[Shrouded]

Nothing else really happened on Tuesday, other than the fact that almost every girl in the office, whether single or not, except for 2 of them, had slept with my predecessor. And somehow, I had slept with the 2 who did not. I was beginning to wonder what kind of company I had joined. But to be fair, at least I had a job during the pandemic and somehow managed to keep it.

Wednesday morning, I was called into Shirlyn's office.

S: CNY is coming, we need to prepare the red packets and get some CNY snacks for the pantry.

Me: Ok…

S: Can you come with me to get new notes and buy the snacks?

Me: Do you really need to ask?

S: I shouldn't assume you know.

Me: Erm.

S: Sorry. I'm still a little affected by what I did.

Me: I'm fine. You'll be fine too.

S: Eventually I guess. Anyway we'll leave around ten?

Me: Ok.

S: You have an ezlink card right?

Me: I can drive.

S: And pay $20?

Me: It's fine. We'll be buying stuff right?

S: I'm sure you could carry it.

Me: I'll drive.

S: Ok.

We went about our day as usual until it was time to leave.

S: Ok. I was actually just going to the POSB at Tanjong Pagar. There's an NTUC there as well.

Me: Ah. Well… I already bought the day license.

S: Ok. Let's go then.

We left the office and headed to the car park. I don't know why but I kept staring at Shirlyn as I stood behind her in the lift. There was something different about her attire today. While she usually wore pants or skirts with a blouse to work. She was wearing a dress today. Not a sexy kind of dress, but rather a loose one.

I had parked on the 5th floor again.

We sat in the car waiting for it to warm up after I started the engine.

Me: I've never seen you in a dress today.

S: I don't usually wear dresses.

Me: I realized.

S: Just feeling bloated.

Me: Are you unwell?

She didn't reply so I started to shift the car into drive when she suddenly placed her hand on mine.

S: Mark. My period's late.

Me: Ah.

S: I didn't get the morning after pill.

Me: Ah.

S: I'm sorry.

Me: Why are you sorry?

S: I was reckless.

Me: Have you taken a test?

S: No.

Me: Would you like to?

S: I'm scared.

Me: When was your period supposed to come?

S: Last week. But I've been feeling bloated, and my breasts are tender.

Me: They look larger than usual. But I can't really tell.

Of all the inappropriate things to say at a time like this.

S: Yeah. But it usually happens when I'm about to get my period.

Suddenly she leaned over and hugged me. I hugged her back.

S: I'm sorry for dragging you into this.

Me: Let's just get a test kit. I don't think you want to struggle with uncertainty right?

She hugged me tighter, and somehow moaned a little as her breasts pressed against me.

Me: Err…

Suddenly she let me go.

S: Ok. I feel better. Let's go.

I drove over to Tanjong Pagar Plaza, parked and we went to get the notes and snacks. As expected there were long queues at both places.

After getting everything, we headed back to the office. I excused myself on the pretext of going for a smoke but went to the Guardian at the MRT instead.

I grabbed 2 test kits and brought them back to the office. Joan and Cheryl were both around today as well and I hoped I wouldn't bump into them.

I went into Shirlyn's office.

S: Yes?

I passed her the test kits.

S: Where did you get them?

Me: Guardian.

S: Why did you get them?

Me: Erm. To take the test?

S: Shut the door.

Once the door was shut, she started tearing.

S: Why are you being nice to me?

Me: Erm.

S: Can you not show concern?

Me: Why not?

S: What are you going to do if I like you more?

Me: What are you going to do if you're pregnant?

S: What are you going to do?

Me: Take responsibility?

S: Hahahahahaha. You're crazy. We had a one night stand. I made a mistake by not getting the pill.

Me: Well…

S: Don't be stupid. Go be with Jasmine. Get out and leave me alone.

Me: But…

S: Out!