CHAPTER 9: IN THE FAMILY WAY.

Time ticks by at a faster pace than expected.

It had already been three weeks since Hazel kicked off on her new job at Spicy Bite Foods. Although, during the recent weeks, Jane had been making things laborious for Hazel in the best way she could, but the former made sure to maintain her poised demeanour whenever she was with Jane.

During the past two weeks, Hazel had been feeling a certain oddity in her system; she ascertained that she gets fagged out easily; sometimes especial kinds of food cause her to be nauseated; sometimes it comes down with a fever; and other times, a banging headache.

She had probably felt that it could be a change of work environment coupled with the mental strain that comes with being an assistant under a person like Jane, which was the more reason she had only taken medications for a fever with the conjecture that it would pass away in a few days.

But these symptoms persisted in her, making her take a day off to treat herself fitfully. It was the first time her fever would be this severe, and she just couldn't fathom what exactly was wrong with her system.

A day before, she had spoken to her female friend, 'Madison Taylor, who had given her word to come check up on her this day.

Hazel lay on the small pupil bassinet in her room. She felt so fatigued that she couldn't get up to make a meal for herself. Of course, she had taken some prescribed medication, but it appeared her sickness wasn't one ordinary medication could cure.

She had mulled over going to the hospital, but she was weary of how much she might be billed, as she doesn't have a substantial amount in her account yet.

While in an intense ponder, her mind flashed back to the intimate night she had with Ethan. Her heart romped at the recollection, and she hurriedly straightened up on the bed. Her eyes became distended in realization. She didn't want to sink in what had just sprung up in her mind, yet she couldn't write it off.

Is it possible I'm pregnant? Hazel grilled in her head. Her face grew totally pale in a beat—if she was truly pregnant, then the child would be Ethan's; right before she and Ethan had slept together, she had never been intimate with any other man in the period of two years plus, and even after her night-stand with Ethan, she never welcomed any man into her; therefore, Ethan would be the responsible father of the child she was probably carrying.

Hazel didn't know whether to beam or wail at that point. She slapped herself hard in the face as a way of chiding herself for being forgetful about consuming a birth control pill before the expected duration expired.

She sat on her bed in a creaky state, gaping blankly into the space, as she didn't know if her assumptions were true or not.

In another minute, her broods were distracted as she heard knocks on her door. She had discerned it would be Madison. She shook her head vigorously, trying to get her thinking straight, then stood erect and went over to get the door.

****

Madison irupted into the house cheerfully as always, giving Hazel a hearty hug, but she paused when she felt the burning heat oozing out of Hazel's body.

"What the h*ll! Did you soak yourself deep in a hot bath? "How come you're burning so much, huh?" Madison probed as she broadened her eyes in amazement.

"It's just a fever; I'll get well soon." Hazel spoke in a quivering voice, making Madison not convicted of every word she'd uttered.

"Get well soon, my a*s; I'm taking you to the hospital right away, and there's no room for refusal!" Madison sounded like a mother reprimanding her adamant child.

"There's no need for the hazzle, ok? I'll be fine within two to three days. It's just a stubborn fever." Hazel made a shilly-shally even though her voice and look were saying the opposite.

Madison wasn't going to give in to Hazel's refusal, as she immediately picked up her phone to make a call.

"Hello, Doctor Dave. Please, are you in the hospital as of now?"

"Yes I am, Miss Taylor."

"Oh, it's great you're there; I'm bringing a friend of mine over for treatment and a check-up. I want her attended to immediately, so save time for me, please."

"Sure, Ma'am."

"Ok, thank you, Doctor; I will be there soon."

Madison hung up afterwards and briskly jerked Hazel up from her old, blue leather couch."

"It's a good thing I brought my car over today; we'll get to the hospital in no time." Madison spoke assuredly.

"Must we go to the hospital? Can't I get treated at home with just medications?" Hazel tried hesitating again. She was afraid that her sickness was a result of carrying a child. It would be too embarrassing for her, as she doesn't know if Ethan would be willing to hear her out.

Madison gave her no response, as she only carefully tugged her out of the house and drove her to the hospital in a jiff.

****

Forty minutes later, Hazel and Madison stepped out of the hospital, heading to the car.

Madison made sure to give Hazel an aid by holding her at the back, as her steps were ponderous and faltering, and the former also had a queer and worrisome expression on her face.

Getting to the car spot, Madison hurriedly opened the front passenger door, wanting to help Hazel get in without hitch, but in the next tick, Hazel resisted and squatted down to her knees. Tears rolled out of her eyes uncontrollably, and at that moment, all of her emotions surged out a result of mixed feelings. 'Ecstatic and despairing.'

She wept so heatedly that Madison knew best to let her be, as she felt Hazel needed some alone time at that point.

Even she, Madison, found the news astounding.

Since the car was stationed beside the motorway, it was normal for passersby to discern Hazel in that state as they were meowing to themselves as they walked by.

"Why would a young lady like this cry heavily in a public place? Did she lose her parents?"

"Did she lose a husband?"

"Possibly she had a miscarriage."

"What if she was expecting to get pregnant and the result was negative?"

****

Madison was already feeling abashed by the looks of people passing by, and she wasn't accepting of people badmouthing her friend on no grounds.

"Can you all wave off and get going to your goddamn business units?" Madison howled at those who'd taken the initiative to stand and gossip while she immediately nudged Hazel to her feet.

Hazel wasn't fazed by all that was ensuing around her, as the feeling in her was more overwhelming, and she just doesn't know how to deal with it yet.

****

Wait! What exactly happened to Hazel in the hospital earlier? ... Well, let's go to the next chapter and find out.

★★★