I was drying my hair in front of my dresser when Bram called again. I tried to ignore his call but he was so persistent. I told him that I preferred to take a shower up here in our room because my stuff was complete here. But Bram kept on calling. My phone was ringing non-stop.
“Hello?” I answered and continued combing my hair.
“Are you done yet?” Bram asked from the other line.
“I’m blow drying my hair, Bram,” I answered him. Then I disconnected the call.
When I was in the shower, I was thinking if Mama Credence already knew about Roland’s real background, his real mother? Maybe that was the reason why they were so nice to me? I turned the dryer off when I realized another thing. Did Bram know this too? I covered my face with my hands.
They probably all think that I was naive and ignorant. How humiliating! I was about to think of another scenario when my phone rang again. I told Bram that I would come down in a minute.
When we were both lying down, I was on Bram’s right side so I would not hurt his injured leg. I rested my right arm on his belly and my head to the side of his right shoulder. I badly wanted to ask Bram if he knew about Roland’s real identity; but it was our first night sleeping beside each other. So I decided to keep it to myself, for now. I closed my eyes and felt Bram kiss my head twice then I drifted to sleep.
Monday
I felt someone covering my shoulders with a blanket. But I did not open my eyes. I was only wearing a pair of silk top and shorts because I forgot about Andi’s morning rounds. I heard a knock on our door then I heard the voice of Andi as he greeted Bram good morning. Bram made a shh sound and he continued covering me with a blanket from my shoulders down to my feet. I did not know what happened next because I drifted to sleep again.
When I woke up, I was alone on the bed. I suddenly felt disoriented then I realized I was in another room. I turned to my right side because I heard Bram greet me. He was seated on the sofa-bed where I slept the other night. He had a foldable desk with his laptop on and he was only wearing one side of his headphones.
He would probably be working from home starting today. I was too lazy to get up but I sat up. I need breakfast not just for myself but also for my baby. I wore my silk robe and made my way over to kiss Bram. I laughed softly because his eyes widened with the gesture. Then I told him I was going to change upstairs.
When I came down, it was eleven in the morning already and Bram was at the dining area with his lunch. His laptop was on the side while he ate. I sat on the chair where Maria placed my breakfast then I put my phone on the side. I had not talked to Roland again so I was deciding if I would call him or not.
“Emma?” I heard Bram call me.
“What?” I turned to him.
“I already called you twice,” Bram said with a smile, “Are you okay?”
I took a deep breath, “Can I ask you something?”
Bram frowned. Then he nodded his head, “Sure.”
“How honest are you…to me? Let’s rate it 1 to 10 and 10 being the highest?” I asked Bram then I bit my lower lip.
His mouth parted for a moment then he took a sip of his water. His frown deepened, “What is this about?”
I shook my head, “Nothing,” I replied then I ate rice with my chicken strips.
“Can we discuss this later?” Bram asked me. Then he removed his bluetooth headphones, “In private?”
I nodded and said, “Yeah.”
Then we both glanced at Maria. She was standing at the right side of Bram. We continued eating without speaking to each other. When we got back to the spare room. We watched Jonas and Andi leave the room then Bram suggested something.
“I was thinking of converting this room to an office?” Bram told me. We were both seated on the sofa-bed and his foldable laptop desk was over his lap.
“After you get better?” I verified from him as I scanned the room.
“Yeah,” Bram answered, then he pressed something on his laptop and said something to the headset. Then he turned to me again, “What were you asking earlier about honesty?”
I stared at him for a moment then I opened my mouth. I closed it again and sighed. I was thinking of what approach to use. Then I saw Bram’s expression changed. He glanced at his laptop for a moment then he pressed the mute button, “Am I in trouble?” Bram asked me.
This made me smile. I shook my head and answered him, “No.”
Bram released a long breath, “I was nervous for a second. What is it about?” Then he stared at his laptop and typed quickly before he turned back to me again.
“You know my background, right?” I started with this approach.
Bram’s eyes widened after hearing what I just said. He was just using the left side of his headphones. And his right ear was free so he could hear me. He removed it completely then stared at me for a moment, “Yeah.”
“What do you know about Roland?” I asked directly. I guess a straightforward question was the best option.
Bram looked shocked. He glanced at his laptop screen and put his headphones back on. He placed the mic near his mouth and said, “Excuse me everyone, just give me five minutes. I’m just going to sort something out.” Then he removed his headphones again and turned to me, “I want to know what this is about, first?”
I rolled my eyes at him. Of course he was being cautious! I stood up and said, “Nevermind, I’m going to call your mom.”
“Emma, wait!” I heard him yell. But I ignored him and closed the door.