The Billionaire's Bundle of Joy

Chapter 38

RIZ

I do not know what I did in my past life to deserve this. I thought my mother changed when she got married. After all, it’s the same reason why she and Dad broke apart. And now, a friend of mine even saw her with someone else.

“Don’t say anything. I only mentioned it because I was surprised she was with someone else,” Reysa said shyly. “Maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up with you.”

I shook my head. “I appreciate your honesty. I’d rather hear it from you than from someone else.”

“You know, Riri, sometimes I wonder if you’re really your mother’s child or not. Because from your stories and how she treats you, she doesn’t care about you. Everything is in favor of her other kids. I mean, those are your siblings, and of course, you love them even if you didn’t grow up together. But she always thinks about the family she built. How about you?” I could feel Matet’s concern for me. “You’re going to be a mother soon, Riri. When you give birth, your child will be your priority. So why is your mother like that? All she does is ask you for money. But does she ever ask how you’re doing? Does she know you’re pregnant and that your father kicked you out?”

I couldn’t immediately respond because she was right. What excuse could I give? That she was the one who gave birth to me, so I shouldn’t abandon her when from the beginning, she didn’t want me around? Donnabelle admitted that she wanted to abort me. That I was a mistake.

“She calls me,” I replied.

“To ask you for help. Has she ever asked if you’re doing well at your dad’s house? If your wicked stepmother treats you well? Because if she knew and cared about you, you wouldn’t last a night there because she would take you back. No mother wants to see her child being hurt by someone else.”

Usually, Matet is the one who often has an opinion. This is the first time I heard Reysa comment.

“Let’s say you and Justin broke up, it didn’t work out, and your child can’t stay there but visits and stays overnight with their father. Wouldn’t you worry that Justin’s wife might hurt them? Especially if it’s that ex I saw at the club. Oh no!”

Just thinking about separating from Justin made it hard for me to breathe. It would be even worse if he married someone else. It felt different hearing it from Justin back when we first got married and even when I signed the agreement. Hearing it from other people made it real.

I saw them elbowing each other. “But, Riri, kidding aside, your husband cares for you.” Matet has always been the romantic one. “I’m glad that you’ve found each other.”

“I just hope his ex doesn’t cause any trouble. She looks wealthy. Let’s just eat.”

After we finished eating, the sun wasn’t too high yet, so we walked outside. There were a few lounge chairs, and I sat at the end. I brought a book with me while Reysa and Matet went for a dip. They waved at me. I nodded at them. The water looked inviting, but I wasn’t in the mood to swim.

I kept checking my phone, but there were no messages or calls from Justin. I continued reading my book and didn’t realize I had dozed off. I woke up only to the sound of my phone ringing, and when I glanced at the screen, it was my mother.

Reysa and Matet had just come out of the water and were currently drying off with the beach towels we were given earlier.

“Why didn’t you answer the phone? That might be your Hottie,” Matet said, smiling. “I’m so jealous; I’m going to call Ryan to make up with him. And you, Reysa, call Asyong,” Matet teased her, and Reysa chased her for a pinch.

When I was left alone, the ringing stopped, but my mother called again immediately. I had no choice but to answer. I can’t avoid her forever.

“’Nay.”

“Arizona!” she said angrily. “Do you plan to kill me with your neglect? I’ve been waiting for your support; you haven’t sent me a single cent! What? You just graduated, and now you’re acting all high and mighty? I’m just reminding you that I gave birth to you! If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be where you are!”

“I haven’t forgotten, ’Nay. It’s just that—”

“What do you mean, just? Don’t give me excuses! What you’re saying is that you’re being stingy with me!” Donnabelle was hysterical.

I took a deep breath and bit my tongue to keep from responding harshly. “’Nay, I’m not being stingy.”

“Oh, what’s your excuse?!”

“I’m pregnant, ’Nay.” I felt a weight lift off my chest when I said it.

“What?! Damn it! Arizona! What made you think it was a good idea to get pregnant?! You don’t even have a boyfriend! Who’s that damn guy, huh?! Does he have money? Can he support you? If he’s a deadbeat, leave him and find someone else!” I felt like my mother wasn’t breathing while she scolded me.

My head hurt from what she was saying. I knew she was disappointed in me for getting pregnant early, but this was already happening, and I wouldn’t be a burden to her.

“I’m already married, ’Nay. He’s taking responsibility for me.”

“Who’s that damn guy?”

“Paul Gonzales.” I debated with myself whether to say he was a Calderon or not.

The Calderons are well-known, and I knew how my mother thinks. I preferred her to think I married someone ordinary because she might keep asking for money. Besides, Dad didn’t want me to end up with a Calderon. He would get even angrier with me, and he might even hate my child.

“Gonzales? They sound poor! You didn’t even choose someone wealthy? What a damn life! I had a child, and there’s no benefit!”

My mother hung up on me, and I shouldn’t have been surprised. Aside from the fact that she didn’t borrow money from me, she was angry because I was pregnant and married. But I believe all of this will pass. Eventually, she will accept what happened. The question is when?

When my friends returned, they probably noticed I was down, so they suggested getting our nails done. If I weren’t pregnant, I might have even gotten a massage too. I hesitated because I didn’t know what was safe and what might affect my pregnancy. I will ask the doctor at my next checkup.

“What color do you want?” Matet asked me.

I looked at the nail polish and didn’t find anything I liked. “Just colorless.”

“Tsk! You’re married now! This should be red so your message to him is ‘come and get me right away,’” she said, laughing like a lunatic.

“You’re annoying! What ‘come and get me’ are you talking about? Have you used that line on Ryan?”

“Of course! Would I act like a traditional Filipina? I love him.” She winked at me.

“Blow your horn. There’s a single guy over there.” Reysa rolled her eyes, handing the woman a nice shade of red nail polish and pointing to me.

Matet laughed. “You’re the only one acting single; Asyong is right there. You’ve got free jaundice now.” Reysa raised her hands in surrender, ready to hit her. “Hey! You’ll ruin my cutex.”

We all laughed, including the women cleaning our nails. Somehow, my burden felt lighter.