10 Chapter 10 [ Matrimonial... Issues ]

•Three Nights Later•

Belinda did not seem happy for the last couple of days, but I had been too busy to have a chat with her about it.

Being Gustavo, I get to wake up early and sleep pretty late. Belinda is not exempted from this routine. Like now, she just returned from having her shower and was applying some moisturizer on her face.

I presume that is what those are called.

I peered at her gloomy reflection in the gigantic mirror southwards from my lying position on our "matrimonial bed". I am sure you understand why I used air quotes.

Not able to handle the suspense any more, I decided to speak first since she did not seem ready to spill the beans, "What is wrong mio amore?"

Gustavo's ghost hung around as eager as myself to know what the matter with her was.

After a moment of silence, she spoke, "Nothing is the matter. I am just."

That, was it? You just what? I waited for her to continue her statement, but she didn't.

Patience is not my strong suit. So I pressed on again.

"My sunshine. Surely, there's a matter bothering you. You didn't finish your sentence just now. Come closer and tell your señor the reason for your dampened mood," I spread my hands to usher her in.

Instantly, she stopped applying the substance to her already flawless face and turned around to look at me from her seated position, "Honey. It isn't a big deal. I am sure I will return to my cheerful mood by morning."

She forced a smile, but I was far from being convinced.

"Unacceptable! We are going to have a talk about it? And we are doing so now."

I hope my words are firm enough to make her know how troubled her countenance was making me.

She strutted towards our "matrimonial bed". Again with the air quotes. She took her place beside me before speaking, "Gustavo. I love you very much, helplessly, and I'm sure you know that. You also know how thankful I am that you now treat me with extreme care, love and attention like a rose flower one protects from losing its bloom." Her own complimentary remark caused her cheeks to turn red.

'This woman must know how to shower compliments on her lover,' I mumbled to myself.

The late Gustavo must have been a lucky man. Speaking of the devil when he was listening all along. Haha!

"Yes I am..." he began, "I was. She was always as lovely, attentive, loyal, and real a hundred percent of the time. I regret blaming her for Maria's death. I know better now, but I can no longer amend my ways." The dead man's ghost concluded his speech of regret.

Knowing all I do now, I don't think I would ever want to be in his shoes, wearing the garment of irredeemable guilt.

I replied Belinda, "Loving you is easy Bella. I am glad you waited this long, and thank you for choosing to give me a second chance at loving you."

I hope I am speaking Gustavo's mind because if I were him, I will be thankful that I at least still get to see her, and watching her shower this much love is only proof that she remained loyal even up till death.

"I never doubted that you loved me but."

"But what? Don't keep anything from me, mio amore," I pressed on.

"It's just mum," she began, "your mum. Her statement the other day about it being long overdue for me to carry another baby sort of got to me."

I suspected this would come up, but I didn't know it would affect her this much. How could I possibly be of help when I am merely a stand-in husband to her?

"Is that all?" I teased her, before proceeding to watch her late husband's ghost from the corner of my right eye. Since he was all spirit, I figured he should know her next line of thought or action. Although I may be wrong.

**

I staggered in my mind trying to make sense of what she had just said. Two minutes later, and I still remained puzzled. Even though there was nothing wrong about her request, I couldn't possibly bring myself to fulfil her desires. What shitty business have I got myself involved in?

I turned to Gustavo's ghost. He maintained silence. I could not interpret his facial expression to know his thoughts. Pfff! As if I ever could.

"Why do you look surprised my love?" She enquired. Because I had kept her silent and she obviously meant business.

But why wouldn't I be? I am Santo Martini, not Gustavo Rodríguez. How do I bring myself to sleeping with a dead man's wife?

Stealing his identity, fame and wealth, was enough selfish guilt to deal with. How much longer will this farce go on?

"Bella..."

"Yes Gustavo."

Don't get confused with her addressing me as Gustavo, I really look his perfect replica. For his wife and mother to mistake me to be him, you can fill in the dots to know just how alike I was to this late Rodrguez.

"I don't think the timing is right," I began my response, "There's a lot going on at the hot..."

Her voice trailed off with unexpected fierceness, "A lot like what?! How much longer do I have to wait?! Don't you want to make another baby with me?! Besides the hotel is already well managed."

This was the most agitated I had ever seen her. I need candid suggestions on how to appease her.

"Mio amore... I love you and I want to make another baby with you".

"So why the delay? I can't remember the last time we made love. I don't even know what it feels like to be touched by you. I-it is hard for me. Ca-can't you see?" She broke down in tears I could only think to embrace her in hopes that doing so would calm her down.

**

•Twenty minutes after the conversation•

I was having a low tone conversation with the real Gustavo in the bathroom because Belinda had succeeded in crying herself to sleep.

"What?! That wasn't part of the plan so don't even say that!"

"I am not saying that you should have sex with her right away... All I'm saying is you should keep your mind open to the possibility of it happening," his tone of speech sounded convincing.

"Damn you Gustavo! How would you expect me to make out with a woman I don't even love? At least not in that way! She deserves so much respect. I won't do it!" I asserted.

I returned to lay beside Belinda in our bed space still feeling the need to cuddle her to sleep. 'It should ease her worried mind,' I thought.

However, something kept echoing in my head the entire time until I gave in to the call of Mother Nature, at a time I was unaware of.

The thoughts were the late Gustavo's words, "Santo, It is not part of the plan, but sometime in the future if you do fall genuinely in love with her, don't hold back your feelings... She deserves to be with a man as noble as yourself. Remember these words of mine, Santo Martini."