The next day, Desmond had come back from work and was flipping through the channels on TV when Daniella, who was busy on her phone, suddenly spoke up.
"Honey, I need to talk to you about something important," Daniella said, and Desmond glanced up from the remote control, his brow furrowing slightly. "What is that?"
"My close friend, Julie, is hosting a birthday party tomorrow, and she really wants me to be there." Daniella explained. "It's going to be a big celebration, and I haven't seen her for a while." She finished and Desmond's expression darkened. "Did you accept the invitation?"
"I just told you that she's my close friend. Why won't I accept the invitation?" Daniella replied.
"You know you are pregnant, right?" Desmond asked.
"Yeah, I'm aware. Any problem with that?" Daniella asked.
"I don't expect this question from you. There are things you need to avoid as a pregnant woman, and partying is one of them. You need to take care of yourself and the baby. Going to a party might not be the best idea right now."
"It's my friend's birthday and not a random party. I don't see anything wrong with it. I understand your concern, but Julie is my best friend, and she had been planning this party for weeks. I promised her I would be there."
"It's not just about you, Daniella. It's about our baby. You need to be careful, and I don't want you to stress yourself." Desmond explained, and Daniella's face was flushed with a trace of frustration.
"Desmond, I appreciate your concern, but I'm perfectly capable of attending the party." She said. "I'm not going there to dance and jump around."
"It's not just about stressing yourself. I don't want you to get drunk or participate in any of those dirty games they play. I'm sure your friend is not married. So I know what happens in those kinds of parties. It's too risky for you. I don't want you to go."
"I'm not a kid, Desmond. I won't drink, and I won't participate in any dirty games. I'll just be there to support her and celebrate her birthday. That's all."
"I'm not comfortable with this, Daniella. I don't trust that you will be able to avoid those things once you are there."
"I'm mature enough to control myself. I love you and our baby. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize our well-being. But I also need to honor my commitments to my friends. Please, you need to understand."
Desmond sighed deeply, rubbing his temples in frustration. "If you are going, then I will come with you to make sure nothing goes wrong."
Daniella's eyes widened in surprise as she heard him say that. "Why are you talking as if I'm going there to misbehave or cheat on you? Don't you trust me? I'm not like Anabel. I will never cheat on you. I will never do that. Besides, it's a female party. She's expecting me, not both of us. No guy will be attending the party. Only her close female friend." Daniella said, trying to erase the idea off his mind. It will spoil all her plans.
"It's not that I don't trust you. it's just that I want to be there for you, too." Desmond said, and Daniella took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure. "Desmond, I appreciate your concern about me, but I need you to trust me that nothing will go wrong. Please, let me go on my own."
After a long pause, Desmond sighed again, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Alright, you can go, but please, be careful."
Daniella smiled softly. "I will, thank you. Oh, and one more thing—I will need fifty thousand dollars."
Desmond's eyes widened in shock. "Fifty thousand dollars? For what?"
"I want to surprise Julie with a cake and a nice gift. And I will need a gown, shoes, and bracelets to wear to the party." She explained.
"That's a lot of money for a birthday party, Daniella. You are not the celebrant. You are just attending a party."