Really?" "You never know! Ever heard of distraction techniques?" Jeffrey hesitated, then quickly said, "Wait here, I'll get it!" He took a few steps forward before abruptly stopping, rooted to the spot.
"What's wrong?" "Karen, do you... not want to go through with the abortion?" Her suggestion of using the phone as a distraction—wasn't that a sign she was still looking for a way to keep the baby?
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