Chapter 2 Shadow

I was awakened by the shrill ringing of the intercom. I sat down for a moment and slowly walked barefooted towards the cabinet where the intercom phone was mounted on the wall.

"Hello?" I said and leaned on the wall with eyes closed.

"I'm sorry to wake you, Madam. I just called to say that your dinner is ready. Can we bring it up now?" Maria said on the other line.

I opened my eyes and stared at the dark balcony area, "Yes please," I answered as I scanned the dark room. Only the light that was coming from the corridor illuminated the lower part of my room door.

"Thank you, Madam. We'll be there in a few minutes," Maria said then she hung up.

I placed the receiver back and turned on the bathroom light. I walked towards the end of the bed to get my shorts and top when I noticed there was someone seated on the settee in my mini living area.

I gasped in surprise, then lowered my head so I could see clearly. It was Bram. His eyes were closed and his head was resting on the backrest of the settee. I grabbed my clothes then quickly walked back to the bathroom and closed the door.

I removed all my wedding clothes and showered. All my toiletries were neatly arranged in my bathroom so I kind of felt like I was at home. I washed all the hair spray that my mom used on my hair and I scrubbed my body a little harder tonight. I felt comforted as I removed all the memories of what had happened in the courtroom. I closed my eyes and let the water flow down my body. I let the water wash away all the mocking stares that Bram gave me earlier.

This was what I got for five million pesos? Cold treatment and mocking stares. I was thinking of how I could tell my brother to disappear from the face of the earth! But I could not do that. I loved my brother and I would protect him no matter what.

I dried myself and got dressed. I was plugging the hairdryer when I heard a knock on my door. I opened the bathroom door and went out. My eyes immediately landed on the settee but Bram was no longer there. I ran to the door and opened it for Maria.

"Good evening, Madam. Can we prepare your dinner now?" Maria asked as she pointed at the tray of food that was being pushed by a uniformed guy.

I nodded and said, "Yes please, come in," then I followed them with my eyes as they walked to the balcony.

I went back to the bathroom and dried my hair. I did not know how long I took to do it but when I came out, Maria was standing by the balcony waiting for me.

"Oh, I thought you left?" I told her while I stood by the bathroom door.

"I will stay here until you finish eating, Madam," Maria said with a small smile.

"Oh, I see," was my response, then I wore my slippers and went out of the balcony.

There were plants on the sides of the balcony. The round wooden table was on the right side. They lit up four outdoor lamps at the four corners of the balcony. I could see the view of the mountain from where Maria made me sit.

"I turned all three mosquito lamps on, Madam," Maria stated as she opened the cover of my food. It was a rib-eye steak with mashed potato on the side.

"Wow!" I exclaimed when I saw the food. Then I looked up at Maria, "Thank you for preparing this Maria and for the candle lights."

"You're welcome, Madam. Enjoy the food while it's hot," Maria said. She placed the cover on the tray and stood facing my direction.

I had already started with my food when I remembered something and turned to Maria, "Maria, was Bram here earlier?" I asked.

"Yes Madam, but he went out again," she answered politely, and I just nodded.

She was very attentive to me until I finished my meal. She also gave me the Wi-Fi password and the streaming service that the house was subscribed to.

After I brushed my teeth, I switched on the lamp on my nightstand. I picked up my laptop and placed it on the right side of the bed. I sat on the left and pulled it out of its bag. I turned it on and checked my emails. There were some emails from Attorney Silas that I was required to read. I grabbed my handbag and fished out my eyeglasses and started reading.

After two hours, I removed my glasses and placed them on the nightstand, then I massaged my eyes. The twenty-page document was overwhelming and I had so many questions in my head. I listed all my questions on my Google drive, so I could compose an email tomorrow about it. I turned off my laptop and placed it inside the drawer of my nightstand. I stood up and went under the covers to prepare to sleep.

I thought about the invitation by one of the relatives of Bram. She was one of his aunts. Attorney Silas said that she was a former actress and a model. Her name was Calla Rivera. I sighed and got my phone from the nightstand. I set an alarm for six thirty in the morning. I saw a few messages from my mom so I tapped it open.

Mom: How are you, darling? Are they treating you well? I'm sorry that you have to do this. Just tell me what you need and I will help you.

I stared at my mom's message for about a minute and sighed. I decided to respond to her tomorrow. There were many things that I need help with right now. But I would tell my mother tomorrow, after I meet with Bram's aunt. I returned my phone to the nightstand and turned off the lamp. I hoped that tomorrow would be better for me.