Nicholas stepped into his room, steam trailing him as water droplets clung to his skin—a clear sign he had just finished showering. He grabbed a towel and began drying off when his phone buzzed on the table.
He picked it up and saw a message from an unfamiliar number. His lips thinned as he read the text:
"Andrea. Save my contact."
With a slight frown, Nicholas tapped the plus icon and saved the number under the name "Wifey." After placing the phone back on the table, he headed toward his closet.
*****
The next day, Andrea and Christine stood outside a hotel as a black SUV pulled up. The driver stepped out, greeted them, and began loading their bags into the vehicle.
Once inside the car, Christine turned to her mother, resting her head against her chest. "Mommy, are we going back home?" she asked, her voice small.
Andrea smoothed the girl's hair gently. "No, baby. Mommy's taking us somewhere else," she replied softly.
"Where? I really miss home," Christine said, her frustration evident. She leaned closer, searching her mother's face before asking another question. "Are we going to see my daddy?"
Andrea hesitated before answering. "Technically, no. But Mommy got married."
Christine blinked, her face scrunching up in confusion. "I don't want a stepdad! Other kids at home always laugh at me because I don't have a daddy!"
Her words dissolved into tears as she began to cry.
Andrea quickly wrapped her arms around her daughter, trying to soothe her. No matter how many times she tried to explain, Christine was too young to fully understand. Whenever the topic of fathers came up, Andrea was left to console her daughter through the inevitable tears.
Six years ago, Andrea had a one-night stand with a stranger, a moment that left her pregnant. As is often the case with such encounters, their identities had remained a mystery. When she realized she was expecting, Andrea found herself alone, with no one to turn to.
...
By the time the SUV parked in front of a white mansion, Christine had cried herself to sleep. The driver was very kind and held the door for Andrea to come out since she was carrying the child.
Afterwards, he collected their luggage from the trunk and brought the woman and child into the main hall where Nicholas was waiting. After receiving her text early in the morning, he had cleared his schedule and returned home to wait for her.
He walked towards Andrea and reached for the sleeping child. "Bring her. I'll help you carry her."
Andrea wanted to decline but nodded instead. After letting him carry the child, she felt light and thankful.
"Bring the luggages to my room," Nicholas said to the driver before turning to Andrea. "Come, I'll bring you to my grandmother."
His feet paused and he looked over his shoulders. "Be careful, she can be very manipulative. She can tell a lie just by looking into your eyes," he warned before continuing to walk.
Andrea nodded calmly. "Don't worry, Mr. Alistair. I have my ways."
Nicholas quickly turned to face Andrea. "You can't call me that in front of her," he said in a hushed tone. "She thinks we've been dating for two months."
Andrea's lips rounded as she listened. "Okay, Nick," she responded, thinking it was the best way out.
Nicholas nodded. Nick was definitely better than Mr. Alistair.
With that settled, he curled his hand around the door's handle but before he could open it, a dramatic voice immediately greeted Andrea.
"That bastard thinks he can lie to me! Hmph! I'll wait for him right here, Isabel, right here! He will show me the woman he married in his dreams today or I will jump off the Prime tower today itself!"
She couldn't help but glance at Nicholas with a surprised look. The latter simple responded with a sad smile.
Nicholas took a deep breath and opened the door gently. "Grandma, she-"
Before he could finish, the old woman started again. "I cannot believe I am so unfortunate to have such a thoughtless grandson! He doesn't even care if I live or I die! Isabel, tell me, who did I offend to be this unfortunate?"
Nicholas was lost for words. His grandmother was such a good actress! It would have been better if she had taken her skills to make money, instead of making his life miserable.
Amelia's eyes were shut as she continued. "Today, I will jump off the Prime tower! It is better to die than to endure this torture! Or I'll take an overdose and die in m—"
Before she could finish, Andrea walked past Nicholas and stepped into the room. She called out, in a soft voice, "Grandma?"
All of a sudden, the room became silent. Amelia opened her eyes and turned to see who had spoken. She blinked her eyes and wiped them with the back of her palms.
"Is this..." Amelia paused and looked at her Nicholas. "Who's this?"
Upon seeing that his grandmother had calmed down, Nicholas finally stepped into the room. "Grandmother, I told you I would get married. Meet Andrea, my wife," he said hurriedly and pointed to the sleeping child, "and her daughter."
Amelia glanced at Christine before turning back to face Andrea. She mentioned for her to come closer.
Andrea stepped forward and greeted quietly, "Hello, Grandma. I'm Andrea."
The old woman suddenly jumped off the bed and embraced Andrea. "Finally, my useless grandson proved to be useless for once in his life!"
Nicholas: "…" 'Useless?'
Andrea chuckled and hugged the old woman back. "Grandma, it's so nice to finally meet you!" she said excitedly, stunning Nicholas who was watching.
After they separated, Amelia held Andrea's hand and patted the back softly. "I hope this punk didn't force you into this marriage. If he did, just tell me. I'll give him the beating of his life," she threatened, glaring at the young man.
Andrea laughed and shook her head. "Not at all, Grandma. Infact, I was the one who proposed to him," she declared, earning a smile from the old woman.
Seeing that the old woman was warming up, Andrea leaned in and whispered, "He was a bit reluctant... Scared."
The old woman's lively laugher filled the room. "I agree. This grandson of mine is a coward. He's all talk and no action!" Turning to her friend and nurse, Amelia declared, "Isabel, look! This brat finally brought home a wife!"