Reconciliation

“Mommy, mommy, can we get more steaks?” Marcelo’s angelical voice rang in the huge living room as he appeared in white stockings, newly released Fendi joggers, and a white top.

His voice cut off Maria’s words and she gasped on the phone. “You have a child?” She was so shocked that she had to hold her chest to contain her surprise.

Anna shook her head at the little boy, whose hands were filled with steaks and who still wanted more. Why did he have to pick Jacob’s eating habit of having steaks in his meal every time?

“Mommy, who are you on the phone with? Is it grandma Susie?” Marcelo hopped on Anna’s lap, his greasy hands staining her white evening gown.

A few weeks after she received her first income, Anna moved to a bigger, and more well-furnished house that was bigger than her ex-husband’s mansion. She had employed a nanny and a housekeeper, but since she still wasn’t comfortable living with people, she didn’t opt for a live-in staff just like Jackson.

“No, baby, I'm on the phone with your Aunt Maria,” Anna said to Marcelo, kissing his both cheeks in the process.

“Mommy, it's Aunt Philly, not Aunt Maria.” The toddler, who was yet to start his first school year, was already smart enough to tell something apart.

“Ouuu, my nephew doesn’t even know me.” Maria cried on the phone, her voice trailing off as she spoke.

“Marcelo, it's not Aunt Philly this time. It's Aunt Maria. Do you want to say hello to Aunt Maria?” Anna felt conflicted about how to settle this because she hadn’t planned for Maria to meet Marcelo this way.

“Okay, mommy.” Marcelo nodded, his curly hair bouncing as Anna shifted the call to a FaceTime video.

When Maria’s face appeared in front of her screen, Anna abruptly took a sharp breath. “You look so much like our mother now.” She still couldn’t believe that her little sister was now an adult, and she had a striking resemblance to their mother.

In her mind, she could tell how happy her father would be right now.

“And you look so much more beautiful. Now, pass the phone to my nephew, I really can’t wait to see what he looks like!!” Maria screamed like an excited teenage kid that just got noticed by her crush.

Anna chuckled softly and then brought Marcelo to the camera. “Say hello to your Aunt Maria, Marcey.” She said to her son and the boy looked at Maria for a while before saying.

“Hello, Aunt Maria, nice to meet you.” His perfect white teeth flashed as he smiled.

“Hello, my sweetheart. Aww Damn- sorry goodness. How is he so adorable? Oh my God, he is so beautiful.” Maria stared continuously at Marcelo trying to find one thing that was imperfect about him but she couldn't.

“I think I have the most gorgeous nephew in the world! As popular as you are now, how are you able to keep him safe from the paparazzi?” She asked curiously because even in London at the moment, the name Annabella Robert was a big name.

“I try as much as possible. You know I'm being anonymous for him and myself.”

“Why? Is that what your husband wants?” Maria asked again after she realized that she hadn’t asked about Anna’s marital life at all.

“No, I am a single mother,” Anna replied, cutting off any words about her marital life that Maria would like to know.

“Oh, I see, it's his loss though. Marcelo, you are such a cutie, will you smile again for Auntie?” Maria cooed as she urged but Marcelo pouted his little mouth before shaking his head.

“I can't just smile.”

Anna almost laughed out loud when she heard her son’s reprimanding tone. She was already used to his straightforwardness, but she didn’t know if Maria would feel offended as it was as if he was telling Maria ‘who the heck smiles’ for no reason.

“Oh oh, sorry, Your excellency. How about I get you some steaks? Will you smile -

Marcelo’s face brightened up before Maria could even finish her words, and she burst into laughter along with Anna.

“I'm so sorry you have to witness that. This little man here loves eating steaks.” just like one of his fathers. Anna wanted to add but she couldn't say that in front of Marcelo as the little child had always asked after his father.

“I can see that.” Maria smiled, and suddenly wished she could pinch Marcelo’s robust cheeks from the phone. “I have lots of expenses to pay for this week, but can you send me your account number to get some steaks for my nephew?”

“No, it's okay, you don't have to. I will-

“Oh, please. I’m only trying to buy my nephew’s acknowledgement, so when next I call, he will jump and scream `` Aunt Maria!``

Anna laughed again and gently brought Marcelo down her lap to seat him next to her. “Alright, I will send it. But can you please keep this from dad? I don't want him to know about my existence at all.” She pleaded.

Maria was silent for a moment, she didn't know what to reply as she was really close to their father, but after remembering how he had treated Anna when they were younger, she slowly nodded.

“Thank you.”

“No, you, thank you. Thanks for being alive all this while. I'm so proud of you, big sister.”

“Thank you so much.” Anna beamed at her little sister and she couldn’t help but be glad that she had taken that decision 5 years ago.

She felt elated that she had chosen her sister’s safety and left the twins. If she hadn’t, she didn’t know if she would be speaking to her at this moment or not.

“I will place a call later. I have to go to a night class,” Maria said to Anna, before asking her to say goodbye to Marcelo for her.