*Caterina*
Exactly as Elio promised before our trip, the plane managed to bring us back right before I was expected to attend my classes the following day. The ride was thankfully smooth, and I was lucky enough to squeeze in a bit of class work before we were set to land.
The only notable difference that I picked up on was Elio’s shift in behavior. He sat closer to than usual and strategically placed his hand in my lap, occasionally brushing his fingers against my stomach.
Each ti he did this, I found myself glancing over at him for so sort of explanation. But the man kept his head down and made himself busy on his tablet. I consistently gave him a strange look along with a raised brow, but nothing was ever said, although I never missed the smile that played on the corner of his mouth each ti.
The thought suddenly ca to mind that the realization of our situation had finally set in for him. I was pregnant with his baby. The warmth I felt from his touch caused a spark of jovial excitent to race through .
I hadn’t told anyone since I’d made the fateful discovery last night. And I knew that at so point I was going to have to tell both my mother and Anna the news. I deeply hoped that the two of them would be supportive and understanding.
When I’d woken up earlier, it had taken a few good minutes to recall the previous night’s events. It hit like a ton of bricks each ti the very notion ca to mind.
I was pregnant.
Now, I had to find a way to just go about my day without rushing up to Anna and blabbering it all out for the whole world to hear. Given our situation, I believed it was best that this news was kept within a small circle of people.
Soon the jet finally touched down on the landing strip and our baggage was being ushered to the car that was patiently waiting for us. I gathered up my books in my bag and made it toward the exit door. Elio was quick to grab my hand and lead down the stairs.
I thanked the staff imnsely for their attentive care and smooth flight back. I hastily slid into the passenger seat while Elio took his place behind the wheel.
“You know, as unexpectedly shocking as this trip turned out to be,” I started softy, “I’m glad that we took it.”
Elio turned to glance at with the most heartfelt smile that made my insides flutter.
“ too. I’m really happy that you and I got a chance to get away for a little while,” he said. “And, all things considered, I couldn’t imagine a more perfect surprise.”
Just hearing those words was enough to shake off whatever lingering anxiety I had.
By the ti we reached the campus, I noticed that a good number of students were already out and about on their way to class. Elio pulled into the nearest available spot and turned off the ignition.
Surprisingly, he and I both got out of the car. While I situated my bag on my shoulder and pulled out my phone to check for any new ssages, Elio stepped over to speak to the two guards that had tailed us on the way here.
I couldn’t quite make out what they were saying in those short monts but decided that I wouldn’t harp on it. If it was truly about sothing important, then I had no doubt Elio would tell about it later. Yet, in the anti, I had a class I needed to get to.
Elio finished speaking with the two guards and ca over to stand in front of . He lifted his hand up to grasp my chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing to tilt my head to look at him. The expression on his face was clear that he didn’t want to leave . And had I not cared so greatly about my education, I would have probably gone back ho with him too.
I felt a slight tug forward and before I knew it, Elio was pulling into a heated kiss. My eyes fell shut and my hands ca to clutch at the material of his shirt as a way of steadying myself.
By the ti Elio and I broke apart, I was panting and struggling to take in the oxygen I needed. The man left utterly breathless.
And now, I was really beginning to regret having to head to class.
“I’m having your car be brought over to you before you get out of class later,” he told .
I gave him a thankful smile and nodded my head. Elio placed another far too chaste kiss on my lips before getting into the car and heading off. I quickly adjusted my bag on my shoulder and turned in the direction of my building.
I shuffled through the small clusters of other students and professors and finally made it to the classroom. My gaze carefully scanned the room until I spotted the top of Anna’s head a few rows from the front.
I wasted no ti squeezing past anyone who was still in front of in order to snatch up the empty spot beside her.
“Hey,” I said quietly.
Anna turned her head, her face instantly lit up when she saw next to her.
“Hey! How have things been with you lately?” she asked.
I let out a long breath and stifled a giggle. “I have so much to tell you, you wouldn’t believe.”
Her brows drew together in frustration. She narrowed her eyes while her voice swirled with an over-dramatic flair.
“How can you say sothing like that to when you know we have to sit here for the next hour and a half in complete silence?” she hissed.
Anna and I proceeded to laugh our heads off till our professor stepped up the board and began the lesson. Even though we both paid attention through the lecture, I could feel Anna’s patience growing thinner with each passing minute.
And I had to fully agree. For so particular reason, it seed like this class was taking extra long to get through. Our professor had a tendency to get off track in his lectures at tis. Usually, it made ti fly by even quicker, but that was not the case this ti around.
I found myself glancing at the clock on my laptop and sighed.
‘Jesus, at the rate this is going, ti has a better chance of ticking backward,’ I thought.
A mont later, I felt Anna lean over to speak to . She spoke lowly and never broke her eyes away from the lesson.
“I swear to God, if he drags this on any longer, my hair is going to turn gray,” she whispered.
I barely stifled a snort, which I managed to hide by clearing my throat. The last thing I needed was stealing half the class’s attention. Thankfully, no one gave much thought to my indiscretion, and I playfully nudged Anna’s shoulder in return.
The woman failed to suppress her amusent and rely rolled her eyes.
‘Good God, I can’t wait for this to be over.’
Eventually, we reached the tail end of the lecture, and the professor explained our next assignnt. Half the class was already well out the door when Anna snapped around to face with a heavy look of determination.
“Alright, now spill it.”
There were still a few people lingering around the room from where we were sitting. I shook my head and quickly got up.
“Not here,” I told her. “Let’s go sowhere more private if we can.”
Anna raised her brows and nodded her head. “I know a place.”
We both grabbed our bags, and I followed closely after her. Anna led down one of the less crowded corridors that connected two of the main buildings together. She grabbed for my arm and pulled us off to the side where a large stone pillar hid us from possible prying eyes and ears.
“Okay, we should be safe here,” she said.
I wasn’t entirely sure how to go about saying what I needed to tell her. I didn’t want to sugar-coat it by any ans, and part of hesitated to just co and say it. I bit the inside of my cheek and inwardly scolded myself.
‘She’s your best friend, Cat. For Christ’s sake, just tell her!’
“I’m pregnant,” I blurted out.
Any chance of us remaining hidden and tucked away from the public’s eye had imdiately diminished to nothing when Anna’s reaction hit like a series of wild fireworks. Her eyes grew as wide as saucers, and she began bouncing on her feet like an excited child.
“Oh my god!” she shouted.
I tried to calm her down, but it was no use. Her excitable nature deepened and soon she started to bombard with questions.
“When did you find out? How long have you been pregnant? Does anyone else know? Oh my god, what did Elio say? What does he think about all of it?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Would you please calm down,” I told her, looking around. “Because of... who we are, we need to keep this quiet for now.”
She shook her head excitedly, and I hoped she’d gotten the ssage.
“I found out yesterday when I took one of those tests,” I explained. “I’m not sure how far along I am. Yes, Elio knows, and he seems just as thrilled and happy as you.”
Anna humd with great elation.
“Oh! I’m so excited and happy for you both!” she squealed. “I promise, I’m going to be the best aunt ever. And Cat, you’re going to be the most amazing mother.”
I’d never thought about having kids. With the way my life has turned out being with Elio, the idea of motherhood never truly crossed my mind. But thanks to Elio and Anna’s supporting words, I genuinely felt like I had a pretty good chance at making it.
“Hey, Anna!” a familiar male voice called out.
We both turned our heads to see Elijah heading toward us. He and I exchanged friendly smiles and inquired about our classes. He and Anna had plans for lunch so the three of us parted ways. I headed back toward the parking lot where I spotted my usual guards.
“Here you are, Miss Leone,” one of them said while handing the keys to my car.
I quickly glanced around us to make sure that we hadn’t attracted any attention before reaching out to take them.
“Thank you.”
Right as I reached my car, I placed my bag down on the seat next to and took out my phone. While I was explaining my situation to Anna, it made realize that I should really tell my mom about my pregnancy today as well.
I was just about to call her when I noticed an incoming call trying to co through. It was Elio.
I quickly answered the call and held the phone up to my ear.
“Hey, what’s going on?” I asked happily.
I hadn’t expected to hear from him so soon, but I was glad, nonetheless. Unfortunately, I could tell from the severe tone in his voice that he was not sharing in current lightheartedness.
Sothing was going on....
“Artem struck again.”
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