Chapter 4

Rosalia 

After doing the dishes, he led me upstairs and we walked through the dim lit corridor in silence. He stopped in front of a room, the one on his left and turned to me. 

"This is Maria's" Then pointed to the one on his right side "And that is yours" Oh, I'm just opposite the kid's? Then what about him? I was about to ask him where his room was but he seemed to have figured it out so he pointed ahead. 

"I'm just ahead" Since he already replied to that, i had another one. 

"Why do we have separate rooms as married couples?" Given that we were married, why don't we share a room? Or weren't we harmonious enough to share a room? 

By the time I looked back at him, he had an amused look on. His bent and leveled his eyes with mine. His voice dropped as he says "You don't even remember we are married but you want to share a bed with me? Don't you think you are being too eager?" 

 I swallowed at the intensity in his eyes. Right? How could I have forgotten that! There's no way I would have been comfortable sharing a room with him without me knowing for sure if he was speaking the truth or not. 

"I ..I just thought..." I wanted to clarify the misunderstanding but he didn't let me. He only moved past me and opened the door to the room he had called mine. 

"You should take a shower and go to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow" Then he walked past me and headed for his room. I watched him until his room's door was shut before entering into mine. 

The room was dark so I turned on the light. It was breathtaking but I didn't have the luxury to take in its beauty as my eyes quickly find the bed. I contemplated going to sleep directly but the stickiness of my outfit against my skin protested so I headed for the bathroom. In few minutes, I was done and wrapped the bathrobe I found around me before stepping out of the bathroom. I blow dried my hair and headed straight for bed without changing out of the bathrobe. I was too tired to think about anything else. The moment my head hit the bed, I slept off. 

**

I felt a presence beside me but I was too tired to care. I also felt the presence climbing unto the bed which made me stiffen as I couldn't figure out who it was or what the person wanted. I could tell I was being watched for a long time until the person probably got tired of watching me and poked at my side. 

"Uhn, Daddy was right. She's still here" I heard the childish voice say which made me wonder who it was. But my consciousness started to return and I realised whose voice it was. Maria. 

I couldn't continue sleeping now so I opened my eyes and was greeted with ones that mirrored mine. 

"Mama" I froze on hearing that. I was left staring blankly at the little girl who was smiling brightly at me. Same face as mine in a baby version, same brunette hair. In fact, her Father's genes didn't try at all. She literally would have passed as my baby self. And how exactly could I give birth to such a lovely human and not remember? 

"Maria, what are you doing here?" My voice was hoarse. I probably needed to get a drink or something. 

Maria unexpectedly climbed down from the bed and ran out of the room, surprising me. Did I scare her away? Did she finally realised I wasn't her Mother after hearing my voice? I don't know why but I felt an ache in my chest at that thought. 

I sat up from the bed and realised I was still in my bathrobe. I decided to go wash up and change out of it before going to look for her. But before I could climb down from the bed, the room's door opened and Maria came running in, but now she was holding a cup which contains what I guess should be....water? She went to get me water? 

"Mama, take" Her tone was expectant as she held out the cup to me so I can take it. Despite my surprise, I took the cup from her and took a sip. It can't be she felt I needed water from my hoarse voice earlier and went to get it, right? She was literally too young and was already very perspective. 

"Thank you" I held out my hand to her which she took and lifted her to the bed. 

"Aren't you a lovely little thing" I couldn't help pinching her cute chubby cheeks. She giggles which made me grin happily. I can't believe I am....might be the Mother of this little angel. 

"Are you still going on your Vacation?" She questioned but I could see the unguarded sadness in her eyes. Vacation? She said it the previous night too. Had her Father told her her Mother was on a Vacation all the time she was missing? 

"Daddy told you that?" I asked her and she nodded without hesitation. 

"Daddy said Mummy was on a Vacation and after her Vacation, she'll come back to us. Mummy, What is Vacation and why do you love it than Maria?" 

I didn't notice I was already tearing up until the little thing wiped it off my cheeks. I held her closely to my chest and let the tears I don't understand where it came from, flow freely. 

Amidst my tears, I could feel someone was watching me, I lifted my head to see Damien staring at us quietly from the door. His expression was unreadable. He looked better than I remember him looking last night. But now his eyes held no emotions like they did, he seemed more like a different person now. 

I pulled away from Maria and faced him fully. "Good morning" I said to which he responded with a nod then his eyes moved to Maria. 

"Ria, would you mind moving to the living room first?" 

Maria looked from him to me "But Mummy ....." 

"Mummy would join us for breakfast, don't worry" The little girl nodded, seeming to trust her Daddy's word. She climbed down the bed and ran out of the room.  

"She...She.. well, she came to the room while I was sleeping" I tried saying and he responded with another nod. 

"I know, I was the one who told her you were here" 

"Then...." Then why was he looking at me like that? Like he had seen a strange person. 

He leaned against the door "I was just surprised to see you crying when I came in" He then took in my overall look. 

"You should have your bath and join us to have breakfast together" He moved away from the door and went out. Once again, I was left alone in the room. 

I should really go have my bath and change into a decent attire for the day.