"Growing Uncertainty"

Ashley stared blankly at her calendar, her mind wandering as she marked off the days. She was now ten weeks pregnant, and while she was excited about the prospect of becoming a mother, she couldn't shake off the lingering doubts. Had she made the right decision? Was she truly ready for this new chapter in her life? As she pondered these questions, her thoughts drifted to Gerald. He was still his old self, partying with his friends and flirting with other women. Ashley had tried to brush it off, telling herself that he was just being social, but it was hard not to feel insecure when she saw him laughing and joking with other chicks. Just then, a wave of nausea washed over her, and Ashley's stomach churned. She felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead as she struggled to keep her lunch down. She knew she had to get out of there, but her boss, Mr. Thompson, was breathing down her neck. "Keep working, Ashley!" he barked, not even noticing her distress. "We need to get these orders processed ASAP!" Ashley gritted her teeth and tried to focus, but her body was rebelling against her. She felt like she was going to throw up any second, and the thought of being stuck at the counter, surrounded by the chaos of the office, was making her anxiety spike. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, but it was no use. She knew she had to get out of there, or risk making a scene. Ashley slowly got up from her seat, trying not to draw attention to herself. "Excuse me, Mr. Thompson," she said, her voice shaking slightly. "I need to, uh, take a break. I'm not feeling well." Mr. Thompson scowled, his face reddening. "What do you mean you're not feeling well? You're not getting paid to take breaks! Get back to work!" Ashley felt a surge of frustration, but she knew she had to prioritize her health and her baby's well-being. She took another deep breath and tried to stand her ground. "I understand, sir, but I'm really not feeling well. I think I need to go home and, uh, take care of myself." Mr. Thompson huffed and puffed, but eventually, he relented. "Fine. Take the rest of the day off. But don't think this is going to become a habit, Ashley. You're expected to be back at work tomorrow, ready to go." Ashley nodded, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. She quickly grabbed her things and made her way out of the office, grateful to be free from the toxic atmosphere and her boss's dictatorial behavior. As she walked home, Ashley couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She was still unsure if she had made the right decision, and Gerald's behavior wasn't helping to alleviate her doubts. She knew she needed to talk to him, to have a real conversation about their future and their relationship. But for now, she just wanted to go home, rest, and try to shake off the lingering nausea.