Thursday
The following morning I woke up and Bram was not beside me. I reached for my phone and squinted just to see the time. It was thirty minutes past seven. I could hear that someone was working in the kitchen. It was probably Maria preparing my breakfast.
I went to the bathroom quickly then headed out of the room in pajamas. Maria was watching me as I closed the door of our room, “What time did Bram get home last night?”
“We waited for him, Madam,” Maria stated, “But he did not come home last night.
I crossed my arms to my chest, “Did he tell you where he slept last night?”
“No, madam,” Maria told me, “Shall I set the table now?”
“Yes, please,” I answered her while I walked back to the master’s bedroom, “I’m just going to get my phone.”
When I opened the door of our room. My phone was already ringing. I quickly walked towards my phone and checked the caller ID. It was Bram.
“Hello?” I said to the other line.
“Hello, Emma?” said a familiar voice from the other line.
“Connor?” I asked carefully.
“Yes,” Connor responded, “Bram passed out. He was still sleeping in my bed.”
I sat at the edge of the bed and sighed, “Where are you?”
“We’re in a yacht here in the Manila bay area,” Connor explained, “He’s probably late for work?”
I shook my head, “Um, can you please look after him until Jonas gets there?”
“Sure, sure,” Connor responded, “I think Jonas knows where this is, but I am going to send you the address.”
“Okay, thank you,” I said then I hung up. I stared at my phone in disbelief then I saw a message from Connor using Bram’s account. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I did not even know Bram’s phone password but Connor knew it? I was sending the address to Jonas when I heard a knock on the door.
“Madam?” I heard Maria from outside, “Your breakfast is ready.”
“Okay, thank you,” I stood up, “I’m going out now.”
During breakfast Aunt Calla called me and told me to meet her at her office. I wore a plain white shirt, denim pants, and white sneakers. I told Aunt Calla that Jonas used the LS500 to get Bram, so she sent her company van for me and Chantal. When we got there Aunt Calla was already waiting for us at the entrance of her office building.
“Bram had a rough night?” Aunt Calla asked me while the three of us walked towards the elevator. She said her office was on the second floor.
I gave her a shy smile. I had no idea what to say to her. I just said the safest thing to say, “He’s with Connor.”
“Did he pass out?” Aunt Calla was persistent.
I sighed and gave her a smile, “Yes.”
“I hope there are no women involved,” Aunt Calla said as she opened the door to what appeared to be her office.
Her table was made of glass with metal frames. This type of table was not ideal for short skirts. One wrong move and the people in front of you could see your panties. Aunt Calla sat on her white swivel chair and told me to sit on one of the chairs in front of her table. Then she told Chantal to wait outside.
“How are you, Emma?” Aunt Calla asked me. Her hands clasped on the table.
“I’m doing good,” I responded, “The baby is fine too. My next check up would be on April 5.”
“Glad to hear that. I wanted to tell you that your mother and your brother declined our request for additional guests,” Aunt Calla said with a naughty smile. I was about to open my mouth to say something but she continued talking. She leaned back to her chair and said, “Don’t worry, darling. There’s always Plan B.”
I nodded and gave her a nervous smile, “I see.”
“Anyway, do you want to come with me to a photo shoot?” Aunt Calla asked me.
“Right now?” I asked curiously.
“Yes.” She checked the time on her left arm as she stood up, “Their location today is a golf course.”
I stood up too and placed my sling bag to my shoulder, “Sure, I’ve never been to a golf course.”
I followed Aunt Calla and we walked towards the door. “Time check, 9:30am. We should be there by 11am,” she said to me.
My phone rang while we were waiting for the elevator. I took my phone from my bag and checked the caller. It was Roland. I entered the elevator first and answered his call.
“Hello?” I answered to my brother.
“What the fuck is wrong with you people?” Roland yelled from the other line.
“What? Why?” My heart was beating so fast. Chantal guided me to walk out of the elevator. I saw Aunt Calla glanced at me.
I heard Roland release a long breath, “Your husband and his friend invited Alicia for a night out?” His voice was clipped which meant he was fuming with anger.
I stopped walking and my knees felt wobbly. Chantal and Aunt Calla halted too and they both stared at me. My ears started to ring and I thought I was going to faint but Chantal caught me.
“Are you okay, madam?” Chantal’s face was full of worry.
“Um, we need to go to my mother’s house,” I told Chantal.
“Take my car,” Aunt Calla said as she handed the keys to Chantal.
“But you need to go to the shoot?” I reminded Aunt Calla.
“We’ll take the company van, dear,” Aunt Calla told me, “You take care, okay?”
I answered her with a nod. Then Chantal walked me towards the car of Aunt Calla. When we reached my mother’s house I told Chantal that she needed to return the car back to Aunt Calla’s office. Then I told her to go back to the Glass house and I would call Mama Credence.
When Chantal left, my brother did not waste any time and handed me his phone. We were seated in the dining area with mom. I scrolled at the images of Bram, Connor, Alicia and many other people partying on a yacht.
I returned the phone to my brother. He placed it on the table and leaned back on his chair. Mom was just quietly observing us. Roland and I just stared at each other for a moment. Then he stood up and said, “I guess the clock struck twelve, Cinderella.”