Separated At Birth

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The day of burial came by quickly, and it was like everything happened in the blink of an eye. I was still in shock about the death of Marie, I couldn't believe that she was gone, it felt as if she went somewhere, and she would be back any moment. Eating was like another challenge I wasn't ready to take up, tossing a plate containing tossed bread, bacon, sausage, and beans with some lettuce in the sink. I proceeded upstairs to go and get ready for the burial, even though I still had an hour and a half left. 

I entered the bedroom and found Matt already prepared, being a businessman that he is, he always wants to do things on time. He was wearing a black suit that hugged his body very well, it was one of those tailor — made suits. He had a white shirt on to complete the traditional black and white attire, and some black shoes to go with it. Not only that, but he looked handsome as always,”Still not ready yet, honey?” He asked, looking at the watch. 

“Yeah, just give me a few minutes, I'll be done before you know it,” I told him. 

“Alright, you will find me downstairs waiting for you,” He walked towards me and stood in front of me, slowly removing a strand of hair from my face, he leaned closer to my head and his soft lips touched my forehead. Then he proceeded downstairs to wait for me. It's small gestures like this that remind me of why I fail deeply in love with him. 

Walking into the bathroom, I turned on the shower, slipped off my pajamas and stood there enjoying the warmth of the liquid cascading down my skin. For a moment, everything seemed normal, my mind traveled back in time from when I was younger, everything was a fairytale where nothing bad could happen, I guess seeing things through the eyes of a child is therapeutic. After finishing up, I grabbed a towel and went out of the bathroom and into my walk-in closet. I looked into the mirror and I noticed that my eyes were red and puffy from the crying I have been doing for the past two days. 

I proceeded to do my makeup and hair and when I was done, I grabbed the first black dress I saw in the closet and a pair of black high heels. For the finishing touches, I wore my diamond necklace and earrings and proceeded downstairs. I found Matt waiting for me down the stairway. He took my hand when I reached the second last staircase, smiled and whispered in my ear, “You look gorgeous, sweetheart.”  

Not feeling like talking, I decided to return his compliment with a weak smile, though it felt exhausting just lifting my lips upwards. I couldn't help but notice how his face changed. I knew I hurt his feelings, but there was nothing I could do, or maybe there was, but I didn't want to. He looked at me with pity in his eyes. I felt bad for him because for the past two days he has been by my side trying to comfort me. 

We said bye to our housekeeper Lauren and our cook Miranda, and we went outside to where our driver Carlos was standing. He opened the door to our Rolls-Royce, I got in first, then Matt, Carlos closed the door before entering the car and driving us off. 

We arrived for the burial ceremony on time, we only invited a few of our trusted friends because we didn't want the news to reach the media. I noticed that there was no one from Marie's family. I guess she didn't have friends nor family members. While the funeral was going on, thoughts clipped into my mind. 

How was it going to be like without her around? I only knew her for nine months, but it felt like I had known her my whole life. We have had both great and bad times together. Matt and I wanted to buy her a house as a token of appreciation for agreeing to be our surrogate, even though we had already paid her the money. 

“Honey…honey…sweetheart, Carla!” I didn't even realize that Matt was calling me. I was caught up in my thoughts to even know what was going on around me. 

“Matt, were you saying something?” I inquired. 

“Yes, have been calling you countless times, but you seem to have zoned out, what's wrong?” 

“N-nothing, I was just thinking about Marie that's all, what's going on?” I asked. He looked at me with a dumbfounded expression before he answered. 

“The ceremony is over, we should now head back home,” He told me whilst helping me get up from the chair I was sitting on. 

“What do you mean the ceremony is over, what about the flowers I didn't put them in, did you?” I asked him, wondering how long I zoned out. 

“I took the liberty of putting them for you, seeing that you didn't hear me call you,” He informed me. 

“Thanks, I guess” I told him, then someone caught my eye. She was standing next to one of my friends' cars, wearing a black hoodie. I may not have seen her face because of the sunglasses but I have seen that posture before. She looked like someone I knew, she left quickly before I could take a good look at her,” Did you see that?” I asked, hoping he just saw what I had seen. 

“No, what was it?” he asked. 

“Nothing, let's just go home,” We went to the car, and we found Carlos waiting for us leaning his back on the car, with his hands folded up to his chest. When he saw us, he opened the door for us, we got in, and then he closed the door for us. He got inside, and then he got the engine running, and we got out of the parking lot. On our way home, I leaned on the window of the car, letting silence consume the atmosphere of the car. 

                  ***

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