Chapter 21: Building.
"ABC, Good morning America and a few other news outlets I can't remember, are here. They want to see you." Naya tells me.
I hold up the small electric fan to my face as I struggle to breathe. Why am I so nervous? It's just an estate. It's just houses made of brick and cement. It's just...
"Valarie!!!" Naya screams in fear.
"Huh?" I hum, staring at her. There's three Nayas right now. I feel so dizzy.
"Are you okay?" She asks.
"Yeah, I'm...fine." I tell her.
"I don't think so, you just threw up in that bush. And you're burning up." Naya says, touching my neck.
"I just need some water. I'm good." I assure her.
Naya gets me a bottle of water and I rinse my mouth before I drink it.
Okay, let's do this.
I make my way to the podium and cameras start flashing as I just stand there.
"Good afternoon. Behind me is my baby. I and my team of contractors and engineers have been working on this project for the past six months and today we can finally share it with the world. At first it was supposed to be a very tall hotel, but we had a change of heart. We created an estate filled with luxurious facilities like a spa, a gym, three grocery stores and its very own movie theater. This project is going to serve as a means of employment to the residents of Sayville. People often complain about how Stone Construction doesn't give a damn about the normal people, well this estate is my reply. We heard your grievances and we created a place the residents of Sayville and beyond can call home. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I present to you, a comfort away from the city, The Citadel." I say and the crowd cheers.
Naya hands me a pair of scissors and I cut the ribbon around the gate. The crowd roars as the gates open and the people troop in. Naya informs me that I have an interview with ABC news. I don't wanna do it, but I have to do it to get the word out about my new building and attract residents.
"Hello, Miss Stone." The interviewer says before she hands me a microphone.
"Hi, you look beautiful." I say, complimenting her.
"Thank you. What can we expect from The Citadel in the future?" She asks me.
"It really is just a resort for people who want to get away from the bustle and hustle of the city. Think of it as an inn. The estate's main aim is to make you feel like you're at home, it's basically your home away from home. It's open to tourists, people on business trips or just plain folk who want time away from the city." I answer and she nods.
"Thank you for your time. I'm sure a lot of people will be lining up at the door to stay here." The interviewer says and I smile.
"I hope so, fingers crossed." I say, crossing my fingers. I hand her the microphone and then I walk away.
"You did amazing." Naya says, handing me my trench coat.
"Thank you." I reply.
"You still don't look too good, do you want me to send a car to take you to the hospital?" Naya asks and I shake my head.
"No. I'm probably just stressed out. Good thing I'm going on vacation next week." I tell her.
"You need it and you definitely deserve it after a job well done." Naya says, rubbing my back. "Oh, a call came for you from a Mr. Maximus. He said he's been trying to reach you for the past two weeks." Naya informs me.
"Maximus? I don't think I know a Maximus." I tell her.
"Well, you should go home and get some rest. I'll handle everything here. I planned it all, so there's nothing to worry about." Naya assures me and I smile at her.
"I'll see you when I get back, okay?" I say, hugging her.
"Okay." Naya says, patting my back.
I walk to where my car is parked and I enter it. I take off my trench coat and I unbutton the jacket of the pantsuit I have on. I'm left in my nude camisole and my pants. I unzip the pants and finally I can breathe. I stop sucking my stomach in and I let my baby bump show. I stare at my baby bump as I caress it.
I found out I was pregnant two months ago, right after Spencer and Alicia's wedding. I figured I was when my trousers wouldn't fit. I got confirmation two weeks after that when I went to the hospital for a pregnancy test and the doctor told me I was already six weeks pregnant. Now, I'm almost at the end of my first trimester and I still haven't told anyone. Not even the father of my child.
"You're my best kept secret." I say, talking to my baby.
I turn on the car and pull out of the parking space before I start driving to my house.
When I get home, I grab my suit jacket and trench coat before I get out of the car. I see a huge package on the porch steps. It's flat and it's just laying on my porch. I walk past it and open the front door. I place the jackets in my hand on the sofa and take my shoes off. Heading back outside, I drag the flat screen-sized package inside.
That was a chore.
I grab a pair of scissors from the kitchen and I walk back to the living room. Cutting open the thick white cardboard that the package is covered in, I can finally see what's inside.
It's a painting. The same painting that I saw when I was in Rome. The same painting that was at the president's mansion. There's a red card taped to it. I grab the card and I read it.
"The artist found you worthy.
- from Maximus Caesar III"
"Who is Maximus Caesar the third?" I ask myself.
Let's see if Google knows who that is.
I grab my phone and type the name in the Google search bar.
Well, Google knew.
It's the President of Rome. He's probably the "Maximus" that called me earlier.
This is such a thoughtful gift.
My phone rings in my hand. It's an unknown number, but I answer it.
"Did you like your gift?" A voice asks me.
"Thank you, Max." I tell him, already knowing who it is.
"My pleasure. You took a keen liking to that painting, so I just had to give it to you." He tells me.
"I take it you're the artist in question?" I ask him.
"Guilty as charged." He says, chuckling.
"You're really talented." I compliment.
"Talented? I don't think it's talent. My grandmother just forced me to take painting classes when I was younger. I'm just doing what I was taught." He says, trying to downplay his skill.
"I still think it's a talent. Take it or leave it." I tell him, laughing.
"I'll take it. So, I saw you on the news earlier. You looked great." He tells me and I roll my eyes.
That has to be a lie because morning sickness had been kicking my ass.
"Thank you." I reply, walking to the kitchen to start making dinner.
"No need to thank me, it's a fact that you are a very gorgeous woman." He says and I giggle.
"Okay, Mr. Suave. You have a country to rule and I have dinner to make, I'll text you." I tell him.
"I'll be waiting for your text, Miss Stone. Goodbye." He says before he hangs up.
Placing the phone on the counter, I grab a pot from the cupboard and put it under the tap.
I'm craving spaghetti and sausage today.
I make my way to my pantry and I see Tiffany there, covered in flour.
What the fuck?
How did she get in here?
I pick her up and I take her to her bed, I don't have the energy to clean her up right now. I go back to the pantry and grab a pack of spaghetti. Walking back to the kitchen I turn off the tap and I pour the spaghetti inside.
Thirty minutes later, I'm dishing the spaghetti on a plate. I pour myself a glass of water and I add ice and frozen strawberries inside. I take the tray of food and I place it on the coffee table in the living room. I sit on the sofa and I relax for a few seconds before I grab the tray and start eating. Turning on the television I go to the news.
"...that would be expected, but the couple wants a small ceremony that'll take place in late july." The news reporter says.
"Ouu, who's getting married?" I ask, smiling at my TV.
A picture of Sabrina and Zachary is shown on the screen and the smile leaves my face immediately.
"Sabrina Iran was seen with friends in a Vera Wang store early today, shopping for a wedding gown. Sources close to her say that she is overjoyed and cannot wait until-" I don't let the news reporter finish her sentence. I change the channel and a rerun of Friends plays on the television.
Much better.
For some reason, I've lost my appetite, but I remember that I'm eating for two now, so I force a forkful of spaghetti in my mouth.