“How are you feeling? Are you much better now?”
Before heading to work, Edward asked Julia, making sure once again if his wife’s condition was much improved compared to before.
This wasn’t just idle chatter or seeking sympathy. Three days ago, Julia had indeed been hit by the flu and had a high fever. Perhaps due to exhaustion and exerting too much energy working and making love simultaneously, Julia’s condition eventually plummeted, and she fell ill.
Because she kept whining and acting coy, Edward had to give in and not go to the office. He had to take care of his wife, and only today could he go back to work because there were matters he couldn’t neglect.
“Don’t worry. I’m much better because you’ve taken care of me wholeheartedly.”
Julia, still lying on the bed, then stretched out her arms, asking Edward to come closer and give her a hug before leaving for work.
Edward couldn’t refuse. If he avoided it as he usually did, Julia would start whining and immediately accuse him of changing or not loving her anymore.
Edward thought, instead of dragging it out or Julia prying into matters that would eventually lead to a clandestine relationship between him and Bella, he decided to give in this time. He would comply with all of Julia’s wishes as long as they made sense.
“I can’t hug you for too long, Julia. I might be late for work.”
“I know,” Julia replied, not loosening her hug even a bit. “I just want to enjoy our time together for these few days before I leave for Milan the day after tomorrow.”
Edward was taken aback. Sure that he hadn’t misheard, he confirmed Julia’s words again.
“What? You’re going to Milan? That’s sudden.”
Only then did Julia loosen her hug a little. Looking up, she gazed at Edward tenderly. After giving him a quick peck, she answered her husband’s curiosity.
“Yes, dear. The day after tomorrow, I have a photo shoot and a fashion bazaar for Santiago Moralez’s brand in Milan and Rome. I hope this time you’ll agree to let me go.”
“So, you’re going abroad? I guess it’ll be long, as usual.”
Julia smiled, nodding as she responded to Edward’s question, whose expression always turned cold whenever he learned that Julia would be going out of town for a long time.
“Don’t worry. This time won’t be for a month. Moreover, extending the days suddenly. Just two weeks. And I promise I’ll come back right away.”
Edward remained silent, not immediately responding to Julia’s request for permission. Not because he was angry or disappointed as usual. But rather, he tried to conceal the overwhelming joy and happiness inside him.
In Edward’s mind, many plans emerged that he could execute with Bella later on. And most importantly, this time he and Bella could truly be together, spending time to alleviate their longing without any disturbances from anywhere.
“Edward,” Julia addressed her husband when she found him silent, not giving any answer. “What do you say? Did you give permission? Please, I beg you. It’s just for a short while. This job is really important to me.”
Edward snapped out of it. Clearing his throat, he tried to keep his face neutral.
“Even if I forbid you, will you obey? Doesn’t seem like it.”
Julia laughed. She hugged Edward tightly again, who already smelled of perfume.
“That means I can go, right? This time, I won’t arbitrarily extend the time. Like we agreed at the beginning, I’ll only be gone for two weeks.”
Edward nodded. Inside, however, he rejoiced. He prayed to God that Julia could leave for a sufficiently long time this time. Edward swore he wouldn’t be angry or disappointed at all.
“Most importantly, make sure you’re feeling much better when you leave.”
“Don’t worry. I’m already recovered.”
After seeing Edward off at the front door, Julia intended to return to her room. She called Clara to help pack some items and necessities that would be taken when traveling to Milan and Rome.
Upon reaching the second floor, Julia coincidentally crossed paths with Bella, who had just come out of her room. She called her in and invited her to enter the room.
“There’s something I want to give you.”
Bella nodded. Along with Clara, she followed Julia from behind. And when they entered the room, Bella was momentarily stunned to see several clothes scattered on the sofa and floor.
There were red lingerie, thin bras, lace G-strings that might belong to Julia, and even Edward’s white boxers and T-shirts that seemed intentionally scattered.
“Sorry if it’s messy. Because we were too tired from making love, we didn’t have time to tidy up.”
Julia said that sentence while laughing. Meanwhile, Bella, who heard it, felt irritated herself. She felt like the woman in front of her was deliberately flaunting her intimate activities with Edward last night. Damn!
“What do you need, ma’am?”
Clara deliberately asked. She couldn’t bear seeing Bella, who was surely upset or maybe hurt by Julia’s behavior, which seemed to be provoking.
“Ah, I came here because I want to ask for your help in packing. And Bella, there are some items I want to give you.”
Julia took Bella to the walk-in closet. Opening the closet, she took out some clothes that she would pack into the suitcase.
“Do you need to travel?”
“Yes.” Julia nodded. “The day after tomorrow, I have a job abroad and have to go to Milan and Rome for about two weeks. That’s why I’m asking you to pack my things.”
Clara nodded. Without asking further questions, she chose to immediately tidy up the clothes and items that Julia had chosen.
While picking out some items to bring, Julia took out some nightgowns and new clothes to then give to Bella. Whether for what purpose or reason, she handed them over just like that.
“What’s this, ma’am?” Bella asked, confused. Of course, she was surprised to suddenly be presented with many items.
“These are bikinis, satin nightgowns, and some lingerie that I bought but haven’t had a chance to wear. They’re all still new and sealed. I thought, instead of piling up in the closet and eventually getting damaged, it’s better to give them to you.”
Bella was momentarily stunned. She couldn’t guess the meaning and purpose behind Julia giving her these strange items.
“But, Madam, it seems like everything you’re giving me is very expensive. Besides, there’s no appropriate moment for me to wear these items.”
Julia just laughed. Even though Bella was being honest with her words, Julia seemed to ignore it completely. What’s the point of being given expensive items like these if they can’t be used at all?
“Oh my, Bella. You don’t have to use them right away. You can wear the nightgowns after giving birth. As for the bikini, you can wear it when you visit the beach later. And about the lingerie, you can wear it when you get married. Or…” Julia paused her sentence while looking meaningfully at Bella. Bella felt shivers down her spine just from being looked at like that.
“Or what?” Bella asked, curious.
“Or… you could use them when you’re making love with your lover.”
Bella choked on her saliva. Whether she was too sensitive or had too negative of thinking, Julia spoke as if she was mocking her.
Then, Julia seemed to get up. Walking towards the closet, she took out another box from inside. Approaching Bella, she just handed it over.
“It seems like you might need this too.”
Bella looked at the box containing the foreign item. For this one, she didn’t understand its purpose.
“Sorry, Madam. But, what is this?”
Julia smiled.
“That’s a sex vibrator. I heard that pregnant women’s sexual hormones increase significantly. So, I thought you might need it. Well, even though it doesn’t feel as good as the real thing. At least it can make you feel satisfied.”
Bella’s face turned red. Julia really embarrassed her!
***
After helping Julia pack, Clara moved to Bella’s room to help tidy up the clothes. While working, as usual, she heard Bella ranting, pouring out her heart.
“See, Clara? It seems like Julia is deliberately mocking me. Just imagine, what’s the meaning behind giving me lingerie while mentioning that I could wear it when making love with my lover! Not to mention the vibrator or whatever it’s called. How could she give me items like that?”
Rather than feeling pity, Clara laughed. Especially seeing Bella’s cute expression while talking.
“Don’t get angry. It doesn’t need to be responded to.”
“Just so you know,” Bella retorted. “I’m becoming more convinced that Julia actually knows about my relationship with Edward. She deliberately provokes and makes me angry and suffer like this.”
“Come on, Miss. Don’t speculate. Just let Madam Julia behave as she wishes. The most important thing is, she doesn’t do anything reckless or cross any boundaries. I’ve told you, this is the risk you chose and took to be Mr. Edward’s secret lover. So, just enjoy it. Besides, the second person everywhere isn’t allowed to demand more, right?”
Bella fell silent. Clara’s words sounded so piercing. As the second woman whose status was just a mistress, she indeed wasn’t entitled to demand more or ask for priority.
“For God’s sake, sometimes I feel like I can’t take it anymore. I just want to run away or if necessary, leave this house because I can’t stand feeling upset all the time.”
“And then, you’ll deal with the authorities because you’re considered to have violated the contract agreement? Or even be sued to return all the money that Mrs. Julia has paid?”
Bella nodded. Although she often felt weak, fortunately, she could still think rationally and never forget about this. Even if she acted slightly beyond calculation, her sick mother could become Julia’s target besides having to pay damages.
“That’s why I have to be patient. Day and night I pray to give birth soon. After that, I’ll leave this house.”
Clara felt sorry. She looked at Bella intensely, while holding and squeezing the woman’s fingers in front of her.
“Don’t think too much. Soon Mrs. Julia will be going abroad for two weeks. You can use the time available to enjoy it with Mr. Edward. Besides, isn’t Mrs. Julia’s departure coinciding with your birthday as well?”
Bella sighed. She pulled her fingers away from Clara’s grip right away.
“Ah, I don’t want to hope too much anymore. I’m tired of feeling heartbroken, Clara. It doesn’t matter whether Julia wants to leave for a long time or a short time. I don’t care anymore.”