I followed Bram with my eyes as I listened to what Mama Credence was saying. He was visiting every tent. Then I turned back to Mama Credence, “What was his reaction when you told him about me?”
Mama Credence was also watching Bram, “My dear, he was furious,” answered my mother-in-law, “He did not want to come home and he did not answer our calls for weeks. And then he came home because he wanted to see his dad.”
I looked down and I started to tear up. I remembered those crucial weeks that Mama Credence asked me to not go to the ancestral house to avoid interactions with Bram. It was his last moments with Don Agustin.
“He was mad at you, Emma,” Mama Credence whispered.
I nodded, “I know where he is coming from. It’s just the same as when he called me a gold digger,” I whispered in the last part. And when he did not want me to stay in the master bedroom. I could not say that to Mama Credence. My pride-or what was left of it-would not allow me.
“Then he wanted to go to the States and follow that woman and refused to marry you,” Mama Credence continued, “I had no choice but to tell him the real reason why you are doing this. So he finally agreed but I was not aware that he talked to Atty. Silas to shorten the contract.”
I gave a heavy sigh. I did not know what to feel right now. Bram just told me that he loved me this morning. I could guess that Mama Credence’s next words would be the cheating of Alicia. I was not sure if I wanted to hear it.
“I had no choice but to give him the printed images of Alicia cheating on him,” Mama Credence said when she did not receive a response from me, “Then he got mad at me for invading his privacy. But I did it to protect him.”
“I need to get changed,” I heard Bram say. I looked up to him with wide eyes. We did not notice that he was coming back to where we were seated, “Mock race starts at 10AM,” he added, then walked back towards his crew.
Later that day Bram returned to the track after a break. And it was scorching hot at three in the afternoon. I was able to scrutinize the black car that Bram was driving. It was the same model to the other cars but they were all modified in some way. I assumed this race depended on the car brand and model. There were Honda and Mazda cars too.
Mama Credence and I went to the seats near the starting line. We were looking for Bram and we saw him in fourth position. He was wearing white overalls and helmet.
I did not know if his team used white on purpose but it seemed logical to me. Because his car was black so in contrast he was all white. Maybe so he can be seen inside his car? I was assuming though. When it started Mama Credence told me that we should go back to the tent where we were seated earlier.
She said that she was getting dizzy because of the heat. We were all worried about her. So I asked her if she wanted to go to a hotel to rest. And she agreed without hesitation.
When Jonas and I got back to the tent from the parking lot, Bram and his car were back under the second tent. One of his crew was carrying his helmet and they were having a conversation. Bram looked dehydrated, his lips were chapped. He was sweaty and his brown hair was a mess.
“How was Madam Credence?” I heard Maria ask me.
I turned to her and said, “Her assistant already booked a hotel for her so she could rest.
“Where’s mum?” We heard Bram say.
Maria and I both turned to him. We did not notice that he came near us. He was now drinking from a sports bottle using a straw. Half of his overalls were hanging from his waist down.
“She felt faint, so we recommended that she go somewhere cooler,” I answered Bram.
“Is she okay?” Bram asked again. His eyes widened in alarm.
“I will call her assistant now just to be sure, sir,” Maria said while she walked away from us.
Bram momentarily glanced at Maria then turned to me, “Did you see me finish?” he asked while he continued sipping his drink.
My lips parted, I shook my head, “No,” I said apologetically, “Jonas and I were at the parking lot, making sure that Mama Credence was safe in her car.”
Bram nodded, then he stood very close to me. He bowed down and stared at my cleavage. My eyes widened because it was obvious when he did it! Then he transferred his drink on his left hand and used his right hand to squeeze my left breast. He did it so fast that I had no time to react. My mouth hung open as I checked if anyone saw what he did.
I glared at him, “Bram! What are you doing?”
He gave me a toothy grin and said, “Claiming part of my prize.”
“Stop it!” I scolded him, “This is not the place for that.”
He slowly pulled me by the waist and kissed the side of my head, “Sorry.”
I looked up to him and shook my head, “Did you win?” I asked him as he started to walk back towards his car.
“No,” he responded. He wiped the sweat on his forehead and added, “I’m going to watch my friends race.”
“Okay,” I answered, “Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, you stay there under the tent and prepare my prize,” then he stopped walking and smirked at me.
I scowled at him, “What prize?”
“I’ll collect it later,” he smiled and winked at me. I stared at his back as he walked towards his crew.
Maria and I stayed in the tent. We asked the result of the race from one of his crew and found out that Bram won first place. After the awarding ceremony Bram changed into a white polo shirt, khaki shorts similar to mine and white sneakers. I was kind of surprised when he took me to his car and we drove to the tracks. He was driving at a steady pace then slowed for a bit.
“Look at the pink orange sky, Emma,” Bram said to me as we stared at the sky above us.
“Wow,” I commented, “It’s lovely.”
The sky was a mixture of white, pink, and orange. Sometimes I forget to appreciate small things like this.
“I thought I would lose today,” Bram commented when we made a turn.
“Really?” I asked, “What happened?”
“I wanted my friend to win,” Bram answered me.
“And then?” I asked again as I looked at the tracks.
“I changed my mind and decided to win it for you,” then he smirked at me.
“Are you pulling my leg?” I said with a laugh.
“Nope,” Bram said with a grin. Then he stepped on the gas, “I’m excited for my prize.”