Valerie

Valerie
Chapter 103 Valeria

"My love, you are irresistible. How do you make every suit you wear look so handsome on you?" Dubois is incredibly good-looking, his body is sensual, and whatever he puts on fits him well. It must be his exercise routine; it's very brief, but he does his exercises and walks every day. Almost every day, I help him with his jacket and tie his tie.

He kisses me on the lips, which reminds me that now he doesn't make love to me; he only caresses me, treating me like delicate china. Only massages all over my body, and that's worse because it leaves me agitated.

"Uff... seriously. As much as I love your compliment, sweetheart, I have to tell you these are custom-made suits. Dad always said a businessman dresses for success." His smile is wide; he knows he drives me crazy. Recently, he's learned how jealous I am, and carelessly, I ask him about the client from last time, to which he responds with an attempted smile and a visual reprimand.

"You were right, but it's because of your perfect body. Are you going to be at the office for long?" I smile to see what he proposes after that compliment.

"I'll handle something and come back. I'm not sure, maybe around noon. Why do you ask? Don't think you're going out just because I'm not here."

"It's not that, although I'd like to go to the mall with Margaret, Mom, Renato, and 100 bodyguards. I won't be alone."

"Tell me what you need, and I'll have Margaret look for it with Mom. You're not going to escape and go out, and I can't leave with that worry."

"Of course, I'm not escaping. I'm not a child."

"Lately, you've been capricious, sweetheart. Remember, you're going to be a mother soon. You need to set an example."

"And you've been very serious and a bit boring lately. You seem like the old Dubois. I can't be locked up like this. After the baby is born, I'll still have to stay here."

"Understand that it's necessary, doll. The situation with Daniela hasn't been resolved yet. I'm going to a meeting with my lawyers; they'll update me on their progress."

"In just two days?"

"Yes, I urgently need to resolve this. I want to be free for you and our baby, not thinking about pursuits. And I'm doing this only for you, to have peace."

"Alright, let's go. Mom prepared breakfast in the main kitchen. They spoil you, and that's why you're spoiled."

"Me spoiled? More like you."

"I'm just scolded."

"Because you want to go out with Margaret, who doesn't walk but runs, and you'll spend a lot of time standing, which tires you out. Besides, we need to resolve the Daniela situation."

"Alright, we'll do as you say." He smiles, knowing he's won this argument again. "Why are you so complicated?"

"You knew this before committing to me and getting pregnant. There's no turning back now. You have to put up with me, so adapt."

"Annoying."

"I'm your annoying, and you still love me."

...

We head to the main kitchen, where Cristina, Mom, and Sofía are. We join the group.

"Good morning!" we say, and Dubois goes and kisses Mom on the head as always and gives another to Cristina.

Cristina stands still, looking at him surprised. I smile at her and signal that nothing happened. She looks at me with a smile, happy!

It's obvious that pregnancy isn't easy. Lately, I feel heavier, and many things are difficult, but my family and friends have supported me so much that time has passed without me noticing.

We went to sit at the table. Mom made pancakes and orange juice. This breakfast is a celebration, with Cristina's wide smile from receiving a good morning kiss from Dubois, just like Mom, lighting up the place.

After finishing, I accompanied him to the car, and he reminded me again to stay in touch, keep the phone close in case he calls to check on me. He's driving me totally crazy, but I love him immensely.

He took a while to leave, giving me advice, like twenty kisses, and I had to go inside before he left.

As I entered the house, I found Sofía. She didn't have classes today, and I'm going to take the opportunity to have a sisterly conversation, like we used to.

I see her sitting on a sofa, checking her phone. "Sofí, will you join me for a walk?"

She looks at me and smiles. My sister is growing up so much; soon, she'll be 16 years old. She's beautiful, tall, with lovely features, and looks happier. The financial and family security, Mom's good health, and the environment around us have changed her sad expression.

I put an arm around her back, and we go out, greeting the security personnel who are everywhere lately. "How are things going, little sister?"

"All good."

"And the course?"

"It was tough at first, but I'm getting the hang of it."

"Do you like it?"

"A little. I don't know why I thought computer science was just mobile phones, computers, and that stuff. I think it's not for me."

"You still have time to think about what career to choose. Don't draw conclusions from just this course."

Almost mechanically, I notice I'm walking towards the main gate, where the security is. Realizing where I am, I look around.

Last time, we found Daniela there, and her image still haunts me. I look at my little sister, not wanting to see her in a similar situation, without family support and financial resources to be independent, having to do what others say as an adult.

Suddenly, I want to sit down. I've had a bit of back pain since this morning. I turn and say to my little sister, "Let's find somewhere to sit."

"Are you okay?"

"I just need to sit for a while."

"I don't see any benches nearby. Let's walk back to the house. We'll go slowly, Valeria."

We walk towards the house, and my phone rings. I look at it but don't recognize the number. I answer anyway.

"Good morning, who's speaking?"
"Is this Valeria Rivas?"

"Yes, that's me."

"I'm Daniela Caruzzo. I need to talk to you. Can we meet?"

"Meet? For what purpose? I'm sorry, I can't go out right now, I'm busy with other things."

"I need your help with Michael. Only he can help me. I can't take it anymore. I don't want to live like this."

"You need to calm down," I say, scared. My heartbeats sound like drums.

"It's easy for you. Your life is comfortable. You have a perfect husband, a perfect family, a life full of luxuries, while I'm stuck with an old pervert. If I leave him, I'll sink into misery. Michael can help me. He has money. He still loves me, I know it. It's because of your stupid pregnancy that he won't leave you, but at least he could help me get out of the country."

"Alright, I'll talk to him. Just calm down."

"Who's calling you, Valeria? Hang up, it's upsetting you," says Sofía.

"Calm down, everything will be fine."

"For you, everything has been fine. You have it all." I feel like I need to sit down; the back pain is strong.

Sofía takes the phone from me and listens to the rest of Daniela's words. "What's wrong with you? Are you crazy? Don't call again and sort out your life. Stop bothering others. We don't owe you anything. Face your life and leave us alone," she says and ends the call, then helps me walk so I can sit down.

As she helps me, I hear Sofía calling Dubois. "Leave it, Sofí, it's nothing. I just need to sit down."

She doesn't pay attention and tells Dubois everything she heard from Valeria's call, then hands me the phone. "Sweetheart, are you okay? I'm on my way," he says, not letting me respond. And really, I can't. I just want to sit down.

With Sofí's help, I finally reach the house and find a chair outside to sit on. The security staff surrounds me. The pain is intense. I felt it yesterday too, but it was very mild.

"Wait here, I'll get some water and call Mom," she says. My mouth is dry, and I'm very nervous, worried about my unborn child. Why does that woman keep bothering me? Plus, this pain worries me. I had heard that Braxton Hicks contractions are in the belly, at least that's what I think, but this pain is strong in my back.

I hear many footsteps. Cristina, Mom, and Renato are approaching. "Daughter, what do you feel?"

"It's a low back pain, Mom. It was very mild since yesterday, but a moment ago it got more intense."

"Let's go to the doctor. Renato, get the baby bags and Valeria's bag ready in the car."

"Yes, ma'am."

"I don't see that you're wet, daughter."

"Let me stand up. Sitting makes the pain much worse. Don't worry, Mom, it shouldn't be anything."

"Calm down, daughter. Don't worry about me. Cristina, make sure nothing is missing from her tests."

"Alright, Rosalía, I'll go to the clinic too. I won't leave you alone."

"Dubois is coming. He said he's on his way. Let's wait for him."

"No, we'll leave immediately. I'll leave him a message," says Mom. "We'll handle everything. Stay calm, Valeria, and just follow the instructions. Right now, you and the baby are the most important."

"Everything's ready, ma'am."

"Alright, Renato, call the doctor."

While I'm in pain, I only think about needing Dubois by my side. Dubois's plan B or C is working, with Renato and my mom in charge, but I want him to come.

When the car arrives, Renato helps me get in. Everyone else fits in as best they can. Mom rests my head on her shoulder. I'm very nervous. I don't know what's going to happen. They didn't tell me labor pains were like this.

...

When we arrive at the clinic, Mom and Renato take care of everything. Cristina and Sofí stay with me. The pain doesn't go away, and I have to walk because sitting makes it worse. Now I feel it everywhere.

A moment later, the doctor sees me in her office. She examines me, does a checkup, and a sticky pink fluid comes out. After a while, she says, "Valeria, the baby wants to come."

"But I'm not ready," I say, scared. When I see the reality before my eyes, I feel very afraid. "I need Dubois. He's not here."

"It won't be immediate. We're going to admit you. You're dilating."

"Is the pain I'm feeling contractions?"

"Yes, that baby is coming. Do you want an epidural? You'll feel less pain and relax."

"Will it harm my baby?"

"No, it will just ease your pain."

I think about it and decide not to. "I don't want anything, doctor. I'll endure it. I want a natural birth, with everything it entails."

"Very well, Valeria. We'll move you to a room and monitor you."

I hear a commotion, and suddenly Dubois is with me. He takes my hands, and I start crying in his arms. "Dubois, thank goodness you're here! I was so scared you wouldn't make it in time."

"I'm here, sweetheart. I'm sorry I wasn't with you."

"Valeria, you're a first-time mom. I assure you there was time for Dubois to arrive. Well, let's get to work. Labor has started."

I keep crying in Dubois's arms. I don't know why I'm crying so much, and I don't care. I don't know if it's the pain or the moment.

After they take me to the room, I keep enduring the pain. Dubois doesn't understand why I didn't accept the epidural, but he respects my decision.

The doctor comes in periodically to check my progress. However, it's not as fast as I want. I already want to see my baby. It seems my family feels the same. Margaret has arrived and is calming everyone.

Mom and Dubois stay with me in the room. Mom smiles at both of us. I'm calming down, but I feel a great emotion and fear. I don't let go of Dubois's hands. Somehow, I believe it makes me feel braver.

Mom checks the baby bag and mine. Everything is ready. We have the clothes ready for Michael Alejandro or Rosa Alexandra. I'm waiting for you, my baby, with much love.