Chapter 50: Meeting His Family
Angela woke up in a strange environment. But she can hear Edward's voice in the background. Judging from the soft cushion she was lying on and the manly scent of the office, the way the furniture and fixtures were placed and the design of the whole room, it bespoke of wealth and luxury. This must be his office.
His voice lulled her back to sleep. Her eyes were heavy, her eyelids felt like it was glued tight and she can't barely keep them open. With Edward nearby, she felt safe enough surprising her. She closed her eyes for a bit. She couldn't brave a peek to see if there was someone with Edward but hearing only his voice, Angela deduced he was talking on his phone.
Feeling safe and secure, Angela succumbed to sleep. Deep in her sleep, she did not know how many times Edward stood to check on her, how many times he pulled the quilt over her so she won't catch cold, or how many times he kissed her gently. She had no idea how worried he was just by looking at her sleeping peacefully.
Time was not an essence. Angela was awakened feeling hungry and ready to devour just anything she could put in her mouth. She stirred and stretched lazily. When she finally opened her eyes, the headache was gone, only the grueling of her stomach disturbed her.
"Are you awake?" Edward's voice came from behind. She looked up and saw him looking at her.
Angela nodded. Edward was already beside her helping her up on a sitting position while keeping the quilt on her.
"Hungry? Anything in mind?" Edward asked sounding worried. "I reckon pregnant women usually have specific food in mind."
Angela thought for a minute. "I don't think I have anything I wanted to eat." She finally replied trying to figure out what was it she really wanted.
"Can you stand? I'm taking you out for lunch." Edward asked anxiously.
"What time is it?" Angela felt lost with time.
"It's almost two in the afternoon."
That explains why her stomach grumbled wildly. She needed nutrition and food. Dismissing Edward's question if she could stand, Angela attempted to stand on her own then swayed dizzily. Edward quickly caught her before she landed on the floor. Angela held on to Edward leaning heavily on him for support until she finally got her footing.
"Thank you." She thanked him once she was certain she had her strength.
"Can you walk?" Edward urged her to take a step.
Angela tried to take one step as her knees were like jellies. Her first step made her waver but her second step was sure then the next steps were okay despite feeling weak. Immediately Edward came to support her, holding her.
As much as she wanted to decline his strength for support, her weakened state made her impossible to endure walking on her own.
Their progress was slow. Angela's stomach growled loudly and she blushed shamefully.
"I guess food is now an emergency." Edward scooped her up earning him a protest from her but he waved her weak protest.
When they reached the parking lot, Chris saw them and was looking worried.
"Is she alright?" Chris asked. Edward had already told him of her condition and it made him worry at seeing how weak she was.
"She will be once she got food in her belly."
Chris helped open the door of the car so Edward deposited Angela inside the car carefully. He then turned and faced Edward. "Have you notified Dominic?"
"I am here. There's no need to notify someone else." Edward glared.
"Oh." Chris paused and stepped away so Edward can pass. "I have already cancelled her appointment tomorrow as per your instruction and the media had already gotten news of her pregnancy. Seemed like the people from the hospital was quick in spreading the information."
"Good. This will secure her contract." Edward replied then went inside the car leaving Chris looking worried but at peace knowing Angela is in good hands.
At the restaurant, Edward led Angela towards the counter where the food was displayed. He allowed her to choose the food she wanted to eat. He asked the attendant to serve Angela everything she will order.
Angela could only wrinkle her nose at the smell of all the food in front of her. Her stomach lurched painfully at the sight of all the food offerings. Its smell disgusts her and she completely lost her appetite. She left the food counter hurriedly emptying her bowel at the nearest sink she could find. Edward went after her trying to calm.
Washing her face with running water, Angela looked up and saw Edward offering his hanky to her. She took the thing he offered and wiped her face dry. She never felt so weak and so helpless at the same time in her entire life. If she had to endure this for nine months, she could now see her future business disappearing and she shook her head in sorrow.
Edward rubbed her shoulder as she sobbed pitifully. He took her into his protective embrace and she melted helplessly. Despite all her efforts to be angry at Edward, still, she found him to be such a huge comfort to her right now.
"Thank you." She murmured weakly.
Lunch was forgotten. He scooped her weakened state as she clung to him. The people around them seemed to have understood what she had been through offering their consolation along with their advice on how to deal with her pregnancy sickness.
Edward was grateful for all their support and thank them profusely. One woman offered her bottled water while others helped opened the door for Edward so he could exit the restaurant. Many people showed their support to him.
Once inside his car, Angela smiled weakly at the people who helped them. She was grateful for all their support. The flashes of camera lights that had been gone for quite some time had now returned with new vigor. People who were there were trying to get a glimpse of her and Edward not knowing that they were no longer together.
"That went well." Edward grumbled as he turned the engine on and drove off.
"Where are we going?" Angela asked feebly.
"Back to where you should be, at the hospital. I don't know how to deal with you when you were so feisty even when you feel weak, I am still at a loss."
"Please don't." She replied softly.
"Why not?" Edward was confused at her refusal.
"The smell of the hospital turns my stomach upside down. I can't heave up any longer without food in my stomach."
"Then please tell me what do you want to eat? I am completely lost right now and I have never been this worried my whole life."
Angela's heart swelled with happiness at Edward's reaction and she was surprised at how warm it feels to know Edward cared for her. "Stop at a fruit stand. I guess my stomach could handle some fruits."
Edward obediently pulled up at a nearby fruit stand. He went out and picked as many fruits as he could carry. He bought ripe mangoes, apples, plums, grapes and some unripe mangoes. She carried them inside the car and presented it to her. The smell of ripe mangoes made her mouth watery and she can't wait to dig her teeth into its succulent sweetness.
"I can have those fruits washed if you are ready to eat them." Edward volunteered willingly
"Please. I could use some food right now." Angela faintly requested knowing how her body needs nutrition after her exertion.
Edward went back inside with the bag of fruits. Few minutes later he came carrying a bowl of clean fruits and offered it to Angela. She took the bowl with shaking fingers and placed it on her lap. She then took some grapes and nibbled on them and finished the whole bunch quickly. She was never so hungry and so eager to pop fruits into her mouth like she was feeling that moment.
"Thank you." She thanked Edward for the second time that day grateful for his support.
He simply patted her shoulder then drove off. He made a quick stop at a fast food to buy himself his lunch. He made sure that the food is packed tightly so Angela could not smell it that might upset her stomach again. When he returned, he was wearing a huge smile on his face for his success.
"Please cancel all my appointment today and tomorrow. If anything needs my attention, give me a video call." He instructed his assistant before he drove off.
Angela was no longer familiar with the terrain. She looked around confused and worried at the same time.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Home. Grandma will be happy to hear about this wonderful news." Edward smiled and looked at her quickly.
They were driving slowly like Edward was carrying a precious cargo.
"You still have a grandma?" Angela was surprise to know that side of Edward.
"Yes." He replied and smiled again.
The unfamiliar terrain snaked through a dense forest. The heady scent of wood and timber filled Angela and she inhaled deeply missing her own little forest. As the forest disappeared before them, it opened into a farm dotted with occasional tall oak tree like it was not cut on purpose. The road curved ahead leading towards a large wooden gate that hung on its hinges.
A signboard was on the top of the wooden archway with a sign that was fairly visible. Edward continued to drive until they reached the end of the road.
"Are we walking?" Angela asked feeling worried.
Edward did not answer. He made a left turn towards the dirt road that became visible when he made another turn. A huge villa stood in front of them. It was majestically beautiful sitting on top of a flowerbed that was blooming with flowers of different colors.
Edward stopped just few feet away from the paved path walk. Edward opened the door and snapped her seatbelt open. He assisted her out of the car while Angela leaned on him for support.
"Can you walk?" Edward asked worriedly.
"Yes I guess I can." Angela took tentative steps and was surprised to find her legs stronger.
But Edward did not leave her side assisting her as she walked slowly towards the villa. At the front porch, an elderly man opened the door and a bell jingled. Angela smiled at the small bells hanging on the door.
"Grandma loves the sound of those bells as it jingles when somebody opens it. She always had them. She said it makes it easier to know if she had a visitor." Edward explained.
Angela smiled and fingered the tiny bells that produces jingling sound.
The inside of the house was a grandeur. It was lavishly adorned with luxurious items that were not just expensive but rare. The huge living room was occupied with furnishings in black and white color. The white makes the room appear larger while the dark colored posts and panes complimented the overall design of the living room.
An elderly woman was later wheeled into the living room. She was tiny and prettily wrinkled. She had a warm smile about her with eyes adoring her grandson. When she finally looked at Angela, her eyes widened and she placed one daintily wrinkled had on her chest.
"Oh Angela, you are much more beautiful in person." She exclaimed happily.
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