Chapter 20

Days have been usual for me. Going to the clinic for Matteo's weekly check-up and buying important stuff for him. All those things are mostly done by myself alone. Busy si Fabio and I usually tend to understand his situation. He's busy with work and some other things.

That's only when I found out that Giana stayed in Sicily. I actually invited her to join us for dinner once again as the last time was abrupt and we weren't able to get to know each other, but she declines my kind gesture she said she was busy or too tired because of her pregnancy.

I didn't mind it so I continue taking care of my own child.

I left Fabio a message that I'll be visiting auntie today. He didn't respond after a few minutes so that only means he's pretty busy and could be doing something. He'll read it when he's not busy, I guess. I won't call him. That's one of his requests, not to call him during work hours. But if in case of any emergencies, I should—but this is not an emergency.

Fabio and I's set-up isn't something that I've imagined. Most days, he's not at home and most nights, he's coming from work tired. He also he's planning for us to go to Milan sooner than later.

I don't know what to do there. He said he also has a place there, almost like a mansion. I've never been to Milan. I wanna visit that place, but I'm not sure if it's the right moment for that. My life revolves around Sicily now. There's not much going on, but I'm already used to this life—peaceful and normal.

I prepared a bag for Matteo. It all has the things he needed from milk, bottle, wipes, diapers, and anything. Sometimes, Fabio would come home one day with bags of groceries. He said Matteo needed it. Hindi ko naman siya pinipigilan sa mga gusto niyang gawin. It is still his responsibility to take care of the child.

Hindi naman pwedeng pinunlahan niya lang ako saka hahayaan kapag namunga, 'no. I would let conscience punish him, but I think it's working so well now.

Inalalayan ako ng ilang maids palabas ng mansion. A car was already waiting for me outside. Sinabi ko naman sa kanila na kina auntie ako pupunta para hindi rin sila mag-alaala, but one maid said someone will come me. Hindi raw pwede na ako lang mag-isa ro'n kaya may kasama akong personal maid.

I feel like I couldn't argue with it, it was Fabio's order. Pinilit ko pang huwag na sanang sumama, pero sila naman daw ang malalagot sa boss nila kapag nagkataon na naabutang wala ako sa bahay.

I left Fabio a message. That was enough.

I sat at the passenger while my personal maid sat next to me looking after my needs. Hindi rin naman nagtagal nang marating namin ang bahay ni auntie. Sinabihan ko rin naman siyang dadalaw ako and she said she'll cook some lunch for me. Iyong paborito ko.

Pagkabati niya sa akin, mabilis niyang kinuha si Matteo sa akin. Tuwang-tuwa si auntie kay Matteo. She was the one who saw me so vulnerable at my pregnancy. She did her best to support me. Kahit na noong walang kasiguraduhan ang paglipad ko rito sa Italya, she opened her arms so much for me. With no one would dare to help me, she did. Silang dalawa ni uncle.

While we're at it, napansin ko naman na may taong pababa ng hagdanan kaya hindi ko inalis ang tingin ko ro'n. It was Lorenzo when I saw him came downstairs. Nakangisi pa ito nang makita ko.

"Jacinta," pagtawag nito sa akin. "Sei davvero qui." (You're really here.)

"Of course, I am... and so you are, too..."

"Si," he said, nodding his head and coming to me and tower me.

"Lorenzo, vieni a prendere Matteo per ora. Preparo il pranzo," pagtawag ni auntie sa kanya at inabot si Matteo sa kanya. (Lorenzo, come and get Matteo for now. I'll prepare our lunch.)

I couldn't help, but laugh at Lorenzo's reaction when he's panicking on how to carry Matteo in his arms. Agad naman niya ring inabot sa akin dahil nag-aalala siya nab aka malaglag niya pa.

"I'm not ready for that," he said, shaking his head.

I giggled. "It looks like you're gonna be a good father, Lorenzo. Do you have someone back in Rome?"

He smirked. "Not something I would like to discuss with you," he said. As usual, this is the typical Lorenzo. Very arrogant. "But there's something I wanna tell you."

"What about it?" I questioned.

"About your husband."

"He's not my husband," I corrected him. "We're not married."

He chuckled. "Okay, my bad. Your partner. Fabrizio."

"Sure... what about him?"

"You should really look after him," he said and somehow that's something I could agree on with him. "What happened last week at that dinner? He seemed a little suspicious..." He squinted his eyes.

"You must be judging him."

"I might," he said. "But do you see how he cares for that pregnant woman?"

"Yeah..."

"You should be worried about that."

Hindi na ako nakasagot kay Lorenzo nang tawagin kami ni auntie for lunch. Kinuha muna ng maid ko si Matteo sa akin so could I have lunch with them.

Tita cooked a dry adobo and fried rice. It was a staple dish in this household as well, that's why I missed living here. Tinanong naman nila ako tungkol kay Matteo and told them about our recent check up sa doctor. Matteo's getting heavier. From the first time na he weighed around 3.5 kilograms and he's now almost at 4 kg. That was huge the doctor said.

And then there's the other question.

"Where's Fabio?" auntie asked.

"Al lavoro," I answered. (At work.)

Auntie shrugged off her shoulder. "He seemed too busy about his work rather than his family..."

"He's still very hands-on," I said, trying to defend the person who should be defending himself. "He's just busy..."

"Busy for someone else?"

"Lorenzo," saway auntie sa kanya. Pinandilatan pa niya ito pero mukhang wala lang sa pinsan ko. "Why? It seems like it what was happening."

"Not a good one, Lorenzo," iiling-iling na tugon naman ng tatay nito.

"Your temporary residence permit is about to expire as well, Jacinta. Have you renewed yours?" tanong ni auntie.

Umiling ako. "Not yet, auntie."

"Oh... did you talk it with Fabrizio? Maybe he can help you with it now that you have his child."

"Why couldn't you just get married?" Lorenzo questioned. "Oh... my bad. He's not after you."

"That's enough, Lorenzo," auntie snapped. "Both of you should be supporting each other. Not the other way around."

"Sure... anyway, I'll be back in Rome on Thursday."

"Good for us," auntie said. Lorenzo has his jaw left hanging when his mother said that.

"Ouch," he muttered.

I wanted to bring up something with them, but I don't think it's something I wanna share with them. I set it back and continue with my lunch.

My stay at the Ferrucci was great. When Matteo fell asleep, they prepared my old bedroom there and have him comfortably sleep there. I was there the whole time and for those times, I haven't received anything from Fabio. A message or a call. Nada.

Before we went back to the mansion, dumaan muna kami sa bar ni Ale. The bar's busy at the moment. Hindi ko na naman pinababa ng sasakyan iyong maid at binantayan na lamang ang anak ko sa loob ng kotse.

I walked inside the bar and it's on natural busy state. I started looking for Ale and he was behind the bar counter entertaining some guests. Hindi pa niya ako napansin hangga't sa umupo ako sa stool at magkaharap kaming dalawa.

"I didn't notice you came in," he said.

"You were busy," I smirked. "Good for the bar."

"I know." He chuckled. "It's Tuesday so quite unbelievable many decided to spend their night at the bar. But what are you doing here? You shouldn't be here. I fired you."

I laughed. "You don't have to rub that on my face again. And just because you fired me, doesn't mean I can go back here."

He gave me a club soda which I gladly accepted since he doesn't want me to end up getting drunk hard.

"I was just passing by," I said. "I just went from my auntie's house. Matteo's outside in the car with our maid. So... I came because I need to talk to you and you're the only one listening and understands me."

Kahit busy siya, he tried to put his attention on me. Hindi na rin naman ako nagpaligoy-ligoy pa. I scoop the ultrasound pictures on my hand bag and slide it on the counter bar. Nang tumama ang tingin niya ro'n, nanlaki na lamang ang mata niya.

"You're pregnant... again?!" was his initial reaction. He was so shocked I could cry because of his reaction.

But I immediately shook my head to deny the statement. "I am not pregnant again, Ale. My vagina couldn't handle that anymore."

He chuckled. "So, why are you showing me this?"

"This isn't mine," I said. "I found this at the dinner last week... it must be from Giana. I don't know... I don't want to make any assumption, but look at what is written there..."

"Per te... for you..."

"Yeah..."

"And what does that mean?"

I shrugged off. "That's what I'm trying to figure out."

Tinitigan niya iyong picture for a while until his brow crossed slowly and looked at me as if he come up with an assumption.

"Do you think that was his?"

"I don't know..."

"He fucked up big time if that's true," he added. "Well, what do you want me to do?"

"I have no idea... do you?"

"Hmmm..." he hummed. "Let me think what I can do..."

"Ale, vieni qui!" someone shouted calling his attention. (Ale, come here!)

He looked at me. "I'll be back."

I was left alone at the bar counter. I drink the club soda until it was only left with ice. I could only hear the noise and loud laughs of these people around. Most of them are locals, but some are tourists who behaved so much they don't wanna mess with people around.

That was me when I came to Sicily. I was so scared of having this new life and I don't know what's life to offer me if staying in Sicily would help me get a new life. Eventually, all those things that scare me help me to where I am now.

But maybe it all just happening now...

When I realized Ale wouldn't be able to get back on the counter as he was occupied most of them by his guests so I decided to get off. Nagpaalam ako sa kanya at sinabi niya sa akin na tatawagan na lang daw niya ako kapag may nalaman na siya o kung ano man pwede niyang i-share sa akin.

Pagkalabas ko ng bar, bumalik ako sa sasakyan. Once we're all settled, we headed back to the mansion. Pagkarating namin ay wala pa si Fabio. But a few moments later, he came in na para bang pagod na pagod.

He completely loosens his necktie and sat on the couch in the living room. I went to see and check on him, but I guess he was just not in the mood after all.

"How's your day?" I asked.

"Cattivo."

"Perché?"

Hindi niya ako sinagot. Tumayo lang siya para kunin 'yong bote ng alak at sinalinan niya iyong baso.

"Wouldn't you ask how was my day?"

After sipping on his drink, he pays an attention to me. "Hmm..."

"Oh... nothing... I think you should rest now. You must have been so tired."

"I am..."

"Aren't you going to ask anything about Matteo?"

"He's sleeping?" I nodded. "Good. I'll be upstairs. If you need anything else, call the maids."

He went past me and feel like walking through the air. I'm not sure what was happening there, but I feel like something's wrong and my gut says something right.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

I can do this... I am Jacinta Alessa for no reason if I can't.

#BirthOfLiesInSicily #BOLISChapter20 #WTS9