Adaline had already laid her body on her mother's lap. Duncan had escorted Adaline to her mother's house because during Altezza's absence, Adaline had asked for permission to stay with her mother as she felt afraid to stay alone in Altezza's apartment. Even though the place had excellent security measures.
Adaline reached for her phone, checking if there were any messages from her husband.
Nothing.
Had Altezza arrived already? It was clear he had, as the trip to Virginia didn't take long. But why hadn't he contacted her? At the very least, he could have informed her that he had arrived safely. She felt irritated with herself.
Adaline searched for Altezza's name in one of the chat apps. She had intended to inquire about his well-being, but then she hesitated and threw her phone behind her body. She was afraid to contact him first. What if she ended up bothering him?
"If you miss him, just say so. Don't pout like that," Emma teased when she saw Adaline's sulky face.
"Who said I miss him?" she retorted, but her body language betrayed her restlessness.
Emma smiled teasingly.
"Of course it's you who misses your husband. How could it be me? But I might miss those handsome Korean boy bands," Emma replied casually.
"Yeeeyyy... you're learning to be a flirt, huh? Liking Korean boy bands, you've been hanging out too much with today's youth, that's why you're like this," Adaline felt a gentle tap on her upper arm. She turned to see her mother's glare. "Watch your words. If you miss him, just admit it, no need to keep up appearances in front of us," her mother teased, though Adaline thought her mother was going to reprimand her for her remarks to Emma.
Emma's laughter erupted in the simple living room. "See, even your mother gets it. You're the only one pretending not to. It's not that hard to say it out loud. Newlyweds naturally miss each other. Besides, nowadays, missing each other isn't as difficult as it was in our youth. Back then, if we missed our partners, it wasn't as easy as just sending a text or making a video call. We had to rely on expensive phone calls or even telegrams, and those weren't cheap. Nowadays, all you need is a phone and internet connection to see each other's faces. And you're still trying to deny it? Let me tell you, Ada. When I missed my sweetheart back then, I could only kiss his photo because phone calls were expensive, and public phones were far away. Not to mention, I was afraid to go alone. It's not like you now, who can just grab your phone, send a chat, and video call."
"Your words sound like those of a lovestruck teenager," Adaline still tried to deny.
"You're the one who looks like a lovestruck teenager. Just because you've never dated before, you're confused about what to do now," Emma teased.
"Exactly, follow the trend so you'll know what dating is like for today's youth. Where the beautiful date spots are and..." Before Emma could continue her dream, Adaline chose to get up from her bed. "Hey, where are you going?" Emma and her mother asked simultaneously.
"To sleep. I'm tired."
"Oh come on... Probably just going to video call with your handsome husband, right?" Emma teased, to which Adaline replied with a playful gesture. Emma and Violet laughed again. Adaline and her cute antics whenever teased made them miss her even more.
Adaline had changed out of her work clothes into her pajamas and was now lying on the bed. The clock showed it was eight in the evening. Adaline wasn't sleepy yet, but she also didn't have anything else to do. So, she searched for a collection of unread novels. When she returned to bed, her phone vibrated.
Adaline reached for it, and a smile spread across her face unconsciously. It turned out that while she was showering, her husband had sent her several messages.
Husband:
Hi, Mrs., are you asleep already? (7:45 PM)
Mrs.... Are you really asleep?? ☹️☹️ (7:50 PM)
Mrs.... Is it true you're already asleep at this hour? Don't you miss your husband who's far away? (7:55 PM)
Test Test Test... Mrs... You used to stay up late when I'm around. Or could it be you're mad because I'm not here to accompany you to sleep? (8:00 PM)
Alright, alright, I give up. Have a good sleep. Dream of me. (8:01 PM)
Me:
Yes, sweet dreams too. Don't forget to pray.
Then her phone vibrated again, and Altezza's name filled the screen. Adaline bit her lower lip, sitting cross-legged on the sofa and placing a pillow on her lap. She cleared her throat with a cough before finally sliding the green screen on the phone.
"Hi."
"Hi... turns out you're still awake. Why haven't you replied to my messages earlier??" Altezza grumbled from the other side.
"Sorry, just finished showering."
"Ohh..." he replied, trailing off. "Are you going to sleep now? What are you wearing tonight?" Altezza teased.
Adaline furrowed her brow and glanced at her pajamas. "Star pajamas," she replied flatly.
"Really? Why not wear black lingerie?" Altezza teased again.
"What's gotten into you?" Adaline felt embarrassed. Altezza really enjoyed it when Adaline wore minimal sleepwear.
"Hm... Just imagine if you were here... I really can't resist," the man teased again. Adaline bit her lower lip, feeling confused. Should she tell her husband that she's currently on her period? And his dream is on hold?
"Amore Mia, why are you silent? Is something wrong?" Altezza's voice sounded panicked.
"No, everything's fine. But..."
Adaline fell silent again. And the silence she created made Altezza uncomfortable and panicked himself. Especially when he heard his wife's soft sob.
"Cara, what's wrong? Is something the matter? Are you feeling unwell? Do you want me to come home?" Adaline shook her head, unaware that Altezza wouldn't see her gesture.
"No, I'm fine. Really," she replied softly. "It's just... I'm on my period," she said sadly.
"Period?" Altezza's question was accompanied by a sigh of relief. "Oh God, I thought something was seriously wrong," Altezza breathed a sigh of relief. "My lady! You scared me."
"But I thought...?" Adaline trailed off.
"Why? Is it the baby?" Altezza asked, and Adaline nodded in response.
"Y-yes."
"Well, it's okay. It just means it's not our time to have a baby yet, but it's my luck."
"Why is that?"
"Well, it means every night I can still touch you," Altezza burst into laughter. Inevitably, Adaline blushed. "It's okay, don't worry too much. You heard what Stefanie said. We're still young. And besides, it's only been a few tries. If it fails, we can try again, and again, and again. It feels good during the trial period, you know."
"What are you saying..."
"It's nothing, just... We'll try again when I get back. Always move forward, never backward. I don't mind having you three times a day. Even more is fine too. I'm not afraid of overdosing. I'm just afraid you won't be able to stand later," Altezza teased further.
"You're unbelievable..." Adaline was turning redder by the second.
"Don't forget your voice, darling. The louder you are, the more aroused I become. If you don't believe me, I can video call you now; I'm already excited," Altezza continued teasing.
"Altezza!" Adaline exclaimed loudly, but Altezza just laughed heartily.
"Yes, yes. I won't video call. You prefer it live, right? Okay-okay, we'll go live later. Wait for your mighty lover to return, alright? I'll try to come back as soon as possible so my beloved won't have to sleep alone anymore."
"Al...!"
"Yes, Cara. I understand you miss me. But hold on, alright? I'm stacking up dollars for our future," Altezza continued to laugh on the other end.
"Ugh..."
"Yes, yes. I know. Well, I'm going to hang up now. Don't miss me too much. Just believe that I'm here working for our future," he said, making Adaline blush even more. "Say hi to Mom and Emma. If you need anything, you can ask Duncan."
"Okay."
"Okay what?"
"Okay, I'll ask Duncan if I need anything."
"Answer, 'Yes, dear.' Like that," he instructed softly.
"Yes, dear," Adaline followed suit.
"Good. Don't be late for breakfast, lunch, and dinner."
"Yes, dear."
"Don't let Gian the troublemaker tempt you when he comes to Manhattan."
"Yes, dear."
"I know you miss me right now..."
"Yes, dear," Adaline replied again, then suddenly widened her eyes. "Huh, what?"
"No instant replays, Madame. Goodnight.." Altezza said with his laughter. While Adaline, now confused by her response, buried her head into the pillow and hit her bed hard.
Another message came to her phone.
Husband:
"No need to scold the pillow or the bed. If you miss me, just accept it. Hold on. When I'm back, we'll satisfy our longing for each other."
Adaline groaned as she read it. Without replying, she buried her face back into the pillow. "Arrgghh!!" She screamed into the muffled cushion.