Part 62

62

In the meantime, Chelsea would stay at the hospital, as per Carlos's decision. Although Chelsea wanted to go home, she understood that her relationship with Carlos, which was still not publicly known, and especially her mother's lack of awareness about their relationship, made her worry that her presence at the hospital might cause new problems.

Chelsea wanted to reveal all the secrets to her mother, but not like this. She wanted to tell her in a different way, not be discovered by being in the hospital like this.

"As for your mother, you don't need to worry. Let Daddy be the one to tell her that you are currently hospitalized."

"So Daddy wants to tell Mom right away that I'm pregnant? That's why I need to rest here first?"

Chelsea made sure that she didn't want Margareth to find out without her being present. Chelsea just wanted to see Margareth's reaction when she found out that the man she loved had now planted a seed in her own adopted daughter's womb.

"No, for now, Daddy will say that you have a fever. Then, when you have recovered, we will tell Margareth together that you are pregnant. Daddy also doesn't want her to give bad news to others, so your name will also be tarnished. When they assume that you are pregnant out of wedlock," Carlos explained while tidying Chelsea's hair.

His hand kept holding his wife's hand, to show the world that Chelsea belonged to him alone.

"For tonight, maybe Daddy won't be going home. So, let Vano take care of all your needs at home. At the same time, he will also inform your mother that we are staying at the hospital today because the doctor said you need to stay here for a few days. After that, we can go home but still under medical supervision."

"As I said, I leave everything to Daddy, and I have no doubt about the strength of a Carlos Wijaya. He knows what's best for his wife and future child." Chelsea gently patted her husband's cheek, smiling to show how happy she was to be by his side.

"Pa, but if I'm not comfortable here."

"What do you mean by 'not comfortable'? Do you want a different room or is the bed not comfortable enough?"

Chelsea menggelengkan kepalanya. “Di sini cukup terbuka, aku tidak bisa memenuhi keinginanku untuk ini.” Tangan tadinya menyentuh pipi Carlos, kini berpindah pada bulatannya sendiri. Mengusap di balik pakaiannya.

"You're sick and you still want that."

"So Daddy doesn't want to? Daddy knows that I really want this. It just feels addictive." Chelsea's lips pursed.

"Yes dear. Dad knows." Carlos looked around him. "Maybe after this Daddy will ask the hospital to add curtains so that when someone comes in, the first thing they see is the curtain, not us."

“I agree to that.” Chelsea sat up a little and leaned her back against the head of the bed. He was still a little dizzy, but he also didn't feel comfortable just lying down.

“You want something, darling?”

“Nothing, Dad. Even if I want to watch television, the television isn't on yet."

"In a moment Daddy will light it for you." Chelsea smiled, nodding her head. Waiting for Carlos to turn on the television for the film Carlos chose to accompany their silence in the treatment room. He was looking for a romantic genre film similar to the atmosphere in their household.

And to comply with Chelsea's wishes, Carlos was forced to climb into bed. Lay down a little and do activities like a baby like Chelsea wants. Before doing this, Carlos consulted the doctor who treated Chelsea. This can be done, but not too often. Even if they have sex, they can still do it, but at a very slow pace.

This made Chelsea feel relieved because she herself didn't understand why lately she always felt addicted and never satisfied when playing with her husband. Even though his own was often scratched because of Carlos' actions.

In another place, Margareth is currently sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for Kevin's arrival with someone who is said to be entering into a business partnership with them, as well as a romantic relationship. Although Margareth doesn't understand Kevin's intentions, she agrees to meet the man upon hearing that there will be compensation for her.

Now she is in a boarding house, waiting for Kevin who has been delayed for a while. After nearly an hour of waiting, Kevin finally arrives with two men who appear to be significantly older than Margareth.

Nevertheless, Kevin explains that there is payment to be received once Margareth serves both of them. Kevin discreetly signals to Margareth to choose which man she will attend to first. She points to a man with graying hair, signaling him to approach.

A customer has been found, and Kevin instructs one of the men to wait outside while Margareth serves them alternately. One of them will pay Kevin directly, and the rest will pay Margareth. This is the agreement between Margareth and Kevin.

"If you eventually have a stable job and regular customers, you won't need to rely on your boyfriend anymore. I'll take care of everything to ensure your work goes smoothly," Kevin conveys before stepping out of the room.

"But I don't want to keep doing this forever. I want a normal life and to marry a man. Just go along with it for now; I'm sure someday one of your customers will want a serious relationship with you," Margareth responds.

"What do you mean, Kevin?"

"I mean it's simple, Margareth. Just go with it and hope that God sends you the right partner."

"No need for me to pray because I already have a boyfriend I can marry."

"Don't dream and hope too much; it will only break your heart. Enjoy your life, you only get one chance at it. I'm sure you'll get used to it over time and even become addicted," Kevin says before closing and locking the door from the outside, leaving Margareth ready to serve her first customer.

Today, Margareth looks at the man in front of her. From head to toe, there is nothing particularly special about him. Carlos is a far more perfect figure compared to this man. Carlos still looks handsome and youthful; no one would believe he's already in his forties. Unlike the man in front of her, his hair has turned white, and his skin shows signs of aging.

However, Margareth must close her eyes tightly and serve the man in order to get paid and finish her work for the day.

Vano halted his steps as he was about to leave the house, his intention to gather all of Chelsea's belongings temporarily postponed due to Celine's unexpected arrival. It was quite surprising because she had the audacity to come when Carlos's office hours had already ended. Despite Carlos being at the hospital with Chelsea, Celine was convinced that Carlos had returned home by now.

"Unusual?" Vano asked, pausing his steps and delaying his plan to take Chelsea's belongings. 

"I swear, I couldn't resist asking about the good news you wanted to share earlier. If I heard correctly, you mentioned that your dad gave his blessing to us. Is that true?" Celine hurriedly inquired, as if time was of the essence and she couldn't wait for Vano to explain what Carlos had told him this morning.

Vano nodded, inviting Celine to enter the house before they continued their conversation. Certainly, such good news couldn't be conveyed by just talking on the porch; Vano also wanted to convey something to Celine so that she wouldn't become too arrogant about their relationship.

Because here, Vano was starting to lose sympathy for her.

"It's true that Daddy gave his blessing to us, but unfortunately, I don't want our relationship to progress further because I doubt the love you have for me," Vano said, honestly sharing his current feelings.

Indeed, he had intended to talk to Celine again, but after some thought, he realized he couldn't marry Celine if she was going to be his future wife. While Vano had fought hard to gain Carlos's approval, after learning how Celine viewed Chelsea, he suddenly felt repulsed and wanted to cancel everything.

"Don't be like this; we've been waiting for this, and I've longed for this blessing from your dad for a while. Don't act hastily as if you no longer love me and decide to end the relationship now that we have the approval."

"Imagine what it's like to be in my shoes, played around like this?" Vano raised the corner of his lip, mocking Celine's words.

"Who's playing you?"

"You're the one who made me make that decision. How could you accuse me of having a relationship with Chelsea when she's like a stepmother to me? Where's your common sense when you make such accusations against Chelsea? She sacrificed everything for both of us."

"That's why please let me fix everything; I promise I'll be a good wife to you. I beg you." Celine changed her position, going from sitting on the sofa to kneeling in front of Vano, pleading for a chance.

Getting the news that Carlos gave his blessing should have been the best news, indicating that all the efforts they'd put in so far would pay off, and Vano wouldn't have to lie to his parents anymore about why he'd been trying so hard. All this time, Celine had relied on Vano to gain Carlos's approval.

"Don't you have any remaining love for me, so you can reconsider your decision?"

"I still love you, actually. But unfortunately, all your actions and behavior towards Chelsea make me unwilling to give you a third chance."

"Van, please don't let your anger end our relationship just like that. We've gone through so many trials, and now that those challenges are over, you're ending our relationship." Celine bowed her head, tears starting to well up.