Chapter 4 Care

The conversation between Tina and Johnson continued from where it had left off.

“ And just like every year, we're going to go pick up grandma’s birthday present together, don’t we?” He muttered joyfully to which Tina retorted by saying, “ I see you haven’t forgotten our tradition even after the lifestyle change. I’ll be reaching your apartment in half an hour.”

The call ended and Joynson dropped his phone on the bedside and headed for a shower. Meanwhile, Alexandrine was just about done with Johnson’s breakfast. She daydreamed as she imagined they spending some romantic moments over breakfast, however, her daydream was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door.

“ Who could it be this early in the morning? Are we expecting anyone?” Alexandrine wandered as she headed towards the door to see who it was that had unexpectedly shown up without notice.

When she opened the door and saw Tina standing there, she froze. BY her presence alone, she remembered the sudden pain in her heart and the person responsible for such pain; Her world crumbling and how her marriage was ending, everything.

“ What is she doing here?” Did Johnson ask her to come?” Alexandrine’s chest felt tight as those thoughts crossed her mind.

Tina’s voice interrupted Alexandrine’s baseless reflections. “ Alexandrine, how have you been?” She sneered at Alexandrine. Alexandrine then politely asked her, “ What are you doing here, Ms. Tina and so early in the morning at that?”

Tina smirked at Alexandrine and said, “ I’m here for Johnson, obviously,” Hearing Tina pronounce Johnson’s name hurt Alexandrine more than she thought it would.

Tina continued and said, “ As you know, it’s grandma’s birthday today and just like every year, Jason and I are to pick her present together.”

“ Grandma’s birthday?”

Seeing Alexandrine’s reaction to the news, Tina scoffed the following at her, “Oh, you wouldn’t know about her birthday as you haven’t been here for long.” Alexandrine felt mockery through Tina’s words but didn’t refute it because as much as she would have wanted to deny it, what Tina said was nothing but the truth.

Moments later, Johnson showed up in the living room after being fully dressed up. As Alexandrine caught his gaze, she couldn’t help but contemplate how handsome her husband was. Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to contemplate him further as Tina ran to him as soon as she saw him.

“ Johnson, you’re finally here.” Without an ounce of hesitation, Tina kissed Johnson on the cheek despite Alexandrine still being in the room. Alexandrine was sad seeing that, but despite what she felt deep down, she kept her emotions under control.

Alexandrine watches sadly as Tina hopped her arms around Johnson and how they walked arm-in-arm in the dining hall.

“ I have your breakfast, Johnson,” Alexandrine spoke. “ Should I get a plate for Ms. Tina as well?”

Before the answer came to Alexandrine, Tina sat beside Johnson at the dining table, a place that was reserved for her as his legal wife. She wanted to speak and let Tina know how she couldn’t sit there but, “ Johnson, I’m surprised, even after all this time, you still have toasted bread for breakfast.” Do you remember how we used to eat that all the time and how you picked that habit from me?”

Listening to their conversation, Alexandrine realized something she didn’t want to admit and that was how deep his feelings for Tina were, even now. She had to admit that even while being with her, his habits, the ones he used to have and share with Tina never vanished, and how while being apart, they still longed to be together.

“ Alexandrine, aren’t you going to sit down?” Johnson’s comment brought her back. Seating down, she munched the toasted bread silently. Eating the toasted bread further down, she started to feel nauseous and suddenly left the table without a word.

She headed straight to the bathroom and vomited. It wasn’t easy for Alexandrine to go through morning sickness and it was even hard hiding her pregnancy from her husband who was now eight weeks long in the making.

At the dining table, Johnson was concerned for Alexandrine and she wasn’t coming back. “ Alexandrine is taking too long. I’m going to go check on her.” Johnson muttered with worry down his throat.

As Johnson stood and was about to leave, Tina grasped his wrist, “ I don’t think you should go to her; She might want to have some time alone.”

“ What are you saying, Tina? Haven’t you seen her state just now?” Johnson’s sudden change in tone startled Tina to the core. “ If she hadn’t shown up after all this time, she might be in some kind of trouble.”

Removing Tina’s grasp from his, he—----, “ I’ll go check up on her to make sure she’s alright; I’ll be right back.”

In the bathroom, after rinsing her mouth and wiping it with a cloth, and coming out of the bathroom, she met face-to-face with Johnson outside.

“ How are you feeling, Alexandrine?” Johnson asked her affectionately. “ Are you uncomfortable anywhere? Should we head to the hospital?”

Seeing how worried and concerned he was for her state of being, Alexandrine thought for a second about telling him the truth about her pregnancy but as she thought of Tina and her presence in the dining hall and occupying her place at Johnson’s side, she thought it through.

Staring at her husband in front of her, she muttered coldly to him, “ There’s no need to involve the hospital in this. I might have eaten something not fresh which would explain my uncomfortability just now.” You shouldn’t worry about me, but instead, go back to Tina who must eagerly be waiting for you in the dining hall.”

“ I’ll be in my chamber as I’m no longer hungry.” As she was about to leave for the bedroom, Johnson grabbed her hand, preventing her from leaving. “ You’re pretty stubborn, aren’t you? You’re in pain and yet, you refuse to go to the hospital.”

“ I’m not in pain, Johnson; I’m perfectly fine.”

“ Enough, Alexandrine!” Johnson’s sudden voice raise startled Alexandrine who looked at him confused. “ I’m taking you to the hospital whether you want to or not.”

Alexandrine understood that keeping arguing with Johnson wouldn’t get her anywhere and simply mumbled, “ What about, Tina?” Didn’t the two of you have plans together?”

Alexandrine mentioned Tina as a last resort, but, “ There won’t be any issues with Tina, I assure you; I’ll explain things to her.”

Johnson left to get the car on the way. Back in the dining hall, he explained the situation to Tina who showed her understanding. Afterward, he went outside to get the car on the way.

Five minutes after he left, Alexandrine showed up in the living room and as she was just about to head out, she felt a grasp from behind. As she turned, she realized it was Tina the one who had suddenly grabbed her.

“ Leave my hand, Tina! Johnson’s waiting for me.” Tina let go of Alexandrine’s hand, however, she wasn’t done speaking to the latter.

Opening the door and about to head out, Tina sneerily said to Alexandrine, “ Don’t mistake Johnson’s guilt toward you for love! You’d be making a big mistake.”

“ Are you sure about that?” Alexandrine shot daggers at Tina as she walked out of the house, leaving the latter in exasperation.