Chapter 54
It became my life purpose and for years, I lived and breathed research. I was so dedicated to it that it’s all I knew. I never took leave or missed a day unless I was seriously sick. Work was my heartbeat.
But now? Things are different. It’s not just me anymore. As much as I love my work, my baby comes first.
Lately, I’ve been toying with the thought, though I haven’t made a final decision: maybe I should take a break until a few months after the baby is born… or maybe work until eight months and then stay home until the baby is old enough for day care. Maybe a year and a half or two.
We don’t usually deal with anything dangerous or fatal, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to risk my baby’s health. The only downside is that I’ll probably die of boredom, having nothing to do at home.
“Sierra? Are you sure you’re okay?” Benjie’s voice pulls me back again, full of concern.
I give him a small smile. “I’m fine. Just a little distracted p>
He opens his mouth to say more, but Jocelyn beats him to it.
Distracted by your pregnancy?” she sneers.
I snap my head toward Benjie, narrowing my eyes. “You told her p>
I know I’d eventually start to show, but the last person I wanted to know, especially this early, is Jocelyn. She’s toxicity wrapped in human skin, and she’d probably light candles wishing for nothing but the worst for me.
Benjie throws up his gloved hand like a man facing arrest. “I swear, I didn’t tell her anything p>
“Chill your panties,” Jocelyn rolls her eyes. “I saw you going into a gynecologist’s clinic p>
I arch a brow, folding my arms. “And you automatically assumed I’m pregnant? I could’ve gone in for a pap smear p>
FL
“I waited outside the clinic and saw the doctor hand you what looked like ultrasounds p>
The room freezes. My jaw drops. Everyone else stares at her like she just confessed to murder. 1
That’s not creepy at all.
A shiver honestly runs down my back.
“You do realize that’s called stalking?” I ask, unsettled by how unapologetic she looks.
“I did nothing wrong. I could’ve been waiting for someone at the curb,” she replies smugly.
“You literally admitted you saw me walk in and decided to wait outside just to spy on me. That’s not waiting That’s obsession and it’s kind of wrong, not to mention creepy as fuck p>
She shrugs, victorious. “What’s important is what I saw. And judging by your reaction, I was right. You’re pregnant. Which means you can’t work with us anymore. So that leaves me in charge p>
Heavens! The arrogance of this woman. I try as much as I can to be civil, but she always has a way of getting under my skin. I’m supposed to set a good example as a leader, but one of these days I’m going to lose it and she’ll end up meeting the backside of my hand.
“There are no rules against pregnant women working, Jocelyn. Get that fantasy out of your head p>
Before she can open her mouth again, the rest of the team crowds around me, shoving her aside.
We’re eight in total, and except for Jocelyn, everyone congratulates me, their happiness genuine, their excitement wrapping around me like a hug.
For a moment, I let myself bask in it. Until Jocelyn poisons the air again.
“So,” her voice drips venom, “who did you spread your legs for? I bet my whole fortune it was some old, fat, ugly man p>
“Would you shut your filthy mouth, Jocelyn p>
The voice doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to Rose.
Sweet, quiet, soft–spoken Rose. The one who barely raises her voice above a whisper now slams her palm on the table, glaring daggers at Jocelyn.
“You see nothing but ugliness because that’s what’s inside you. You assume she slept with an old guy because that’s exactly what you would do p>
The room is stunned. Rose never, ever snaps. But now, her words cut like glass.
“We all know the reason you’re not team leader isn’t because of Sierra’s connections,” Rose continues, her voice shaking with fury. “It’s because you’re mean and bitter, and no one likes you. Maybe fix whatever is rotting inside you instead of making everyone else miserable p>
Jocelyn is a nasty piece of work and a huge bully. So many of our colleagues have made complaints, hoping she’ll get fired but it never happened. Her terrible personality aside, she’s one of the best researchers, so as much as the company can’t make her team leader because most of our juniors will probably strike, they also can’t afford to let her go.
Jocelyn’s face twists into rage. Her eyes blaze, her fists clench, and she takes a threatening step forward, ready to lash out.
I instinctively pull Rose behind me as the men in our group move in, forming a wall between us and Jocelyn.
“Move!” she snarls. “No one and I mean no one talks to me like that p>
Before the situation can explode, the door opens.
Our secretary steps in, calm but cutting through the tension like a blade.
“Si, there’s someone in the lobby waiting to see you p>