After dinner Bram turned the TV on in our living room and we watched the racing highlights in Monaco. We were lounging on the sofa. His head was on my lap. And he willingly answered all my questions about F1. He even searched for a video so I could see what an F1 driver looked like inside the car.
“Oh, wow,” I commented, “So that was the reason why you need to maintain weight? It’s like you’re almost lying down.”
Bram nodded, then he continued watching on TV. I felt stressed out just by watching the content about the driving position in the car, “If this is me I would probably feel claustrophobic,” I told Bram as I gave him back his phone.
Bram turned to me. His expression looked different. Like he was afraid, “When I went to F1 I struggled too.”
I nodded as acknowledgement. Bram did not explain further so I did not ask. Mental health was something that I was also scared to discuss with anyone. He would discuss it with me if he was ready.
“I need to pee,” I told him as I moved away from his head.
I went inside our bedroom and went to the bathroom. I locked the door out of habit. After I peed, I tied my hair up in a bun and brushed my teeth. When I was scrubbing my face with my facial wash I heard a knock on the door.
“Yes?” I asked. My hands were both on my face full of bubbles.
“I need to pee,” I heard Bram say.
I washed my right arm to remove the bubbles then opened the door for him. I continued massaging my face in circular motion as I checked my face in the mirror. Then I rinsed it. When I opened my eyes, Bram was still there staring at me.
“What?” I asked while I shook my hands on the sink.
“Nothing,” Bram said as he left the bathroom.
I dried my face with the towel and got out of the bathroom. Bram was still watching the F1 highlights. I went to our walk-in closet and went to my sleeping clothes. I chose short sleeved red matching pajamas.
Then I went to my dresser and brushed my hair. I suddenly remembered the leadership program so I walked quickly to talk to Bram but he was already sleeping on the sofa. I picked up the remote from the center table and turned the TV off then I went to bed and slept. I woke up when I felt a hand pull me closer. I opened my eyes to our semi-dark room. I turned to my right and saw Bram, his eyes were closed.
“What time is it?” I asked him.
“I don’t know,” he murmured. I sighed and went back to sleep.
Wednesday
I woke up the next day and Bram was no longer beside me. I checked the time on my phone and it was already eleven o’clock! I could not believe that I overslept. I already had so many missed calls on my phone. I went straight to the intercom and called Maria.
“Hi Maria,” I said to her, “I was not able to check my schedule for this week. And I just woke up.”
“It’s all right, Madam,” Maria responded, “I’ll be there with you in a moment.”
I went inside the bathroom to check my face. I massaged my face a little to remove its puffiness and shook my head. I did not know what happened and why I overslept. I went out of the bathroom when I heard a knock on the door. I opened it for Maria and let her in. I spoke to her as I entered the walk-in closet.
“Can you tell me my schedule for this week, Maria?”
“Yes, Ma’am! Madam Credence asked me to inform her once you’re awake,” Maria started, “She wants to meet you at the ancestral house this afternoon at three o’clock.”
“Okay,” I responded. I stopped looking for clothes to wear and stared at Maria. I think I know what this is about!
“That’s the only schedule that you have for today, Madam,” Maria continued, “Do you want me to bring you your lunch now, Madam?”
“Yes please,” I told her as I opened the cabinet for dresses.
Rivera Ancestral House, Laguna
This house was where I stayed and took care of Don Agustin when he was still alive. I glanced at Mama Credence’s white Mercedes sedan as I entered the 19th century old house. I followed the caretaker and carefully climbed the beautifully polished wooden staircase. She took me to the office of Don Agustin where Mama Credence was waiting. She was looking out the window. She turned to me after the caretaker closed the door.
“What happened to your promise to trust Bram?” Mama Credence said to me. My lips parted when I saw her expression. Her mouth was set in a grim line. She was definitely upset! I swallowed because I could not think of an answer.
“You promised me that you will trust, protect, and support my son no matter what?” Mama Credence continued, “Then just a few words from that woman you left Bram? Calla told me what happened in her condo.”
I gave out a heavy sigh, “I was hurt by what your son called me,” I told her, “So instead of arguing with him I went home to my mother’s house.”
Mama Credence sat on the swivel chair and placed her elbows on the office table. She clasped her hand, “I’m sorry that you heard it from that woman. She was like a poison, she was influencing him.”
I had no idea what Mama Credence was talking about. I did not know Alicia so I remained silent and slowly walked towards the office table. She used her right hand and motioned me to sit on the chair to her right.
“I’m sorry if I let my emotions get in the way,” I told her and bit my lower lip.
“I hope this will not happen again,” Mama Credence said as she looked into my eyes. I nodded in agreement. She sighed and smiled, “Bram called me this morning. He said that he was watching you sleep and then he ended up running late for work.”
I smiled and shook my head, “Maybe he was just being silly,” I said lightly.
“Maybe,” Mama Credence said, “Or he was just smitten?”
When the sun started to set Mama Credence and I walked around the area. I checked it online and it said that this area was declared as a National Historic Landmark years ago. This area was one of the few towns in the country which was elevated to villa during the Spanish colonial period. It was already dark when we finished our stroll. Mama Credence cooked dinner for me. She made a Paella-a dish of saffron-flavored rice cooked with meats, seafood, and vegetables.
We were having tea in the living room when Bram surprised us. I checked my phone while Bram greeted his mom. I totally forgot the time! It was thirty minutes past eight now. Bram said that he came here to pick me up so we could go home together. When we got home and was getting ready for bed Bram complained about the size of our bed.
“It’s too small for the both of us,” Bram said.
“You can sleep on the sofa, Bram,” I teased him while I removed my red silk robe.
“I will do no such thing,” he responded. As he laid down on the bed with his boxers brief on. He turned off the lights. I went under the covers but Bram took it off me. He pulled down my panties and lifted my legs.
“Bram!” I yelled at him. As he started sucking my intimate parts.
“I waited five days to do this, Emma,” I heard him say. I had no choice but to close my eyes.