The Apple of My Eye novel Chapter 452

"I'm… I'm fine," Nancy reassured Autumn with a weak smile. She looked up and saw Charles coming down the stairs, excusing herself hastily on the pretext of preparing breakfast.

Nancy was unable to concentrate on her kitchen chores. The more she recalled, the uneasier she felt. She left the couple eating breakfast and purposefully went straight to Bren'ts room, opening the door without preamble.

Brent was relaxing on the bed after a hearty breakfast when his mother suddenly burst into the room. Brent sat up with a scowl and grumbled," Why didn't you knock the door before barging in, mom?"

"Why do I have to knock? Are you hiding something?" Nancy asked her son. "Why do you look so nervous? Did you do something bad?" she quizzed.

"What are you talking about, mom?" Brent asked, evidently annoyed. Looking at his mom's red face, Brent tried to reason with her in a softer tone," I'm not a child, mom. What if I'm changing my clothes or something?"

"You'd better watch out. If I find out that you stole things in the house, I swear I will beat you to death," Nancy warned with a stern look at her son. Nancy looked around Brent's room with an eagle's eye. Seeing no signs of the missing Jade Ruyi and prayer beads, she stormed out of the room.

Charles seemed reluctant to go to work this morning but since he was already dressed, Autumn urged him to go. She planned to go shopping today so she asked Brent to take her to the mall. Charles had ordered Brent to follow Autumn closely and he promised to follow his instructions to the letter.

Autumn wasn't much of a shopper. But since getting pregnant, she couldn't seem to get enough of shopping for baby items. Brent followed her discreetly everywhere she went, which made her feel uncomfortable.

"Brent, can I talk to you for a minute?" Autumn beckoned Brent to a corner of the big shopping mall. "I'm sure this is terribly boring for you, why don't you go sit in the coffee shop nearby and have some fun? I will call you when I finish here," Autumn suggested with a smile.

"No, I can't!" Brent shook his head vigorously. "Mr. Lu asked me to keep a close eye on you since you haven't been well lately. I don't feel right leaving you alone," Brent refused her offer flatly.

"You…" Autumn gazed up at Brent in disbelief. Her husband sure could inspire loyalty, she mused. When she suggested hiring Brent, it's only as a favor to Nancy. But she didn't expect this.

Looking at the resolve on the young man's face, Autumn gave up on the idea and continued looking around for baby accessories, a silent Brent behind her.

Entering a maternal and infant store, she was surprised to see a familiar yet unwelcome face of her former colleague, Leila. She was obviously alone and looking at her bulging abdomen, obviously very pregnant. She gasped in surprise.

"Leila? It's really you! What are you doing here?" Autumn surprised Leila and she almost dropped the pile of shopping bags she's carrying. During their last unfortunate meeting, she could swear that she hadn't noticed Leila's condition. Looking at her, she has no doubt that Leila was expecting a child. "Are you pregnant?" Autumn blurted.

"Autumn…" Leila was totally unprepared to see Autumn, that was obvious. Her bags dropped unnoticed, spilling baby clothes everywhere. Pulling herself together she bent down to pick up her purchases on the floor. "Why…why are you here?" she stammered as she looked at Autumn.

"I'm buying stuff for my babies. How about you?" Autumn replied, pointedly resting her eyes on Leila's tummy.

'Who is the father of her child?' Autumn thought.

"I…" Leila stopped and bit her lips, lowering her head as if in embarrassment. Finally lifting her head, she met Autumn's eye squarely and said," I'm shopping for my baby, too."

Leila's reply took Autumn by surprise. She glanced at her baby bump thoughtfully. 'From what I can see, it must at least be four months since she became pregnant.'