It was early in the evening and my team, and I were still busy at work. With the many things that we had left to do for the day, it seemed like today would be anotherte night at the gallery again. Thankfully, my team was full of passionate members who were truly dedicated to their jobs. It was going to be rough, but I had the confidence that we would make it through.


    "What about we hang this one here? Malissa, can youe over to have a look?" one of my staffs called out to me.


    "Sure. Be right there!" I called back before I quickly got up from my seat.


    The moment that I stood up, I suddenly felt extremely dizzy. My head throbbed and it felt like I wouldn’t be able to keep my bnce. I closed my eyes and took in deep breaths before slowly lowering myself back down onto the chair that I had been sitting on.


    "Malissa, are you ok?" I heard someone ask from close to me.


    "I’m…" I began saying but then my head just hurt too much.


    My body felt strangely hot as well and my chest started to feel tight. Suddenly, it became harder for me to breath. Why do I feel so sick?


    …


    After my episode at the gallery, my team ended up very panicked and had gotten in touch with Hayden. I felt horrible for a short while, but the headache did pass along with the other symptoms, and I was fine again.


    "So sorry about this. I guess I’m just tired…" I apologized weakly when I managed to find my voice again.


    "Drink some water first…" a team member offered.


    "Thank you…" I thanked her gratefully before I started sipping on the water.


    "You’ve been working too hard and staying long hours. You’re always thest one to go home even after closing…" another member pointed out.


    "The exhibition is almost here so…" I replied softly.


    "If you don’t take better care of your health, you’ll end up missing the event, you know…" my team member warned sternly.


    "I guess. Sorry for making you all worried. I’ll be just fine," I told them before putting on one of my best smiles.


    Passing out and missing the exhibition isn’t an option. This round, I’m going to be showcasing my own work, so I had to physical be there to present the collection as well as greet the guests. Just thinking of the work ahead filled me with so much excitement.


    Suddenly, the door to the gallery opened with a loud bang. My eyes widened in shock when I saw Hayden standing in the doorway. He seemed out of breath like he had gotten here in a hurry.


    "Hayden…" I murmured his name softly.


    Without a word, Hayden strode towards me until he was standing right in front of me. My team members quickly stepped aside to give us some room and private space.


    "How are you feeling?" Hayden asked with full concern as he took my hand into his.


    "Umm…dizzy and tired. I think I’ve been working too much…maybe it’s the stress. I should feel better after resting a little," I replied while trying my best to reassure him that I was alright.


    He crouched down in front of me and stared into my face for a moment before he heaved a loud sigh.


    "You’re probably pregnant," he stated casually.


    "What?!" I cried out loudly.


    My outburst earned me stares from all of my team members. I turned to them to give them a shy smile before my head snapped back to Hayden. Is he just teasing me? It’s not even a funny matter…


    "Umm…let’s not talk about that here…" I muttered.


    Hayden just nodded his head once at me before he got up to his feet.


    "We should head home for the day. Your face is pale, I don’t need to be a doctor to tell that your exhaustion and stress is eating at you," Hayden said as he gently pulled me up to my feet.


    His arm looped around my waist as he supported me. I turned to smile apologetically at my team members. They quickly told me not worry and that they would have everything ready in time for the event. At that point, I didn’t dare give them any instructions rted to work in fear that Hayden would yell at me if I kept on thinking about work.


    "You’re very lucky that I just got back…" he muttered a little moodily when we got into the car.


    "Oh, right. You were supposed to be back today…" I murmured.


    "On top of overworking yourself, you also forgot that your husband is supposed toe back today…" Haydenined with a shake of his head.


    It was true that it did slip my mind with everything that was going on at the gallery. The work demanded so much of my attention and so did supervising my team of staff.


    "I’m sorry, Hayden…" I apologized without an excuse for myself.


    "It doesn’t matter…" he muttered.


    By the time that we arrived back at the mansion, I already felt quite normal. It was like the fit had passed. It was a very strange feeling to feel so sick all of sudden and then to feel well again. Hayden led me to the living room and urged me to rest on the sofa. It felt good to rest for a while and it made me realize just how tired I had been. umting stress and exhaustion can be so scary.


    Hayden sat down close to me on the sofa.


    "When was thest time that you had your period? Not very recently if I’m not wrong…" Hayden asked although he seemed to already know the answer.


    Well, now that I think about it…did I have my periodst month?


    My brows furrowed together deep in thought…


    "You don’t even know, do you?" Hayden said with a disapproving shake of his head.


    "That doesn’t mean that I’m pregnant, though…" I countered.


    --To be continued…