“Only for two hours. And under my supervision. Before Master Theon comes back from work.” Jeric reminded and accompanied us.
I then took Arson to the nearby amusement park. We bought street foods, tried some mini-games by the stalls, and then rode some child-friendly rides.
I took him to a carousel and then rode the mini Ferris wheel.
“Fun!” Arson exclaimed happily.
“Really? Are you happy?”
“Yes, I am…happy.”
I gasped, “Oh, you can talk a lot now!” He seemed to have mumbled a lot of words now compared to the last time I saw him.
He is improving.
We sat by the chairs and I was about to call Jeric to pick us up when suddenly, something happened.
Arson couldn’t walk. He was holding his stomach.
“Are you alright?”
He shook his head, grabbing my hand and squeezing it too much.
I looked at his stomach.
Then I remembered he ate street food.
Damn. Why did I forget? Some kids’ stomachs are not strong for this!
Plus Arson has been hidden inside the house all these years! The food might have shocked him!
“Okay, Arson, breathe.” I tried to calm him down. But I was the one panicking now.
“What is happening? Why is Master Arson not standing up?” I heard Jeric asking and I started to explain.
“His stomach is upset…” I trailed off and Jeric muttered an excuse.
“I'll take him to the hospital.”
“I’ll go too.” I glanced at the clock, “Can we make it? Before Theon knows this?”
He shook his head, “Do you have a strong guardian angel?”
I furrowed my eyebrows, “Why?”
“Because I think you need to start praying now before Master Theon finds this out..”
***
“Saphira. What the hell happened?”
It was too late. We were already in the hospital and Arson was already admitted to the hospital. And I thought Jeric had it covered when Theon came strutting down the hallway with his expensive shoes.
I gulped, expecting the worse.
Jeric and I side-eyed, knowing we both fucked up.
“I can’t save you this time. I am also going to be fired by this.”
Fired? I turned to him, “No, you’re being dramatic. He won’t do that.”
“Master Theon can if he wants to. I am his longest worker here.”
I didn’t know what to reply as Theon faced the doctors.
I nervously pulled the hem of my shirt, comforting myself in advance.
Damn, I had never felt so nervous in my life just like our lab practicals and clinicals.
Theon looked entirely different now. As if the man I met that time at our meetup returned.
Intimidating. Hard to approach. And he had this glare on his face. Oh, He was angry. Definitely Angry.
“Saphira. Explain yourself.” He muttered, his hawk-like eyes pinning me down.
I avoided my gaze, “Didn't the doctor already tell you?”
The moment he sighed, I knew I was dead and just dug myself a grave.
“Be serious. This is not the time to joke.” He said, crossing his arms in front of me. “I trusted you in taking care of him because I know you are helping him grow. But not this point where you let him outside the house, go to an amusement park, and then let him eat anything there.” His voice was calm but his tone carried sharpness. “You failed me, Saphira. You failed my trust.”
Hearing him say that felt like a sharp knife was put inside me, stabbing me to pieces.
“You won’t receive your payment for this week.”
I gasped, “What?”
He ignored me and then turned to Jeric, “And you? You're fired.”
I gasped. “Unfair! And get Jeric out of this. It's all my fault.” I can accept his unwillingness to pay me for this week but I can’t stomach it if Jeric loses his job because of me.
Theon looked at me emotionless, “You planned with him. He’s part of it. Now you both suffer. Arson is a delicate little boy. When did I tell you to take him anywhere? I brought things for him sot hat he could play in the house.”
I scoffed, “You're not letting him outside! So I understand why he was lonely all to himself! He never had any playmates! He never experiences normal life. If it was me, I must have gone insane!”
“He is not normal.” He said.
I blinked, “He is fine. He just needs a friend. And not just some joys you bought. He needs an actual friend his age. And staying inside and keeping him locked here won't do any good for his development.”
He chuckled sarcastically, “Oh, are you acting like his mother now?”
I frowned at him, “Yes. Because you kept on asking me in the past so I have to stand as his mother or he will get lost in life.”
“Saphira, you are involving yourself too much. He’s my nephew.”
“And I am merely Arson’s friend, and yet I know him better than you.” I snapped at him out of anger and that seemed to hurt him as he instantly shut up.
“Why did you kiss me that night?” I blurted out without thinking. This is not the right time to bring this up as others could hear us but I don’t care.
“I thought you are not after me like what your brothers are? Don’t tell me you like me?”
He ignored my question and turned around, “If you are done here, leave.”
I threw daggers at his back as he walk away.
He’s just like his twins. Why did I even think that he was different and nicer?
Since that day. I stopped going to Theon’s house. I made myself busy with the office and take care of Mom.
It was peaceful for me. I had time to think for myself, except another Venetian appeared at my doorway.
“Hi.” He smiled goofily.
I slammed the door shut without greeting and let out an exasperated sigh.
“I am Rameo.” He mumbled.
“I stopped caring who in the triplets you are,” I said even though I knew it was Matheo.
“Awe, you’re the only person who could differentiate us three.”
“If you’re here for no good then leave,” I said through the door.
He knocked again. “I came here to invite you to my art gallery this Saturday.” He responded. “Please pay attention to me too, wife.”
“Shut up. Look for ways to divorce me.”
“Yes, I will if you visit me at my gallery. I have a surprise for you there.”
I sighed, opening the door again, he grinned at me but then dropped his smile when he saw my blank expression. “Are you alright? You seem down.”
I shook my head, “I am just done dealing with you guys.”
He nodded, “I apologize. I’ll make the divorce process faster. It would have been easier if we were back in the US. But since we are here in the Philippines and do not have a divorce, we have to wait for a few more months.”