They Got Her Pregnant!

by Sasha Medly

  All of what they said was painful but I try to block them out and listened to the pianist play a beautiful tune. But even so, it seemed that the gossipers are intentionally whispering loudly to let me hear their words of judgment. I can’t help but frown and tear up. I made it to the altar and we started the ceremony.

  After the wedding, there was the reception. It was a tense reception because no one was thrilled about this day. People were doubting Luke’s decision of getting a mail order bride, but he seemed unfazed. Well, they don’t need to worry about seeing me for a lifetime because according to our agreement, we will only get a divorce after a few years to save the family embarrassment and produce a child. Can I really endure staying with a guy that I don’t love for that long?

  The day ended with both of us going home to his mansion together for the first time. This was supposed to be the time that the newly-weds will consummate their marriage, but that’s not the case for us.

  “I’ve prepared a room for you upstairs,” Luke said. I nodded in response and went ahead to my new room. It was spacious and the design was very modern. My stuff is already here and been unpacked by the maids. When I sat on the bed, I cried. I regret this already, but I have to be strong so that our debts will be cleared. Even if I tell myself to be strong, my tears won’t stop staining the pillow as I fell asleep.

  I woke up early in the morning and I couldn’t fall back to sleep. I decided to walk outside for some fresh air. I wasn’t able to see it properly the first time I was here and it was the first time that I saw a vast land right in front of me. Miles of green grass and some trees scattered around with the farm animals being sent outside by the caretakers to graze. I watched them in awe; there are so many animals! Cows, horses, sheep, goats, and more. It’s peaceful here.

  “You’re up early,” I heard a deep voice said. I turned around and it’s my husband, Luke. He looked sleepy but the thing I noticed more was that he’s topless and only wearing the bottom half of his pajamas. The muscles on his body looked defined and tone like his body was made by a famous sculptor. My heart skipped a beat and I turned away.

  “Uh, yeah. I couldn’t fall back to sleep so I decided to get some air and watch the view,” I said. My face felt hot and I’m probably blushing but I don’t want Luke to see my face right now. So I just watched the animals grazing.

  “Beautiful, ain’t they? The farm animals,” Luke said as he stood beside me.

  “Yeah, they are.”

  “They’re my pride ‘n joy. Once I inherit my dad’s brewery business, I won’t be able to see these precious animals of mine that much.”

  “Oh, so I guess that’s why you’re early too.”

  “Yep, I check up on them every mornin’ to see if they’re in good shape.”

  “But you have caretakers for that. You don’t have to do that every morning.”

  “Naw, I have to see it myself that they’re all okay to keep me at ease.”

  Just by staring at Luke’s face, I could see the love and care he has for these farm animals. It’s admirable for a man to have something to care for. And it has been the first time since I first met him that he cracked a smile. Every time I saw him, he just made a blank face. I saw a genuine and caring smile this morning. I couldn’t help but keep on staring at him.

  “Didja eat breakfast yet?” he asked me.

  Luke turned to look at me and I had to quickly turn away before he caught me staring at him. “Not yet,” I answered. He beckoned one of the maids and told her to cook us some breakfast. The maid moved fast and she laid two steaming plates of bacon, eggs, and buttered toast along with a cup of coffee for me and a glass of fresh orange juice for Luke. We ate in front of each other in silence. When you are newlyweds, you have to be all loving and silly with one another. But not us, we just ate in awkward silence. Despite our conversation a while ago, there’s still some cautiousness between us. We are two complete strangers that have just married without even starting a relationship. Will I have to endure this feeling of distance between us for the rest of our lives?

  “Do ya want to see my farm animals?” he asked me suddenly while I was looking at empty space. I blinked at him and I just said yes because his offer was a bit sudden.

  After we changed our clothes, we headed on out to his acres of land. We first went to his horses because that’s how he gets around this large patch of land.

  “Do ya know how to ride a horse?”

  “Not really.”

  After that answer, Luke quickly taught me how to befriend horses so that they won’t get agitated when I try to ride on them. He then taught me how to properly mount on a horse and dismount and how to steer it. Once I got all of the basics, we were ready to go.

  We went to the cows first. The cattle were huge and the little calves were adorable. I even got the chance to milk a cow! Well, I guess this is what I was supposed to expect when I marry a rich cowboy. We went ahead to see the sheep grazing and meet the caretaker’s dog that herds these sheep. Their dog was so cute as well! I just gave him a lot of pets and kisses. He was such a good boy. We spent the rest of the morning seeing, petting, and feeding the animals.

  Luke received a call from the company while we were visiting the animals. It seemed that there’s an important meeting coming up so even on a weekend, he has to go.

  “Let’s go, Lauren,” he called while he mounted his horse. I followed suit and put my foot in the stirrup. I lifted myself up to mount but my foot in the stirrup slipped then I shrieked and fell on the ground.

  “Lauren!” Luke said. He dismounted and ran towards me. “Are ya okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine… Ah!” I felt a sharp pain on my left ankle. I looked at it and it seemed that it started to swell.

  “Aw, crap that looks painful. You shou’da been careful when you mount on a horse,” he scolded, he then put his hands on me to try and carry me. My face suddenly felt hot because I imagined Luke shirtless out of nowhere.

  “No, y-you don’t have to carry me. I can walk by myse—“

  Luke just ignored me and went on to carry me anyway. “I won’t take no for an answer. And cut the crap of walking by yerself. Yer ankle’s gettin’ worse.”

  His arms are quite strong and firm, and he’s warm, too. It makes me feel at ease when I’m this physically close to him. Damn it, my heart won’t stop racing. He propped me on his horse with my legs dangling on one side of the horse and he took the lead of the horse that I was riding. He mounted on and we head on towards the mansion. Once we have reached the mansion, he told his maids to call his personal doctor to take a look at my sprain.

  The doctor arrived quick and examined my foot. After that, he wrapped the swollen ankle with a bandage and faced Luke. “Your wife just needs the sprain to be compressed with some ice and raise it to heart level when she lies down to recover quickly. Other than that, she’s fine,” the doctor stated.

  “I see, thank you, Doctor,” Luke answered and he gave the doctor his payment then showed the doctor to the door. He then returned to me, “You okay?”

  “You heard the doctor, I’m fine,” I assured. He then looked at me with a hint of worry in his blue eyes. I felt bad all of a sudden. “I’m sorry,” I said softly.

  “What’re you apologizin’ for?”

  “Well, I caused you trouble and you missed an important meeting because of me.”

  “It’s ah’ite,” he replied. “You’re my wife and I am yer husband. I have an obligation as yer husband to take care of you when yer hurt. Even though that we married ‘cause of our motives, I can’t be a bad husband because of that. So don’t worry about it.”

  I blushed once more when he said “my wife,” his wife. I know he’s saying that out of obligation and not out of affection but I can’t help but feel happy. “Oh, okay. Thank you.”

  “Don’t mention it. I better go though, or else I’ll miss the whole meetin’. I’ll try to get home before dinner.”

  “Okay, be careful.”

  After t
hat day, he went home before dinner as he promised. Unlike breakfast, we actually have a conversation. He asked me about my ankle and I asked him about his meeting. Other than that, we just ate. It was still awkward but not so much like breakfast. I feel that after today, we became a bit closer to one another.

  When it was time for bed, I looked at the large stairs and I was already dreading the pain when I imagine taking each step. “Want me to carry you again?” Luke said behind me.

  “W-what?” I blushed at his suggestion. “I don’t think that’s necessary, I can climb up myself.”

  Luke sighed, “Again with the ‘Don’t need help’ talk. Ah’ite fine, I’ll go on ahead then.” He climbed up the stairs, leaving me behind. I just carefully took each step at a time. It was fine at first, but then there were times that the pain was just sharp and sudden. I was already halfway up until the pain was getting unbearable. Luke has probably gone up to his room now. I decided to call one of the maids since I know they’re still cleaning up before calling it a day but I heard footsteps coming down.

  “Still don’t need my help?” Luke said with his head cocked slightly and a raised eyebrow. The truth is I do need his help it’s just that I’m too embarrassed to admit it. And the thought of him carrying me just makes me feel bashful like a stupid teenager.

  “Yes, I do need your help…” I said in a low voice. Luke smiled and he went to me to help me get up the stairs. At first that I was leaning on him to get up but Luke got impatient because he needed to be early the next day. So he swept me off the steps and carried me to my bedroom. It’s weird, it really felt like we are a married couple heading towards the bedroom for some fun but we are only married on paper. Also, we sleep in separate rooms.

  He put me down on the bed in my bedroom. “You’re really light, Lauren,” he said. As if my body weight wasn’t a challenge on his muscles. But it’s because of our financial situation that I couldn’t eat much.

  “Anyway, thank you, Luke,” I thanked. I stood up to my closet but he’s still there, leaning on the door frame. “Um, may I help you, Luke?”

  “Oh, it’s nothin’. Just wonderin’ if you need help in changin’ clothes,” he said with a cheeky smirk.

  I turned red, “Luke! Get to bed now!” I said. Luke chuckled and he left the room and closed the door. I sighed and calmed my heart. Jeez, what’s with him? I’m not that handicapped to the point that I can’t take care of myself. I suddenly imagined him taking off my clothes and it made me wet down there. I just shook away the thought and changed my clothes.

  Weeks have passed since we have been married. Little by little, the awkward air between us had disappeared and we seemed to have become comfortable with one another. Though we still sleep separately, it seemed that we are friends now. It’s probably because I always accompany him looking after the animals every day. But I couldn’t help but think about him a lot. His silly jokes, his teasing, his cheeky smile, his cute Texas accent, and his hot body—even though I see him topless every morning during breakfast, it still makes me fidget. I don’t know why I’m like this. Am I in love with him? Being with him every day in the same roof might just develop those feelings but how about him? Does he only think of me as an obligation or something intimate?

  These feelings of mine have been confirmed when he went away on a business trip for almost a week. Even though that I go to the farm animals, rearrange my closet, and watch TV to temporarily forget about him, I still miss him. I was constantly sighing and move sluggishly as each day without seeing him passed. It’s only when he arrived at the middle of the night that Luke came home exhausted and with jet lag. He found me slumbering on the sofa of the living area. He shook me to wake me up and when I opened my eyes to see his face, excitement and happiness filled me up.

  “Luke, you’re home!” I said in a happy tone.

  “Yeah. What’re you doin’ sleepin’ here?”

  “Oh, well I just…” my reason’s kinda embarrassing to admit. I don’t know what he will think if I tell him that I’m waiting for him to come home. But I tell him anyway, “Since you’re expected to land and come home tonight, I waited for you.”

  Luke seemed pleasantly surprised, “Really? Why’s that?”

  “Well, just like you said to me back then. Just because we are only married on paper doesn’t mean I can be a bad wife. And good wives greet their husband home, right?”

  “Oh, is that so? Well, ain’t you sweet?”

  His smile made my heart beat fast and my face became red. I was happy that I made him smile but he’s probably tired so I let him sleep and rest.

  Even though I slept for a few hours, I woke up early to make breakfast for him. One of the maids saw me and they insisted on making breakfast since it’s their job. But I told them that it’s fine and I wanted to cook for him for once. She just gave me a smile and told me that they are glad that Luke found a caring wife. I became bashful at her comment and thanked her.

  When breakfast is ready, I checked on the clock. It’s seven in the morning. He should be awake by now despite the jet lag and exhaustion. I went upstairs and stood in front of his bedroom door. Before I could knock on the door, I could hear Luke’s voice inside. It sounds like he’s talking to someone on the phone. I couldn’t help but eavesdrop by placing my ear on the door.

  “Yeah, she actually waited for me last night,” he said. He’s probably talking about me. “Hm? I dunno if she has feelins’ for me but she said that she's doin’ that ‘cause she’s my wife.”

  For some reason, my heart’s beating fast. This could be a chance for me to hear his feelings for me. I pressed my ear against the door harder as if it could help me hear his conversation more. “Me? Well, she’s my wife. I can’t be a bad husband to her, but I dunno. We are friends for now but I think it’s just that, y’know? And besides, she doesn’t seem to be interested in me…”

  My heart felt heavy and painful when I heard him say those words. He only thought of me as his friend? I confirm it now that he can’t reciprocate my feelings because I am only a friend to him. I stopped eavesdropping and slowly went downstairs with heavy footsteps. It was as if the whole world crashed on me and I couldn’t recover.

  I called one of the maids, “Call Luke to eat a bit later. I think he’s busy with a call. I’ll just go upstairs.”

  “Aren’t you going to eat, ma’am?”

  “I’m not hungry yet and I woke up early so I’ll just sleep,” I said.

  I went up to my bedroom and tried to go back to sleep but my mind just kept me awake most of the time. Eventually, I fell asleep and ended up waking up in the afternoon. After the revelation of his feelings, I just decided to wait for this marriage to be over in a few years. I’m sure in that amount of time I’ll be able to have no feelings for him and I’ll be looking at him as a friend too. But since these feelings of mine are still fresh and new, I wanted to forget about loving him fast since we are living together. I called up my best friend, Heather, and asked her to go drinking with me since it’s the weekend. I dressed up into something nice and picked her up from her apartment then we went on to the nearest bar we could find.

  “Uh, are you sure you told your husband where you will be?” Heather asked me as she sipped her cocktail.

  “Of course, I told him!” I lied. I never told anyone that I was going out, not even the maids. I just didn’t want to see him for today so I chose not to inform him. I glugged a shot of vodka and I grimaced at the taste but that’s fine. Heather looked at me with a worried face.

  “Is something bothering you, Laury? You don’t usually drink vodka unless you have a problem.”

  My best friend knows me very well, especially when I’m going through something. It took me a few shots to tell her about my problem since I was having trouble putting it in words. I guess I have a way with words when I’m drunk.

  “Damn, so he doesn’t have any romantic feelings for you even though you’ve been together for a few months?”

  “Yeah, Heather. Da
z what I said,” I slurred. I drank another shot and asked the bartender to give me another one.

  “Laury, I think that’s enough, you’re already getting super drunk.”

  “I don’t care! As long that I could forget about loving him,” I was about to take another shot when my phone rang. I checked and it’s my good for nothing husband, Luke. I picked it up anyway.

  “Lauren, where the hell are you?” he asked. He sounded worried but pissed.

  “Itsssss none of your fucking business, Luke,” I answered. Sudden anger emerged within me when I heard his voice.

  “Wait, are you drunk? Who’re you with? Tell me where you are right now.”

  I gave a drunken giggle, “Not gonna tell you!”

  “Lauren—!” I hung up on him. Serves him right for breaking my heart, even though it’s not direct. Heather was still worried about me but I told her that she’s being such killjoy for worrying too much. She shot me a look when I said that. She then took out her phone and made a “tsk” sound with her tongue.

  “Aw, man my phone died. Hey, Laury can I borrow your phone? I need to make a call,” she said. I handed her my phone without thinking what she’s gonna do with it and kept on drinking as she made her way outside to call somebody. When she came back, I asked her to dance with me on the dance floor since the bar turned into a club. Since I called her a killjoy a while ago, she joined in. It was fun, dancing goofily and sweating on the dance floor. This temporary happiness was all I need to forget that I love Luke.

  I was letting my mind turn off while listening to the music until a firm hand grabbed my arm. I turned and saw Luke’s pissed face.

  “W-what the? How did you find me here?” I asked.

  “Yer friend, Heather called me using yer phone,” Luke answered.

  “What?” I turned to Heather and she showed me with a sheepish smile that her phone didn’t actually die.

  “Sorry, Laury. I had to call him. It sounded like he was worried when Luke called you. And when I called him, he was driving around looking for you.” I shot her a look for deceiving me like that.