Carisia
"Are you pregnant?"
I gulped down my uneasiness before flashing a smile at my mom. Both Enrico and my father have walked ahead of us, so only me and my mom are left in a bubble of heavy atmosphere.
I looked away, and in a split second, made a half-hearted decision to confess the truth.
"Yes, Ma," I admitted as I gathered my courage to smile after confirming the news.
Her mouth gaped, probably in surprise, as she immediately reached me for an embrace.
"Congratulations!" she exclaimed while patting my back and swaying me around.
I admit that it kind of feels nice to know that my mom is thrilled with the idea of having a grandchild. To be honest, it's just Dad that I don't want to talk to, but because I know how loyal my mother is to him, I just refrained from talking to them both.
"When did you find out?" she asked after we broke away, her eyes assessing each corner of my face.
"A few months ago." I then pursed my lips in full awkwardness because then, she'll find out that I have been keeping it from them.
Confusion masked over her ecstatic expression, and I can't help but feel the tension.
"Why didn't you tell us?" she asked while brushing my loose hair strands away from my face.
"I uhh-- I wanted it to be a surprise," I lied.
She looked at me with a warm and loving gaze, which I truly missed. "And Enrico? How was he with the news?"
Everytime my parents would mention Enrico's name and ask how he's been doing as my husband-- I can't help but feel pride in me. He's been doing so well, and I just want to tell my parents how good their daughter is being taken care of.
"He's excited, I can already tell--"
"Ladies, care to join us?" Enrico loudly called from the front door, catching both of our attention.
Oops! We didn't notice that they're already staring at us from there.
"Tell us about it over dinner, alright?" Mama asked, in which I nodded and smiled to.
***
"The branches abroad are off the charts for the past 2 months, and it may be the signal that Belvedere and Ignacio holdings are waiting for," Enrico reported to my Dad as if we're in a business meeting.
Ma and I just kept glancing at each other from across the table because even at dinner, the two men can't stop blabbering about the company.
"I never doubted your abilities for a second, Enrico," my father praised him, like he was his own son.
Enrico's gaze averted to me, and since we're seated next to each other, it felt so close and intimate.
"Cari's vision is what truly brought us to the top, Dad. She was exceptional and knew how to act just before anything goes off the edge," Enrico shared, causing me to pause and process what I heard.
It was taking such a long time for me to absorb his words, but if I understood it correctly-- he gave such a huge amount of credit towards me for the company's ongoing success?
Him complimenting my looks is one thing...but complimenting my brains is another!
"Then you two make a great team, then," Dad said.
Enrico chuckled, still with his eyes on me. "What can I say, Dad? Your daughter is a great partner."
Enrico...I swear if you don't stop flattering me, I might just kiss you right in the middle of our meal.
My mom suddenly cleared her throat, catching everyone's focus and attention. It was only when she looked at me did I realize what she was hinting about.
"Oh! Uhm, Enrico and I have an announcement," I began as I switched my gazes in between the three people on the table.
Enrico and Dad both look confused, while my mother on the other hand, could not contain her excitement through her cheeky smile.
I took a big, but subtle breath before spitting out the composed words from my head. "Enrico and I are expecting," I finally said it.
Dad's jaw dropped, but he managed to recover right away with a huge smile on his face. "A bridge between the Belvederes and Ignacios!" he exclaimed enthusiastically as he got up from his seat.
Somehow, my mood didn't match theirs. Something in my father's reaction just threw me off, or maybe I'm just being overdramatic.
"This should be celebrated!" he announced as he raised his glass for a toast.
My mother caught my eye, and so I had to pretend to be as happy as they are.
What should I expect ba? My father's happiness springs from circumstances in favor of him. I will never have a taste of his appreciation without my corporate achievements, and as of now, this child in my womb is just another one of those 'achievements'.
***
Exhausted from tonight's events, I tried relaxing by reading a novel while seated against the headboard of the bed.
Even with my focus on the pages, I still noticed my husband leaving the bathroom to join me in bed.
The width of the bed didn't stop him from snuggling himself to me, gently disturbing my peaceful read.
"I can tell that your Dad pissed you off earlier," he spoke calmly.
I put the book down because I was so ready for this 'after dinner debriefing'. I was just waiting for him to be done with his nightly routine just so we can start talking.
"Good thing you noticed!"
He chuckled while placing his palm on top of my tummy, gently rubbing my small baby bump in circles. "He sees our baby girl as a business asset," he added, fueling the fire in me.
"Finally, someone said it! I announced something big, and that was his reaction? Bridge between the Belvederes and Ignacios? Really?!"
"Now, I see why you didn't want to tell them," he said with a hint of realization in his voice.
It's not that I have bad blood with my father that's why everything I see him do or hear him say is filtered by that. More of...he really just don't care about the stuff that truly matters. Just look at what he did to me-- he used me as a business asset, and now he's seeing my daughter as one.
In the midst of my raging thoughts, I found my husband getting fond of rubbing my belly and casually planting little kisses on it.
All of the clashing thoughts in my head instantly dissipated as I watched my husband enjoy his little, sweet time with our baby girl.
I wish Enrico won't turn out like my Dad. I hope he does his best to protect our daughter from people who wants to use her the way she shouldn't be.
*
End of Chapter 20
*
