I stood up and walked towards Andi. I took my vitamins from him then I emptied the water from the glass that Maria had given me. I was about to open the door when Bram called my name.
“Where are you going?” Bram asked me. He moved the right side of his headphones so he could hear my response.
“Upstairs,” I answered carefully.
“Why?” Bram asked again. Then he removed his headphones completely.
I scowled at him, “Do I always need a reason to go upstairs?” I asked, irritated.
“Yes, because I’m here,” Bram said smugly.
My mouth dropped, “What is wrong with you?” I asked him. Andi walked towards Bram. He gave him his medications and a glass of water then he went out of the room with Maria.
“Nothing is wrong with me,” Bram replied, “You stay here where I can see you,” then he wore his headphones again.
I crossed my arms to my chest and glared at him. We stared at each other for a moment then I walked towards him. I stopped in front of him then put my hands on my waist. He spoke on the mic for a moment then he removed his headphones.
“What is it?” Bram asked me while scratching his head.
“Why are you selling Aunt Calla’s condo?” I asked him, then I raised my eyebrows.
“Can we talk about this later?” Bram’s eyes were still on the screen.
“I want to talk about it now,” I told Bram then I pointed my finger on the floor.
“It’s mine,” Bram answered me, “I can do whatever I want with it. This is a client meeting Emma. Let’s talk about this later.”
My mouth hung open with what he just said. I looked at the floor for a moment and tried to recall what Bram said before. I remembered it now. Bram told me that his mom paid for Aunt Calla’s condo. I shook my head in frustration. I walked out of the room and I did not hear any words from Bram.
I took a shower then checked my tummy in the mirror. Maybe I was just excited to see a bump but my tummy still looked the same. I wore my robe, wrapped my hair in a towel then put it up my head. I was brushing my teeth when I heard a knock on the bathroom door. I opened it and was surprised to see Bram standing there with his crutches. I opened it wide then I walked back towards the sink.
I continued brushing my teeth when I noticed that he had not moved from his spot. I finished brushing my teeth then wiped my face, “What’s wrong?” I asked him.
He had this weird look on him. His lips were slightly parted. Then he swallowed before he spoke, “When was the last time that we hugged each other?”
My eyebrows met in the middle, “I’m not sure.”
Bram held on to his crutches and moved forward. He opened his arms while gripping the top of his crutches on his armpits. Then he gazed at me. His eyes were like penetrating my soul.
I held his gaze as I walked towards him slowly. I halted in front of him and I hugged his waist carefully. I did not want him to lose his balance. Bram leaned on his right crutch and hugged me with his left arm, “I missed making love to you in the shower, Emma.” Bram whispered to my hair.
I looked up to him and smiled, “I miss it too.”
He lowered his face to mine and our lips touched. Then I hugged him tighter and I rested my head on his right chest, “I hope you get better soon.”
An hour after dinner Bram and I used his tablet and we called Mama Credence. Bram made me lie down on his left side just for this call. He placed the tablet in front of me then he hugged me from the back. Bram placed one of the bluetooth earbuds on his right ear and I took the left. Then we looked at Mama Credence on the screen of the tablet. They finally told me what was the reason why Aunt Calla was insisting on seeing me.
After Brandon and Aunt Calla got caught by Brandon’s girlfriend in South Korea she threatened to ruin Aunt Calla’s reputation. Mama Credence’s main concern was the Rivera name. They explained to me that when Aunt Calla was starting in the modeling industry she thought that her family name was not catchy enough. So she asked Mama Credence and Don Agustin if she could borrow the Rivera last name as her screen name. To show support, Mama Credence and Don Agustin agreed.
What Mama Credence did not foresee was this kind of situation. Brandon’s girlfriend had sent Aunt Calla a lot of threatening emails. Which Aunt Calla forwarded to Mama Credence. I suddenly got dizzy with all the information that they shared with me. I closed my eyes for a moment.
Bram placed his chin on my neck and asked “Are you okay, baby?”
Maybe he saw me on the small self view screen. I nodded my head in response. I opened my eyes and sighed, “Thank you for trusting me with this information but I don’t understand why Aunt Calla wants me to be involved?”
“My dear,” Mama Credence said, “My sister is very smart. She will use you as a deterrent.”
I frowned, “A deterrent to what?”
“To Bram, darling,” Mama Credence said with a grin, “She will use you to stop Bram from selling the condo.”
I turned my head back, “Why do you want to sell it?”
“I should have sold it a long time ago. Now, it served as their love nest,” Bram said as he shook his head.
Bram and I shared a glance then I looked back to the screen again. It appeared to me that Bram was just being safe. Just in case things blew out of proportion he would not be questioned about the condo. I was overthinking again. I stopped myself before this turned into anxiety.
I took a deep breath because I really did not know what to say. But I needed to make a stand, “Aunt Calla knows Bram has a mind of his own.”
“That remains to be seen, dear,” Mama Credence commented, “Men do incredible things for the woman they love.”
I shook my head. I could not blame Mama Credence if she was doubtful of me. I was preparing myself for the possible outcomes of the contract. I would try my best to remember where I stood in Bram’s life. He could say he loves me now, but who knows after three years? Would he still love me when our contract ends? These questions reminded me that all that I had now could disappear after three years.
After our video call about Aunt Calla. I moved to the right side of the bed and laid down. I brought the blanket up to my chin then I closed my eyes. I was really making the most out of my pregnancy because I had no trouble sleeping. I opened my eyes when I felt Bram kiss my lips. I blinked then smiled at him.
He was looking at me, “I will do anything for you, Emma,”
I gave him a naughty smile, “Okay, give me ten jumping jacks now.”
This made him giggle, “There’s always an exception.”
I laughed softly, “Exactly.”