ALESSIA
“Do we really need to leave now? Can’t it be another day? Adrian just got out of the hospital,” Claude remarked.
“Correction, please? Adrian has been out of the hospital for a week now. So, he’s had enough rest. We need to go home because I’m sure Pia is worried sick.”
Adrian stayed in the hospital for a week after his surgery. Claude even suggested transferring him to Unity Medical Center because he said that it’s more advanced. But I refused because Adrian’s doctor was at the Heart Center.
When Adrian was discharged, I wanted to return to the motel where we stayed before. But he stopped us and invited us to stay at his condominium. I vehemently refused because I didn’t want to remember the scene I caught him in before, with another woman. Although I didn’t tell Claude the real reason, I just made the excuse that it was too far from the hospital in case I needed to bring Adrian for a follow up check-up.
Claude was forced to find another place for us to stay. He found an apartment just a short distance from the hospital. And now we’ve been here for the past week.
The apartment was fully furnished when we arrived. It had two bedrooms and a spacious bathroom. The fridge was also filled. However, Claude still brought food whenever he visited us. We had breakfast and dinner together almost every day.
I once reprimanded him because the contents of the fridge hardly decreased, so he shouldn’t bring food anymore. But he said it was okay so I wouldn’t have a hard time cooking. So, I only cooked lunch for me and Adrian. Maybe if his office were closer to our apartment, we would eat lunch together too.
Adrian is always happy when Claude visits because aside from food, he also brought toys. In the week we’ve stayed in the apartment, Adrian had accumulated many toys, ones I couldn’t afford to buy. They were from a famous toy store, branded ones.
I am worried that Adrian might get used to the luxury Claude was showing him. He might miss those things when we return home I couldn’t afford to indulge him with the luxuries he experienced with Claude.
That’s why I prefer it if we go back home. If we stayed longer, it might be harder for me to take Adrian home. Claude’s care and concern for our son were overwhelming. I am also afraid that Adrian might ask to go with his father. It would break my heart if we were separated. Adrian’s heart softened quickly towards his father.
Adrian tends to be aloof and grumpy with other people. But Claude easily appeases him. Even when Adrian was in the hospital, he would be delighted when his father arrived. Claude always brought gifts whenever he visited the hospital.
“Alright. But I’ll drop you off so you won’t have a hard time traveling,” Claude suggested.
“No need. It’ll just be inconvenient for you. Just go to work. We can handle this,” I dismissed Claude.
“No. I’ll take you whether you like it or not. I informed the office yesterday. They can handle it. And besides, I want to see where you live so I know where to visit you,” Claude insisted.
“You don’t need to personally escort us. You can just instruct someone else. Then ask the driver where we live,” I suggested.
Claude shook his head firmly. “Why would I let someone else take you? I’m Adrian’s father. We’re married. What’s the problem? Don’t tell me you don’t want me in the car with you. We’ve been together for two weeks now, and you still haven’t gotten used to my presence?”
I scratched my head. We couldn’t escape from Claude if he kept on insisting this. “Alright. I didn’t say anything,” I excused myself to end the conversation. Claude always came back to the argument that we were a family and should always be together.
“Mom! Dad! Are you fighting?” Claude and I both looked at Adrian simultaneously. We didn’t realize he was at the door. We were too engrossed in our conversation to notice our son.
“Adrian, your mom and I aren’t fighting. We’re just talking,” Claude replied.
“Have you been there long, son?” I asked, approaching Adrian. I was worried about what he heard from our conversation with Claude. I left him playing in the room earlier.
“No, mom. I just came out,” Adrian replied.
Claude raised his hand as Adrian approached. He immediately lifted the child.
“Wow! You’re heavy now. You’ve been eating a lot,” Claude teased.
Adrian frowned. “I’m not eating a lot, dad,” he retorted sharply.
Claude chuckled lightly at his son’s behavior. He pinched the child’s nose. “Sorry, son. Dad is just joking. Don’t be mad.”
Adrian quickly wrapped both his hands around Claude’s neck and hugged him.
“Let’s go to the car so we can leave. I’m sure your grandma is looking for you,” Claude said, heading towards the car while carrying Adrian.
I slung the backpack over my shoulder and grabbed my suitcase. I had only taken a few steps when Claude intercepted me and took the bags from me.
“I’ll take care of this. It’s light anyway. I can handle it,” I insisted as Claude took the backpack off me.
“I’ll take care of that. Just go to Adrian in the car,” Claude said.
Reluctantly, I followed Claude’s instructions and headed toward the car. I felt uneasy about our dynamic. I removed the backpack from my shoulder and placed it on the floor.
It felt different now, with Claude standing right in front of me, his body just inches away. He insisted we were a family and should always be together.
Without waiting for him to touch the backpack, I left it and walked toward his car. Adrian was already sitting in the back seat, his seatbelt on. I got inside and sat next to my son.
“Do you want to see Grandma Pia, son?” I asked.
“Yes, mom, that’s why we’re going home. Is Dad coming with us?”
“Adrian, do you want me to come with you and your mom?” Claude suddenly asked, opening the door next to Adrian.
Adrian’s eyes widened. “Yes, Dad! Come with us,” he said with a broad smile.
Claude glanced at me, smiling. I couldn’t tell if he was pleased or just amused by Adrian’s words.