Page 21 of Her Dark Melody
Receiving no response, he got up and went to the bathroom door, knocking gently. “Ebony? Are youokay?”
The wretching began. “I’m comingin.”
“No, it’s…” But her words were cut off by more vomiting. Atlas pushed open the door, glad it hadn’t been locked, and crouched next to her as she hovered over the toilet. Reaching for a washcloth and wetting it with cold water, he gently wiped her face the next time she came up forair.
“Are you okay?” he asked with deep concern at her pallid, gray, sweatingcountenance.
“Yeah, I’m so sorry, Atlas. I just woke up and feltnauseous.”
“Why are you apologizing?” He smoothed her damp hair back, lingering on her flushedskin.
“This,” Ebony indicated herself, “is the opposite ofsexy.”
Atlas rolled his eyes. “God forbid you should be human. Do you want me to call adoctor?”
Ebony shook her head. “No, thank you. I’ll wait it out – hopefully it’s nothing more than a twenty-four-hourthing.”
Atlas frowned. “I hope so, baby. Look, let’s get you back to bed, I think I have some Peptosomewhere.”
Later,back in bed, Ebony pretended to fall asleep, and then when she heard Atlas’s breathing settle into a steady rhythm, she opened her eyes.You can’t put this off any longer,she thought,not if you want a future with this man. You’re pregnant, and it isn’t going to magically go away. See a doctor. See someone. Make adecision.
The thought of abortion made her feel wretched, even though she supported the right to choose; at the same time, how could she tell this wonderful man she was pregnant with another man’s child? What would he think of her if he knew the circumstances of the conception? Would he think she was awhore?
God, you stupid, stupid woman,she berated herself and felt her eyes fill with tears.No. I will not wallow in self-pity. In the morning, I’ll call Romy and ask for her help, heradvice.
Decision made, she snuggled back into Atlas’s warm embrace and finally fellasleep.
ChapterNine
Romy pulled off her latex gloves and patted Ebony’s shoulder. “Yup, about two to three weeks, I would say. You can get dressed now,honey.”
While Ebony tidied herself up, Romy sat down. Ebony had called her this morning and asked to come see her somewhere private. Romy had invited her to her home, and now, Ebony smiled at hergratefully.
“Thank you for doing this, Romy. I wouldn’t ask, but I’mconflicted.”
“I should say.” Romy gave her a warm smile. “Look, it must be a confusing time, what with this thing with Atlas, and I can totally see why you’re hesitant to tell him. That being said, Atlas is far from the oblivious billionaire. He knows stuff happens which isn’t convenient, or perhaps the way society states things should happen. It’slife.”
“So, you think I should tellhim?”
“It’s not my decision, but I always think honesty is the best way to go. Do you want the baby, Ebony? That’s the bigquestion.”
Ebony sighed and sipped the decaffeinated tea Romy placed in front of her. “That’s just it. I don’t know. My head is saying no, but the thought of getting rid of it…I just don’t know. And I have no way of contacting the father, I didn’t even see hisface.”
She felt her face burn red and looked away from Romy, who leaned over to pat her hand. “You know what? Blue and I have been to one of those clubs before, just for the adventure of it. Nothing to be ashamedof.”
“Unless you accidentally get knockedup.”
“Which reminds me, there are other considerations. We’ll need to do some bloodtests.”
Ebony closed her eyes. “I didn’t even think about STDs orworse.”
“I’m sure you’re fine, but we need to makesure.”
“God.”
Romy got up and came to hug her. “Sweetheart, listen. It’s under control. You and Atlas are using protection,right?”
Ebony nodded. “Definitely.”
