ALESSIA
For three consecutive nights, Claude and I slept in Adrian’s room. Because of this, Claude couldn’t make a move on me. We were also too busy during the day. Claude had a lot of work at the office, and I was busy setting up my bookshop. Claude gave me space at the Grand Artisan Pavilion, which was located on the second floor. Within just three days, I managed to set up the bookshop, including a snack bar where products from Quincy’s coffeeshop were also available.
After two days, we had our grand opening. There were a lot of people because Claude had called all of his friends, who also brought their spouses. It was fortunate that Quincy already knew them. I gained new friends aside from Maven with the help of Quincy.
But I missed my sister whom I hadn’t seen for years, ever since Mr. Martin forcefully took her. I felt guilty whenever I thought about my sister, especially when I remembered what Pia said, that she is pregnant. Surely, my sister’s child must be as old as Adrian by now.
Where could my sibling be? How were they doing? How about Aunt Edith? I hope that Aunt Edith is taking good care of my sister.
“Sia!”
I jumped when I heard the familiar voice. I turned around, my smile widening as I saw Lavinia hurrying towards me. Donovan followed closely behind.
The elderly woman hugged me tightly. “Where’s my grandson?” Lavinia asked tearfully as she released me.
“He’s at school, Mom,” I answered, hugging Donovan as well.
“Why didn’t you bring him here? I didn’t know that you and Claude had reconciled; he didn’t even tell me anything. He just informed us last week that he wouldn’t be coming home to the mansion anymore. If we hadn’t visited his office, we wouldn’t have known that you are here. His secretary just said that he went to the bookshop that he is opening in this building. We suddenly got curious because I know that our son isn’t fond of books. I only know that he likes alcohol and women.” I winced at the last words of Claude’s mother. It seemed like she mentioned vices instead of hobbies.
“All of Claude’s friends are here. But why didn’t you invite us? Do you have some grudge against us, dear? I know that you went through a lot with Claude before. But if you can forgive our son, can’t you forgive us too?”
I bit my lip. Guilt consumed me immediately. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m sorry, Dad. Let’s sit down first so we can talk properly.” I guided the couple to an empty table. There is only one chair, so I quickly grabbed an extra one for myself.
“Okay, we’ll listen to your explanation. Please make it good, dear. I can’t understand why you needed to keep your reconciliation and our grandson a secret from us. That child is already grown up. Claude hasn’t even shown us a picture of him,” Lavinia said, wiping her tears.
“Calm down, please. Stop crying, you’ll make me cry too,” Donovan said, comforting his wife.
“Mom, Dad, please don’t be mad at us, especially at Claude. But I talked to him before, asking him not to tell you about our son. I was worried that if you found out about our son, you might try to take him away from us. I don’t want to be separated from my son, so I thought it would be better if you didn’t know about us yet. Once Adrian adjusts to Claude, we’ll bring him to you. I’m sorry if you didn’t like my decision.” I explained.
“I’ll really be angry with you if you plan to keep our grandson away from me. I can only forgive you and Claude if I can see my grandson. Which school is he enrolled in? Donovan and I will go pick him up.”
I sighed. I had just mentioned my fear of this happening, and now my mother-in-law is doing exactly that. It was really difficult to talk to her.
“Mom, he won’t be home until later. Claude will pick him up.”
“We’ll pick up our grandson. Just tell us which school he attends. We’ll go there right now.”
I scratched my head. It seemed like I wouldn’t win in an argument against Claude’s mother.
“Hello there!”
Everyone turned to Claude as he approached them.
“Good to see you here, Mom, Dad.” Claude kissed his parents on the cheek and stood beside them. “How did you find out about this? I don’t remember mentioning it to you.”
“Your secretary told us. You two are so irritating, especially you, Claude! Why did you have to hide your reconciliation with Sia from us? And you didn’t even mention anything about my grandson. Are you ashamed of your family?” Lavinia is hysterical. Her veins were almost popping out of her neck as her eyes darted back and forth between us.
“Mom, please don’t speak like that. I just wanted to make sure everything is okay with my family before telling you everything. Because if I had told you that I met Sia and Adrian at Zeke’s wedding, you might have rushed to talk to my wife. I don’t want you to be the reason she leaves me again. I want to find a way to reconcile with Sia because I’m the one at fault. I don’t want someone else to be the reason she comes back to me.”
Claude’s parents looked at each other. Donovan sighed and hugged his wife. Lavinia kept shifting her gaze between Claude and the two of us, smiling.
“Okay, I understand now. But I really want to see my grandson. What time does his class end?” Lavinia inquired.
Claude checked his watch. “It’s already eleven. Adrian’s class will be over soon. I’ll go pick him up now. We’ll be back in a bit.” Claude kissed me before bidding us goodbye.
I prepared some food and drinks for my in-laws. The couple finished eating just as Claude returned. He held Adrian’s hand, with the nanny trailing behind them.
“Mommy!” Adrian shouted excitedly when he saw me. He broke free from Claude’s grasp and ran towards me. I immediately embraced him.
“Is he my grandson, Sia?”
“Yes, Mom.” I released Adrian and introduced him to my in-laws.
“Adrian, dear, these are Grandma Lavinia and Grandpa Donovan. They’re Claude’s mom and dad.”
Adrian quietly looked back and forth between the two elderly people. But Lavinia shrieked with joy upon seeing her grandson. She immediately scooped up Adrian and showered him with kisses on the face. Adrian laughed heartily, seeming tickled by his grandmother’s actions.
“You’ve grown so big, my grandson! And you’re so handsome! Who do you look like?”
“I look like my mom, Grandma.”
Claude and his parents laughed, while I simply smiled.
“Ah, yes. Your mom is really beautiful. But you’re handsome just like me and Dad, right?” Donovan chimed in, his smile as wide as Lavinia’s.
“Yes, I’m handsome and cute too,” Adrian replied, flashing a smile that made everyone smile back.
“You’re indeed cute, my grandson. I’m sure you’re also nice. Do you want to come with me and your grandpa? I’ll introduce you to your cousins so you’ll have playmates,” Lavinia said.
“Do you have toys and food at your house?”
“We have plenty of food at the mansion, my grandson. We’ll also buy toys and clothes for you. So come with us and your grandpa now,” Lavinia encouraged.
Adrian looked at me, then Claude spoke up.
“Sure, baby. Go with your grandparents. Since it’s Saturday tomorrow, you don’t have school. Bring Nanny Rose with you. Just have your things packed by your nanny before you leave.”
“Will I sleep there?” Adrian asked.
“Do you want to sleep at your grandparents’ house?” I asked in return.
Adrian didn’t answer immediately. He faced Lavinia instead. “Is the bed soft at your house, Grandma?”
“Of course. You’ll sleep in your father’s old room,” Lavinia replied. “If you don’t like your bed, we’ll buy a new one tomorrow.”
“Okay, I’ll go with you,” Adrian said with a wide smile.
He hugged me and then Claude before holding Lavinia’s hand while they walked away.
“Will they bring Adrian back to us?” I asked worriedly as I watched my son walk away.
“Let’s just negotiate with Mom. They’re eager to see their grandson. They’ve been waiting so long to meet and be with Adrian, so we can’t blame them,” Claude reassured me.
I remained silent. I also had a share of the blame for what happened. I hid my son for a long time because I was afraid they would take him away. But my worst fear still came true. So I had no choice but to accept the truth.
I distracted myself by attending to the arriving customers. When Claude arrived, he helped me close the shop.
When we arrived home, I felt a bit uneasy without Adrian’s presence. We quietly had dinner. After finishing our meal, I started cleaning up. Since all the maids were off-duty at our house at night, we didn’t have any household help.
While I was washing the dishes, I didn’t notice that Claude was standing right behind me.
“Sweetpea, it’s just the two of us at home so hurry up there. I’ll collect on your debts now.”
I frowned as I turned to Claude. “What debts are you talking about? Do I owe you anything?”
“Yes, Sweetpea. You starved me for five nights so I’m going to eat a lot now. Five rounds in exchange for those five nights.”
The spoons I was washing slipped from my hands. I widened my eyes as I looked at Claude.
“Are you kidding me? Five rounds? I won’t be able to walk after that! I still have work tomorrow,” I complained.
“You have an assistant, don’t you? She can handle your shop. And I don’t have work tomorrow either.”
I rolled my eyes. I sighed and continued what I was doing.
“How much longer, Sweetpea? I’m really hungry,” Claude hugged me from behind. His hard member pressed against my back. Suddenly, I felt a rush of warmth. I missed what we used to do together. But I am sure I will be sore tomorrow.
I bit my lip and took a deep breath. “Just a moment. Let me finish this,” I pleaded with Claude. But my husband is persistent. He nibbled on my earlobe, causing me to inhale deeply again.