The Babymaker

Chapter Six

The Renz guy is staring at me while I’m seated next to Jonas. I already felt uncomfortable with his stares.

I stood up and they both looked at me. “I will help Nanay Lydia preparing the breakfast.” But Jonas stopped me.

“You don’t have to.” I shook my head. I can’t handle the presence of the Renz guy. His stares are really intimidating.

I walked straight to the kitchen but I still heard a bit of their conversation.

“Who is she, Jo? Don’t tell she eloped with you?” I am dumbfounded of what he said. Why he sounds like he knew nothing? Don’t tell me he doesn’t know? That’s crazy!

~

The breakfast was totally awkward. Jonas insisted that I join them in breakfast, I actually lied that I already ate but Nanay Lydia told them I haven’t eaten breakfast yet so I have no choice. Renz even looking at me weirdly that made me more uncomfortable.

What did Jonas responded on his question?

“Hija, they already arrived. You must go now in the living room. I will finish that.” I shook my head. 

“I’m fine. I’ll just finish this.” I am used to finish what I have started. I even volunteered myself to do the dishes. It’s already embarrassing that Nanay Lydia doing all the house chores.

“It’s not your job to clean the dishes, dear.” I ignored what Nanay said and continue washing the dishes. I’m almost done anyway. I just smiled at her. She shook her head and just does another chore. “Fine. Just finished that one.”

When I’m done with the dishes, I quickly went to living room of the rest house. While I’m walking near the living room, I heard voices arguing.

“How could you? Who told you to decide for me? For us?” shouted by a familiar voice, is it Renz?

“Stop that hijo, don’t talk back to your Grandma that way.” Sir Carlito warned him.

I’m already standing in the doorstep of the living room, I saw anger in Renz eyes while staring at his Grandmother, Madam Celia, who by then just silently looking back at him.

“It’s my idea, Renz.” Then I noticed a woman beside Mr. Carlito’s wife. The woman is beautifully elegant with her long black hair. I’ve seen beautiful woman before but not as pretty as her. Is she some of model or artist?

Renz looked at the woman just spoke. “Isabel?” his forehead creased

The woman cried and covered her face with her hands. What’s happening here?

“I know how much you want a child, Renz and I can’t give you that.” She cried louder. Renz quickly approached the woman, he even kneeled in front of her.

She can’t give him a child? What?

He held the woman’s hands that covering her face. “No. No, Isabel. I’m fine. We already talked about it. I don’t need a baby. All I need is you. Please. Don’t cry, babe.” And Renz hugged her.

Isabel? Babe?

I don’t get it. What’s really happening? And who’s the new lady? I’m feeling dizzy with a lot new faces I’m seeing right now.

“Apple” I heard Jonas called who’s sitting beside Madam Celia, unfortunately they all looking at me right now. My presence has been announced. Even the new guys were looking at me, if Renz looking at me awkwardly a while ago now is different. It’s scary.

He looked really mad at me.

~

“Dear, I’m sorry you have to witness that drama of ours.” Then Madam Celia laughed softly but her eyes were sad.

I shook my head. I’m not in the position to complain and also I’m not in the position to add up on their family affairs but I’m confused of what’s happening.

“Madam—“she cuts me.

“Oh hija, stop calling me Madam. Just call me Grandma or better yet, Granny. Ok?” I was hesitated to do that. She is Madam Cecilia Monteverde. “I’ve been wishing for a girl in our family but no luck eh?” then she laughed lightly this time. I laughed along with her. “So just call me Granny, ok, Apple?”

There’s no woman in Monteverde except the wives. Then I remember, speaking of the wives.

“The woman—“

“She’s Isabel Valle-Monteverde. My grandson’s wife. Renz’s wife.” I was shocked, my jaw dropped for what I found out. I’ve been thinking about that, but I’m totally confused that if he already had a wife why would he need a babymaker?

“If she already had a wife—“

“Obviously, I can’t bare a child.” The beautiful woman named Isabel entered the room.

Why they keep cutting my word? Hello, I’m talking.

“I’m sorry about that” then she smiled a bit even her eyes were unhappy. “You must be—“

“The babymaker? Yes.” I swallowed. Wow. They’ve been cutting my words so I imitated them. And double wow for you Apple. You even have guts to say in front of the wife that you are the babymaker. Bravo.

She smiled awkwardly at me. I felt embarrass about my action.

Ghad Apple, you’re embarrassing. I want to punch you in your face.

“I’m so sorry po. I’m Apple Riviera, Ma’am.” I introduced myself.

She laughed while shaking her head. Is there something funny of what I said? Or she’s laughing at my name?

“Oh no!” She quickly waved her hands. “I’m sorry for laughing. It’s just… Oh just call me Isabel. Apple? Hmm… Nice name, Apple.” She smiled at me. She’s really pretty.

She’s matched with Renz. They’re compatible to one another.

But it is fine I’m just calling him Renz? Tss. Sir Renz ok.

I wanted to disagree just calling with her name but it looks like she notice what I am thinking. She quickly stop me for talking by raising her index finger. “I insist. Just call me Isabel, ok?”

I’m still a bit hesitant even she insists but Madam Celia…. Or Granny Celia joined the conversation. Really? Even calling Madam Celia Monteverde, Granny is very difficult. “Just give Isabel what she wanted, hija. You also need to be comfortable with us… with our family. You will be living with us for a year. Well, sometimes we’re not here. We will just visit you since our life is in Manila, our business and my husband also.”

I just nodded.

I just found out that Don Carlo is weak and currently in the hospital.

“But S-sir Renz…” I awkwardly started. It’s obvious that he doesn’t like the idea. It seems like he’s not informed about this.

He accepted his wife’s condition. Honestly, I admire him because of that. He is Renz Monteverde. He’s rich and handsome. He’s still young… 23 is still young, both of them. They married in young age. In his life status, he could look for another woman like what the other men will do but he didn’t, instead he kneel in front of his wife and cried just to tell her that she’s enough for him.

How touching was that?

She looked at Madam Celia. “We already talked about Granny.”

Isabel Monteverde

“Renz?” he looked up at me

He’s sitting in the bed while his head bowed down. Traces of tears were visible in his cheeks and his eyes were red. He quickly locks up my face between his hands. “Isabel W-why?” It’s hard for him to speak.

I’m really sad with our current situation. I don’t like seeing him like this. He looked helpless. Renz was never like this. Never.

“B-babe? Look at me.” He forced me to look at him, in his eyes. I don’t like to look in his eyes. I felt weak just by looking in his eyes. I wanted to be strong for the both of us. “B-babe. We-we’re fine. Just the two of us. We’re happy, we’re happy together.”

I cried, I can’t stop my tears anymore. I shook my head. “No Renz. Of people in here, I am the one who knew how much you wanted a child or …. children. It’s part of our dreams.” I even cried harder this time. This our dream. We dreamed together to have our own little one, to build our own family.

“That’s the point, Isabel. We both dreamed it, why are you leaving me behind?” I can’t stop crying, tears are continuously flowing in my cheeks. I tried wiping it away.

I shook my head. “No Renz, I am with you on this. I will not leave you ever.”

He also shook his head. “No. I don’t want to do it, Isabel. I’m ok with you, even just you. I’m with you. I don’t need a child or children as long as you’re with me. Please Babe. Please, let’s not do this.” He begged.

I know this is hard for him, and it’s also hard for me.

I can’t. Just thinking my husband will do it with other woman, kills the inside of me. It hurts, it hurts so much. I wanted to be selfish but I can’t. This is what must be done.

“I know how badly you want a child, Renz. And I also do. We both grew up without siblings, right?”

“We will just adopt then.” He insisted but I shook my head.

I reached Renz face and caressed his face. I connected his forehead on mine and looked straight to his eyes, his deep black set of eyes.

“If we’re going to have a baby, I want it to look like you. Exactly like you, Renz. Please Renz. Do it for me. Maybe it’s not fine but at least it’s yours. The baby is yours, Babe.”

He cried.

He kissed me in my lips, longer and tender.

“I trust you. I love you.”