Mama Credence prepared me a healthy and delicious meal for lunch then we headed to Manila. She told me that we were going to Aunt Calla’s condo and she would call Bram to meet us there. Our convoy reached Aunt Calla’s place around three in the afternoon and I fell asleep in the car. Chantal woke me up and told me that we had arrived. When we reached Aunt Calla’s unit they asked me to rest in the guestroom while we all waited for Bram.
I woke up when I felt someone kiss my forehead. I squinted and saw Bram. He stood up and said, “It’s 7pm, dinner is ready.”
I assumed that Bram turned the bedside lamp on because there was still daylight when I entered this room. I got up slowly, took my bag from the nightstand and walked towards the bathroom. I freshened up a bit then walked out the bathroom. I was surprised that Bram waited for me. He was seated on the bottom part of the bed.
“I thought you went out already,” I told him.
He just smiled at me and placed his right arm on my shoulder then we walked out of the room. Aunt Calla said she had the food delivered because she did not have anything in her fridge that was suitable for me. She ordered rice, stir fry veggies, chicken parmesan, and fruits for dessert. Bram was so quiet and he looked really tired. When the table was cleared he immediately stood up and left us at the table. I followed him with my eyes. I could hear that he was talking to Jonas.
“I’m tired Jonas,” I heard Bram say, “Tell Chantal to drive the MX-5 on the way home. Emma and I will just ride home with you in the Lexus.”
Bram paused for a moment and stood by the window. Then he massaged the back of his head. He was probably waiting for Jonas’s response from the other line. Then he looked up at the ceiling, “Okay, I’ll call you back again. We’ll just say goodbye to Aunt Calla.”
I turned my head back to Aunt Calla and Mama Credence and saw them watching Bram as well. When Bram returned to his seat Mama Credence placed her hand on the table and clasped it. We all waited for what she was about to say. She glanced at each one of us.
“The four of us will attend Roland’s 26th birthday celebration,” Mama Credence announced.
My eyes widened with what I just heard. Bram and I exchanged glances then we both looked at Mama Credence again. I noticed the reaction of Aunt Calla, she looked unsurprised by the information. I got this feeling that she and Mama Credence talked about this already.
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Mama Credence turned to Bram, “Calla will be my plus one and Connor will be yours, darling.”
Bram frowned and shook his head, “I need to know the details, mum.”
Mama Credence lifted her chin and stared at me, “Emma’s brother refused to let Alicia go.”
Bram glanced at me and bit his lip. He massaged his forehead, “Then why do we need to attend?”
Mama Credence looked at her sister. Aunt Calla grinned at Bram and said, “Darling when someone that you helped betray you, that means that person was definitely not on your side. Clearly, that’s what Roland did to Emma.”
I looked down when I heard those words from Aunt Calla. Her words were difficult to swallow. Roland did betray all of us. He decided to be with Alicia even after he found out that she was Bram’s ex-girlfriend. I looked up and saw that Bram was staring at me. His eyes were full of worry.
“Are you okay?” Bram asked me. He reached his right hand under the table. I extended my left hand then he held it for a moment. He squeezed it. When I nodded he let my hand go.
“You can rest in the guestroom dear,” Aunt Calla advised me.
“She needs to be here,” Mama Credence commented, “She needs to know the plan.”
Even though I was sleepy. I nodded and said, “Okay, I’ll stay.”
“Can we move in the living room so Emma can lie down?” Bram asked as he pushed back his chair. Then he assisted me with my chair and we walked towards Aunt Calla’s living area.
Bram sat on the long sofa, got a throw pillow, and made me rest my head on his lap. Aunt Calla said she would prepare us some tea. I watched as Mama Credence sat on the other sofa that was facing us.
“Connor would be glad to see me,” Bram said with sarcasm.
Mama Credence crossed her legs, “Let’s make the most out of Roland’s birthday celebration. Maybe it’s time for you and Connor to patch things up.”
Then she smiled at us. Aunt Calla returned with a tray of tea cups and placed it on the center table, “Your facial cut looks healed Bram,” Aunt Calla commented before she sat.
Bram just shook his head, “Thanks for reminding me, Aunt Calla.” Aunt Calla just smiled at Bram’s sarcastic remark.
Then Mama Credence spoke again, “This will be on March 17, Friday. Make sure all of your schedules are clear on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.”
“For someone who does not have 5 million pesos, Roland sure spends a lot,” Aunt Calla commented then she turned to me, “No offense, dear. I’m just saying.”
I chose not to react. I guessed this was how things were going to be. Bram’s family against my family. And I would be in the middle of everything. I closed my eyes and tried to ignore their conversations but it was impossible so I opened my eyes again.
“Is this an all-expense-paid thing?” Aunt Calla asked, “What’s the name of the place again?”
“Log Cabin Hotel, if I am not mistaken,” Mama Credence answered.
Aunt Calla nodded and got her phone. I felt Bram playing with my hair. I turned to my right and smiled at him. He smiled back and continued on what he was doing.
“Is this it?” Aunt Calla asked as she gave her phone to Mama Credence.
Mama Credence got her eye glasses from her bag and stared at the phone, “Looks nice,” Mama Credence commented.
“The question is…” Aunt Calla said while she took her phone back from Mama Credence, “Are you ready to face your ex again, Bram dear?”
We all turned to Bram. He looked up to his Aunt and shrugged his shoulders, “I don’t know. I guess I’ll deal with them when I see them.”