Chapter 8 [ Maternal Embrace ]

Enough of the recap, let's trail on to present-day events; still the day seventeenth of impersonating the late Gustavo Rodríguez.

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At the Hotel Magnífico

11:00am

Belinda had long released herself from my company. I was rejoined by Humberto as I descended a lift to the hotel reception area with Gustavo's ghost very much present.

"You did a great job back there in addressing the hotel staffs, Santo," The compliment was coming from Gustavo's ghost.

My reaction escaped from my mouth without proper forethought, "Haha! So, you finally decided to speak to me?"

Humberto's words slammed me back to sanity, "What!! Who are you talking to Gustavo!?!"

"Shit!! Not again. You should be a bit more observant of the living people around you. No?" I slapped my forehead in my mind.

I cleared my throat before quizzing him, "Er... I thought you said something to me just now. Didn't you?"

"Of course not! I don't think I've muttered any words in the past ten minutes or so." His response wasn't startling. So, I got ready for my comeback.

"It must be the headache I complained about earlier," I began, "It's probably messing with my senses," I concluded, and started massaging my temples to make my lie, a little more believable.

Humberto displayed a troubled tinge on his face as he prepared to speak, "Brother! Has it come to this? It's much more serious than I imagined. Quickly, let me have someone communicate the development to the medical staff."

"It is no big deal. I guess it will subside once I've had something to eat," I communicated to him with great persuasion. But he didn't budge.

"I'm still not convinced. I should probably place a call through myself!"

"No man, ma dai! I am good! It is not that serious."

[ Ma dai! — Come on!]

Why so much fuss over a slight headache? Is this how rich folks worry about nothing? I have survived many illnesses up until now with little or no medication.

**

"What is this I hear about a headache?" Belinda's voice alerted me of her presence behind me. I spiralled to face her, unknowingly affording her the privilege to place her hand on my forehead before I could speak.

"Let's have you examined, through and through!" She asserted.

Humberto was bad at hiding his jealousy as he looked away to evade her display of worry about my state of health.

Well, that's his problem. Not mine!

I inclined myself to speak, "Mi Corazón, we don't need to go that far. I will be alright!"

I grinned but she didn't seem assured yet.

Humberto barged in with his speech, "I already exhausted all my tricks of persuasion. But, we both know how obstinate your husband can be."

Hm! Another shared similarity with the deceased Gustavo; stubbornness.

Belinda gave him silence as her reply, fixing her gaze on me alone.

**

"Gus, let's go back to the suite. I'd have breakfast provided for you," She halted from speaking for a split second before restarting her speech, "Or do you want me to cook for you myself? If that's what you want, I will. When the Japanese get here, Humberto and I will handle them," She finalized.

And leave you alone with this ticking time bomb of a man? No! Señora. Besides, I don't have a headache. Although, I can't afford to take back my lie now.

I knew I had to terminate the topic, so I got my speech ready, "Thank you for worrying about me, Bella. But when your señor says that he is going to be alright, you just have to trust him. Will you trust me, my angel?"

"I will trust you, Gustavo. I love you." Belinda's assurance was the relaxing pill I needed.

"I love you too!" Her parting words as she ambled off.

**

•The entrance to the hotel•

"Do you move with your eyes on the floor!?! Or did your sense divorce your stupid brain!?!" The older woman screeched at a much younger felon.

She lifted her hand determined to deal her wrongdoer a thick smack across her cheek but the lady's plea dissolved her outrage.

"Mi dispiace, ma'am Imelda! Perdonami! Prometto che non si ripeterà!"

[Translation — I am sorry, madam Imelda! Please forgive me! I promise you that it will never happen again!]

It appears that the younger lady, who is a staff of the hotel, unintentionally stepped on her costly Italian shoes which nearly earned her a heavy slap.

Humberto felt the need to walk in the direction of the event, I strutted behind him.

**

"MUM!?!!" Humberto exclaimed.

Of course, it was the cranky madam Imelda Rodrguez, Gustavo and Humberto's mum. Gustavo's ghost was shaking his head; appalled by his mother's behaviour.

"Please mum, leave Roberta. Everyone is just so busy around here in preparation for our Japanese guests as well as our other guests here." Humberto informed the old tyrant.

"Is that so?" She questioned, before looking at Roberta with an artificial smile on her face, "Go do what you were doing! Is that alright?"

"Thank you, ma'am Imelda." Roberta's last words as she skedaddled. I don't blame her for running.

"I am sorry you had to witness that my babies. You both know how my hormones spike occasionally these days."

"It's okay mum, we understand," I spoke on behalf of myself and Humberto.

She stretched out her hands to usher in Humberto and me into her maternal embrace with eyes locked in utter excitement.

As I resigned myself to her hugs and kisses, I could only imagine what she'd do to me when she discovers that I am not her beloved son, Gustavo.

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