Michael's eyes cast downward, his mind racing with assumption that Zoe had probably shared his ill-conceived romantic movies with Bernard.
And now, Michael thought, his brother Bernard wanted to discuss the uncomfortable situation.
"I'm going to be a dad!" Bernard exclaimed. A broad smile spread across his face.
"Oh, dear heavens, I'm going to be a grandmother!" Sara cried out, overwhelmed with excitement.
Bernard's announcement barely faded when Sarah moved swiftly to Zoe's side and envelope her in a warm hug.
Sarah had often wished her sons would settle down with responsible and loving partners and start families of their own, giving her the greatest gift of all—precious grandchildren to spoil and adore.
Despite her deep desire for grandchildren, Sarah had never pressured her sons to get married. Knowing from experience that many women out there prioritized financial security over true love, she wanted them to find genuine partners, and not gold diggers.
Bernard, who possessed a rare gift for treating women with kindness, respect, and genuine care, had ironically faced a string of unsuccessful relationships until he met Zoe.
Michael, who's smooth-talking nature drew women in, had a troubling track record of exploiting their emotions. Enticing them with sweet promises, only to discard them after satisfying his desire.
"Congratulations and welcome to motherhood!" Sarah said, wrapping Zoe in a loving embrace.
Upon hearing the news that Zoe was pregnant. Michael's expression turned grim and without a word he abruptly stood up and stormed out of the dining table.
"W–What's wrong with him?" Bernard asked, his gaze lingered on Michael's departed figure. "He didn't seem happy about the news, Mom." Bernard continued.
"He'll be fine." Sarah said soothingly, her gentle smile and reassuring tone easing the tension, as she wrapped a comforting arm around Zoe's shoulder.
Zoe's mind began to wander, questioning whether not sharing Michael's flirtatious behavior with Bernard had been the right decision.
Zoe reached out for a glass of chilled orange juice placed on the dining table. She lifted the glass to her lips and took a refreshing gulp, feeling the citrusy taste to help calm her racing thoughts and slow her pounding heart.
"Are you alright?" Bernard inquired, his eyes scanning Zoe's face for signs of distress.
"Umm…, I'm alright." Zoe replied with a smile.
"No worries, dear." Sarah assured, smiling warmly, before reclaiming her seat. "Michael is just being childish."
Only Zoe understood the true motives behind Michael's action. But she remained silent, allowing him to continue his charade, built around the notion that he had met her before Bernard.
'Micheal's behavior was petty and immature; even if our paths had crossed first, I wouldn't have entertained his advances.' Zoe thought to herself, as she gulped down the last of her orange juice.
"Mom, it seems Michael is not happy about my relationship with Zoe, but that's his business." Bernard said. "I didn't advise him to use women for his own gratification and never take any of them seriously."
Zoe was stunned as she listened to the revelation about Michael's reputation as a serial flirt. Juggling multiple girlfriends without ever taking any of them seriously.
'It all makes sense now—, he's a serial flirt, no wonder he had no shame approaching me that morning and spewing all that nonsense.' Zoe thought to herself.
"Be kind, Bernard. Don't criticize your brother." His Mom cautioned. "Now, have your breakfast."
***
After breakfast, Zoe retreated to the room to pack the few things she had brought along for the two-day leave. Ready to leave for the comfort and solitude of her own apartment.
"My apologies for Michael's behavior earlier." Bernard said, walking into the room.
Zoe turned around, meeting Bernard's gaze. "You don't have to apologize." She said softly.
"I'm clueless, what could've set him off?" Bernard asked, slamming the door shut. "Could it be he's just jealous of me?"
Zoe wondered how Bernard would react if she revealed Micheal's shocking confession. That despite knowing she was committed to him. Michael still harbored a desire to be sleeping with her in secret. claiming he met her first.
'Should I share this with him?' Zoe asked herself, concerned it might cause tension between them. Zoe's heart wrestled with decision.
"I think you should have a conversation with him." Zoe suggested. "Maybe he might just tell you what the problem is."
"I agree with you." Bernard said, making his way to Michael.
Zoe stood watching as Bernard walked away to confront Michael, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of apprehension. "I hope I gave the right advice. This conversation could go terribly wrong. She sighed heavily. "Shit" she muttered under her breath.
Zoe hastily zipped up her bag and sat down. Her ears strained to pick up the murmurs of Bernard's conversation with Michael but she couldn't hear a thing.
Zoe couldn't bear the thought of being the reason for tension between Bernard and his brother.
'Gosh! I thought I'd finally found some peace with Bernard. But no, the universe had to go and throw Michael's unwanted interest my way.' Zoe said to herself.
Zoe yearned for someone to discuss this with. "I wished I had a friend." Zoe lamented. And then Barbara's name popped into her head. "I almost forgot I had met Barbara. She's the perfect person to tell me what to do about this situation." Zoe couldn't wait to get to her apartment but instead decided to call Barbara right away.
She swiftly rose from the couch, retrieved her phone from the bed where she had left it and began dialing Barbara's number hoping to arrange a meeting, realizing that discussing the sensitive topic in Bernard's house might not be the best idea–, he might work in and overhear.
"Hello, Barbara, it's Zoe." She said, trying to sound casual despite her turmoil. "How are you doing?"
Zoe had asked Barbara where she lived, and it wasn't too far from her place. And thankfully, they quickly agreed to meet in a restaurant roughly halfway between their homes.
Barbara resided 20 kilometers away from Zoe; and It will only take them 25 minutes to get there from their homes.