Melissa's POV
Making sure Dre was gone, the doctor glanced at the door as it closed. The doctor looked back over at me and said, "Did you know you're pregnant" the doctor said.
"I'm sorry what" I said making sure I heard her correctly. "You're pregnant, when you came in last night, I ran a pregnancy test and it came back positive" she said. I closed my eyes and began to silently cry. She walked over to me and rubbed my shoulder. "I'll give you some time, but you need to start pre-natal care soon. Overall, you are fine to go home tonight. Just take a small dose of Tylenol for the pain" she said before leaving the room.
Sitting there in the bed, I felt like the whole room was spinning. It was like too much life changing information was being thrown at me, I couldn't think straight. I hear my phone buzz and read the text. I replied and let Dre know that it was okay to come in.
Dre's POV
Locking my phone, I walked into the room and saw Melissa's puffy eyes. I'm not sure what the doctor said to her, but I didn't think she was expecting bad news. I grabbed a tissue and gave it to her before sitting down in my chair. "You wanna talk about it?" I asked nervously. She shook her head no and leaned back in the bed to get comfortable. Throwing away the tissue, Melissa sat up, "The doctor said that I can leave" she said simply. "Cool" I said glancing over at her. She grabbed her jacket and purse and placed her phone in her pocket.
We walked out of the room and took the elevator to the first floor lobby. We walked to the car and I opened the door for her to get in. I walked over to my side and got in. I sat there for a moment about to speak, when she broke the silence. "Thank you Dre... for taking me to the hospital" she said looking up at me, "And for staying the night with me" she added as a tear rolled down her cheek. I felt a bit weird, something was off, and I still couldn't put my finger on why she kept crying. I didn't want to press the issue, so I kept my thoughts to myself. "It's no problem, where to?" I asked turning on the car. "Could we go by your place?" she asked with pleading eyes. "I just... don't want to go home yet" she spoke softly. "Sure" I said. I didn't expect her to be this forward. Honestly, we never saw eye to eye and I didn't think that a trip to the hospital would probe her to want to come to my house. But I guess if this makes her feel better, what could it hurt?
The car ride to my place was silent for a while. I couldn't help but want to know why she didn't see the signs that James wasn't as available as she thought. "I hope I'm not out of line for asking. But seriously, how did you not know that James wasn't single" I asked breaking the silence. She glared at me. "Dre, really? I told you, I just didn't. I mean, he never wore a ring and... I mean, we just.. we just had sex" Melissa said shrugging her shoulders. Pulling to a stop light, I smirked at her, "Let's be real, was the sex on your terms or his?" I questioned as I waited for the light to turn green. She looked at me with frustration, "We don't have to discuss this if you don't want to, I just... wanted to hear the truth" I said shrugging my shoulders. Melissa sighed as the light turned green, "We did things on his terms. But I never turned down his invitation" she stated.
"If you wanted more, did he show signs to you that this was possible?" I asked taking the conversation a step further. "I mean..." Melissa's voice trailed off as she looked around the car, "Dre, he showed signs that he wanted more, but I always felt like he was guarded" she said looking at me with questionable eyes. "Mel, out of all the men that hit on you at work, I still don't see how you put up with something like that. You know you're worth more than that right" I asked glaring at her from time to time. She rolled her eyes, "So you don't think you're worth more than a quick fuck?" I let out. She paused as she realized that we had made it to my place. "I know..." she said not looking at me, "It's just not something you expect to happen when you're approached with an opportunity that you can't turn down" she said before getting out of the car.
I got out and walked to the doorstep and unlocked the door, she walked in and sat on the couch. "Nice place" she said simply. "Yeah, it's alright" I said taking off my shoes and sitting next to her. I stared at her for a moment. "What?" she asked laughing. "You" I said with a chuckle. "Look, I'm not stupid... I just had a moment of weakness" she said. "No.. what you did was get your ass whooped and you didn't play your cards right. I just didn't take you as the naïve type" I spat. Melissa furrowed her brow and shook her head, "Maybe it was a mistake coming here" she said as her nose turned red. I knew it hurt her feelings, but it was the truth. I just didn't think she was like the other women that we worked with. "Mel, I'm sorry. I just... I've seen this happen one too many times, and I just thought you'd be the last to fall for some bullshit like this. I knew Naomi was crazy, but I've never seen her beat up anyone until she met you" I stated. "I liked you a lot better at the hospital" she mumbled. "That's because you were unconscious" I whispered. She shook her head and stood up, before she could speak, I stood up in front of her.
"I know, I'm an asshole and that won't change. But I'd rather be open and honest with you, than sweet talk you and hide behind what you think I might be" I said looking in her eyes. I caught her off guard and touched her face, her eyes were still a little swollen and her lip was starting to heal. She gasped a little and grabbed my wrist, "Dre, I know I'm stupid. Don't make me feel any worse than what I already do. I look hideous" she said trying to hold back tears. I sat her back down on the couch and continued, "No, I just think you should take more time to assess a situation before making a decision" I suggested. "What is up with you and all these 'suggestions', I didn't ask you for advice." She spat. I chuckled, I can't lie and say I didn't care about her. I've worked with her for quite sometime and now that I'm finally having a conversation with her out of the workplace, I can't seem to be nice to her. "Mel, I just...." "Dre, if I really want your opinion on dating, I have a mouth. I know how to ask. But I can keep a man, and I get any man that I please. It's okay that we hate each other, but don't try to be a friend if you're going to continue to bash me. It's bad enough that I work with you every day, I don't want to deal with you anymore than what I have to" she shot back.
I laughed and got up from the couch. "Give me a minute" I said before leaving the room. I went to the bedroom to change into a wife beater and joggers. I come back to find Melissa going through her phone. "Have you heard from him?" I asked sitting next to her. She stared at me for a moment admiring my physique, I knew it would take her by surprise. "No, not at all" she said locking her phone, putting it on the table, and looking away from me. I laughed, "Don't sell yourself short, okay?" I said nudging her. She could hardly look at me, and I knew she wouldn't budge. To be honest, I hate seeing her in a bad mood, but I don't want to come off so strong that she hates me anymore than what she does already.
"So, how did you know that we had something going on?" she asked me. "Well..." I said getting more comfortable on the couch, "I'd see how you'd glare at him from time to time and how he would come down on me anytime I said something about you. James never wanted me to say anything bad about you, he was pretty defensive over you. I knew you'd come up to his office and you'd spend at least an hour in there and come out looking refreshed. He'd tell me about you" I stated. I saw her ears perk up to my last sentence, "What did he say about me?" she asked in excitement, "It wasn't anything you'd want to hear, just guy talk" I said simply. She sighed and shook her head, I turned her chin towards me and stared in her eyes, "You really shouldn't be with a man who only talks about what your body does to him. I see how you work, you're too smart for that Mel. I come behind you to double check inventory and you're always right, and you have a college degree. Why be with a man who just uses you for your looks?" I questioned. She pulled away from me, "Dre I didn't know... damnit what more do you want to hear?!" she yelled.
"I want you to tell me that you know you deserve better. I give you a hard time as a boss because I see potential in you. I don't see you like Chi and Leila, I'm not looking for anything like that" I said. She got up and walked in my kitchen grabbing a bottle of water. "Dre, I have nothing to do with what you're looking for. And who cares about Chi and Leila, we're on totally different paths" she said as I took the bottle from her, "Exactly, but why can't I want what's best for you, if you don't even know what's good for you?" I questioned her taking a sip of her water. She scoffed and grabbed a fresh bottle. "Dre, I think it's time you take me home" she said raising her voice a little. I put the bottle down and touched her shoulder, she looked up at me, "Fine, but you can't blame me for telling the truth" I said before grabbing my keys. Before I knew it, she had a weird look on her face and her cheeks became full, "Down the hall to the right" I said anxiously.
Melissa's POV
Following Dre's directions to the bathroom, I released everything from the night before into the toilet. Flushing, I rinsed my mouth with water and washed my hands before starting at myself in the mirror. Was I really pregnant? Why is Dre asking me so many questions about my relationship with James? And why is Dre telling me that I deserve better, when I already know that? I stared at my face once more and walked out of the bathroom when Dre greeted me down the hall. "You good?" he asked. "Yeah.. do you mind taking me by a drug store? I need to get something for my upset stomach on the way home" I said. "Sure" he said simply.
We got in the car and headed down the road, "We haven't eaten anything today, why is your stomach upset?" Dre questioned. "I don't know, maybe that liquor was bad from the night before" I said. "Well, what did the doctor say while I was gone?" he asked, being so nosey as usual. "She said that I needed to get some Tylenol for the pain, nothing out of the ordinary" I said as we pulled into the parking lot of a drug store. Dre sighed, "She didn't have to kick me out of the room like that man" he said rolling his eyes. "It's for confidentiality purposes" I stated getting out of the car. Dre began to unlock his door. "Oh no, you're good I can handle this one." I said hoping he wouldn't get out. "Nah, you good. I gotta get some stuff for the house anyway" he said. I scoffed and ran into the store. I really didn't want Dre going in behind me. True enough I know the doctor wouldn't lie, but I wanted to see it for myself.
I walked down aisle 5 and found the pregnancy tests, I grabbed a Clearblue brand box and I grabbed some Pepto bismol tablets. I was headed up front trying to avoid Dre when I felt a hand tap me, "Should I get clean linen or apples and cinnamon air freshener?!" He asked scaring me. "Shit!" I said dropping my items. He immediately helped me and picked up the Clear Blue box. He stared at me, wanting to say something but didn't. "Apples and cinnamon" I said simply before heading to the check-out counter. I set my things down and Dre immediately dropped his air freshener down with mine, "Don't worry, I got it" he said. "No, It's fine, I can get my own" I said trying to make the cashier get my stuff first. "But I insist" Dre said taking out his card. "It's on me" Dre said to the cashier, signaling him to continue with the transaction. I scoffed and walked outside to the car, leaving Dre to bring everything with him. I sat in the car angry, when he got in he handed me the bag. "What's up with the box?" he asked. I ignored him and opened up my Pepto Bismol tablets. We sat there for 10 minutes, Dre hadn't turned on the car. "Dre, I need to get home" I said. "I asked you, what's up with the box?" Dre said staring at me. I looked at him. "Take me home. NOW" I said raising my voice. He sucked his teeth and turned the car on. I felt my eyes watering as we drove to my house, I couldn't help but feel worry because I know that the doctor wouldn't lie. I Just can't wrap my head around any of this. Quite frankly, why is Dre getting so upset as to why I won't explain to him what's going on.
We pulled up to my house and I grabbed my bag. "Thanks" I said getting out of the car. Dre got out and followed me up the stairs to my apartment. I grabbed the keys, placing them in the lock I turned around and looked at him, "Aren't you gonna go home?" I asked. "I just wanna make sure you get in safe" he said simply. I unlocked the door and walked in, as I was closing the door, it stopped. Dre walked in behind me and closed the door. "Excuse you?" I said with attitude in my voice. Dre sighed, "You came to my house, why can't I come to yours?" he questioned as he sat on the couch. I was so anxious about this test that I just didn't bother arguing with Dre at the moment. I ran to my bedroom and went into the bathroom and locked the door. I opened the box, grabbed the stick and hovered over the toilet. Pulling up my pants, I covered the stick and sat it over the toilet and washed my hands. I grabbed my phone and set a timer and walked back into the living room with Dre. "So, we wait?" he questioned. I looked at him uneasy and just stared at him as I sat next to him on the couch. "So.... Are we waiting?" he asked repeating himself. I ignored him and simply laid my head on his shoulder. A few minutes later, my phone went off, "Are you gonna turn it off?" he questioned. I silenced my alarm and sat there a moment. I was just pondering the results, replaying what the doctor had said earlier this morning. "Mel are you gonna get up?" he asked. Annoyed at him just being here, I got up angrily and slammed my bedroom door.
I walked into the bathroom and closed the door. I grabbed the test and read the words, POSITIVE. I felt a lump swell up in my throat as I swallowed. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably as I fell to the floor and cried. I can't believe it, I'm REALLY pregnant by James. I sobbed and sobbed at the thought of everything replaying back in my head. From the first time I met this man, to the first time we had sex, to fighting with his wife and being rushed to the hospital; and now this. I'm really pregnant. I was knocked out of my thoughts when I heard a knock at my bedroom door.