Chapter 5. Gossip

Tiana and Lewis were out of the hospital, and they both were heading to her house so that she could have some rest. She was living in the company lodge, and there were more comfortable than she had imagined. The silence between them was sickening but as far as Tiana was concerned, She did not even want to see her boss with her eyes, talk more of being around him for anything in the world.

“Why is she like that with me? She is supposed to be happy, but I do not comprehend why on earth she would be having such a reaction towards me now when it is obvious that we had something.” Lewis thought to himself while keeping his gaze on the road and Tiana, only having one prayer In her heart, which was for her to arrive at her lodge faster, her palms were all sweaty with her brims glued together.

“Why does he keep staring at me? What could he be thinking inside his head? Will it be better for me just to resign and go back to my suffering with my mom? Or do I try to work some more irrespective, of the fact that I will have to see his face daily at work?”

It had been some minutes since Tiana got news of her pregnancy, but her whole mind had become a field of questions that she found very difficult to resist. Lewis and Tiana had arrived at the blithe, and without any hesitation, she was out of the car in a rush, but Lewis, stopped her as he called her name, and she froze like some chicken.

“Can I at least walk you inside?”

“No.” She responded firmly without glancing back, but Lewis, feeling that there was a strong bond between them beyond what was originally binding them, insisted on reminding her of the doctor’s prescriptions, and Tiana, turning herself to face him, she said,

“You do not need to do me favors boss. I am a nobody, and be sure to see me tomorrow at the office because I take my work seriously.” Tiana let out those words in a polite tone but the anger that was in them could be felt hard on him and after that, she veered around again and walked into the building, leading Lewis there.

“What a beautiful woman with a strong character.” Lewis was a natural playboy, but this time he had met his perfect match who was not going to be soft on him like the others and that was something he liked about a woman.

He had forgotten about his girlfriend, Christine and as far as he was concerned, he had found the one for him. But was Tiana sharing the same thoughts as him?

Reaching her apartment, Tiana broke into uncontrollable tears, asking God why he had to do that to her. Her life was almost getting on track, but there she was, stuck with a baby and a man that she was not certain would even like her for who she was.

She had just thrown her bag on the couch, and with all tiredness that she was feeling inside, she dozed off.

While Tiana was asleep, all she could think about was her baby that was on the way and how she was going to take care of him. It was going to be a difficult journey and she was to do it alone by letting her mom know for fear of hurting her emotions.

The day was over and her colleagues were back. Surprised, they could not find Tiana in the apartment but they knew for sure that she was inside her room and was avoiding everyone like she naturally did.

“What could be the matter will her, Stella?” Amanda questioned, but Stella, not wanting to say anything out of the blue, said that maybe she might have fainted out of exhaustion Amanda was hot convinced by her response so she added,

“I heard that she is pregnant, and also, based on what her friend Elodie was saying, that the reason why she had stopped walking with Tiana was that she sleeps around with random guys and that might be her punishment.” Amanda let out.

“Oh, I see why I had never liked her. She does all those things, yet she carries herself like someone who does none of that,” Stella muttered, and both girls heaving a sigh, decided to go out to get something to eat.

The same way Tiana’s head filled with things, was the same way Lewis’s head was too. They both had their preoccupations at the time though it was linked to one thing. Hoping for the best, Lewis was bent on doing everything just got her to be his while Tiana was thinking of options to leave the company and the city the moment she gets something good.

“Good morning,” the security guard said to Tiana, who was approaching him, and with a smile as always, She responded to his salutation. She had a bang from last night, but she needed to get to work, and as she was taking the turn to the staircase, Tiana noticed that everyone was looking at her in a bizarre manner which gave her goosebumps.

“Yes, she is the one everyone is referring to. She is such a slut. Can’t imagine that she sells herself for money and fame,” the other employees gossiped behind her back, making her feel so bad. Tiana was shocked at the rumors that were going on, and she could not handle it any longer. So, not even reaching her desk, she turned back to leave when she bumped into Lewis who was making his way into the facility.

“Good morning, Mr. Alvaro.” Everyone said regaining their place, but Lewis was more concerned with Tiana’s reaction.

“What is the matter? Why are you sobbing this early morning?” He polled, but her mouth was heavy, and she could not respond.

“Follow me to my office now,” Lewis said pulling her by the arm, and the rest of the staff gazed at them in awe. Tiana was not feeling comfortable and she had no idea that it was going to be that hard.