Hector’s order was the first Albina had received and she was almost at full capacity.
For many days, the design was revised and corrected, and if it weren’t for Umberto’s watchful eye, she would have forgotten to eat or sleep.
-Albina, stop drawing. It’s time to soak your feet and go to bed.
Umberto stood in the study doorway and warned once more.
Albina nodded.
-Yes, all right, I’ll be right there.
But she didn’t move in the slightest, still with her head down, writing on her paper and from time to time frowning a little.
Umberto paused in the doorway, without taking his eyes off Albina, before coughing loudly.
Albina was engrossed in thought when the voice startled her, her eyes widened so much that she looked up with some trepidation.
This look, on the contrary, made Umberto’s heart ache and he pounced on her, rubbing her head.
-Don’t be frightened, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have scared you.
Albina responded by rubbing her belly and raising her thumb at Umberto, full of astonishment:
-The baby wasn’t scared, otherwise it would have been kicking in my belly.
-The baby is probably in bed and you’re the only one still awake,” Umberto raised his arm and tapped his finger on the watch on his wrist. Look, the doctor said to be in bed by eleven o’clock, it’s eleven o’clock now and you’ll have to soak your feet later or you’ll be on your back again grunting from the pain in your legs.
Albina seemed saddened by this, Olivia had told her earlier that during the second trimester, her legs and feet would become edematous and she would not be able to walk.
She has no idea how physical she was, it had only been four or five months and already her legs and feet had started to swell slightly.
Umberto learned a massage technique from his doctor and for the past few days she has been giving it to him every night to relieve the uncomfortable feeling in his legs.
She used to massage Umberto to relieve his headaches, but now that the situation was reversed, Umberto learned even more when he knew it worked and urged her to soak her feet every night.
-Okay, okay, I’m done. Umberto, now you’re acting like a little old man, you’re getting grumpier and grumpier.
Albina muttered something under her breath as Umberto, who was pulling her towards her room in front of her, stopped dead in his tracks and turned his head to look at her with a raised eyebrow.
-I think you’re scolding me now.
He stopped suddenly and Albina didn’t have time to slow down and almost ran him over.
Umberto, anticipating this, took her in his arms and held her so she could stand up, then cupped his fingers around her neck and gritted his teeth.
-Albina, you’re getting tired of being with me too long and you want to be happy with the new thing, don’t you?
-No, absolutely not, I swear it! -Albina immediately raised four fingers and gently caressed his handsome face, “I won’t tire of seeing your face for the rest of my life.
Umberto looked puzzled, and his eyes suddenly became sensual.
-Oh, all I have left to attract you now is my face?
Albina couldn’t bear this expression on his face and immediately showed her weakness, she snuggled in and stroked his hair.
-Of course not, I’m very attracted to you. You are handsome, you earn a lot, you have a good character and you are unfailingly kind to me. I can’t get enough of you and I’ll never get bored of being together.
-What about my words?
Umberto’s mouth curved into a veiled smile and held it.
Albina said immediately:
-Well, it’s me who is not being kind. You’re doing it for my sake, I’m the one who’s not being kind.
Umberto stroked her hair with satisfaction.
-Shall we go for a foot bath then?
-Yes!” Albina nodded her head.
Umberto calmed down and pulled her into his room.
-The hot water is ready, sit on the bed and I’ll wash your feet.
Albina didn’t like having her feet washed by a maid, but she couldn’t bend her back, so the burden fell on Umberto.
Not only did Umberto not mind at all, he was very enthusiastic and enjoyed it.
After checking that the water temperature was just right, Umberto asked Albina to put her feet in the basin.
Albina was wearing a nightgown, all her skin glowed in the light, her calves were slightly swollen but still very pretty, and her feet even more delicate. She let out a comforting sigh as she soaked her feet in the water.
-Obviously, I don’t walk much either, so why do my feet still hurt so much, and my legs too?
In addition to her daily exercise, the Santangel family protected her like a giant panda, not even letting her walk alone for fear that she would trip over something.
-I asked the doctor and he said it’s normal. I have learned all the massage techniques he taught me and it will get better with a few more pressures. I will massage you every day from now on, as it must be more uncomfortable in the later stages of pregnancy because of the swollen calves. And I’ve asked the maid to learn too, so one day when I’m away on business, you can let them give you a massage, and I’ll make sure you’re comfortable and don’t suffer a bit.
Umberto’s voice was soft as he sat next to her on the bed, soaking her feet in the other basin.
He liked this time of day, quiet and peaceful, with only her by his side. It was a time for the two of them to talk and communicate with each other.
It was also a time when both partners were at their most mellow temperament and communication was less prone to conflict, which could greatly increase the bond between the couple and reduce conflict.
Albina soaked for a while before her eyelids slowly drooped and her drowsy head tilted slightly.
In most cases, the foot bath was so comfortable that it could easily cause drowsiness.
Umberto let her lean against his shoulder and take a nap when it was almost time.
Then Umberto deftly placed a towel on his lap and placed Albina’s feet on it, massaging her little by little, using the techniques the doctor had taught him, to relieve the swelling in her legs.
The effect was almost immediate.
Umberto’s fingers were strong and pressed right on the points, and the pain soon subsided.
Albina was no longer so sleepy and looked up at the man who carefully massaged her calves with a gentle smile.
Although she talked about Umberto’s nagging, she actually enjoyed his meticulousness and tenderness.
The once unloving, cold and distant Mr. Santangel had finally become a man who knew how to love his wife.
Umberto, who pampered her with all his heart, oozed charm and sparkle in his eyes.
-Did you find your husband so handsome that you couldn’t take your eyes off him?
Suddenly, Umberto looked up and met her loving eyes. Her beautiful face lit up with a smile that seemed to melt ice and snow.