I glanced at the paper bag beside me as we drove back to Bram's condo. The contract was just a document. I signed it to save my brother's life. But it felt like that document was something that I could not carry on my shoulders alone. I looked outside the window to divert my attention.
Chantal turned to me and said, "Madam Calla called earlier, Miss Emma."
I did not answer her. Instead, I glanced at my watch. It showed past three o'clock. I was thinking that I could not possibly meet all the people who wanted to meet me in a day. But I liked Aunt Calla, a lot.
"What did she say?" I asked Chantal.
"She said that you needed to call her immediately once you're free and she said it's urgent," Chantal stated.
"Thank you, Chantal," I told my bodyguard.
I went straight to our room when we got to the condo. I took a bath and changed into a black cotton short and an oversized shirt. I was turning my laptop on when my phone rang. I shook my head in frustration. Can I turn my phone off so it would stop ringing?
I glanced at it while it was charging on the bedside table. I was yawning when I walked towards it and looked at the caller ID, it was Aunt Calla. I laid down on the bed and stared at my ringing phone. My body was asking for sleep so I let it. I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.
I woke up and I was already covered with a blanket and the ambient light of Bram's room was on. It was dark outside. I quickly got up and checked the bed for blood stains but there was none. I turned the bedside lamp on to check my phone. It was fully charged and someone unplugged it from the socket.
I also noticed twelve missed calls on my phone. I put it back on the bedside lamp and went to the bathroom. I changed my sanitary pad and gargled mouthwash. There were still some damp parts on my hair because I did not dry it with a blowdryer. I combed it with a wide tooth comb and heard a knock on the bathroom door.
"Are you okay in there?" I heard Bram's voice at the other side of the door.
"Yes, I'm just cleaning up," I spoke a little loud so he could hear me.
"Okay," Bram responded, then I heard him close the door of our room.
I sat on the only chair in the bathroom and stared at my foot. I just wanted time for myself. I put up my hands and stared at the lines on my palm. Mama Credence believed in the energy of gemstones, so maybe there was some truth in palm reading too? I was examining my palms closely when a knock on the door startled me.
"Emma?" It was Bram again.
"Do you need to use the bathroom?" I asked as I stared at the door.
"No," he answered from outside.
This made my eyebrows meet in the middle, "Do you need anything?"
"What's taking you so long?" Bram asked again.
I straightened my legs, pointed my toes and looked up to the clock above the mirror. It showed seven o'clock. I walked to the door and opened it. Bram gave me an impish smile then I walked past him. I was probably suffering from mood swings because of my period and I should tell Bram to give me some space. I got my phone and was about to unlock it when Bram spoke.
"I missed you," he said as he stared at me.
"We just saw each other during lunch time?" I smiled at him.
"I'm sorry I was not able to answer your question at the restaurant," he added.
I was utterly shocked that he was apologizing. I wondered what brought this on? Then he spoke again.
"I hired someone to follow your mother, your brother and Alicia. I already know that Alicia and your brother met before you went to the island." Bram said as he looked straight into my eyes.
My knees went wobbly so I sat on the chair near the bedside table, "You knew everything?" I asked as I looked at him.
"When I was growing up my father taught me a lot of things. He said that I should be two steps ahead of my opponents," Bram explained to me.
"Alicia wanted to be at my induction tomorrow. I have no control on what she planned to do. The same applies to your brother and mother. I can't control them. What I can do is protect you," Bram explained.
"Are you saying that we are going to see Alicia and my brother tomorrow in your induction?" I asked nervously. I hugged myself because I suddenly felt cold.
"I tried to control the guest list but the organizers said that they can not cancel the option for plus one anymore.It could cause a negative impact on my leadership." Bram said and he walked towards me. He squatted so we could see eye to eye.
I bit my lip nervously, "I didn't even know that you invited my mom and my brother," I told Bram.
"Mom invited them," He shrugged his shoulders. Then he wrapped his arms on my waist and our bodies touched. I ended up placing my arms around his neck. Our faces were so close to each other.
"I just need you to trust me on this?" Bram whispered as he rested his forehead on mine. I sighed, I recalled the promise that I made to his mom earlier.
"Okay," I said with a small smile. Deep inside I felt miserable. Bram did not deserve all of this!
He kissed the right side of my neck then inhaled it, "I forgot to tell you that dinner is ready."
"Let's go then," I said and I was about to go up when Bram stopped me.
His expression changed, I gasped when he lifted the bottom part of my oversized top. He sucked my right breast as he kneaded the left. I swallowed hard and closed my eyes. I grabbed a portion of his hair with my right hand.
"Bram, what about dinner?" I asked as I chased my breath.
He stopped sucking my breast and stared at my face, "What do you think of having sex when you have your period?"
I made a face and said, "Disgusting?"
Bram smiled and stood up. Then he waited for me to stand up too. He held his left hand to me and I reached it using my right. Then we went out of the room towards the kitchen.
After dinner, Maria, Chantal and Bram moved the furniture and they converted his living room sofa into a bed. I got our blankets and pillows from our bedroom then we snuggled and watched the series that Bram was following. When I was getting sleepy, I faced Bram and moved closer to him. I rested my head under his left arm and closed my eyes. I felt him kiss my head. Then I remembered something.
"Oh my God!" I exclaimed. Bram turned to me.
"I forgot to return the call of Aunt Calla," I told Bram.
Bram frowned and shook his head, "Don't worry about her, I think I know why she was calling you."
I slowly sat up, "What do you mean?"
"She just wanted to add her lover on the guest list," Bram said, unconcerned.
"You know that too?" I asked as I laid back down on the bed.
Bram did not answer me and continued watching. I covered my whole body with the blanket and turned my back to him. I was thinking of an excuse that I could tell Aunt Calla tomorrow when I felt Bram pulled me closer to him. Then he hugged me from the back.
"I think it's important that you get to know the people close to me on your own, rather than base it on what I have to say about them," Bram whispered to my right ear.
I turned to face him and we stared at each other for a moment then I asked him, "What was your first impression of me?"
Bram grinned at me. He got the remote of the TV and turned it off. Then he covered himself with our blanket. I shook my head and slept on my side of the bed. Maybe Bram was not ready to answer those kinds of questions yet.