“Is it true?” I asked Bram, “Did you call me a gold digger?”
“Yes, it’s true,” Bram admitted to me, “But that was before I got to know you, Emma.”
I blankly stared at the floor. My heart started to beat fast and it was getting hard to breathe. I closed my eyes and laid back down to the bed. I curled up into the fetal position.
“I’m sorry, Emma,” I heard Bram say, “Are you okay?”
“No,” I opened my eyes, “Can you get out of the room please?”
“But Emma…” Bram tried to say.
“Please, get out,” I said and turned my back to him.
When I heard the door closed. I realized that maybe I need help. I knew better not to assume and self-diagnose anxiety and panic attacks. I decided that I would call my mom tomorrow and ask her to come with me for a check up. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep.
“Emma, darling?” I heard Aunt Calla say, “It’s twelve midnight, you have not eaten anything.”
“I’m not hungry,” I responded, “I need to use the bathroom, Aunt Calla?”
“Sure dear, go ahead,” Aunt Calla told me.
I cleaned up a bit and used wipes to remove my make-up. I got out and Aunt Calla was still there, “Sorry for the inconvenience, did Jonas go home already?”
“Yes, dear,” Aunt Calla answered me, “But Bram is sleeping on my living room sofa.”
We went out of the guest room and walked quietly towards the kitchen. Aunt Calla reheated the take-away Indian food from the fridge so I could eat. She excitedly shared with me that George was given a contract by the owner of the well known clothing brand. And that she would take George and the other female model to South Korea as a treat.
“Darling, you’re awake,” Aunt Calla said as she looked behind me.
It meant that Bram was awake. I did not say anything and just continued eating. I felt it when Bram stood at my left side. Then he placed his hand at the back rest of my chair.
“It’s late Emma, we’ll stay at my condo tonight,” Bram told me. I did not say anything and decided to ignore him.
Aunt Calla stared at us and smiled, “I’ll be in my room, just call me if you need anything.”
Bram sat on the chair where Aunt Calla was seated earlier. We stared at each other for a moment. I bit my lower lip and asked the question that was on my mind, “Did you take Alicia to your condo?”
Bram’s eyes widened, he was definitely caught off-guard by my question. I put down my fork and spoon and glared at him.
“What’s the point of asking these questions?” Bram asked me.
I leaned back to my chair and crossed my arms to my chest, “It matters to me. Yes or no?”
Bram sat properly and looked outside. Then he looked back at me and shook his head. He swallowed and said, “Yes.”
I licked my lower lip and shook my head, “Did you go to her after our wedding?” .
“I’m not going to answer that,” Bram told me then he looked outside again.
I pushed my chair backwards and stood up. I walked quickly to the guest room and locked the door. I got my phone and dialed my brother’s phone number. He answered on the third ring.
“Roland, pick me up, I’ll send you the details of my location,” I told my brother, “Don’t make fucking excuses, just get here!”
Roland asked me the name of the building and told me that he would be here in an hour. I heard a knock on the door after I hung up the call. I opened it and fixed my bag.
“Emma,” I heard Bram say as he watched me put on my shoes.
I carried my bag, went out of the room and knocked at Aunt Calla’s room. She opened the door immediately, “I’m done eating Aunt Calla. I’ll help you clean up.”
“No need, dear,” Aunt Calla followed me as I placed my bag on the kitchen counter and picked up my plate.
“It’s okay, Roland will pick me up,” I told Aunt Calla while I returned the covers of the opened plastic canisters.
“Oh,” I heard Aunt Calla say and then the room went quiet. I turned to Bram and Aunt Calla.
“Bram is leaving,” I said and narrowed my eyes at him. Bram got his coat and glanced at me before he headed out of the condo.
When he left I washed the plates and utensils that I used and had a little chat with Aunt Calla. I was glad that she did not ask anything about what happened between Bram and me. When my brother called me that he was waiting at the parking lot, I thanked Aunt Calla and bid her goodbye. Aunt Calla walked me to the elevator and I headed to the parking lot. I noticed Bram when he stood up from the sofa in the lobby.
It was impossible not to see him because he sat on the sofa facing the elevators. He followed me to the parking lot and waited for me to get in my brother’s car. I looked at the rearview mirror and saw Bram. He watched us as we sped away. When we got home my mom was waiting for us in the living room.
“We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m so tired today.” I told both my mom and my brother then I went to my room.
Tuesday
I woke up the next day and I felt better. I reached for my phone and checked the time. It was eleven o’clock in the morning. I had so many message notifications and missed calls. I saw Mama Credence’s missed calls but I returned my phone on the nightstand and stared at the ceiling.
I laughed at myself. I could not believe that I forced Bram to leave his own Aunt’s condo. He even waited for me in the lobby. Well, it was his decision to wait for me there, so I did not feel bad about that. My phone started to ring, I stood up and got out of my room. I needed a phone break and this was definitely the right time to do it.