The Truth 10

I opened my phone and checked the latest news. News about Bronc X virus infection was still the hottest, ruling the headlines for many days already. Its spread had become more extensive as it invaded more countries each day. All governments, local or nationwide, imposed several safety measures, including strict quarantines. Business operations, recreational and religious activities, and any gatherings were temporarily withheld to minimize the spread of infection.

Eric's name on the headline caught my attention, so I hurried to open the article about him. It stated that he went to Sama Island and organized a team to investigate the source of this infection. He gained praise and admiration from the netizens for his cooperation to prevent the widespread of the virus. However, an anonymous person uploaded a post and exposed his relationship with a woman from Sama Island. Of course, I knew it's Calla, but what sent goosebumps all over my body was the statement saying that this woman created a feud between him and the president.

I smirked at the thought of it, but I felt a sharp pain deep inside when I realized how great was his love for Calla. This feud would not have escalated if Eric didn't care so much about her. Just what did this woman possess to make two powerful men go crazy about her?

I got jealous of her. There was Eric, and now, it's Sean.

I went out of the room and headed to the kitchen. The place was neat and clean, and I wondered who took care of this house since Sean wouldn't come here often. The cooking appliance, as well as the dishes, were glossy and dustless. The scent of a cleaning agent lingered, telling me that someone had just cleaned up the room.

I jumped in my place when a woman in her fifties came in through the back door in the kitchen. She also stopped abruptly and raised her wrinkled hands to her chest when she saw me.

"Good noon, ma'am," she said, giving me a sheepish smile. "You must be Dr. Red, the wife of Sean."

I smiled at her, but my pulled-up brows told her I was wondering where she got the fake news.

"By the way, my husband and I are the caretakers of this house, as well as his farm. I come here every day to clean up. My name is Dina."

I nodded and smiled. "Where do you live, auntie?"

"Somewhere below, not far from here. I think Sean is there, talking to my husband."

"Have you talked to Sean already?"I asked. I didn't even see a house nearby or hear any person talking to Sean since we arrived.

"He informed us a few days ago that he is coming with his wife," she smiled, and her eyes shined with happiness. "I'm happy for him, you know. Finally, he gets himself a wife."

I laughed softly, and she also grinned. "Sean will not run out of women."

"Ever since he graduated from college, he was already looking for a woman he wants to be his wife. I'm glad he finally found you."

"Are you sure it's me?"

"Of course. Sean always tells us about his matters. He's a family to us, and I guess, we are also a family to him."

"But Sean has another girlfriend before me."

"We also know about her, but he wants you only for his wife. And she's not a girlfriend."

I scoffed as I heard her. How could he want me only when he is keeping Calla? Who is she in his life? A sexual partner? And that's why he doesn't want to make love with me because Calla does better in bed?

"By the way, auntie, where is that woman now?" I shrugged and spread my hands open, palms facing upward. "I'm just curious, auntie. This subject is something I don't want to ask him anymore."

She did not answer me right away. She walked instead to the kitchen bar and pulled the cord of the rice cooker out from the socket. She then turned around and faced me before she turned her back on me again. I watched her spreading a rag, wiping the rice starch that spilled on to the surface.

"He is keeping her because she is pregnant with their baby."

Now, this was a bomb, stripping me off from my energy. I pulled out a stool and sat down limply, staring at her back. All of a sudden, I had trouble controlling the rise and fall of my chest.

Auntie Dina suddenly gasped and covered her mouth, perhaps realizing that this had to be a secret. She turned around to look at my reaction, her color drained from her face, making her lips as pale as death.

My goodness, damn it! I have agreed to this relationship that also had no direction. My shoulders dropped, and I felt like crying.

"I-I'm sorry. What did I do?" She clasped her hands under her chin, turning around a couple of times to both watch me and hide her reaction.

"But Dr. Red, she isn't the woman he wants to marry. Sean just wants to protect her from stress due to her scandal."

I smiled, but I know my eyes betrayed me. "It's alright, auntie. I know about it. I just didn't want to ask Sean more about where he keeps her. It's a decision I shouldn't interfere. If I keep on asking, he would think that I don't trust him."

"Sean will surely get mad at me and throw us out of this place," she said sadly, drops of sweat ran down her temples. "Dr. Red, we have nowhere to go."

I watched her fallen and guilty demeanor. And I was afraid she'd get a heart attack.

"Don't worry. I won't tell but promise me something," I said, holding both of her shoulders. "Tell me everything you will know about her."

She smiled and sighed deeply, thanking me a couple of times before she left. According to her, she still had something to do at the farm.

I roamed after she left, my mind was on Calla and her pregnant state. Sooner or later, Sean would break off with me because of the baby. Anyway, they were both single, and the president was a married man. Now that the issues had spread to every corner of the country, the president would be too happy to break free from her. When finally he would give his statement to the public, he could always say that it's not him, but Sean. And that photo of them where they made out was only photoshopped, to destroy his image to the public.