June 5
I was now in my third month of pregnancy and Dr. Delgado just advised me to take it easy. She showed me the size of my baby and reminded me to take my supplements religiously. Then we said our goodbyes because there were a lot of patients waiting outside. I went to the Orthopedic department to wait for Bram. I texted him that I was done and that I was waiting outside his doctor’s office. Then the office door opened and the secretary let me in.
Bram was getting restless with his leg because he wanted to remove the cast. He showed the doctor that he could freely move without assistance and that he could put on some weight on his left leg. The doctor was taking down notes while he observed Bram. Then he made an order for an x-ray. When the x-ray result came out, the doctor eventually ordered the cast to be removed.
After they removed the cast the doctor referred us back to physical therapy. Bram’s therapy started even though he had a cast on. Now that they removed the cast completely Bram talked to his therapist if he could stay with us at home during his therapy. And the therapist agreed.
“Now we can attend the induction of RGC’s newly elected COO,” Bram told me while we were inside the Land Cruiser.
“A party?” I asked. My eyebrows met in the middle, “But you still need therapy?”
“I can handle therapy, don’t worry,” Bram told me smugly.
I shook my head and I looked outside. I was thinking that I was not up for another social gathering yet. I was looking forward to seeing Roland. Mom told me that he might come out of rehab by the third week of June. When we reached the Glass House, Bram removed his walking boot and got out of the SUV. All of us watched him as he carefully climbed the stairs with his crutches.
We gave him a round of applause when he made it to the top step. The back of his ears and his nape was so red. This was the first time that I saw Bram blush. He shook his head and went inside the house. I followed him, then my ringtone filled the living room.
“Darling, I need your help?” mom said from the other line.
I continued walking because Bram paused and turned to me, “What is it mom?”
“I ordered some baking supplies and ready-made cakes for the restaurant but the car won’t start,” mom explained to me.
I entered our room and checked my watch. It was two in the afternoon, “Okay, I’ll bring my car. Where should we meet?”
“Can you pick me up here at the house then we’ll go to Manila for the supplies?” Mom asked me.
“Okay, I’ll update you once I leave the house,” I told mom then we hung up.
I stared at my phone for a moment then I glanced at Bram. He was scowling at me, “Where are you going?” he asked as he handed his crutches to Jonas.
“I’m going to help mom pick-up some supplies for the restaurant,” I answered as I came close to him.
“What time are you coming back?” Bram asked again as his scowl deepened.
“I don’t know,” I answered him. Then I stared at his bare left leg.
“Let Chantal drive for you,” Bram ordered, then he crossed his arms to his chest.
“Okay,” I told him, then I pouted my lips and kissed him. He looked annoyed so I quickly walked away from him.
“Emma!” I heard Bram call me.
I stopped walking and turned to him, “What?”
“I want you home by nine in the evening,” he said to me sternly.
I rolled my eyes at him, “Okay Bram, take care while I’m gone and don’t do anything stupid,” I told him then I continued walking.
“Like what?” Bram yelled.
I turned back again and crossed my arms, “I don’t know, maybe like partying on a yacht?” Then I narrowed my eyes on him.
He laughed out loud, “We talked about that already.”
“Yup, I’m just reminding you,” I told him, “I’ll see you later!” Then I blew him a kiss.
Chantal was already in my SUV when Jonas opened the door for me. When I left our room, I went upstairs and changed into skinny jeans, white shirt, and sneakers then I took the elevator to the first floor. My phone rang when we reached the main road. I checked the caller ID and frowned. It was Bram.
“Hello?” I said to him,
“What are you going to call your new car?” Bram asked.
“I don’t know, maybe Ruby?” I told him as I looked at the passing cars.
“That’s appropriate,” Bram commented.
“How about you? What is the name of your MX-5?” I said then I looked at Chantal.
“I named her Lara,” Bram answered me.
I raised my eyebrows after hearing my second name, “Interesting name for a car, I wonder where you got it from?”
“I got it from the lucky girl I married,” Bram said with a laugh.
“Oh! Okay, should I be grateful?” I replied mockingly. I was trying to suppress my smile.
“No,” Bram responded quickly. Then with a lowered voice, “Just come back to me, I missed you already.”
“You sounded like a clingy boyfriend,” I told him, then I giggled.
“Husband,” Bram corrected me.
“Okay, clingy husband,” I replied with a smile on my face.
“Call me when you get there,” Bram ordered me then we hung up.
When we got the supplies from Manila we went straight to the restaurant and delivered it. Mom wanted me to taste the two ready-made cake variants that she ordered so we stayed at the house for a while.
“How’s Bram’s leg?” Mom asked me as she placed a saucer in front of me.
“They just removed his cast and bandages today,” I told mom as I wiped the saucer with tissue.
“Was his check-up every week?” Mom asked again, then she started to slice the cake.
“Yes,” I answered mom, “He visits his doctor every week to change his bandage, then I come with him when it’s time for my prenatal check-up.”
“I see, oh and what happened to that woman who poured water on Bram?” Mom asked again as she put a small slice of cake on my saucer.
“I did not ask the details because Bram gets upset every time that topic comes up,” I answered mom. Then I put some cake in my mouth, “I think the woman was able to bail herself out. Because she was able to make a question and answer video on her Youtube channel after 3 days.”
“Is she an ex of Bram?” Mom asked, then she took a sip of her tea.
“No,” I replied immediately, “She’s the girlfriend of one of Aunt Calla’s models.”
Mom frowned, “I don’t understand? Why would she do that to Bram?”
I sighed, “I don’t know much about the details, mom. I don’t want to ask Bram. Maybe when he gets better.” I told mom even though I knew all the details.
“Are you coming with us when we pick up Roland?” mom asked. She was obviously changing the topic.
“I wanted to but I need to check with Bram first,” I answered mom then I took a sip of my water.
“Okay,” Mom replied, “How was the cake?”
I smiled at her, “It’s a carrot cake, my favorite! It’s good.”
“Alicia called me,” mom said all of a sudden. Then we stared at each other for a moment.
“What does she want?” I asked, then I shook my head.
“She apologized for how she treated Roland before she left. And that she wanted to come with us when Roland gets released,” then mom looked down at her tea cup for a moment.
“What did you tell her?” I asked and waited for her reply.
“Well…I just told her something that Roland would be happy about,” mom answered me.
I scowled at her, “And that is?”
Mom swallowed before she answered, “That she could come with us.”