Zachary seemed like a mystery to me throughout the following weeks. He's more attentive and careful around me. He looked like he was under a curse, and I was the one who cast it. He did all I asked and looked for without complaining. Well, he used to do that, but this time he doesn't seem to care, even if I torture him. One time, I found him secretly ransacking our room; he seemed to be looking for something that I couldn't guess. In short, he's acting quite oddly.
"We're going to the farm today. Do you like to come?" Zachary asked while carrying a tray of food in his hand.
I looked up at him because I was sitting on the floor while playing with Angel. It was only six in the morning, but he had already taken a shower. Up to this day, I still can't get used to it when I see him in a jacket that isn't branded or looks new. He placed the tray on the bedside table before sitting on the edge of the bed. He tried to call Angel, but I quickly picked up the kitten and glared at him.
"Don't touch her. Did you think I didn't notice you stealing her heart from me?" I snorted.
His jaw automatically dropped. "W-What?" he mumbled, puzzled.
I rolled my eyes at him before standing up. "What am I going to do on the farm?" I return to the matter.
"To unwind? You might be bored here at home," he answered with a shrug.
I thought for a moment. I'm not really getting bored here, but it's also a good idea to visit places I haven't seen or experienced yet; after all, I'm here. I didn't answer him; instead, I took the food he brought before sitting on the other side of the bed. I could feel his eyes following me, but I ignored it.
I don't typically eat in the room, but since I'm making him suffer from eating what I want, I've decided to hide so Nanay Victoria won't see us. She might think that I am abusing his fictitious child, which is somewhat true. I started eating and put Angel on my lap. My typical breakfast consists of eggs and bacon. If it had been a regular day, I would have requested something different once more, but since we were going somewhere today and I didn't want to bother anyone, I settled for eating what he had cooked.
"What time are we going home?" I asked while not looking at him.
"Maybe around four or five o'clock in the afternoon," he answered. "Wear comfortable clothes. You might have a hard time there," he added.
My brows furrowed, and I glanced at him. "Why? Will I work too?"
"Of course not. It's hot; you might sweat a lot," he said.
I couldn't help but made a sarcastic laugh. "You're wearing a jacket, aren't you?"
He laughed before standing up. He walked closer to me and, without saying anything, took Angel from my thigh. I quickly glared at him, threatening to return the kitten to me, but he didn't budge from his position. He caressed Angel's fur and my traitorous kitten, loving Zachary's flirting with her.
"Finish your meal first; you're having a hard time because of her. Don't worry, your cat is all yours," he assured, a ghostly smile curving on his lips.
"Don't play with me, Zachary. I know you're trying to take her away from me," I spat.
His lips twisted in amazement. "How can I? You're her mom," he said sweetly, as if he was trying to put me at ease.
I scoffed and put my plate on the bed. "You talk like you've never done it before," I said in a mocking tone—making his brows furrowed—and got my kitty on his hand. "I'm done. Now leave. Wait for me in the living room, and don't bother my cat anymore."
He stared at me for a few seconds, then let out a sigh. "Call me if you need anything."
I wasn't surprised when he came to me and planted a kiss on my forehead. In the few weeks we were together, he often did that. At first, I was still fighting with him, but after a while, I got tired of saying it. It's like I'm talking to a wall.
When he finally left the room, I started looking for something to wear in the cabinet. I chose a simple sleeveless dress first; the fabric was thin, just enough to keep me from getting hot where we were going. I was about to close it when my eyes focused on Zachary's shirts. Our clothes were arranged next to each other, so I couldn't help but see them.
Hmmm? Not bad.
In the end, I put back the outfit I had originally picked and took a white v-neck top from his wardrobe before looking for cotton shorts to go with it. I took my towel and left the room after I was finished. To prevent Angel from straying and becoming lost, I left her inside. The room has all the amenities, so there's no issue; she has a drinking fountain and a litter box in case she needs to urinate or poop. Zachary purchased it when we picked her up from the veterinarian.
I also spent a few minutes in the bathroom. I'm not sure, but the water here in the province seems strange. Aunt Victioria said it's from a spring. It's not sticky or dry on the skin, and besides that, she also told me that they have free water here, so I couldn't help but be amazed.
Day by day, while I'm here in the province, I can clearly see how people save money here. Well, I don't necessarily call it frugality; I call it being strategic. Instead of buying vegetables and meat, they grow crops to harvest and raise animals to eat and sell. Maybe it's the same in other places; it just happened that I grew up in a lifestyle where everything was bought.
Once, Aunt Victoria cooked fish. I don't know whether to feel sorry for that or laugh. The first day, she braised it. I'm not familiar with the cuisine, but it was salty and sour. That lasted two days. On the third day, she fried the rest. I thought the suffering of the fish would end there, but when the next day came, she pickled it in milk. It tasted good anyway; I didn't feel sick or tired of it since it didn't have an aftertaste.
I was in front of our bedroom door when I frowned at a faint noise from inside. I gently turned the doorknob and simply peeked inside. I immediately saw Zachary, playing with Angel on the bed. He was lying down while the kitten was running back and forth on his face and chest, biting his prickly nose.
He let out a soft chuckle. "Come on, don't torture me. I would love to play with you more, but I'm dead when your mom sees us. I have to get out before she even gets back here."
I rolled my eyes and without saying a word I entered the room. Zachary got up quickly, and his face was pale. He obviously didn't know how to reason out. But later on, his eyes gradually softened when he saw what I was wearing.
"What?" I asked flatly while drying my hair.
He couldn't help but swallow. "You... you look good," he said out of breath.
I looked at my whole body and couldn't help but wonder what was different about me now. When I realized that he was just fooling me, I couldn't help but laugh mockingly. I hung up the towel I used before walking towards Angel.
"Stop it, Zachary. It's like me wearing your clothes is new to you; I've always done it before," I said sarcastically as I picked up the kitten.
He sensually licked his lower lip; the softness in his eyes hadn't disappeared. "Yeah, you used to do this."
I ignored him again and just took the comb from the drawer. I sat on the edge of the bed and put Angel on my side, making sure Zachary couldn't get her. I started combing my hair, but before a few seconds had passed, I was surprised when Zachary grabbed my hand.
"Let me..." he said. "Let me treat you the same way I used to."
He didn't even wait for me to answer and grabbed the comb from my hand. I just sat quietly, letting him do what he wanted to do. He carefully combed my hair. . . same as before.
"Your hair grows," he commented.
I bit my lower lip. I don't know, but it's like I'm struggling for breath. My chest is losing its nameless emotions.
"I haven't had a haircut in a long time," I reasoned.
"Do you want to go to the salon? I will accompany you."
I flinched when his hand ran down the side of my face to my ear to gather my hair there.
"Next time. I don't need it yet," I answered simply, trying to end our conversation.
"Okay. Just tell me when you want to go," he said.
I just nodded so that he wouldn't speak anymore. He combed me silently for a few minutes before finally lowering the comb to my side. I was about to stand up when I was stopped by his arms wrapped around my stomach.
"May I know . . ." he murmured, and I felt him gently caressing my belly. "What do you want to name our baby?"
I swallowed hard and tried to calm my heaving chest. "My baby, Zachary," I corrected, trying to act cool.
I heard him sigh, and I froze when he continued to hug me while resting his chin on my shoulder. "What should I do so that you don't get mad at me? Just say it, and I'll do it in a heartbeat."
I snorted. "Stop pretending, Zachary. That won't work for me."
Once again, he heaved a deep breath. He didn't speak anymore; he just quietly continued hugging and occasionally stroking my stomach. As if that's how he got his strength and hope.
"Saviari," I whispered, making him stop moving. "That will be the baby's name."
"Saviari," he repeated softly, as if it was the most beautiful name he had ever heard in the world.
Both of our attentions were focused on my cellphone when it rang. I breathed a sigh of relief and was thankful because I now had a reason to get rid of Zachary. I feel that he doesn't want to let me go, but he can't do anything because I need to answer the call.
"Just wait for me downstairs," I said, unable to look directly at him.
He just nodded and kissed me on the forehead before walking out. I just sighed and took my cellphone from the bedside table. I immediately answered the call when I saw that it was Aireen.
"Any news?" I greeted.
"The hearing starts tomorrow," she informed me. "Just say if you want to stop bringing your father down," she added.
I snorted. "You really think I'll back out?"
"Well, maybe you'll suddenly grow wings and help your father escape," she said, and even though he wasn't in front of me now, I knew he was shrugging her shoulders.
I smirked, then Angel caressed me by my side. "Stop making me nauseous, Aireen," I blurted.
She laughed at the other line. "I'll just send the rest of the case details to your email," she informed.
"Okay, I'll just borrow Zachary's laptop later," I answered.
"Hmmm. How are you, by the way? You seem to like it, huh?" she teased.
I smirked. "Why not? It is satisfying to order him around."
"Really? Or is it comforting to feel his care for you?" she tried to correct my statement.
I didn't immediately respond. There was a part of me that wanted to say no, but I don't know why I didn't. Maybe because these past few days something has been bothering my mind.
"He's really weird. There's something off," I mumbled unintentionally.
"Really? Maybe you're just gaslighting yourself so you can have a reason to go back to him?"
"Stop it, Aireen. I'm serious. It's good that you called. Can you investigate him? I mean, you might be able to pull out some information about him for these past years apart from what we both already know."
I heard her sigh. "Okay, okay. But don't expect too much. Maybe later that's part of his plan," she warned seriously.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing. I won't waste my years of preparation for this," I said without emotion.
"Good. Anyway, let's go clubbing. We will pick you up," she said.
I rolled my eyes even though she couldn't see it. "I'm pregnant, remember?"
"Oh, you are?" She burst out laughing. "Do you want me to order a fake tummy so that you can pretend to be credible?"
I tsked and shook my head in disbelief. Normally, I would also laugh at this matter, but now I feel like it's hard to do so. Conscience? I'm not sure if I still have that at this point. It's just that I remembered the moment Zachary asked about the name of my baby. The way he mumbled it in awe.
Maybe I'm just having a hard time because there's a baby involved, even though . . I'm not actually pregnant.
"Maybe next time . . . when he starts doubting."