Charlotte's POV

As soon as Nathan walked in, I rushed towards him and hugged him tightly as my eyes welled up. He hugged me back and stroked my hair gently. I sensed he was tense.

A few minutes later, he pulled back slightly and cupped my cheek. "I bought the pregnancy test." He extended the pharmacy bag towards me.

I took it with my shaking hand and nibbled my lower lip. I took a deep breath, pulling out the test, and looked at it while my heart was pounding like crazy.

When I wanted to go to the bathroom, he grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

"Lottie, are you fine? You are trembling." Nathan asked, concerned and stroked my cheek affectionately.

"I am...afraid. I know you don't want it." I mumbled as tears ran down my cheeks.

Nathan sighed sadly and cupped my cheeks, looking into my eyes as he closed the distance between us.

"Yes, I can't say I am ready, but your thoughts are more important." He stated softly, caressing my cheeks tenderly, and smiled slightly. "Whatever the result will be, I will be beside you. You can count on me. I will not run away from my responsibilities, Lottie. And if you are pregnant, I will support you in every decision." He said honestly, looking me in the eyes.

I smiled, relieved and hugged him tightly, sobbing. He hugged me back and placed a soft kiss on my hair. Then I went to the bathroom.

I ruffled my hair, looking at the stick. I didn't know how to feel: relieved or sad. My mind was confused.

Once I threw the stick into the dustbin, I went to the living room, lost in my thoughts.

Nathan was sitting on the couch, holding his head between his hands while looking down absently. When he heard my footsteps, he lifted up his head and stood up quickly.

I bit my lower lip nervously, playing with my fingers. He approached me in quick steps and gave me a questioning look. He looked so nervous.

"I am not pregnant." I informed after taking a deep breath.

"Oh..." He breathed deeply, relieved and ran his hand through his hair, looking happy.

My expression changed instantly. Yes, I knew he wasn't planning to be a parent soon, but his behavior made me sad.

As soon as Nathan noticed that he offended me, he gave me an apologetic look.

"Lottie, I am sorry. I just..."

"You don't want it." I cut him off.

"Let's say it wasn't in my near future plans, and the news caught me off guard. But I was sincere when I told you that I would be beside you whatever happens." He confessed honestly, cupping my cheek.

"Don't worry. I am not ready for it either." I mumbled and heaved a loud sigh. However, deep in my heart, I felt disappointed that it wasn't positive. I knew it would complicate everything and it would be early, but...

"Then why did you feel bad?" He asked, concerned.

"I don't know." I shrugged my shoulders and folded my arms over my chest.

"Let's go to the hospital." Nathan suggested and grabbed his phone and keys from the coffee table.

"No, probably it is the flu or a stomach bug." I refused and gave him a reassuring smile.

"Lottie, we are going to the hospital. End of discussion!" He stated in a bossy tone. I sighed, nodding, and grabbed my bag.

Nathan rested his hand on my lower back and led us towards the elevator.

***

After leaving the hospital, Nathan dropped me off my penthouse and went to the nightclub. Rick called him and told him there was some problem at Stardust. So Nathan left quickly after dropping me off.

The doctor told me I was poisoned, and because I hadn't eaten anything properly the last few days, I felt dizzy. Besides, my blood pressure was lower than normal.

When we were in the car, a girl from the team I worked with a few days ago called me and told me the others were poisoned too because of the meal we ate during the swimwear campaign.

I placed my bag on the couch and collapsed onto the couch. I felt tired. Today was quite overwhelming. 

Suddenly my phone buzzed. I pulled it out of my bag and looked at it. It was a message from Sienna.

'Did you take a pregnancy test? And did you talk to Nathan? Call me as soon as possible.'

I breathed deeply, calling her, and told her what happened today.

***

When I was going to my office at the agency, I saw Stella rushing towards the conference room while crying.

Stella was a model and worked for our agency for a while. However, we weren't close because of Nathan. Even though they broke up after dating for a few weeks, and I heard she was dating a famous pop star now, I still didn't like her.

I bit my lower lip, thinking if I should check her or not. I heaved a deep sigh and went to the conference room. She looked so bad. I couldn't leave her alone in this state, and maybe she needed some help. Despite the fact I wasn't so fond of her, she wasn't a bad girl.

She stood up instantly as soon as I walked in and wiped the tears off her cheeks quickly.

"Ms. Wright."

"Are you okay?" I asked, concerned, approaching her.

"Yes. Yes." She mumbled and forced a slight smile.

I sighed and rested my hand on her arm. "But you don't look fine. I saw you crying. I know we aren't close, but you can tell me. I will help you as much as possible." I gave her a friendly smile.

She burst out crying and covered her face with her hands.

"Stella." I mumbled, worried as I hugged her and stroked her back gently, trying to soothe her. "What happened, dear?"

She pulled back and wiped her tears off her cheeks. "I am sorry, Ms. Wright. I don't know what got into me." She gave me an apologetic look.

"Call me Charlotte. And don't worry." I gave her a warm smile, stroking her arm gently. "What happened?"

She sighed and pursed her lips together, averting her gaze. "My boyfriend... and I had a fight." She mumbled, ruffling her hair as tears shimmered in her eyes.

"Are you crying because of it? Don't worry you will make up. It is normal between couples." I assured her, giving her a sympathetic look.

"It isn't that easy. He..." She breathed deeply, shaking her head without finishing her sentence. "It is complicated. And I don't think we will make up anytime soon. Besides, I am not sure anymore that he really loves me. Moreover, it isn't just..." She bit her lower lip nervously, pausing. "I don't want to bother you with my problems. Thank you for your concern." She gave me a sad smile.

"You don't bother me, Stella." I assured her softly.

Suddenly, her phone rang. She pulled it out of her back pocket and looked at the screen. She ruffled her hair, biting her lower lip anxiously, staring at the screen.

"Is it him?" I asked, giving her an intrigued look.

She nodded and picked up the phone. "Yes?' Her eyes welled up as she listened to him.

I decided to leave her alone; so she could talk privately.

"What? How could you ask me to do it?!" She snapped, frustrated and tears ran down her cheeks. "Yes, you have already told me. Don't worry. I will not ask anything from you." She stated sarcastically and hung up her phone. She burst out crying, dropping her phone.

"Stella, what did he say?" I asked, concerned as I wrapped my arm around her shoulder after grabbing her phone.

"I hate him." She mumbled, sobbing.

"Shh. Don't cry." I said softly, caressing her hair.

"I..." She leaned her hand against the wall for support as her head spoon.

"Stella!" I exclaimed in panic and caught her. "Sit down." I helped her to walk towards the chair.

As she sat down on the seat, I poured a glass of water for her and extended the glass towards her.

"Thank you." She muttered and sipped her water. Her face was still pale.

"Do you want me to call a doctor?" I asked, concerned.

"No. I am fine." She mumbled, ruffling her hair, and placed the glass on the table. "I need to rest." She added and sighed sadly.

"I will ask the driver to drop you off your home. You can't drive in this state."

"No, I will take a taxi. Don't worry." She mumbled as she grabbed her phone and stood up slowly. "And thank you." She gave me a grateful look.

"If you need anything don't hesitate to call me." I gave her a warm smile. "And pull yourself together. If he didn't appreciate you and hurt your feelings, he doesn't deserve you." I stated softly. She nodded and left.