Bab 23: Roland
Thursday
I was standing in front of the mirror in Bram's bathroom. I blinked three times and swallowed. My period started today. Which meant I was not pregnant. I should be happy if I was single but I was not.
I was planning to brush my teeth when I felt something coming out of me. I checked my panties and there it was, blood. I picked up my toothbrush, put some toothpaste on, then shook my head. I turned to the door when I heard a knock.
"Madam, Sir Bram just called," said Maria, "He was asking if you want to eat lunch with him later at twelve?"
I spit the toothpaste to the sink and answered her, "I'll call him once I'm done here, Maria. Thank you."
"Thank you, Madam," she said and I saw her shadow left the door.
I checked the time in the clock above the mirror and it showed ten o'clock. I took a bath and went out of the bathroom in a robe. Maria was already waiting for me. She already prepared two dresses and placed them both on the bed.
"What do you suggest I wear, Maria?" I asked her as I scanned the two dresses on the bed.
"Though the white dress looks pristine and cool, Madam. I recommend you to wear the dress with printed roses," Maria told me while she stood at my right side, "In case of food stains it will not be visible."
I nodded at her statement, "True and it will hide blood stains from my period."
"Oh, do you need more pads Madam? I could buy more," Maria said. She looked at me with concern in her eyes.
"I have everything I need, Maria," I smiled at her, "I think you bought me all kinds of pads available, including pantyliners. So I'm good."
Maria assisted me with the ecru floral dress and then she gave me two-inch nude pumps. I did a half ponytail with my long hair and added delicate rose earrings. I applied light make-up, wore my watch and called Bram. He answered on the first ring.
"Where do you want to eat lunch?" Bram asked on the other line.
"I am not familiar with this area Bram," I answered him as I sat on the bed.
"I'll pick you up. Can you get ready in thirty minutes?" He asked again.
I glanced at my watch and it showed eleven o'clock, "Yes, of course." Confidence was evident in my voice because I was all set before I called him.
"All right, see you!" Bram said then he hung up the call.
He took me to a restaurant in a mall near his condo. I did a quick search about the restaurant while he was on a call. The restaurant offered European, American and Filipino inspired dishes according to one blog that I saw. Bram hung up his call and smiled at me. Then we both looked at the menu.
For starters we chose mushroom spinach empanaditas and buffalo balls. Then I chose pasta for my main dish. I told the server that I would have the Maine Lobster Vongole. I heard Bram ordered lamb kebabs. Then we went for Maple Bread pudding and cheesecake for dessert.
Bram gave me a meaningful look before he started to speak, "Maria told me that you had your period today?"
I leaned back to my chair and crossed my hands to my chest, "Does she report to you everything that happens to me?" I asked and shook my head in disbelief.
Bram sat back as well, "It's part of her job. She needs to report to me everything that happens to you, bad or good."
I rolled my eyes at him and said, "Yes, I just found out this morning."
"Maybe we're not doing it enough," Bram commented with a naughty smile.
"Doing what?" I was annoyed with his expression.
Bram laughed mildly. When it finally dawned on me that he was referring about sex I gasped loudly. It made him laugh even more. I looked at the restaurant crew if they were looking at us but they were all busy. I turned to Bram again and he was suppressing laughter.
"Stop it!" I scolded Bram.
He sat properly and tried his best not to laugh. I felt my phone vibrate so I took it out my hand bag and checked the caller ID, it was Roland.
"Hello?" I said as I answered my brother's voice call.
"Can I bring a plus one to tomorrow's event?" Roland asked on the other line.
I stared at Bram in confusion. I did not know that they invited my mother and my brother to his induction celebration.
"I don't have access to the guest list, Roland," I told my brother and bit my lower lip. I stared outside the restaurant.
"I wanted to bring the girl that I was talking about? I mentioned her to you when we were on the island." Roland explained.
I turned back to Bram again and he was watching me intently, "I'm not in the position to answer you, Roland."
"I wanted to bring her and introduce her to you and mom." Roland added.
"Roland, I think there would be a right time for that. And tomorrow is not a good time," I tried to reason with my brother.
"I'll just give you her name and then let me know if you can squeeze her on the list?" My brother was very persistent.
I closed my eyes and let out a sigh, "Okay, what's her name?"
"Alicia Fulgar," Roland answered.
"Her name is Alicia?" I repeated to my brother.
"Yup," Roland said in confirmation.
"I'll see what I can do," I told him, "I'll call you, okay?"
"Okay thank you," Roland said on the other line.
"Take care of mom!" I added before he hung up.
I stared at my phone for a moment then I looked up at Bram, "What is Alicia's last name?"
"I'll take care of it," Bram answered in a clipped voice.
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