Babel Novel
Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Emma
''We're going to Australia,'' I say, deadly serious.
Evelyn's eyes widen in surprise as she turns to look at me, both of her eyes are trying to seek for
answers. No one would just say that they're going to a foreign country and be all casual about it but
when it comes to finding out about my husband's truth, then yes.
''We are?'' She raises an eyebrow, looking at Andrea as he shrugs; only smiling afterwards. Then, the
both of them wait for me to continue while I hesitate. Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
''Yes and we're leaving tonight,'' I answer.
Both Andrea and Evelyn's eyes widen in surprise before causing Evelyn to stand up—trying to make
sure that I'm thinking straight. She must think that I've lost my mind but who cares? I'll go to Australia
all by myself if I have to but due to my state, I'm not so sure. As selfish as I may be, my baby comes
first.
''You're not serious, are you?'' She stares directly into my eyes which causes me to groan in frustration,
''It's just that—Emma, does Emery know about this?''
I look at Andrea, seeing him nodding his head; waiting for me to answer Evelyn's question. Well, if I'm
taking her to Australia, there's no point in lying anyway so she might as well know the truth.
''What if I say no?'' I slowly reply, frowning.
''Then, we're going. Tonight,'' She exclaims.
I confusingly look at Evelyn but when I turn to look at Andrea, I see him agreeing. The way he smiles
widely at her; it shows how he'll follow her to the end of the world if he has to. They're utterly adorable.
''Thank you, Evelyn.'' Within seconds, I am already pulling her into a hug; making her hug me back
immediately. Me, being the only child, I've never felt or understood what it is to have a sibling.
Someone who would be there for me, other than my parents, who would know me better—wish I could.
''Anything for you, baby sis.'' She chuckles.
''I'm coming with you,'' Andrea says, earning our attention before receiving a kiss on the cheek from
Evelyn—follow with her nodding and smiling widely at him. He turns to look at me, ''I'm helping you
solve this, Your Highness. If you let me,'' He adds.
With my lips curved up, ''Of course and just call me Emma. I don't do formalities very well,''
He laughs, smiling. Just like that, I finally see a slight hope in finding the truth. I'm going to leave
London and head straight to Australia with these two; we'll find the truth—we'll investigate before
heading back home. That's the only way for me to peacefully live my life because right now, I'm far from
peace.
''We better start packing. How long are we staying?'' Evelyn asks, which takes me a moment to think.
We are probably going to stay longer than we intend if we don't find what we're looking for but deep
down, I just want to get this over with so it can be fine again.
''Just pack what you need for a couple of days. If we couldn't find answers, we will stay longer.'' I say.
''Emery wouldn't be too happy about this,'' She says.
''He wouldn't be happy at all,'' I mutter.
Evelyn smiles mischievously, knowing that I'm taking this as an adventure. I couldn't go on this trip all
by myself because I would be clueless and probably a little bit hopeless so I need someone; but
instead of someone, I got myself two. Wonderful!
''We're not taking the private jet,'' I mutter, causing them to turn and look at me, ''Precautions,'' I add.
''Right. Taking the private jet would've been too obvious because we don't want anyone to find out that
we'll be heading to Australia. Not the reporters and especially not Emery,'' She responds, running her
fingers through her brown hair.
''So, are we going undercover?'' Andrea asks, ''I mean, if we don't want people to find out, might as well
go through it till the end. It'll be better,'' He breathes.
Evelyn and I both agree in excitement; undercover is not a bad idea. We just need the right clothes, the
right transformation so that we'll slay it. Just like that, we start to smile widely as we overthink.
Let's not forget our true reason, hopefully.
''Okay. Do I look normal?'' I glance towards Evelyn, seeing her putting on a pair of shades. My eyes
won't stop eyeing her whole outfit—with her loose shirt and torn skinny jeans, she looks normal and
stylish.
''Beautiful,'' Andrea answers before I can.
''Oh, babe. This is how I always dress before I headed home back to London. I'm much more confident
and comfortable this way,'' She chuckles as they kiss.
I clear my throat at their sudden intimacy. It's just that, a sudden wave of jealousy overwhelming me.
Emery and I have been going through something that might cause destruction in our relationship, in
which I truly fear most. Next to our unborn child.
''Sorry, Emma. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable,'' He breathes, rubbing the back of his
neck awkwardly but I just smile—fully understand that they are attracted to each other.
We head towards our gate; this is it. A few more steps and I'll be on my way to Melbourne, without
anyone knowing including my own husband. This is for the sake of us and our baby. I'm going to solve
this and I'm going to seek the truth. If the truth is painful, unbearable and unacceptable, that's another
topic worth talking about when I get back but if the truth stabilises our marriage, then we'll be alright.
''You good, Emma?'' Evelyn asks from beside.
''Absolutely,'' I answer, when I'm not.
My mind won't stop thinking about Emery; about what he might be doing or what he will be doing when
he finds out about this. About my disappearance. He will then probably look for Evelyn, his sister before
jumping into conclusions—assuming things.
Whenever I see Hannah, she gets to me, somehow. I try my best to not show any disrespectful
gestures but her presence just makes me want to do unpredictable things such as pulling her hair out,
punching her in the face and probably starve her to death.
Yes, I may sound too cruel but what should I even think about when I find out that my husband had sex
with someone else and she ended up being pregnant? Yes again, the baby may not be his but there's
quite a possibility—things like this happen in life.
Me, being pregnant, not really helpful either.
My eyes wander to look at Andrea and Evelyn; seeing him has fallen asleep while she's busy going
through pictures of them together in her phone. They're very adorable—ever since their first encounter,
I've never seen him looking at her disrespectfully or wrongly because he has been a true gentleman.
''Evelyn,'' I call out for her and earn her attention, ''You and Andrea are pretty much together? I don't
mean to pry but I can't help asking,'' I mutter.
She smiles, ''It's fine, Emma. You're like my baby sister and sisters share everything. Well, apparently
he has feelings for me too. It's not one-sided,'' The smile on her face shows how she has fallen for him;
there's almost no way to escape his charm.
I chuckle, memories of Emery and I overflowing my mind—our first encounter, first glance and first kiss.
Being an adult, it sounds silly to be daydreaming or overthinking about someone but when it comes to
him, I can't help it; he has stolen my heart.
''We've just met and we're taking things slow but it's better to have something than just trying to get to
know each other while we both know we feel attracted towards one another. Right?'' She continues,
tucking a strand of hair behind her ear; making me gaze at the earring pierced. The shine slightly
blinding me.
''He gave you that?'' I ask, leaning closer.
''Yeah, he's a sweetheart.'' She blushes, shyly.
If Evelyn has found her happiness, then, I'm more than happy to agree. She has been busy travelling
the world; met different people with different cultures and races, yet the right one will be the one to find
her instead. Andrea is truly a sweetheart, anyone can see just by the way he gazes into her eyes when
they talk. It's almost fooling others to think they're a couple.
''Emma, whatever you're going through right now; I know it's hard and it seems impossible but trust me,
this is real life—nothing will always be beautiful. You're dealing with your marriage but it's not going to
fall apart, it's going to grow stronger,'' She mutters.
''Sometimes, I feel like we're moving too fast.'' I say.
''Too fast? You're married, Emma. There's no such thing as moving too fast because you have a
lifetime to get to know each other and understand one another because that's not an easy process. It
takes a lot of effort and a lot of patience,'' She replies, grabbing onto my hand; giving me a little
squeeze.
''Mother and father didn't love each other when they got married but they believed in one another. He
accepted her just as much as she accepted him and their love has always been strong even after all
those insecurities. It doesn't always begin with something sure because sometimes, it's different,'' She
says, glancing at Andrea and seeing that he has moved slightly but both of his eyes are still tightly shut.
I remember Genevieve telling Emery the truth.
The truth about his biological father and it hasn't bothered me since but now that we're back on this
topic, I might as well take my chance to ask more.
''Tell me more about them. If you don't mind,''
Evelyn glances at my direction before nodding. Then, she begins to speak, ''I know that you've found
out the truth about Emery and yeah, he's not truly royalty. His father and mother were commoners, they
weren't married and illegitimate children were not accepted before—mother was much more
devastated when he passed away, leaving her without a choice but to get an abortion.'' She stops for
awhile, eyeing me.
''Father found mother crying in the streets, that was their first encounter and they started to know each
other a little. The next day, he asked for her hand in marriage—with a promise to love her and her
unborn child even though that child was never his to begin with but he wasn't able to have one,'' She
breathes. ''You know, if you had the chance to know him better, he's such a great person,'' She smiles,
slightly.
''And then, there's me. I was adopted and I've been considered lucky because I brought into the royal
family; it's like a fairytale but I've always longed to travel and discover new things. Father has never
said no because he understood me best,'' I listen to her story, more about her family.
Even though my parents are divorced but I know, they were once madly, deeply and truly in love with
one another. It's almost impossible for me to see it now, they are living separately with different people
but somehow; they've always been happy. That was how I've always seen them when I was a kid.
At least a peck on the lips, every single day.
Yet, there was always more. I've never understood where they went wrong but I'm guessing that they
just didn't see themselves loving one another.
1
I want to be able to love one man, marry one man, have kids with one man, cherish one man, trust one
man, spend the rest of my life with one man. That has always been my goal; yet, it's impossible to find
that sort of happiness unless the love is strong.
Emery France Arthur Van Allan; that one man.
I'm left hoping that he sees me as the only one woman to love, cherish and spend the rest of his life
with. Yes, divorces are not accepted in the Van Allan family but I don't want to pretend to love my own
husband in front of everyone while hating him at the same time.
What kind of marriage is that? A misery.
Happiness. Joy. Excitement. That's what I want.
With Emery. No one else.
''Goodnight,'' I mutter to myself as I stare at my wedding ring; wondering what he might be doing right
now—probably spending his night thinking.
As I glance out the plane's window, I am left staring at the clouds; the darkness. It has been a couple of
hours since we've departed and I can't wait to seek the truth about my husband. Finding his justice.
I look down at my phone, seeing the screen lit up.
Got you the details:
Former roommate.
Born on 21st January 1991.
A close friend—Hannah's brother.
Currently unemployed.
89 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121,
Australia.
—Private number
Without further ado, I click onto the lock button, the screen immediately turning black. My whole mind is
currently fully occupied; Hannah's brother, nameless but he's not hard to find. He'll be my first visit.
It takes me a moment to realise that Emery has been calling me for the past hour and as painful as it is
to decline his calls, I can't answer it either. I believe that he will understand when all of this is over.
My phone lights up again, showing incoming texts.
Where are you? —
I'm worried sick, Emma. Please answer my calls and please reply my messages. —
Evelyn is with you, isn't she? —
Where are you two?! Answer me. —
I just need a little time. He'll understand.