Chapter 38: Chapter 38

MEL:

I wake up to the sound of a cell phone ringing, I put my hand on the dresser next to it, groping my way around trying to find the damn cell phone that on this shelf screams stridently a song I don't know.

As soon as I finally find it, I answer it still with a slightly hoarse voice.

— Hello?— I ask sleepily.

— Hi daughter— says the person I identify as my mother on the other end of the line.

I wake up quickly, sitting up in bed with my cell phone to my ear.

Did something happen?

— Mother? What there was? Are you all right? Did something happen?— I can't help myself and ask him one question after another.

— Hey, calm down princess— she gives a weak laugh— I'm fine, or at least I'm still alive— she says sighing softly, her voice sounds tired.

How could such a good person suffer so much?

— Come here at home? Or rather let me go there, you must be shaken by everything that happens...— I am interrupted by her.

— No! Please let me go there, okay? I need to get out a little, see people, animals, nature, I think that will do me good my daughter— her sad tone breaks my heart.

— Of course, I understand, come in a little while? I want to enjoy the day with you— I try to lighten our spirits, which seems to work as she gives a little giggle that I haven't heard in a long time.

— I'll be there in a little while, I miss my baby— he speaks in a playful and at the same time sincere tone.

— Mom!— I pretend to complain about the baby's part and my heart is warmed inside by the affectionate nickname— Although you're right, I also miss my crown.

— Daughter!— we laugh as soon as she says that, her laugh warms my heart even more.

— I'll be there soon my baby— he says, slowly stopping to laugh.

— I'll be waiting for my crown— I say and sigh when I hear the call is ended.

Time to take care of my crown.

I get up see it's: o'clock, put the phone back on the dresser, and run to the bathroom, where I take a quick shower.

I grab a loose flowery dress and a little shoe with a bow, do some basic makeup and I'm done. Today I want to look as warm as possible.

I hop down the stairs trying to get more excited, I go towards the kitchen where I find Dona Glória having her coffee.

— Good morning— I say kissing him on the cheek and sitting next to him.

The lady who was quietly drinking her coffee almost chokes on my sudden entrance.

— Madam Mel, what a scare— he says placing his hand on his chest, right above his heart.

— Sorry Gloria, today I'm trying to look as excited as possible, my mom is coming to visit us and I want to make her happy— I say, shrugging shyly, as I pick up one of the apples that were on top of the fruit bowl.

— I heard what she's going through, I'm so sorry dear— puts one of her hands on my shoulders trying to give me comfort.

So kind.

— No sadness today Glórinha, I want you to open your beautiful smile and forget what happened— I say giving her a small smile.

— Oh sure, I'll do my best to make Mrs. Elisabeth feel at home— says opening a big smile— now let me tell the other employees the announcement, no talking about sad things today and much less touching on the subject of Alpha Christian!— when she was going to make a point of getting to her feet.

— Finish your coffee first— I say, smiling at her— when you're done, you'll do that, and please ask them to make a nice lunch— I send her a pleading look and stand up with the apple still in my hand, which was already almost halfway through.

— Yes ma'am— he says taking a little of the content that was in his mug to his lips— speaking of which, are you going to eat anything else? That apple doesn't support anything, my child— she says gently as she evaluates me from top to bottom— I think that's why she's so skinny!— she says, still looking at me.

I couldn't help but laugh at the situation.

— For now just Glórinha, but you can let me make a point of abusing you at lunch— I wink at her, who also can't contain themselves and starts to laugh, but now with a look of satisfaction.

— Mister Atlas will like to see you well fed— now I know who's behind this.

— For him I would eat until I couldn't take it anymore— I say laughing— speaking of which, I didn't see him after I went to bed again, do you know where he is?— I ask curiously.

I need affection from my cute ogre.

— Mr. Atlas sent you to let you know that he had to go to take care of some urgent business in the kingdom and he couldn't wait for you to get up— pass the message as if trying to remember something else— oh, I almost forgot— she got up and went to the next room, where she came back carrying a small lilac lily in one hand and the other a paper that looked more like those little notes we send to the colleague in the classroom or even to the boyfriend.

He gave me everything with the smile of someone ready and went back to sit down paying attention to his breakfast.

I shake my head slightly, throw the remains of the apple in the trash, and head toward the living room smiling. I put the small flower close to my nose feeling the wonderful smell that only a lily exudes, I give a silly smile remembering my male.

I take the "little note" and read what is written on the small piece of paper.

"I read somewhere that this flower has an unmistakable scent and for some reason, you came to mind because no scent could be confused with yours, no aroma is more rewarding than yours, in short, your scent is one of my greatest weaknesses.

I had to leave earlier to resolve some matters in the kingdom, sorry I couldn't wake you up with several kisses spread across your body or a simple good morning followed by a smile.

I'll be at our house soon, meanwhile try to think of me, as I'm sure most of the time I'll be thinking of you.

Note: I also read that lilac lilies mean motherhood, let our logo come..."

I didn't realize when tears started to come out, I never imagined myself smiling and at the same time crying for something so simple, but that has such a great meaning.

I couldn't help but feel bad reading his last words, he wanted a puppy, a puppy I'm denying him, but I want him to know that it's to prevent our baby.

I'll talk to him and maybe we'll reach an agreement, to which our baby will be provided soon, making it clear that it can't be now!

There's no way we can have a little being dependent on us at such a difficult time, another war will likely start as soon as we identify the person responsible for all the deaths and my kidnapping.

I'm still going to make that person feel miserable for everything they've done!

I place my hand on my belly smoothing over the fabric of the dress and I keep imagining a not-so-distant future in which I will finally have my family complete.

I'm taken out of my daydreams when I hear the bell being rung, I didn't even notice that a good amount of time had passed and it would probably be my mother arriving.

I get up from the couch, which I hadn't even noticed I was sitting on, I put the lily in a vase that was nearby and I leave the note inside my purse that was thrown on top of the couch.

I walk towards the door wiping the residue of tears and put a big smile on my face as I open the door.

On the other side is my queen, her appearance is downcast, with large and apparent dark circles under her eyes, and her skin becomes a little pale, which worries me a lot.

I falter in my smile, but then I pull myself together, trying to appear as calm as possible.

I see her start to smile, a sincere and true smile, but no matter how hard she tries, it doesn't reach her eyes.

— Are you going to drop me off at the door?— she says and then walks in, dodging me and putting her bag on top of the sofa, where she also sits.

But it's loose, see— I think rolling my eyes and laughing in thought.

I sit next to her and stand there looking at her, how could such a kind person go through this? How to look at her and smile knowing that inside her little heart is more and more destroyed?

I know I should act normally like nothing happened, but I just can't! seeing her with that little face just kills me.

— I'm sorry— I say looking down, I feel her shift uncomfortable already knowing what I'm referring to.

— Don't feel daughter, I'm fine!— she says lifting my face to look her in the eyes.

I can't look into her eyes without letting emotion overcome me, I catch her by surprise by hugging her tightly, at first she still stands a little since the action was unexpected, but soon after I feel her little arms around me.

I put her head on my shoulder and start to comfort her when I feel her tears wetting my shoulder and arm.

— It will pass Mom, I know it will, you are a determined woman, and you will rise again soon firmer than ever— I speak in her ear while letting tears wet my face.

— I can't do it without him, I can't take it, it hurts so much, it hurts so much, it's tearing me apart little by little and I just can't fight it— I take a deep breath feeling the effect of his words inside me.

I couldn't live without Atlas, ever! I would rather die than lose him and as hard as it is... I understand.