Do You Want A Boy Or A Girl?

‘Oh.’ Kai made a mental note to get her a new phone later. Boss would be picking up the tab, of course. ‘What colour do you like? Black? Grey? Pink?’ he asked. ‘What?’ Kira thought Kai was making small talk, though the choice of topic was an odd one. ‘I don’t really have a preference.’ She wasn’t in the mood for conversation. She was still trying to process Gideon’s words. He said Austyn married her because he wanted something from her. But what could it be? Why did Gideon say that? Was it just an arbitrary excuse he made up on the spot, purely for the sake of driving a wedge between her and Austyn? Or did he have a reason for saying so? Kira cautioned herself not to fall into his trap. Gideon had always been smarter than her, not just academically. Maybe he was just playing on her insecurity. But psychological insecurity wasn’t something she could just reason away. Her mind was telling her to ignore Gideon, but a voice in her heart was saying something else… ‘We are here.’ Kai’s voice pulled Kira back to reality. They were standing outside the president’s office on the forty-eighth floor. Kai was about to knock when the door was pulled open from the inside. Kira looked up and saw Austyn. He held an empty mug in one hand. Both of his shirtsleeves were rolled up. ‘Daley, get me another cup—’ Austyn pulled up short at the sight of Kira. ‘What are you doing here?’ Kira forgot all about the voice in her heart and launched herself into his arms. The impact knocked him back a step. Austyn opened his arms without thinking. Kira clung to his waist and buried her head in his chest. Daley, Andrea and the other three secretaries gawked openly. Kai recovered first and took the mug from Austyn’s hand. He was just as surprised, but he hid it well. He thought Kira didn’t like her relationship with Boss to become public knowledge. Austyn was also puzzled by Kira’s unusual display of public affection. ‘What’s wrong?’ Shouldn’t she be at home right now? Kira said nothing. She just burrowed deeper into his arms. Andrea stared at the woman hugging the president, her mouth agape. Wasn’t she a stalker? Or was she telling the truth about being the president’s wife? Otherwise, Mr McCarthy would have shoved her away and called security the moment she made her move. Andrea was completely baffled. Had she failed in her gatekeeping duty once again and kept the wrong woman away? Austyn cleared his throat and shot a warning look to the secretaries, who took the hint and scattered. He half-carried Kira into his office and kicked the door shut. He led her to sit down on a sofa and lifted her face with a finger. ‘Kira, what’s wrong?’ She looked like she was in shock. ‘N-nothing.’ Kira shook her head. She scanned the surroundings and seemed to have just realised where she was. Austyn frowned. ‘Are you sure?’ ‘Yes, I’m sure.’ Austyn scrutinised her face for a long while. Kira looked away. He decided not to push. Kira wasn’t the type who could keep things to herself for long. She would tell him eventually. ‘Okay,’ he said. Kira was secretly relieved. She had rushed here without thinking it through. After she got away from Gideon, all she wanted was to see Austyn and feel his reassuring presence. She also wanted to ask him about what Gideon said, but something held her back. Austyn said he married her out of charity. Kira was sure she would get the same answer if she asked again. The question was only going to piss him off. He would probably accuse her of dwelling on the past, and he would be right. ‘You don’t look so well.’ Austyn noticed the sweat on her forehead. ‘Have you been running?’ ‘No, I took a taxi here.’ ‘Then why are you sweating?’ Kira touched her forehead. ‘I don’t know. Maybe it’s hot in here.’ ‘Are you sure? I could call a doctor here.’ ‘No. I’m fine, really. I’m thirsty, though. Do you have anything to drink?’ Austyn got up and fetched her a bottle of Evian. She swigged the entire bottle in five gulps. ‘Better?’ ‘Yes, much.’ ‘Are you hungry?’ ‘Not really.’ Kira touched her stomach. ‘Actually, yes, I’m a little peckish.’ Austyn opened the door and said something to Kai. ‘Something sour would be nice,’ Kira said from the sofa. ‘Sure. Just give me a minute.’ Kai nodded and left. Austyn returned to the sofa and kept staring at her. Something was clearly bugging her. She was all fidgety and on edge. What was she hiding? Did something happen back home? But Elsie would have called him if it did. Had Kira gone out during the day? Where did she go? ‘What? Is there something on my face?’ Kira squirmed under Austyn’s searching gaze. ‘Since when do you like sour food?’ he asked. Didn’t she use to have a sweet tooth? ‘I don’t know. It’s just a sudden craving.’ ‘Then I guess we’re having a boy.’ ‘What do you mean?’ ‘Elsie told me a craving for sweet food means you’re having a girl, whereas craving salty or sour food means a boy.’ ‘That’s just an old wives’ tale.’ Kira pulled a face. ‘What, you don’t want a boy?’ ‘To be honest, I’d prefer a girl.’ The thought of having a mini version of her thrilled Kira to no end. They could wear mother-daughter matching dresses. She could teach her little princess how to paint her toenails and braid her hair. She would give her daughter the childhood she never had. Austyn shook his head. ‘No, it’s best to have a son for a firstborn.’ Kira rolled her eyes. ‘I didn’t know you’re one of those.’ ‘One of what?’