5
Once the pregnancy was out in the open, Amber began acting like the office princess.
She was constantly ordering people around, even pawning off her work on others.
“Gita, sweetie, could you get me some water? The break room is so crowded, I’m afraid someone will bump into my tummy.”
“Jessica, could you print this for me? The printer is so far, and my legs are aching.”
She started wearing oversized maternity clothes, even though she wasn’t showing. She’d wander the office, one hand protectively on her flat stomach, sighing dramatically.
“Oh, everyone was right, pregnancy is so hard. Being a mother is the toughest job in the world. I’m barely a few weeks along, and I just feel so… delicate.”
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12.44
Chapter 1
Then, she turned her attention to me.
12:44
“Mia, I’m not an unreasonable person. I know you and my boyfriend had a past, but that’s
over now.” She paused, then snapped her fingers. “I’m craving one of those gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches from that place downtown. Go get one for me.”
She patted her stomach. “And make sure it has extra bacon. For the baby.”
I was already swamped with work, and now this? The incessant chatter was one thing, but treating me like her personal assistant was another. I ignored her, pretending I couldn’t hear over the clatter of my own keyb- oard.
She marched right up to my desk and shoved my keyboard aside. It slammed into my water glass, sending a wave of water across my desk, soaking a stack of documents.
“Are you deaf?! I’m talking to you! I want a grilled cheese!”
Pregnancy had turned her into a monster. Ordering Jessica and Gita around was their business, but did she really think she could push me around?
Frantically, I righted the glass, my face darkening with fury.
“You want one? Go get it yourself! Are you looking for a fight, you idiot?”
Her face contorted. “How dare you talk to me like that?”
I picked up the half–empty glass, ready to douse her with the rest of the water.
Gita rushed over and grabbed my arm. “Mia, stop! Think about it! If something happens to her, it’ll be a nigh- tmare for you. It’s not worth it.”
Fuming, I slammed the glass down, shot Amber a death glare, and went to reprint my ruined files.
