Bound By Her Bump novel Chapter 17

Annie took a break from attending to her customers when it was almost lunchtime. She wanted to rest a little and of course, find something to eat.

As soon as she stepped into her office, her phone buzzed, indicating a message just came in. She took it out of her pocket and smiled as soon as she saw the message was from Eric.

"As promised I got lunch covered for my angels. The delivery guy is waiting outside, go get your lunch from him. Take care." Eric.

She kept her phone into her pocket and went in search of the delivery guy who she saw outside her beauty parlour. She greeted him and collected the plastic bag. She wanted to give him some cash but he refused because everything had already been paid for and a huge tip had been given.

The aroma of the food was making Annie go crazy. She couldn't wait to devour it. She got to her office, unpacked the food and settled behind her desk to enjoy all of it.

Even though she didn't finish everything, she was surprised at the amount she ate. Perhaps it's because she was now eating for two.

As soon as she was done with her meal, she got a call from Ella, her best friend.

"Hey? How are you and my little peanut? How did the check-up go?"

"Fine. And the Doctor confirmed we are both fine. She also gave me my prescriptions. I hope they help ease the morning sickness."

" Good to hear. Morning sickness?" Ella reiterated

"Yes, it started this midnight; It was horrible."

"Sorry boo, I'm sure the vitamins will help lessen it."

"I hope so too. I was also given a meal plan to follow and Eric gave me a shoulder to lean on. I'm glad he was there with me." She smiled at the last part.

"Awww my best friend sounds so in love." Ella teased.

"Stop it, Ella." She groaned.

"Oh goodness, when are you going to admit your feelings for him?"

"We shouldn't be talking about this on the phone." Annie reminded.

"And why not?" Ella persisted.

"You're impossible Ella. You're still coming to pick me up right?"

"Yes." She answered, "Or do you have another ride?" She chipped in.

"Not anymore. Eric offered to pick me up but I told him you were going to do so."

"Awww. He's so sweet. You could have said yes to him." She reasoned.

"But I didn't so I'm expecting you."

Shortly after Annie's call with Ella, She received some visitors who were involved in the future project she was working on. The products were tested, samples were shown to her and she gave recommendations which they were to put in place for the finishing product. She was very happy things were falling in place. It has been her dream to own her own cosmetics line.

Everything went by in a blur, it was a little past six pm when Ella arrived to pick Annie up. Of course, the beauty parlour was still open; it closes at 8.00 pm on weekdays and 10 pm on weekends. Annie took an early night off hence Becca; her manager was in charge in her absence.

"Hiii." Annie greeted as she settled in the front passenger seat.

"Heyy," Ella replied.

"Hi, Sis." Her younger siblings chorused from the backseat.

Claire was munching on a bag of potato chips while Jayden was texting away on his phone.

Ella retired early from work, went home, picked up Annie's siblings and came to pick Annie. That explained why she was in her casual wear and not in her office clothes.

"So how was work?" Ella asked as she started the car.

"Fine, I had a meeting with the manufacturing company I'm working with. My products are almost ready and they will be launching in a few months." Annie said excitedly.

"I'm so happy for you boo. Don't worry; I'll be the first to purchase every collection." She promised.

"Oh, I'll appreciate that." Annie smiled.

"Annie?" Claire called.

"Yes, honey." She answered.

"Ella refused to tell us who our niece or nephew's Daddy is." Annie was speechless. She took a look at Ella who was driving and Ella shrugged back at her.

"You will meet him soon." She promised.

"I told you she was not going to tell us," Jayden accused.

"Don't make me feel like the meanest person on earth, please." Annie groaned which earned a chuckle from Ella.

"Just tell them, Ann." Ella encouraged.

"Yes, please tell us. Even mom refused to tell us, too." Claire pleaded.

They knew they were bound to meet Annie's baby daddy one day. But they became more curious when Ella dropped the hint that it was someone they knew very well.

"Okay, his name is Eric" Annie responded reluctantly.

Claire and Jayden looked at each other, trying to recall If they knew anyone bearing that name.

"Eric?" Claire rephrased, confused.

"Eric what? What's his other name?" Jayden asked.

"Eric Ivan-James."

"Oh my God!" Claire smiled

"What?" Jayden said in horror.

"Oh please don't tell me you don't know who Eric Ivan-James is." Claire hissed at her brother.

"I'm so happy for you Sister." Claire kind of stood up in the moving car and wrapped her arms around Annie.

"Don't mind Jayden, He's just jealous." She whispered in Annie's ear which earned a chuckle from her.

"Does Laura know about this?" She directed to her sister.

"Who's Laura?" Annie asked confused.

"My close friend, the one you did a makeover for."

"Oh...." She said as she digested what her younger sister just told her.

"hm.mmm m...maybe! I don't know if Eric already told her about me."

"I still can't believe it, my sister and Eric Ivan-James. OMG!" Claire whisper-yelled which made Annie blush a little.

The rest of the ride was filled with sweet talks, with Claire, Jayden and Ella teasing Annie about how perfect her life would be if she would just marry Eric. They said it as if Eric had proposed to her.