"Where are we going?" I ask Zed as soon as he turns the car's engine on.
"To Yen's friend," he answers, but his eyes are on the road. And since he seems not in the mood to talk, I zip my mouth.
His silence bothers me. Perhaps, he's angry about what I did a while ago. Seducing him has destroyed his privacy and ruined his mood. I don't know why but I don't regret it. Curiosity may have piqued in me, but deep inside, I had wanted to know the extent, so I could help.
To bear the silence and awkwardness, I close my eyes. And just as I am lulled to sleep, a tap on my left shoulder jolts me awake.
"Ella, we're here already."
I open my eyes, and the first thing I see is his face, a few inches away from me. I gasp; it's like seeing an actual angel in my dream.
"Sorry for waking you up."
Damn him, how could he be so kind after what I've done?
"Sorry for falling asleep as well."
I sit up and look around. Across from us is a tall building that is somewhat crowded. Even the parking space swells with multi-colored cars.
I steal a side glance at Zed. Seeing him unfastening his belt, I also fumble on mine. Maybe I take too long because the door to my side suddenly opens. I look up and find Zed standing by the door.
My heart leaps. Why is he acting like I am his real girlfriend now?
"We don't have an audience, so no need to pretend," I tell him.
"Audience?"
The corners of my lips turn into a smirk. Doesn't he get it?
"Audience for our drama." I step out of the car without waiting for his comment, but then I hear him chuckle.
"Do I really need an audience to do this?"
I roll my eyes and mutter, "Look who's talking?"
However, he burst into a soft laugh, making my smirk turn into a grin.
"Don't you know you get prettier when you roll your eyes?"
I huff and walk away ahead while he locks the door. "I wonder how you've found another woman pretty."
He catches up with me with his long strides. "We're on the same road, Ella. I don't think you can also afford to look at other men and say he's more handsome than James."
"But I'm not as narrow-minded as you. I even fall in love with celebrities and squeal whenever I see one."
He laughs again. "I'm never narrow-minded because I already found you beautiful the first time I saw you."
"Oh, really! Just because you ate my-," I pause and giggle, "you suddenly become sweet-toothed?"
I glance at Zed, and he suddenly grits his teeth. He claws his right arm around my neck until we enter a building and stop before a wooden door. I grin in amusement, allowing him to lead me to where he plans to take me. He still doesn't let go of me even as he turns the doorknob with his left hand.
A woman in a white coat greets my eyes as soon as the door opens. A glass paper holder has her name and title embossed in it.
"Zed! It's been a long while," she squeals, then rises to her feet and extends her right hand to Zed. The two shake their hands before Zed turns to look at me then back to the woman.
"Just three years, Dr. Mitch. I'm now here with Ella, my girlfriend." The woman he calls Dr. Mitch smiles and extends a hand to me as well.
"Hello, Miss Ella," she greets me. I also smile and accept her hand.
"Oh, I forgot. Ella," says Zed, grabbing my attention from Dr. Mitch, "she's Dr. Mitch, Yen's OB-Gyne and friend."
"Hello, Dr. Mitch. Glad to know about that."
Dr. Mitch gestures for us to sit down across from her. So, Zed holds the chair for me as I sit down before taking the other seat in front of me.
"So, how may I help you?" Dr. Mitch asks, moving her eyes between Zed and me. A wide grin plasters on her face.
"Dr. Mitch, Ella fell in the bathroom a few hours ago. I'm afraid it harms the baby inside."
The doctor looks at me with a worried look. "Oh, how does it happen? Which part of your body hits the floor or any hard object?"
I freeze. So, this is why my Zed brings me here without asking my permission? If I felt something bad, I would not have initiated that intimacy.
"Doc, I'm fine. I already told him that." I say, glancing at Zed. "I didn't know he'd bring me here."
"No, she's not telling the truth. I found her on the floor and in pain."
"The floor was slippery, but the fall was gradual."
"Are you having heavy discharges, like bleeding, for example?"
Yes, I was so wet and dripping for him, my mind screams. I then push the thought aside.
"No, Dr. Mitch."
Dr. Mitch chuckles. "You can't win over Zed. So, to give him peace, let's get you checked. How many weeks are you now?"
She winks at him, and Zed presses a smile.
"Two months ago, the doctor said I'm four weeks AOG. It's what she wrote on my booklet."
With her instruction, I enter a small cubicle where a delivery table stands. On its head part, an ultrasound machine is blinking its green and red lights. I take off my underwear, but I realize my short dress has no pocket. So I look around, looking for a clean place to put it on.
"Give that to me. It's safe in my pocket." I nearly jump at the sound of his voice. But I feel uncomfortable at the thought of handing him my used undies.
"Why are you here?" I ask, my face heated in shame.
"Dr. Mitch says I can see the baby. Give it to me," he answers, but his eyes are on my hand that holds my panties.
I feel the rush of blood circulation in my face. If only he had told me we would be here, I would have brought an extra pair so that I could throw this one away. I knew I had been daring a few hours ago, but that was a different story. We were amid lust and desire.
Thankfully, I see a tissue roll at the side of the machine. I sigh in relief as I reach out for it. But before it touches my hand, Zed has pulled my undies from my hand.
"No, Zed. It's wet."
"The one in my mouth was wetter than this," he whispers, turning my blush into a deeper shade.