Saturday
“I can’t wrap my head around the fact that your ex-girlfriend was dating your wife’s brother,” I heard Connor say to Bram, “I thought my relationship status was bad.”
Bram laughed at Connor, “That is the worst comparison I’ve ever heard in my entire life.” I laughed at Bram’s exaggerated comment. And the two of them turned to me. I shook my head.
“What?” Connor asked Bram, confused.
“You just said your relationship status was bad,” Bram told Connor then he giggled.
“Shut up!” Connor told Bram then they both looked at the car on the track.
We were at the Clark International Speedway. We were here to support Bram and Connor’s friend. Bram could not join because of his injury but he was supposed to race in this event. We were seated in the middle of the grandstand and away from the sunlight. Connor was on Bram’s right and I was on the left.
Maria, Jonas and Chantal were at the back. They had our supplies and Bram’s crutches. It was scorching hot at one in the afternoon. Bram and I had our solar powered portable fan each but I still felt sticky and sweaty. I told Bram that I could not take it so he told Maria and Chantal to accompany me to the hotel that they booked for us. It was a 2-day racing event so we would be here Saturday and Sunday.
When I got to our hotel room I immediately took a bath and stayed under the shower for thirty minutes. When I got out Maria gave me my cotton pajamas and I got dressed. My body temperature was probably warmer because of hormonal changes related to my pregnancy. The slightly cold shower was a relief. Maria booked us in a five star hotel here in Clark. It was a deluxe room with one king-sized bed and a balcony. I told Maria that I would take a nap.
“What floor are you in Maria?” I asked her before she came out.
“I have not booked a hotel for the staff, madam,” Maria answered me. Her hands were at her back.
“Why not?” I asked Maria curiously. While I removed my quilted robe.
“We are waiting for Sir Bram’s instructions, madam,” Maria’s lips were slightly trembling.
“Is there something wrong?” I asked Maria. I put back my robe, tied the belt and walked towards Maria.
“Something happened in the speedway, madam.” Maria swallowed.
My eyes widened, “Did something happen to Bram?”
“Yes, madam,” Maria answered carefully, “A woman poured water on Master Bram and yelled at him.”
I covered my left hand to my mouth, “Where is Bram now?”
“I’m waiting for an update from Jonas, madam,” Maria told me, “They’re also sending additional security for Sir Bram.”
“If you need to be there for Bram then go ahead,” I said to her, “Chantal would keep me safe.”
“Jonas said that Sir Bram ordered me to stay here with you,” Maria said then she moved her hands at her front and clasped and unclasped it.
“Are there any police officers on speedway now?” I asked Maria.
“Yes, madam,” Maria answered me.
I came near Maria and held her hand. She looked very pale, “Let’s wait for the results, Maria. You need to calm down.” Maria’s hands were cold and clammy.
I massaged it in circular motion so she would feel better. Then my ringtone filled the room. I walked towards the right side of the bed and picked up my phone. It showed Mama Credence.
“Hello?” I said to the other line and stared at Maria.
“Are you in the hotel, Emma?” Mama Credence asked me.
“Yes, Mama,” I answered her, “I’m with Maria in the room.”
“That’s good,” Mama Credence responded, “I’m on my way to the police station. I will meet Bram there. He needs to file an incident report and there were people from the media, so it’s better that you stay in the hotel.”
“I have not spoken to Bram yet,” I told Mama Credence, “I just got the news from Maria.”
“I think it’s better this way, dear,” Mama Credence told me, “You and Bram could talk later. I’ll get back to you soon, okay?”
After Mama Credence hung up, Maria left me alone in the room. I went to the right side of the bed and put my feet up and stared at my phone. I badly needed to speak with Bram but I stopped myself. I gave out a sigh and rested my head on the pillow. I looked at the ceiling and thought about the worst case scenarios.
I shook my head because I realized that what I was doing was not going to change anything. After a while my eyes felt heavy and I eventually gave in to sleep. My ringing phone woke me up. The caller ID showed Maria’s number. I squinted then answered her call.
“Sorry to wake you, Madam I forgot the extra key inside your room,” Maria said on the other line.
“Where did you put it?” I asked Maria as I slowly got off the bed.
“It’s near the TV, madam,” Maria answered me.
“Are you waiting outside the door?” I asked her again.
“Yes, madam,” Maria answered me.
“Okay, one moment I will get it and open the door for you,” I said as I picked up the hotel key and hung up the phone. I placed the hotel key card to the sensor and opened the door for Maria. I was walking towards the bedroom when my phone rang again. This time it was Aunt Calla. I hit the green button and answered her.
“Dear, I’m so sorry,” Aunt Calla told me immediately, “Have you seen the news?”
“No, I haven’t,” I answered her, then I grabbed the remote control and turned the TV on, “What channel?”
Aunt Maria told me the TV network that she was working with and I changed the channel to that station. I gasped loudly when I saw what had transpired. The news kept on playing the video of a woman with dyed blonde hair as she poured the water on Bram’s head from the back. The person who took the video had a woman’s voice. She was urging the blonde woman to continue what she was doing on Bram.
Then Connor got the bottled water and stopped the woman. Three guys surrounded and supported Bram. Jonas got the woman from behind and moved her away from Bram. The woman kept on yelling something that I could not understand.
I massaged my forehead and heard Aunt Calla from the other line, “Emma are you still there?”
“I’m sorry I was watching the news,” I answered her. My eyes were still glued to the TV, “Do you know this woman?”
I heard Aunt Calla sigh, “That’s Brandon’s girlfriend.”