Adaline rubbed her throbbing head. Last night, she had trouble sleeping again. Even though she tried to go back to sleep after dawn, it felt very difficult. And now her work was piling up.
She hadn't experienced morning sickness anymore. But still, there were times when she would vomit her food if nausea suddenly struck her. In return, she always kept mints in almost every accessible place.
Tessa invited her for lunch. Adaline agreed. She really wanted to have spicy meatball soup.
They walked to the office cafeteria. But she felt uncomfortable because she felt like people were watching her. And her suspicion was quite reasonable, because when she turned her head to look, they instantly closed their mouths and blatantly looked away.
Adaline glanced at Tessa. Tessa looked back at her puzzled. When Adaline queued for lunch, she finally found out why people were staring at her.
"Seriously? So who's the third person then?" said the person in front of Adaline's queue.
"How would I know? Maybe Adaline, maybe Jovanka," replied the second woman. Adaline didn't know either of them. But she also didn't know if they really knew her?
"But here it says they've been involved since seven years ago," said the first woman as she tapped on her phone screen. Adaline froze. She chose to step back and walk towards the cafeteria restroom.
Adaline locked herself in one of the stalls. Voices chatting could be heard again.
"A few days ago, I saw her on a talk show, and she said she would give an exclusive interview on that show. And I was surprised to see the news on the gossip online account," said a woman.
The sound of water in the sink and the roar of the hand dryer echoed.
"Why should you be surprised? Nowadays, it's very easy to go viral. Especially someone like Jovanka Lawrence who is already famous. Especially when it involves dealings with the rich. What surprises me is how she managed to keep her seven-year marriage a secret? She's so skilled that such big news went undetected by the media."
"What's so great about that? If I were her, I'd definitely be proud to be known by people after marrying a wealthy man. Especially Altezza Quirino, who is handsome. And he's the type of man who is kind and friendly. Just imagine, walking with him isn't embarrassing but rather a pride in itself," replied another woman.
"You're right," agreed her friend. "So, what about Adaline's fate now? They just got married recently. And you can also see how luxurious their wedding was. How could she possibly be the third person?"
Finger snaps could be heard. "But Adaline could indeed be the third person. Think again about why they got married secretly. It could be that Sir Altezza's marriage to Jovanka wasn't approved by the family, so they chose to hide it, and then Sir Altezza's family arranged for him to marry Adaline so that only Adaline would be acknowledged as the daughter-in-law while Jovanka remains unrecognized."
"You watch too many family dramas. What you're saying is so cliché," replied another voice, followed by chuckles. Then there was silence.
Adaline could only listen while clutching her phone tightly. She herself had seen the online gossip columns on her phone.
Many news portals featured the private wedding news between Jovanka and Altezza. Photos of their closeness were also displayed so intimately. Some of them were even photos that the woman had sent to her some time ago.
Then there were also photos of Adaline's wedding with Altezza, where Adaline's face was blurred and her name was reduced to initials.
Adaline rubbed her temples. Her head was throbbing even more. And her chest felt tight again. What more trial is this?
Now people think she's a destroyer of others' happiness. Such hurtful slander for her.
Adaline didn't know how long she had been sitting on the toilet until she was startled by her own phone vibrating. Tessa's name appeared on the screen, but Adaline ignored it because she didn't even have the energy to move her fingers to answer her friend's call.
A few seconds later, a message pop-up appeared on the screen showing an incoming message from Tessa.
Tessa:
Ada, where are you?
Adaline still didn't respond.
Tessa:
Ada, don't make me panic. Tell me, where are you? I've got permission from Mrs. Jessi, I'll take you home.
Adaline:
Cafeteria restroom.
About five minutes later, a knocking sound was heard on the stall door. "Adaline? Are you in there?" Tessa whispered.
Adaline opened the stall door and Tessa pulled her out from outside.
"Ada, are you okay?" Adaline nodded.
"My head hurts," Adaline replied softly.
Tessa nodded and helped Adaline stand up. Adaline's legs were tingling. She almost fell if Tessa hadn't supported her body.
"Sorry, my legs are tingling," she said to reassure.
Again, Tessa nodded. In silence, Tessa guided her to the car park. She opened the passenger door and closed it again.
Tessa walked around to open the driver's door. She helped Adaline fasten her seatbelt and drove her car out of the office parking lot. "Want something to eat? You didn't get a chance to eat earlier, did you?"
"No need. I'll eat at home later," Adaline replied softly.
"Where do you want to go? Your apartment or your mom's house?"
Adaline shook her head. "Just take me to Mom's house," she replied softly. Adaline leaned her head against the car door.
Her headache was getting worse. Cold sweat felt like it was flowing heavily. She could even feel it between her breasts.
"What if we go to the doctor first?" Tessa asked. She was worried seeing her friend's condition. But Adaline refused.
"No need. I just forgot to take my vitamins. I'll be fine later," she answered honestly. She should have taken her vitamins already. Besides the iron supplement she always took before bed. Although Adaline knew deep down that her current condition wasn't just because of that.
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived in front of a luxurious house enclosed by a three-meter-high black gate. When Tessa honked the horn, the face of the security guard appeared on a ten-inch small screen on Tessa's right side.
"I'm dropping off Mrs. Adaline Quirino," Tessa slightly leaned back so the intercom could capture Adaline's face. The door opened automatically, and Tessa drove her car forward.
The front door of her house opened just as Tessa stopped her car. Delila emerged in her casual attire, a black kaftan. Her face looked worried. She walked towards the passenger door and opened it for Adaline.
"Darling, what happened to you?" she asked worriedly. Tessa had already walked towards the passenger door and helped Adaline out.
"I'll explain inside, Madam," Tessa replied.
Mrs. Delila nodded. They both escorted Adaline inside and headed straight to her room.
"Someone, please make some warm sweet tea," she requested as Delila's maid rushed in hurriedly. The woman in her forties nodded and hurried away.
Tessa and Delila Quirino settled Adaline, who was growing paler, on the bed. Delila stepped out of the room momentarily and seemed to make a phone call. Tessa helped Adaline and covered her with a blanket, while the maid brought the warm sweet tea. Tessa thanked her and helped Adaline drink it.
"What's going on? What happened to Adaline?" Delila asked anxiously. The middle-aged woman gently stroked Adaline's head. Adaline closed her eyes, but it was clear she wasn't asleep. Tessa handed her phone to Delila. Delila moved the screen out of her reach due to her failing eyesight.
"Oh my God... what else is this?" she exclaimed after finishing reading the article shown by Tessa. "That woman really intends to stir up trouble," she muttered again.