Thursday
Mama Credence woke us up at six in the morning. I already yawned three times while we were on a video call with her. I rested the left side of my head on Bram’s right arm. Bram hugged me closer to him so I could rest my head on his right chest. Mama Credence was telling us that she scheduled me with Roberto at two in the afternoon.
“My dear, are you sure you can do this?” Mama Credence asked Bram.
“I can do it, mum,” Bram answered, “I’ll use my walking boot.”
“Remember what the doctor said? Four to six months of healing time, this could be dangerous for you?” Mama Credence added. Worry all over her face.
“Emma needs a dress, mum?” Bram said changing the subject.
Mama Credence sighed and said, “We might need to get Emma something off-the-rack then add some drama into it. I will have someone deliver your father’s wheelchair to the Glass House.”
“I don’t need that,” Bram protested.
“I need to hang up now. See you at the studio, Emma,” Mama Credence said, then she ignored Bram’s protest.
C. J. Modal Studio
Mama Credence and Roberto both agreed that I should wear something off-the-rack because it was short notice. We did not know that Bram planned to attend the induction of the new COO of RGC. And I had no idea that the company had a new COO, not until Bram’s cast was removed. The gown that they chose was a black sheer corset top and tiered tulle skirt. I turned in front of the mirror so they could all see the fit.
“Is it too tight at the waist?” Roberto asked me.
“Just a bit because of my bump,” I answered him.
“When is your due date dear?” Roberto asked again.
“November,” I answered him, then I glanced at Mama Credence. I was not sure if it was safe to say it to Roberto.
“Adjustments need to be made now, dear,” Mama Credence told Roberto, “Then this will need to be dry cleaned. Please tell them that it should be cleaned thoroughly because Emma is pregnant. We don’t want her to get hospitalized because of allergies or anything.”
“Yes, dear,” Roberto acknowledged, “I will see to it that it will be done.”
After the meeting with Roberto, Mama Credence took me to her house here near the area. She brought me again to the room where she gave me the ruby tiara. I was not expecting it, because as far as I could remember I had done nothing wrong for the past weeks. She made me sit on the same chair that I was seated on before. Then she sat on her office chair behind the table. She placed her hands on it and clasped it.
“My caretaker received a booking request from your brother and Alicia?” Mama Credence told me. Her eyes looked directly into mine.
“Yes,” I nodded, “He told me over the phone. I’m not really sure what to answer him so I told him to use your website.”
“We don’t discriminate against our guests,” Mama Credence leaned back to her chair, “But this is different. Roland is your brother and Alicia is Bram’s ex. I was wondering why Alicia wanted to go on this tour and how your brother knew about our ancestral house?”
I shook my head, “I had never mentioned the ancestral house to my brother. Roland and my mom only know that I work as a private nurse here in the south. And since I’m not a stay-in employee your driver picks me up everytime and drops me back to my pick up point.” I gulped after my explanation. I was nervous all of a sudden.
Mama Credence sighed, “Then there’s only one source of this, then.”
I frowned in confusion, “I don’t understand?”
“Isn’t it a bit odd that your brother just got out of rehab and he wanted to visit an ancestral house? I am not being judgmental but I know Alicia. Bram has been with her for almost two years.”
I bit my upper lip because I still could not understand why it was odd. Then something came up to me, “Has Alicia been to the ancestral house before?”
“Yes,” Mama Credence responded, “She’s been there twice.”
Mama Credence wanted me to stay until dinner time but Bram called and wanted me to come home before dinner. So at around five o’clock in the afternoon Chantal and I were already on the expressway. I covered my mouth and yawned. I got my phone out because I wanted to use the app where I could check the size of the baby. I was checking if my little baby bump could hear me already but the moment was ruined because my phone rang.
“Hello?” I answered my brother.
“Our tour schedule will be this Saturday,” Roland told me excitedly, “Do you want to come with us?”
“No,” I answered quickly, “I have a lot of meetings on Saturday.”
“Does that guy give you enough time for yourself, Emma?” Roland asked with sarcasm.
“Don’t talk like that,” I scolded my brother, “My meetings on Saturday have nothing to do with Bram, okay?”
“Okay,” Roland answered, “I just wish that you could spend some time with me or mom, that’s all.”
“I will try to find time next week,” I said to him.
“Alright, I’ll look forward to that, big sis!” Roland commented then we hung up.
After I ended the call with Roland, a lot of notifications came in. It was from Mama Credence, she sent me a picture of a Cartier diamond earrings and necklace set. The message said that it was part of her collection and that she would bring it tomorrow in the studio for me to wear it. It was another intricate piece. The necklace was thinner compared to the ruby set that I wore on Bram’s induction.
I was not sure if it was silver or white gold. Then the earrings were like dew drops. It looked so beautiful and expensive. In my entire life, this would be my second time wearing another expensive piece of jewelry. I zoomed in to see the details of the dew drop earring when Bram’s face showed on my screen. He was calling me from the messenger.
I tapped the screen to allow a video call, “Hi!” I greeted his scowling face.
“I tried calling you earlier,” Bram said, “But your phone was busy. Who were you talking to?”
I shook my head and rolled my eyes, “What is it? Wait, are you still in pajamas?” I asked when I noticed what he was wearing.
“I thought you were coming back early,” Bram said, then he bit his lower lip while he stared at me at the screen. His eyes turned into a warmer blue shade, “I thought we could shower together?”
My eyes widened, “We can’t! Remember what happened the last time?”
“Well, there’s no harm in trying,” Bram answered me, “Hang on, you did not answer my first question?”
“What?” I asked him. My eyebrows met in the middle.
“I asked you,” Bram said and his scowl returned, “Who were you talking to, earlier? I was trying to call loads of times.”
I frowned and paused for a moment, “Oh! I was talking with Roland.”
“About what?” Bram asked quickly. He brought the camera closer to his face. Then he moved the phone near his ear.
“Mama Credence allowed them to book a tour on the heritage site,” I explained to Bram then I glanced at Chantal as we near the main entrance of our village.
Bram looked far away for a moment then nodded, “I’m sure, mum knows what she’s doing.”
I gave out a heavy sigh, “I hope so.” Then I glanced back at the guard house.
“My suit arrived earlier.” Then he rubbed his hair, “I think around three in the afternoon .”
“Wow, that was fast,” I commented regarding the service.
“Roberto already knew my size,” Bram said, looking behind me, “Where are you?”
“I could see the Glass House,” I told him as I looked outside. When I looked back at my phone Bram gave me a naughty smile, “What?” I asked.
“I have never been excited to take a bath in my entire life,” Bram said with a mild laugh.
I was shocked with what he just said, “How many cups of coffee have you had today?”
“I forgot, two cups, maybe?” Bram responded with a straight face, “Why?”
“Maybe next time you should only drink one,” I commented, “And I don’t think coffee was part of your diet? It does not promote wound and bone healing.”
“Well, my wife went out today,” Bram reasoned, “I had no one to tease or annoy.”
My jaw dropped this time, “I can’t believe you just said that!”
I glanced outside as my SUV entered our gate. I removed my seatbelt and put my bag on my shoulder.
“I’ll wait for you in our room,” Bram said, then he winked at me. I rolled my eyes at him then I hung up.