Contract And Marriage

Sarina

“Hello, my wife!” Why does his tone sound like that?

“My husband, did something happen? Why do you seem so anxious and scared?” I asked curiously.

“Where are you?” he asked instead of answering.

“I’m still at the hospital, in Dr. Jerold’s office. Why?”

“Why didn’t you answer my calls?” He sounded worried and fearful, so I couldn’t help but feel the same.

“After we talked earlier, a nurse suddenly arrived to take Chase for his check-up. I didn’t notice that I left my phone on the chair, so I missed your calls. I called you right away when I saw the notification.”

I heard him take a deep breath, which made me a little nervous. I feared that something bad might have happened to him. “You haven’t answered my question. Did something happen?”

“Nothing, I was just scared because you weren’t answering my calls.”

“I’m fine, and so is Chase. Like you said, we’re here in Dr. Jerold’s office waiting, so just calm down, okay?” I reassured him.

“I’m almost there, my wife; just wait for me.”

“Alright, my husband, we’re just right here.” The call ended, and Chase and I waited in the doctor’s office. Honestly, I couldn’t help but feel nervous because it seemed like Maximus was worried about something. I suddenly remembered what Eunice told me the other day-that a man was looking for me. Should I tell my husband about that? But what if he starts worrying too much, and it turns out there’s nothing to worry about?

I couldn’t help but think. I hugged my child tightly, fearing he might get caught up in any danger waiting for me. I can let anything happen to me, just not to my Chase.

A few minutes passed, and suddenly, the door to Dr. Jerold’s office opened, revealing Maximus. “My wife,” he said, his voice full of concern. I knew then that he had a reason for being so worried, so I hugged him along with our child.

“Are you okay? Did something happen?” I asked after we separated, and I noticed the man standing behind him.

“Nothing, my wife. I was worried because I thought something bad had happened to you since you weren’t answering my calls,” he answered the same. Does that mean I have nothing to worry about?

“I’m sorry if I made you worry. Next time, I’ll make sure to check my things first.”

“It’s fine, my wife. The important thing is that you and Chase are okay,” he replied. “By the way, I introduced him to you in Vegas. Since you don’t remember, let me introduce you to my brother, Mariano.”

I looked at the man, and he smiled back before speaking, “How are you, Sarina?”

“I’m fine.” He then looked at Chase, who was now in Maximus’s arms.

“Son, meet Uncle Mariano,” my husband introduced.

“U-Uncle M-Mar, h-hi…”

“He looks familiar.” Mariano seemed amazed as he looked at our child. “Yeah, he looks like your father!” he exclaimed, pointing at Maximus, who was now laughing.

“Yes, Dr. Jerold thinks so, too,” Maximus replied. “Wait, where is he?” he asked me.

“He had a patient to attend to, so he left us here.” Maximus just nodded and suggested we go home.

We left Dr. Jerold’s office and walked towards the parking lot when I noticed a man acting strangely. I couldn’t see his face clearly because he wore a hat and a jacket with a hood.

I watched him carefully, but Maximus suddenly held my hand, so I walked with them until we reached the parking lot. Maximus drove, Mariano sat in the passenger seat, and Chase and I were in the back seat. My husband also texted Dr. Jerold to let him know that we left so he wouldn’t worry if he returned and didn’t find us there.

Mariano stayed with us until we got to the condo, and based on my observation, it seemed like they wanted to talk about something or tell me something that I couldn’t quite figure out. We were greeted by Lisa, who had temporarily become Chase’s nanny and had not been going home lately. When we move to the new house that Maximus built, she and her husband will also live with us, per my husband’s wishes.

“Come here, dear, and change your clothes,” said Lisa as she took Chase from me. My child understands Tagalog because that’s how I speak to him when that despicable Ralph, who isn’t really my husband or his father, isn’t around.

I then went straight to our room to change into comfortable clothes before joining them again. They were both sitting on the couch facing each other and of course, I sat beside my husband. “Were you talking about something important?” I asked, keeping my eyes on Maximus. I didn’t want him to keep secrets from me, especially if it involved me and our child.

“We need to tell her, Max,” said Mariano, causing my husband to roll his eyes.

“Come on, my husband. Don’t leave me in the dark.”This is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

“I just didn’t want you to worry.”

“I’m going to worry even more now. At least I’ll be prepared for whatever may happen.” I insisted because I didn’t want him to worry about me, which he surely would if I wasn’t careful, especially when he returned to work in his office.

“It’s about the man who claimed you as his wife.” I froze because I didn’t expect he would still be a problem.

“What about Ralph?” I asked.

“He’s here in the Philippines,” Mariano replied.

“What?” I exclaimed.

“But don’t worry, my wife. I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you or Chase,” Maximus reassured me.

“I’m also here to make sure that he won’t be able to do anything to you and your family,” Mariano added.

“That’s reassuring. But Ralph is… I don’t know how to say this. But he’s crazy!” I said, my eyes wide. “And if he’s really here, then maybe he was the man Eunice was talking about.”

“What do you mean? Did something happen to them?” Maximus asked, concerned. I then told him what Eunice had told me when her grandmother visited the condo.

“Then she’s not safe. We need to have someone look after her and your son.”

“I agree with you, Mariano.” Then Maximus looked at me, “You should have told me about it. What if I had left you and Chase at the hospital, and he was there? If he followed you to Aunt Marga’s place, he could still follow you wherever you go, and I’m sure he knows your true identity by now.”

“I’m sorry, my husband. I just forgot about it, and I only remembered it earlier,” I replied, lowering my head, then widening my eyes as I looked at Maximus again. “Earlier at the hospital, I saw a man who seemed to be watching us. I didn’t recognize him, but his build looked like Ralph’s.”

“Shit!” Maximus cursed. The brothers looked at each other, and fear gripped me even more.