Altezza's Point of View
I blink, rubbing my throbbing temples. Lack of sleep and appetite leave my body feeling weak. I glance at my phone, which I had previously tossed carelessly, and try to turn it back on. Dozens of missed calls and messages flood in. They all come from different numbers, but I know they're all from Jovanka. And I choose to continue ignoring them.
The clock reads five-twenty. There's still plenty of time before dinner. I decide to scroll through social media again, hoping Adaline has posted something that could give me a clue to her whereabouts. Though it's a slim hope because Adaline isn't one to post every little thing on social media. But it seems luck is on my side.
And indeed, she has uploaded something. A photo of brownies topped with whipped cream and strawberries. It seems Adaline is currently fond of sweet treats, especially chocolate. Unconsciously, I find myself smiling. As has become my habit over the past two days, I've been seeing my wife's face on her social media. A face that's quite rare because she hardly ever posts pictures of herself.
The few photos on her social media consist only of food and the places she visits. She only posts pictures of herself if there's someone else accompanying her. If not family, then there will be pictures of her with her friends.
Adaline. Where are you, darling? Don't you miss me?
I see the only photo of Adaline alone. It's taken in a café with so much food in front of her. The photo tag reads, "got treated by the twins, they said it should be uploaded for promotion. Thanks to Claire & Gladwin... may your café be a hit..." The café's name, founded by her cousin's wife, is also mentioned there.
Adaline appeared in the photo, shyly laughing with chopsticks in her right hand and a bowl of food in her left. Unconsciously, I found myself smiling too. It's always like that. Adaline's smile is infectious and warms my heart.
I heard a commotion outside the room, indicating someone was visiting. I walked out, disregarding my disheveled appearance that clearly showed I had just woken up.
Gian looked at me with wide eyes. Antony was already seated, his tie loose and his jacket draped over the back of the long sofa. Meanwhile, Mamma was sipping her evening tea.
"Good evening, Brother. Looks like I don't need to ask how you've been," Gian greeted mockingly in Italian. I didn't respond. "You really look a mess, Brother. Are you heartbroken?" he continued, still mocking. Again. I ignored him and chose to enter the kitchen. "Oh, by the way, Aunty. I have an interesting story today." I glanced at Gian, and he was also smiling meaningfully at me.
"A young woman came to our office while Antony, Duncan, and I were having a meeting," Gian said. Hearing the word 'woman,' I hoped he was talking about Adaline. My wife. "I was surprised to see her because earlier Antony had warned all employees to keep her out."
Realizing the woman being talked about wasn't Adaline, I chose to close my ears and ignore whatever he wanted to tell. "She came and asked where Antony was hiding Altezza. And you know what Antony's response was?
"He asked me and Duncan to look for Altezza among the drawers and bedside tables. Antony thought Altezza was some small object that could fit into a jacket pocket," Gian laughed.
"And if only you had seen the woman's reaction. Ah, it's a pity I was too mesmerized to remember to take her picture," he lamented again.
"That disrespectful woman even caused a commotion at my hotel," my father's voice chimed in.
I glanced at my father, who had apparently returned earlier than my two cousins. Perhaps because I was too deep in slumber, I hadn't realized he was back.
"I've put her on the hotel's blacklist," he continued.
"Wow, Uncle, you're the best," Gian praised, clapping his hands. A bright smile adorned his face.
I really didn't want to hear any more stories about that woman. I had even blocked her name from my phone. Turns out, she had lost her mind. After not getting any response from any of the numbers she used, she caused chaos elsewhere just to find me. Truly insane.
I chose to retreat back to my room. Soaking in hot water just to relax my body. This exhaustion wouldn't dissipate. I soaked for half an hour, and my body felt refreshed.
I emerged from my room after finishing my evening prayers. But my house seemed deserted.
"Where is everyone?" I asked the household assistant, who resided in the back pavilion of the house.
"Mr. and Mrs. Quirino have an invitation. Sir Antony and Sir Gian have been home since earlier," she replied. I nodded. "Would you like dinner?" Again, I nodded. After dinner, I returned to my room. My head felt heavy again, and my stomach felt so sore.
I lay down my body. It seems my stomach ailment has flared up again, no wonder considering my recent erratic eating and resting patterns. Cold sweat starts to fill my forehead. I search for the medicine I usually keep in one of the bathroom cabinets, chew it, and choose to go back to sleep. Hoping that when I wake up later, I'll feel better.
***
It's the weekend. Yet, this weekend feels so quiet. Mamma and Padre are nowhere to be seen, and I don't know where they are. And considering they're giving me the silent treatment, I dare not contact them.
I choose to have breakfast alone. Today, I will start searching for Adaline again. And I hope to receive good news.
Out of curiosity, I open my social media account again. Seeing Adaline's face boosts my spirits even more.
Why am I so foolish? Wasting my precious time all this while. Why do I only realize now that I've never truly spent my time with Adaline? Not even for a simple date.
I regret it. For all the time I've wasted. Spending too much time on never-ending work, to the point where I neglect the times for Adaline's prenatal check-ups and let her go with Mamma or her mother instead.
Never making her happy by taking her out, even just for a meal or shopping for our baby's needs, something I should have done considering I wanted to fix this marriage.
I've been too foolish. I've treated Adaline as I treated Jovanka.
Yes, with Jovanka, we never went on dates or had dinner outside. It was all clear because she didn't want our relationship to be public. And unconsciously, I did the same thing. Yet it's clear, Adaline and Jovanka are different. They're like water and fire. Earth and sky.
I can only sigh deeply. Regret is pointless. Unless I manage to find Adaline, apologize, and make things right.
I swear, if I find her and I'm given the chance to be with her again, I won't treat her like I treated Jovanka.
Somehow, I suddenly want to see my niece's account. And something surprises me.
@Fla_via. Doesn't this cake look beautiful? Oops, but this isn't my creation, it's Aunt @Adawithline's. My body will be expanding soon. My dreams of becoming a model seem to be given to @miss. Abby instead.
The post is accompanied by a photo of the beautiful cake that Altezza saw yesterday. Flavia, Abigail, and Adaline? Are they in the same place?
I furrow my brow. That means...
I remember my parents' words from some time ago. Aunt Brianna. Why did I forget that name just like that?
My heart feels elated. I quickly grab my wallet and car keys, rushing to the garage.
Why didn't I think before that Aunt Brianna might be hiding Adaline? Of course, Antony's mother would help Mamma too. After all she's done all this time, she wouldn't do things halfway. I'm truly stupid. Extremely stupid.
I half-run to my car. Yelling at security to open the gate quickly. I can't wait to see my wife and our future children.
Adaline, darling. Wait for me. Even if I have to beg you, I'll do it willingly as long as you come back to me.
I speed up my car with impatience, entering the toll road heading towards Kansas. I glance at the rearview mirror and see a familiar car following closely behind me. What is she doing? How does she know where I'm going? How can she be following me?
I can't be mistaken about that car because I bought it for her. And of course, I know its license plate very well.
But I don't want to dwell on that right now. What I want right now is to find my wife.
I press the gas pedal harder, pushing the vehicle to its maximum limit. Until I feel something hit the rear of my car. I glance back at my side mirror, and the front of her car is so close to the rear of mine. Jovanka seems to want to play with me.
I press the gas pedal even harder. My car speeds up to a hundred kilometers per hour. Luckily, the road is empty even though it's the weekend. But she doesn't want to give up. She matches the speed of my car.
We continue to compete in speed until I feel her deliberately bumping into my car again.
I try to stay focused even though my car is swerving slightly. I can't. I can't give up.
She's trying to harm both of us. And I refuse to lose. I keep driving my car fast until she swerves towards me, and I lose control completely. I jerk the steering wheel to the left and hit the brakes simultaneously.
The screeching sound of tires can even be heard in my ears until I hear them burst from the pressure and friction on the asphalt. My car flips. I feel my body spinning. My head hits quite hard.
I feel the spin come to an end. The throbbing in my head becomes more painful. My ears are ringing. My car lands somewhere. The road is above my head. The seatbelt restraining me doesn't really hold my body weight. The airbag in front of me only makes it difficult for me to breathe. I struggle to move.
I faintly smell a pungent odor. Warmth flows through some parts of my body. Not to mention the throbbing pain starting in several places. My vision is even starting to blur. My sight feels dazzled, as if several lights are shining towards me.
Adaline, it seems we can't meet right now.