Princess Leonor : Viva la Reina! (English Version)

27. The Percentage

"Ok, that's fine. I understand, Rodolfo. Greetings to your family."

"What? Who's Rodolfo? I'm Gabrielle! Oh I know, Leonor is with you."

"Yes, you're welcome, Rodolfo." Umberto turned off his cellphone. 

"Hello? Umberto? Damn it!" Gabrielle slammed her phone on the table in front of her. 

But it wasn't over for Gabrielle. She rubbed her belly. "I want to keep this child. Our child, Umberto." she whispered.

____________

Meanwhile, Umberto took a deep breath. He tried to stay calm, then he looked at his wife.

"What's wrong with Rodolfo?" Leonor asked.

"It's no big deal. My driver just asked for leave next week," Umberto replied. He hoped Leonor wouldn't ask Rodolfo back, or his lie would be exposed.

"Oh. I thought something bad happens, my dear." Leonor put her lips close to her husband's ear. But Umberto refused her.

"I think we should take a shower and then have breakfast. I'm hungry." Umberto felt like he needed some time to think clearly about what had just happened.

"Okay. But you go take a shower first." Leonor pulled back the blanket.

"Of course."

Umberto rushed to the bathroom. He turned on the shower to its maximum flow. He stood there covering his face with both hands. 

What should I do?

How should I tell Leonor?

But suddenly a very basic thing came to mind.

Is that really my child?

No! I always wear condoms when I'm with Gabrielle. There's no way that's my child.

The thought made Umberto calmer. He quickly finished his shower.

_________

After taking a shower and having breakfast, Leonor has an online meeting with one of the ministers. Even though it's a holiday, Leonor has to be ready at all times.

Umberto took advantage of this to sneak into his own office and call Gabrielle.

"Hello. Umberto, you finally call again." The voice on the other end was one he knew very well.

" La puta! Bitch! I don't believe you. I always wear a condom when I'm with you. So stop. That must be your other man's child!" Umberto's breath was rising and falling. His emotions were pouring out.

"Hey, there's no other man. For God's sake, it's only you on that month." Gabrielle also raised her voice.

"Then you should check again. It must be a false pregnancy."

"I've tested 3 times. And I've seen an obgyn. I'm pregnant. PREGNANT."

"But I used..." 

"Yes, you used a condom. But condoms are not 100% effective."

Gabrielle's words confused Umberto. How could that be?

"What do you mean not effective?" Umberto still didn't understand.

"Can you search the internet now 'how effective are condoms?'"

Umberto quickly typed ' How effective are condoms' into the search engine box on the laptop beside him.

"The results are 98% effective if used correctly," said Umberto.

"That means there's a 2% chance," Gabrielle replied.

"No! 2% is very small."

"But it could happen."

"I still don't believe it. You're just making this up to gain popularity and money, right? Be honest. How much are you asking for? Hasn't Letizia given you the money? Still not enough? Tell me!"

Gabrielle felt insulted. She was just a lover, a mistress, but she didn't do this for money but for her child. She was sure the child in her womb was Umberto's.

"No. I don't need money anymore. Let's do a DNA test. If you don't want to, I can tell everyone that..."

"Hey, hey.. Don't be reckless. You won't tell anyone anything." Umberto tried to stay calm but he had no other choice.

"Then DNA test. Let the facts speak." Gabrielle challenged.

"Okay. But for the sake of our identity security, the test will not be held in Spain, and not in France either. I'll let you know the details when everything is ready."

"Okay. But it has to be from a trusted laboratory. I don't want this to be just a trick on your part."

"Sure." Without saying goodbye, Umberto turned off his cell phone. Umberto had a contact at a laboratory in Switzerland. They could do the test there. But many other things were on his mind.

What if the child is really mine?

What if Leonor finds out?

Will my life be ruined?