Sleeping with the Assistant

Chapter Thirteen: Holiday Party

   I'm planning on telling Joseph how I feel about him and that I'm pregnant on New Year's Day. My resolution is to just be honest with people, meaning I'd have to tell Chad that I'm pregnant too. I know he won't be happy about that. He hasn't spoken to me in two months anyway, so I doubt he'd even care. Right now I'm helping Joseph finish decorating for the Christmas party. Julia is out getting the alcohol, Chad and Cody are getting more cutlery since Joseph and Julia invited more people than we thought, and I'm adding last minute touches slash babysitting JJ.
"You look so much like your daddy, it's ridiculous," I coo to him. "Such a handsome little boy you are."
"Can you pass me the tape?" Joseph asks while holding up red and green streamers. I hand it to him and watch him finish up the wall decorations.
"Thanks again for helping out," he says. "I appreciate it."
"No problem. Besides watching JJ is good practice for me," I mention.
"And why is that? Are you planning on having kids soon?" Shit, I need to be more careful about the whole pregnancy thing.

"I would like children one day," I say. "What about you? Do you plan on having more?"
"Honestly, probably not. Raising one kid is already a handful," Joseph admits. "I want to give my little man all of my attention." As I try to burp JJ, negative thoughts started swirling around my head.
"If that's how he really feels there's no point in telling him," I think. "I can save myself from the drama it would have caused." I place JJ in his rocker and watch the machine soothe him to sleep. I wonder how my child is going to look. Will they have my blue eyes or Joseph's brown eyes. My caramel skin or his tan skin.
"Hey, are you okay?" Joseph questions, snapping me out of my daydream.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about how exciting the party will be," I fib. I nervously play with the ring he gave me as I think about how close New Year's is approaching. I could be an honest woman and tell him about the baby and not care whether he wants to be in their life or not, or I could be a horrible woman and keep it from him altogether.
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At the party

   I watch as the snow lightly falls from the sky and covers the ground with a thick white sheet. I smooth out my red peplum dress nervously since I've decided to tell Joseph everything today. I place my hand on my small bump that the dress conceals, this is the first time I've actually touched it. I felt a boost of courage from it, or it could be my hormones.
  "Jasmine," I hear Chad say from behind me.
  "Finally decided to talk to me huh?" I ask.
  "It's the holidays. I'm feeling nice and I wanted to apologize for not speaking to you."
  "It's okay. Two glasses of champagne?"
  "The other is for you," he says while handing it to me.
  "Oh, I'm not drinking," I mention.
  "Why not?"
  "If I tell you, you'll hate me again," I mumble.
  "I promise I won't. Why aren't you drinking?"
  "I'm not drinking because I'm... I'm pregnant," I stammer.
  "No way. Congratulations," he cheers while hugging me. "Who's the dad?"
  "Joseph.."
  "Does he know?"
  "Not yet. I'm planning on telling him tonight," I say. "I've been putting it off since I found out."
  "I wish you all the luck in the world," Chad says. "I hope he'll be there for you and the kid."
  "Me too. I've been waiting for him to be alone so I could tell him."
  "He's right there grabbing a drink. Go on." I take a deep breath before walking over to him. Everything in my path freezes and it's just me and Joseph in the room. I can hear my heart pounding and breathing becoming ragged. When I finally approach him, he smiles sweetly at me, offering me a drink.

   "No thanks. Not drinking tonight," I decline. "There's something really important I need to tell you. Two things actually. I've been wanting to tell you for a while but I've been putting it off."
  "I'm all ears," he says while putting the other glass down.
  "The first thing I want to tell is that I'm in love with you," I confess. "I've been in love with you for a long time now."
  "Whoa, Jasmine... I-I don't know what to say. I think—"
  "Can I have everyone's attention please?" Cody interrupts. "I have a very important announcement to make."
  "What were you going to say?" I ask Joseph.
  "I was going to say that I think I feel the sa—"
  "There's been something scandalous going on around here and I think everyone should know since the people involved don't," Cody announces.
  "Oh my god is he going to..." I trail off.
  "He wouldn't.."
  "Our beloved Joseph has been having an affair with his personal assistant Jasmine. I have all the proof if anyone needs it," Cody says loudly.
  "Joseph, is that true?" Julia asks. Everyone at the party is staring at us all wide-eyed. Panic strikes through me and without thinking I run out of the party. The freezing air whips me right in the face as soon as I step foot outside. Hot tears are streaming down my face as I try to watch where I'm running to. I trip over my own feet and fall on the snowy sidewalk. Joseph comes running out to help me up and everyone follows along.

   "Please don't touch me," I cry. "Leave me alone."
  "Jasmine.."
  "So it is true huh?" Julia yells.
  "Jules, we can talk about it when we get home okay?"
  "No! I want an answer, Joseph!"
  "Yes, it's true," I say while getting up. "Joseph and I had an affair."
  "How could you do this to me?" she shouts.
  "I'm sorry.." Joseph says quietly. Julia marches over to me and strikes my face with her cold bare hand.
  "You are such a whore! I can't believe you would sleep with him knowing that we're together!" she screams at me. "Cody please take me home."
  "Julia wait," Joseph calls out.
  "No. I hope she was worth it," Julia cries. Once it gets quiet I hear everyone murmuring about me and the whole affair.
  "What a slut."
  "She's so easy."
  "Homewrecker."
  "Such a dirty bitch." I guess this is what I deserve for being a lying and deceitful person.