Chapter 5 Irritation

Once in the car, as Jonhson was driving her to the hospital and remembering the events occurring in the dining hall earlier, Alexandrine mumbled, “ Johnson, about earlier, I’m sorry!”

Alexandrine’s sudden apologetic tone surprised Johnson who had yet to understand why exactly Alexandrine was apologizing to him. “ Why are you apologizing to me out of the blue like that?” Johnson asked his wife.

Alexandrine hesitated before finally responding, “ That’s because you had to cancel your plans with Ms. Tina due to my situation and that is why I’m apologizing to you. Sorry for ruining your plans.”

Johnson looked at Alexandrine in a daze. He couldn’t understand her nor could he see through her heart to know exactly the deepness of her heart and what she was feeling deep down. At that moment, however, without thinking much, he uttered to his wife, “ Don’t sweat it, Alexandrine!” You’re my wife, Alexandrine and as your husband, it’s my responsibility to take care of you and make sure you’re alright.”

“ Wife, huh?”

In the past, hearing those words coming out of Johnson’s mouth would have sufficed in making Alexandrine happy, however, with Tina’s return, that was no longer the case. She knew deep down that Johnson was simply filling in his responsibilities as a husband toward her and not because he had any feelings toward her. As she remembered Tina’s words as she was leaving the house, the truth was evident to her even more in that instant.

“ That’s very kind of you for wanting to make sure of my well-being, but you should think of Tina more,” Alexandrine mumbled in annoyance.

“ What do you mean?” Johnson asked, not knowing what she meant.

“ With Tina back in your life and everything, you shouldn’t delay the signing of the divorce papers any longer for Tina’s sake.” She expressed her thoughts to him. “ If I’m the reason you’re delaying this, then you shouldn’t.”

Listening to Alexandrine, a fit of sudden anger manifested itself in Johnson and he muttered as he raised his voice a little, “ Don’t worry, my dear wife! I certainly won’t forget to sign those papers.”

Alexandrine felt Johnson’s anger through his words and wondered why he was unhappy about the divorce as it was what he wanted for himself from the start.

“ Why did she have to bring up the divorce in this situation? Does she want to get rid of me that much?”

Johnson on the other hand conflicted with himself. He had been avoiding the divorce topic for a while, or rather, he wanted to forget about it. As he had to go over for his grandmother’s birthday, he didn’t want her to know about their divorce as his grandmother loved Alexandrine immensely, and breaking such news to her and on her birthday no less would sadden her and he wanted to avoid that situation at all cost.

Meanwhile, Tina reached Johnson’s grandmother’s house. As she entered the residence, the servants along with the personnel were displeased to see her. It would look like no one liked her, not only the grandmother.

“ Good day, grandmother, and Happy Birthday!” Tina greeted Jason’s grandmother politely. Johnson’s grandmother shot daggers at her and uttered, “ Don’t call me, grandmother! I never gave you the right to address me as such; Only Alexandrine has the right to address me as, grandmother.”

Tina was exasperated but regardless didn’t let that bother her. She forwarded the birthday present to the grandmother and said, “ This is my birthday present to you; I hope you’ll like the present I personally picked for you.”

Back on the road, Johnson and Alexandrine had reached the hospital at long last. As they entered the doctor’s office, Alexandrine worries that Johnson would come to know about her pregnancy. This became even more evident when the doctor unexpectedly asked Alexandrine, “ How are you feeling physically, Mrs. Santos?”

The doctor’s sudden comment made Johnson come to terms with how Alexandrine’s period was a bit late and said, “ Alexandrine, you should do a scan. What do you say?”

“ A scan?” Did he catch on?”

Alexandrine was terrified Johnson might have caught on about her condition and wondered what she would do if that was the case. Having no other alternative but to agree to the scanning, she nodded nervously to her husband’s request.

“ Dear God, only you can save me now.” She mumbled intently.

As if her prayers had been heard, Johnson received a phone call from Tina as she was doing the scanning.

“ Yes, Tina, what happened?”

“ It’s about, grandmother. You need to come here quickly.”

As the phone call between the two came to an end, Johnson stood up, and as he was leaving the doctor’s ward, “ What happened, Johnson? Why are you in such a hurry?”

“ It’s about, grandmother; I need to go.”

“ Then, I’m coming with you.” Alexandrine was about to stand but Johnson stopped her, “ Stay here and finish with the scanning; I’ll send over the chauffeur to pick you up later.”

Johnson rushed out of the doctor’s ward, leaving Alexandrine and the doctor alone.

The female doctor had finished the scanning and as she was about to share the results with Alexandrine, “ Doctor, could you please keep what you found out from my husband?”

Alexandrine was trembling all over, thinking the doctor might not agree to her request, however, “ I could feel how uncomfortable you felt when your husband was here. Don’t worry, Mrs. Santos; Your secret is safe with me.”

Alexandrine was relieved by the doctor’s understanding of the situation and expressed her gratitude to the latter. “ Thank you! Thank you so much, doctor!”

“ You’re welcome, Mrs. Santos!”

At Johnson’s grandmother’s house, Johnson had just reached his grandmother’s house, and seeing her horrifying condition, he rushed to her.

“ Grandmother, are you alright?” What happened to you?” The grandmother was lying on her bed in her chamber.

“ Young master, madam was having a conversation with this young lady here, and all of a sudden, she felt terrible.” One of the grandmother’s attendants pointed the situation to Johnson who looked straight at Tina.

Looking as if she was being accused of something, Tina quickly said as her defense shield, “ It wasn’t me, Johnson; I was handing grandmother her birthday present when suddenly she held on to her heart and—----------”

Before Tina could finish explaining things to Johnson, he went to her and wiped the tears that were starting to make their appearance on her face and lovingly told her, “ I never blamed you for anything, did I?” I know deep down what happened with grandmother was in no way your fault.”

“ I’m relieved that you don’t hold me responsible for what happened.” As if searching for comfort, he hugged Johnson lightly and the grandmother was displeased by the scene in front of her eyes.

Coldly, the grandmother uttered, “ Johnson, why is that girl always hogging all over you?” Tina felt offended by the grandmother’s words. “ You’re a married man now, Johnson; You should have some respect for your wife and not disrespect her in such a manner.” Johnson lets go of Tina as a result of his grandmother’s words and feels guilty toward Alexandrine somehow.

The grandmother realized how her favorite granddaughter had yet to visit her. “ By the way, my grandson, where’s my granddaughter, Alexandrine?” Why didn’t you bring her with you?”

“ Alexandrine will be coming by at a later time,” Johnson explained the situation to his grandmother and about his wife being in the hospital for a check-up. The grandmother became worried for Alexandrine as she heard everything.

At the same time, inside the hallways of the hospital, Alexandrine unexpectedly received a phone call from her husband.

“ Hello, Johnson?” How’s grandmother faring now?”

“ She’s fine, so you can rest assured.” Alexandrine was relieved knowing Johnson’s grandmother was faring well. “ Alexandrine, I have a small favor to ask of you.”

“ A favor?”

For some reason, Alexandrine didn’t like the tone her husband was employing. “ Grandmother is annoyed at Tina’s presence and due to that and also to her present condition, I didn’t have the heart to bring up our divorce in front of her, so I was thinking how you could do it instead.”

“ Grandmother loves you a lot and if you’re the one to explain things to her, I’m certain she’ll understand.” You’re the only one who can do this; I’m counting on you, Alexandrine.”