Friday, June 2nd, 2017. 8:30 AM

One Week Later

• • •

The moment he entered the office I had made up my mind to speak to him. I watched him walk to his desk, smiling at Linda and saying hello to Richard. His eyes never casting my way-why would they? We sit so far from each other now. I make myself busy and continue to type my response to yet another email asking for a comment and interview about Superman's new suit. I typed out a polite no, thank you. Since the intense reveal of Superman's black suit, the world has been in an uproar. Everyone seems to think he has gone evil, and that him coming back from the dead is a bad omen now that he isn't dawning his usual red and blues. In an effort to clear my mind, I move out of my seat and head to the break room.

The kettle bubbles with heat as the water begins to reach a boiling point, I watch the bubbles fight and smash against the glass. The light beneath is blue, bright, and the noise a low hum- loud enough that I didn't hear the other person in the room. A hand taps me on my shoulder and I jump spinning around.

"Ben?" I balk. He was the last person I thought I'd see. Ben stood a bit from me, hands raised.

"I didn't mean to scare you."

"Nevermind that, what are you doing here?" I asked as the kettle turned off and I reached for my cup, the tea bag already inside.

"I need the key to get the rest of my things."

Clutching the hot mug I turn to him with a raised brow, "You never came by last week, and I'm busy now."

"I know. I wasn't handling the break up well as you know...Annie, please I'd rather do it with you not there."

His bright blue eyes had bags under them, his hair was a mess and for the first time since I've met him, his shirt was wrinkled.

"Why haven't you called me? Or text? You didn't have to come to see me in person on my floor. There are simpler ways to do this, Ben."

An odd expression crossed his tired features, "Annie, we talked yesterday. You said to come by this morning."

"We talked yesterday?" I repeated, frowning.

"Yes, you said to come get the key now since you'd be at work all day." He looked at me his brows furrowed, "Do you not remember?"

"I-I of course I remember. It just slipped my mind. The key is in my purse." My grip on my mug tightened as I walked out of the break room. Ben followed a bit behind. When had we spoken? We must have if he's here to get the key...but why don't I remember it? To not allow him to linger behind me awkwardly, I pulled the key off my keychain rather quickly and handed it to him.

"I'll be out within an hour. I'll leave the key on the kitchen counter." Ben quickly said once the key was in his palm.

"Take all the time you need, Ben."

He nodded in response giving me a weak smile before walking out of the office. I sat down in my chair, chugged a large amount of tea, it burned my throat as it washed down the uneasy feeling I had in the pit of my stomach. Suddenly, that uneasy feeling turned to nausea and I wrinkled my nose pressing my hand to my lips. I swallowed hard and looked up to see if anyone was around because I knew I'd have to make a run for the bathroom. Linda and Richard were discussing photographs at her desk and Clark was typing away on his computer. He and Lois were to be out again today. Swallowing again I steeled myself and stood up, a ringing in my ears caught me off guard and my vision blurred. To not cause a scene I squeezed my eyes shut and took long slow breaths. My jaw was clenched and my mouth began to salivate. It was now or never.

• • •

My hands were shaking on my way back to my desk. There were more people in the office now and I smiled and weaved through the cubicles hoping no one could see the red around my eyes or the mascara I had hoped I cleaned up. What could this be? There isn't a set time for the nausea, I haven't been eating and I'm always tired and have a headache. The most obvious reason screamed at me and I shook my head, no. I couldn't be. I can't be pregnant with his baby, we just broke up. I began to panic and suddenly my chest got tight and I could feel my face grow hot as tears pooled in my eyes.

What would my mother say? What would the world say? Do I even want this baby? Can I be a single mother? Do I want to being a child into this world? What would he think?

"Annie?"

His voice was smooth and calming just like I had remembered it. My heart fluttered and I looked up to see a curious Clark staring down at me.

His eyes roamed my face momentarily then trailed quickly down my body, he took in my shaking hands that I had clenched tightly to the back of my chair and I know he could see the stress in my face.

"Clark? Yes?" I asked raising my voice a bit.

"Perry needs you. You didn't hear him calling you?" He asked, eyes squinting a bit as he cocked his head.

I took in his face and the concern written all over it. His dark plaid button up hugged his frame well and his hair was slightly longer than normal, facial hair danced across his jaw. I've never seen him with hair on his face.

"Thank you. I'll go see him now." I responded a bit quickly and walked away only stopping when he grabbed my elbow.

I sucked in a breath and turned to him.

His face was soft, his brow furrowed in question and I saw his jaw had clenched as he searched my face.

"Clark?"

"Are you okay?" His voice was low so only he and I could hear the concern and wonder lacing through his words. His palm was warm against my bare elbow.

I glanced down at where our skin touched, nodding, "Yes. Why wouldn't I be?"

I could see his jaw clenched again and he breathed through his nose, "Annie-,"

"Ms. Westmore, do you not hear me calling you?" Perry's voice cut through our moment and I pulled my elbow from Clark's grasp.

"Sorry, sir. I'll be there in a moment."

"Hurry up."

I turned back to Clark who was studying me carefully, "If something was wrong you'd tell me, right?"

Would I? We aren't together anymore. He's been treating me like I don't exist- why is he so concerned- oh, no.

My eyes grow wide as I realized he probably already knows, he scanned my body earlier. Anger boiled up at the thought of being on display, of him knowing before I did or before my mother and I pursued my lips.

"No, Clark. I don't think this is something I'd tell you about. Now if you'll excuse me,"

• • •
9:57 AM
• • •

"I'm sorry, you want me to do what?"

Please, tell me I heard him wrong. My hands clenched together tightly as the headache I had earlier roared its evil head bashing against my skull behind my right eye. Perry's windows weren't tinted today, I don't blame him it was nice out, but it hurt to look at him with his back to the sun.

"Annie, I know it'll be hard-,"

"Hard? You're making me interview Superman who is my ex, and who the world thinks is now evil, and I am the reason!"

"The interview is happening next week. You need to get ahead of this. Set the record straight and ask him the hard questions."

"Like why his suit is black."

"Precisely."

I sigh, scrunching my nose, "Can't Lois do this?"

"No."

"Perry, she's done it before. I don't mind asking her. -,"

"He asked for you in person."

That made me close my lips, "He did?" I almost wanted to look over my shoulder at Clark but thought better of it. The piercing pain in my temple was worsening and I needed to finish this conversation.

"I'll do it." I manage to say.

Perry's eyes light up but his brow is firm and his shoulders are tight, "Annie, are you feeling okay?"

"Uh," I wince and smile through the pain, "I haven't been feeling well for a few weeks. I'm just going to get some water. Don't worry, I'll be okay for the interview next week." I reassured my concerned boss and got up from my seat. My vision waivers slightly and I could hear Perry say my name, but the pain in my head and now my stomach was blinding all my senses.

My whole body was hot and I knew I was probably pale. Blearily through the glass I could see several of my coworkers watching with concern. Turning the knob, I exited the office and heard a loud noise before my vision went dark.

• • •
Saturday, June 3rd, 2017. 3:35 AM.
• • •

Bile rose in my throat and my eyes shot open to a dark room. Clambering from my blankets I crawled off my bed and ran to the bathroom barely getting the toilet lid open in time. The sound of me wrenching into the porcelain bowl echoed throughout my quiet apartment. Once it was over my cheek pressed against the cool surface and I closed my eyes. I was in a tank top and shorts, the grey pair I had worn the night before. My feet were clad in thick socks and I wiggled my toes out in front of me stretching my burning skin along the cool tiles of my bathroom floor.

My head wasn't hurting anymore- at least not now, but cramps shot throughout my lower abdomen and I wondered if I was having a miscarriage. That'd be ironic wouldn't it? To lose the baby I didn't know I wanted. Wait, did I want it? Slowly, I rose to my feet and trudged over to the sink. My skin was pale and my hair was in a disarray. My makeup from the day before was smudged, I had obviously fallen asleep in it. A few pieces of hair stuck to my wet lips and I quickly ran water and brushed my teeth. Then scrubbed at my face to get rid of the old makeup.

Halfway through washing my face, I smelt food. Confused, I stopped and listened for a noise. Faintly, I could hear the low murmur of the tv and the clanking of dishes. With a raise heartbeat and wonder I set down my wipe and walked out of my bathroom. The rest of my apartment was dimly lit, the blinds pulled tight, and the only light was coming from the kitchen and the tv. I kept my steps light as I ventured further into my apartment.

Standing before me with his back to me was the last person I thought I'd see.

"Lois?" The redhead pulled my attention away from the man in my kitchen when I saw her hurry over from the sofa, "What's going on?"

She smiled weakly, reaching out to guide me to the sofa, "How are you feeling?"

I swiveled my head to look at the man in my kitchen. I didn't think I'd see him here again. Lois sat down next to me handing me a lukewarm cup of tea. She was speaking to me and I just kept my gaze on him.

Something she says pulls me out of my head and I look at her, "What?"

"You collapsed at work."

"You didn't take me to the hospital?"

She purses her lips and shook her head, "You were adamant about not going."

"I don't remember being awake."

"You slipped in and out. We were just about to head out when I saw you fall." Lois explained. She smiled at me, patting my knee before getting up.

"We didn't want to leave you alone just in case something happened so we stayed." She glanced over her shoulder, "He was really worried about you."

"Right." I sipped my tea and glanced at the man again.

His voice made me look up, in his hands was simple noodles and a glass of water. I watched him bring the food over and place it in front of me on the coffee table. Cautiously, I met his eyes. He smiled and handed me a fork.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

Holding the cup close to my chest I bit my lip, "I'm okay. Ben, you didn't have to stay."

"I know, I was finishing packing when they brought you in. I couldn't leave you after I saw the state you were in. So I offered to make dinner. I kind of hoped to be out of here before you woke up but I'm glad to see you're feeling a bit better." Ben's voice was serene and calm as he spoke to me. I searched his face for any residual hate from our break up but couldn't find any.

Just then the front door opens and the very last person I expected to see walked in. I stared wide eyed.

"Clark?"

• • •