Part 10: The Scandal

"Merema!" Nuviette greets their friend.

"Why are you dressed as a laundrymaid?" Chiriu asks

Merema's expression turned darker. She became more upset with the intrusion.

"I asked to be transferred to a different department." Her voice was breaking.

"Why?" Chiriu sounded as if demanding an answer.

"I'm pregnant." Merma started to cry.

"Oh my deity," Nuviette replied in shock.

"I will make that scoundrel pay!" Chiriu turned away quickly and headed for the dining hall. The valets usually take meals after the night shift has passed. Merema and Nuviette immediately followed their enraged friend.

"Wait Chiriu," Nuviette called out to their friend.

"Please Chiriu, don't make a scene!" Merema pleaded as more tears escaped her eyes.

Just before they reached the dining hall, Restes was in the hallways leading to it talking to a girl.

Upon seeing him with another woman, Merema felt more uncomfortable. She felt her heart was about to explode but she tried to pull herself together. She had to control her raging friend and also keep Nuviette from being too involved in this matter.

As soon as she came closer to Restes, she slapped his face hard. Her hand hit his jaw which made the stunned valet dizzy.

"What's that for? What did I do to you?" Restes asks as he recovered.

"You dare move on to another girl and leave my friend when she is carrying your child?" Chiriu shouts at him angrily.

"What?" Restes was confused.

"Merema is carrying your baby." She exclaims.

The people in the vicinity were shocked. The other people at the sides started to talk while some passers-by stopped and moved in closer to figure out what was going on. Merema blushed and pulled Chiriu away.

"Enough Chiriu! You're causing a scandal." Merema was about to cry again in shame.

"Wait, are you sure I am the father of your child? We broke up a long time ago. Restes replies.

Merema's shyness turned into anger. She let go of Chiriu and then turned to Restes before she gave him a harder slap. The valet nearly got caught off balance. His face turned red now with the double slap.

"Hey, what's with you ladies? Why are you so violent?" Restes complained.

"How dare you. You know I have never been with anyone but you. I gave you myself. And our breakup? You left me hanging without closure. How was I supposed to know we were through? I tried to open communications with you but you avoided me like the plague. You truly are a scoundrel." Merema cried and immediately ran away from the scene.

Nuviette and Chiriu followed the girl.

"Hey, wait up." Restes tried to catch up and when he did, all of them encountered the Kentavaria Pelarta. It seems someone had already notified the commotion they have caused.

They all followed the Kentavaria to his office. After hearing their sides, the Kentavaria gives his verdict. All of them were given a suspension. Restes was to be reassigned to the gardening department.

When they left the office, Merema walked beside Nuviette.

"I am so sorry Nuviette. You were not supposed to be involved in this." Merema started to sob.

"It's fine, Merema. At least, I get an extra day off so cheer up, my friend. Its not good for pregnant women to be sad." Nuviette holds her companion's chin up and then, she smiles. Merema stopped sobbing. She seemed to have calmed down with Nuviette's comforting statement.

"I'm sorry for dragging all of you into this mess." Chiriu apologized to them. Indeed, it was her flaring up that caused this commotion.

Merema kept silent. Nuviette wanted to ignore Chiriu's apology because she was also disappointed with her friend's demeanor. However, she felt Chiriu's sincerity. She knew that their friend acted out of concern for Merema.

"Okay Chiriu, just treat us out to dinner. It's our extra day off anyway." Nuviette says.

"Am I included in that dinner?" Restes asks. They were all surprised that he followed them.

"Shut up!" Chiriu raises her voice again.

"Why do you hate me so much?" Restes asks.

"Because you left our friend hanging and now that she is pregnant, you won't even take responsibility." Chiriu placed her hands on her waist.

"I didn't know she was pregnant," Restes replied.

"If you didn't avoid me then you would have known," Merema said. "But I had just confirmed it during my recent leave. I went to see a doctor." She felt lightheaded and soon, she rushed to the side and threw up.

Her companions rushed to her aid. Restes scooped her up in his arms ready to take her to a medic when she spoke.

"Hey, put me down. It's okay. I am not injured. I just have morning sickness and it will pass." Merema replies. Immediately, Restes follows her request.

The compulsive Chiriu asked a nearby servant for help and soon, a floor sweeper cleaned up the mess. She then rejoins her companions.

"Should we take you to a medic?" She asks Merema.

"No, it's okay. As Ive told Restes, it's just morning sickness," Merema explains again as she tries to straighten her uniform.

"Will you guys excuse us? We need to talk for a moment." Restes speaks to Chiriu and Nuviette.

Chiriu nods and draws back. Nuviette whispers to Merema. "Should you need us, we are nearby. Okay?" She smiles and the companion nods in appreciation.

Restes leads Merema to the small garden of the servant's quarters. The other two followed them and kept a considerable distance treating Restes and Merema like the royal couple they all serve.

They talked and worked things out while the other two handmaidens discussed where they would most likely dine out. When the couple started to hug, Chiriu was confused. She didn't know if she'd be happy or sad for Merema. She's glad that they seemed to have come to a good resolution but she could still consider all the cruelties Restes did to her friend.

The couple approached their companions.

"Thank you for waiting on me. I won't be joining you for dinner. We decided to have dinner just the two of us."

Chiriu frowned. "All right Merema. Just be careful." She pats the pregnant woman's shoulder before leaving.

"What's her problem?" Restes asks.

"She's just protective of us," Nuviette answers the valet and then turns to Merema. "Okay, see you around, Merema."

"You too Nuviette. Thank you for being patient and understanding." Merema smiles at her friend.

"Think nothing of it. Anyway, got to go. Enjoy your dinner guys." Nuviette then runs after Chiriu.