Episode 10

Three weeks have passed, and Marco sits eagerly on his plane, unable to wait for the landing.

Mia, seated beside him, can sense his nervousness, and something about his anxious state displeases her. In a friendly manner, she inquires.

"Dear Marco, are you worried about something...?"

Alexa had been feeling a bit unwell, first assuming it was due to overeating, but then sudden nausea set in, prompting her to plan a hospital visit after an important exam she couldn't miss. Wanting to avoid alarming her family, she asked Hannah for company.

The next morning, Hannah awaited her at the street corner.

Upon her arrival, Hannah approached and asked, "How are you? Do you really feel that unwell?"

"I'm not sure, maybe it's the food. I'm still getting used to the spices, and sometimes I can't eat at home and just grab whatever."

"Well, we need to find out what's wrong sooner than later—you look quite run-down."

They headed to the hospital.

A nurse greeted them, inquired about their visit, and upon hearing Alexa's symptoms, suggested a consultation with a doctor as it could be stress or pregnancy.

Hearing 'pregnancy' made Alexa turn pale, remembering that night. Was it possible? Doubtful, she thought, as it's rare to conceive on the first try, and she couldn't recall if they'd taken precautions.

The nurse just observed them before leading them to the doctor.

Entering, an older woman noticed the sparkle in Alexa's eyes and asked, "Are you here for your pregnancy?"

"What pregnancy? I came because I feel unwell."

"Come lie down on this bed. With my years of experience, I can tell that glimmer in your eyes means something."

Hannah gaped while the woman smiled, amused by the curiosity of the young girl accompanying the expectant mother.

"Excuse me for saying this, but can you be certain from just a sparkle, or are you a soothsayer?"

"It's not just the sparkle, but your pallor; I'm certain you've been vomiting, especially in the mornings."

"You were told by the nurse, weren't you?" Hannah cut in, trying to anticipate the doctor, who laughed. The girls seemed to her like something out of a fairy tale, as beautiful as they were innocent.

After lying down, Alexa had her blood drawn for testing, and as it was sent off for analysis, the doctor asked her to uncover her belly as she had just performed an ultrasound on another patient.

Anxious about what the monitor would reveal, Alexa was shocked when the doctor exclaimed, "There you have it—the reason for your ailment ha, ha, ha."

"See that tiny dot there? That's your baby."

"I'm going to be a mother," thought Alexa, nervous yet filled with joy at the prospect of bearing Marco's child. She wondered how he would react and how she would break the news to him.

Hannah, shocked too but knowing the baby's father, timidly took Alexa's hand and urged, "You have to tell him."

"Hannah, I'm not sure. What if he doesn't want it?"

Overhearing, the doctor chimed in, "You're the only one who gets to decide about the life growing inside you. Forgive my intrusion, but from experience, I know nothing stays hidden forever, so heed your friend's advice. No matter your relationship with the baby's father, the sooner you tell him, the better you'll face this news."

Acknowledging the doctor's wisdom, Alexa resolved to seek out Marcelo after the hospital visit to ask about Marco. She needed to deliver the news urgently but was confused about revealing their one-night tryst.

Determined, and once her pregnancy was confirmed by the blood test, she thanked the doctor, scheduled a follow-up appointment, and left, exhaling the breath she'd been holding. She felt as if in a dream but steeled herself, climbed into Hannah's car, and they drove to Marco's company.

The receptionist greeted her, guided her to the elevator, and Alexa enquired about Marcelo, guessing Marco was still traveling. Hannah opted to stay in the lobby—it was Alexa's decision to make.

Reaching the top floor, the secretary asked, "Looking for someone?"

"Yes, I am looking for..."

"Alexa, what are you doing here? Did something happen?"

"Hello Marcelo, it's nothing big; I just need to contact Marco."

"He's in his office. Let's go, and you can speak to him."

Following Marcelo, Alexa entered to see Mia fixing Marco's tie, their closeness apparent.

Marco, assuming it was Marcelo when the door opened, didn't look up until he spoke. Upon hearing his voice, Marco broke away from Mia and locked eyes with Alexa, his heart skipping a beat at seeing the woman he longed to behold.

Marcelo began, "Marco, Alexa is here to talk to..."

"There's no problem, I can come back later if you're busy," Alexa stated, ready to leave when Marco insisted she stay, assuring there was nothing pressing.

Mia shot a disdainful look at Alexa; she couldn't fathom her capturing Marco's interest. "Attend to your visitor; I'll wait for lunch," she said.

But Marco, captivated by Alexa's presence, asked if she would like to join him for lunch.

"Well, I... I didn't come alone. Hannah is waiting for me."

Marco glanced at Marcelo, who quickly offered, "I'll let her know you'll be dining with Mr. Lombardo." Alexa nodded agreement, and Mia, though irked, concealed her annoyance.

Alone with Marco, Alexa struggled to find the words, mustering courage for what she had to say when suddenly Marco spoke, "I know what happened between us. I didn't remember at first, but now I do. And I told you that you were mine and it would always be that way."

Flushing, Alexa was taken aback—he remembered. And despite initially believing her imagination had misled her, he confirmed it again.

"Marco, I'm not sure what to say," she replied.

"It's simple. Tell me what you shared that night and why you're here today."

That night, recalling her confession of love and desire for Marco to be her only man, Alexa blushed deeply. He remembered it all, but she was too embarrassed to repeat it. So, holding her breath, she closed her eyes and confessed, "I'm pregnant."

"Did I hear you right? You're pregnant," Marco stared deeply into her eyes.

"Yes, I am. I know you may not like the idea of having a baby with me, but I want you to know that I'll have it anyway. No one else knows yet, only Hannah who went to the doctor with me. I won't harm my baby," she said, teary-eyed, fearing he might reject their child.

Looking up, she saw Marco gazing at her tenderly, that was love...

Marco wiped away her tears with his fingers, embraced her, and professed, "I don't know what you've done to me. Since I first saw you, I've wanted you close. I'm ecstatic at the thought of starting a family with you, beautiful. Tell me, will you marry me?"

Alexa responded uncertainly, "Are you serious?"

"Absolutely. Somehow, you've etched yourself deep inside here," he said, placing her hand over his heart to feel its pounding rhythm. "Will you accept my proposal?"

"Yes, I accept."

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