Chapter 4: The Mum [?]
1521 Words
Tina gasped at the two pink lines on the test strip and turned to Pedro, who looked equally stunned.
“We cannot let them know,” he said flatly. Tina sighed and tossed the stick into the trash bin in their room.
“Your mother will never let us hear the end of it,” Tina murmured and Pedro pulled her into a tight hug.
The news brought joy, yet the toxic atmosphere at home made announcement impossible.
“We can’t hide it forever, babe. But for now, no one, not even Mom must know,” Pedro whispered, breaking the embrace.
Tina nodded, gazing at his handsome face.
“I’m so happy carrying your child,” she said, beaming. Pedro chuckled.
“I worked hard for it, you know,” he teased. She rolled her eyes. “Oh please.”
· · ·
Riana parked her bike and removed her helmet and Romeo approached from the cottage.
“Hey kiddo,” she hailed. “How was school?”
Romeo rolled his eyes. “How did you even survive it?”
“Just like you will, bro. Come on.”
They walked inside together.
“I can’t see Nate’s jeep,” Riana noted.
“He had one last meeting. He’ll be late for dinner,” Romeo replied.
“Audrey must be bored then.” she muttered.
“Nah, not with Tina around. Go freshen up. The cook is almost done with dinner.” he responded.
“Yes sir,” Riana laughed, dashing upstairs.
· · ·
Audrey spoke anxiously on the phone. “I fear Pedro’s mother will stop at nothing to shake my mother-in-law. I really need a child, Kora. At least for Nathan.”
“You just have to keep trying. Never skip your fertility pills,” Kora advised.
“Yeah, I know.” Audrey’s voice was weak.
“Listen, if Tina gets pregnant before you and delivers a boy, be ready to kiss your position goodbye. That’s how this family works."
" Mr. Wayne took another wife for business reasons. If the CEO fails to produce an heir, others will armor up. I can’t stand you losing face, Audrey.” her sister told and she groaned holding her head.
“Thank you, Kora.”
· · ·
In the mansion garden, Adella found Audrey admiring flowers.
"You are here." She said and Audrey turned to see her.
“Mom, good evening,” she greeted with a forced smile.
“Needed some alone time?” Adella asked gently and Audrey sighed.
“I've been thinking. What if my inability to get pregnant affects Nathaniel’s position?” Audrey blurted.
“Don’t say that. God gives children. You’ll have yours eventually. Don’t let Finn’s words get to you,” Adella assured but Audrey shook her head.
“Two years of unprotected s*x with no baby… I’m panicking, Mom. Something’s wrong.” she grumbled.
“Fine. When Nathan returns from the trip he's leaving for, we’ll see a doctor together. Happy?”
Audrey sighed and nodded then Adella pulled her into a warm hug.
"Now smile, sweetheart.”
· · ·
Riana jumped off the bed when her mother entered her bedroom without knocking.
“We need to talk, Riana. Why did you mess up your date last night?”
“I have no interest in marriage. And most especially not to the man you chose,” Riana replied flatly.
“You refused education, ride around with peasants—”
“They’re my friends!” Riana exclaimed.
“I’ll send you to Germany or have your gang locked up,” Sylvia threatened.
"You wouldn't dare." Riana seethed and Sylvia scoffed.
“Watch me,” she said and left the bedroom with Riana glaring at her back.
· · ·
At dinner, Riana groaned,
“The mansion will be boring without you two for three days."
Nathaniel ruffled her hair. “Just three days, Ri. What should I get you?"
" What about me?" Tina chipped in playfully and Nathaniel chuckled then offered to bring gifts for the ladies.
"Bills on you alone yeah?" Pedro asked and the siblings laughed.
Tina’s laughter suddenly stopped and she bolted to the sink nearby and vomited.
“Are you alright?” Sylvia asked, rushing to check her temperature.
Pedro also rushed over.
“She’s fine, Mom. Probably irritation.” he said trying to avoid further investigation.
Adella watched closely. "Are you pregnant?” she suddenly asked and that caught them off guard.
"I..." her voice hooked and she glanced at Pedro, who lowered his head. They were officially exposed.
“You are pregnant?” Audrey repeated. Tina nodded stiffly.
Sylvia beamed immediately, squealing in joy. “A five-month marriage blessed already! Despite my rivals, I’m vindicated.” She shot a taunting look at Adella.
“For how long now?” Finn asked.
“We figured it out last week,” Pedro admitted.
“And you hid it?” Nathaniel asked.
“We planned to announce after the trip.” Pedro defended and Nathaniel smiled genuinely.
"Congrats, brother.” he stood up to hug them.
Audrey sat frozen in shock. She was already living her worst nightmare.
· · ·
Nathaniel entered their room a little while after dinner to find Audrey pacing.
“I was expecting you in bed.”
“How can I sleep when facing a threat? Tina is pregnant! What if it’s a boy? What if I can’t give you an heir?” she said all at once.
“Hey… shh… relax.” He cupped her face. “You’re my wife. I don’t care about the seat. We should be happy for them.”
Audrey pulled away shaking her head.
“The moment you return, we see the doctor.” she said.
"If it makes you happy." He sighed and pulled her into a hug.
· · ·
Days later, the arrival of the hospital results shattered Audrey. She was the problem. Her chances of ever getting pregnant were extremely low.
Nathaniel watched her caress her stomach in the bathroom mirror.
“You need to stop, Audrey.” he groaned.
“I need to stop?" She deadpanned and faced him. " I cannot get pregnant!” she snapped.
“Chances are low, but we still have a chance.” he reminded her.
“If Tina births a boy, your stepmom will make attempts to overthrow you. Do you even love me?" She asked and he was stunned.
" If you do then you will accept your mother’s suggestion or get another wife.”
Nathaniel was stunned.
“My father’s decision on having two wives brought us here! I’m not repeating that mistake. I’ll accept a surrogate, but no other wife.” He retorted and left her to her thoughts.
Morning brought more tension. Since Nathaniel had agreed for surrogacy, Audrey told Adella.
“You’ll actually let them bring in a baby mama?” Sylvia demanded when Finn agreed to it.
“A surrogate, Mum,” Riana corrected.
“So long as the child is our blood,” Finn said and Adella smirked.
Nathaniel who was getting so upset with the ongoing debate for off his seat and stormed out.
Pedro watched him go then sighed facing Adella. “Where can we find the perfect woman?”
In the slums, insects chirped under moonlight much later that night.
Ariel sat on her worn mattress, staring at the moon, remembering her gangster mother and murdered father.
All they wanted was a better life until she and her mother returned one day to find her husband dead. Her mother knew the people behind it and went after them.
She successfully carried out her revenge but never came back home. She was sentenced imprisonment.
For the past ten years, Ariel suffered abuse under her aunt. Nights were her only moment of peace where crying herself to sleep was the best. And then eventually dreaming of a day she would finally escape.
Just earlier today, her Aunty came back and ordered her to have a clean bath. Right after, she was given a new dress and some pictures were taken of her.
Ariel could only wonder what it was all about.
While she brooded, her mind slipped to the special twins. News of their return from a business trip was all over.
She arranged herself comfortably on the mattress slipping into her maladaptive daydreaming.
Pedro was the hot one between them with a playboy outlook but there was something about Nathaniel’s cold charm that always made her shiver.
One day, she would finally get to see them. And if that is to happen, she knew she had to work hard.
· · ·
Back in the Wayne's mansion, Adella reviewed profiles till late at night. Finding the best match was so much work and one finally stood out.
"Twenty years old." Adella read softly. She had the perfect genotype AA. Even her virginity status was intact and that made her brows to raise.
Adella scrutinized her picture while noticing her ginger hair and hazel eyes.
Her eyes landed on the name and a small smile touched her lips.
"Ariel?"
- Writer
