Chapter 2
1266 Words
Viella glanced at the clock for what felt like the hundredth time that night. It was past midnight, and Lance still wasn't home. Her phone had been unreachable, a fact that only deepened her worry. She paced the large sitting room, her heart hammering against her chest, each second that passed amplifying her anxiety.
This was becoming normal, and she didn't like it.
They had carried on with the plan, and three weeks ago, everything was set. Noralie was fully pregnant for them.
The doctor, Hansel, had done a clean job and was well paid. He was their family doctor. Although she has known him since high school and... Teenage nonsense.
Viella and Hansel grew up to let go of those stupid feelings. When he returned from the UK, where he studied and became one of the country's best gynecologists, they had reestablished contact through her husband. He had heard so much about the new gynecologist in town and boom! She was face-to-face with Hansel!
Although she was already happily married before he returned, he had accepted to be Viella's and Lance's family doctor.
Sometimes, she wondered why Hansel was still not married yet.
Since the completion of the insemination, Noralie became pregnant. Hansel had assured them that the baby would be a boy. He was that good at his job.
Although Hansel had warned them before time about some challenges they might face during this phase, Viella had thought she could bear it, but right now, she didn't know how much of it she could bear anymore.
Noralie called almost every night, blabbing about being unable to sleep, eat, rest, or... Something! There was always something Noralie needed every god-damned night!
Hansel had explained this to be the pregnancy hormones, and since Noralie was just twenty, it was all very strange to her.
Hansel had also advised that Lance and Viella provide all the support Noralie might need during this period. But right now, it seems Lance is the only one providing these needs.
Lance was never comfortable with this, but Viella had encouraged him to do so for the sake of their happiness, as long as part of the so-called support doesn't require her husband to have s*x with Noralie.
Several times, Viella had intentionally gone to the secret mansion where they had kept Noralie to see if there was anything happening between her husband and Noralie, but she always ended up ashamed and embarrassed because she had never seen anything out of the ordinary.
Most times, Noralie was sleeping upstairs while her handbag was sleeping on the couch downstairs.
How silly of her to ever think of being insecure about this whole arrangement.
The blaring of her phone jolted her awake. She didn't realize she had slept off while pondering over so many silly things.
"Lance! Finally! I was so worried. What happened?" She asked, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"I'm sorry, honey. I had a low battery, and I didn't step out with my phone charger." He sounded apologetic over the phone.
"It's alright, baby. I was just so worried," She said.
The slight headache she had felt last night had turned into something even more serious. The world around her seemed to spin. Her head felt light.
"I'm sorry for making you worried." He apologized.
"It's nothing. Where are you? Are you on your way home? I've been feeling..." She was saying when he cut her off.
"No, babe. I will be home a bit later. I'm taking Noralie to see the doctor. She is feeling unwell. A little stomach upset," Lance explained.
"What? Is she alright? Is she bleeding? Is... Oh my God," She shot up from where she sat in panic. "I'm on my way to the hospital."
"You don't have to, babe. I'll take care of her. It doesn't seem too serious. I promise you that." Lance said.
"But..."
"I insist, Viella. I'll be home shortly, okay? I love you, baby," he said and dropped the call before she could argue any further.
Just as much as Viella was worried about Nora, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Before this arrangement, Viella had always been the center of her husband's attention.
But here she was, not being able even to tell her husband that she was sick because he was attending to another 'sick woman.'
She brought out her phone and dialed a number. Thankfully, it was a Sunday, and this friend of hers wasn't particularly religious.
"Hey, b***h. How are you doing?" CeCe's ever-lively voice sounded from the other end of the line.
Her liveliness is contagious.
"Spoilt brat. What's up with you?" Viella asked, forcing a chuckle.
"I'm good. You don't sound happy. What's wrong?" Cece asked.
"I need you. I need someone to talk to."
Cece, the ever-supporting friend of Viella's, arrived in no time. She was always willing to lend her shoulders for her friend to cry on.
"Lance no longer pays attention to me. I am worried." Viella said, handing Cece a cup of coffee.
"Come on, girl. Don't you think you are being too dramatic?" Cece asked with an eye roll, "I know you are used to lots of attention from dear Lance, but please, cut him some slack."
"I know what I feel. I know what I see. He is beginning to seem too distant for my liking. I am scared." Viella sat on the couch.
"I know I do not like your cousin, Tara, one bit, and neither do I trust her. But I believe Nora is a good girl, and she has no negative intentions toward your husband. I know that's where this is going." Cece teased. "She can't handle the half of Lance in bed. You know that," She let out a naughty laugh, but Viella could only offer a chuckle.
"I know, right?" Viella said with an eye roll as memories of countless sexcapades with her husband came flooding in, coloring her cheek in a deep shade of blush pink.
"Perhaps you should go help her out sometimes when she calls Lance to come over. How about that?" Cece asked.
"Lance doesn't let me. He says it's his responsibility, and he wouldn't want to burden me with it," Viella explained.
"That's nonsense," Cece said with a casual wave of her hand, "you can help out too. You are both in this together."
"You are right. I agree with you." Viella said, standing up and walking toward the key stand.
"Where are you off to?" Cece asked.
"To take responsibility for what I have led my husband into," She turned to face Cece, "I'll meet them up in the hospital."
Viella had never taken such a risk in her entire life - the speed at which she drove to the hospital. Her curiosity and insecurity were beginning to get the best of her, and she wasn't happy about it. She was eager to prove herself wrong. To prove to her insecure self that her husband was still who she thought he was.
She had left Cece at home, promising to return soon.
"Good morning, Ms." She greeted the nurse at the reception before walking toward the private ward. She knew just where to find them.
"God, Viella, this is stupid!" She yelled inwardly at herself as she took slow, quiet steps toward the private ward.
Her hands trembled when she came face-to-face with the door. Her sweaty fingers pushed the door open, and her breath caught in her throat at the sight before her.
"What the hell is going on here? Lance?"
- Writer
