MY eyes widened when I saw the time on the clock beside me. I was already late for work.
"Shit!"
I picked up my phone and immediately realized that it was Friday. I didn't have work on Fridays.
I turned to the other side of the bed. It was empty. Where's Gideon?
He must have already gone to the office. I frowned at myself when I realized that he was the thing that I looked for this morning.
"Well, it's normal. He's my husband. And I'm living here with him," I justified to myself.
I found out I was wrong when I got up from the bed and left my room. Gideon didn't go to work. I stopped at the entrance of the kitchen when I found Gideon there.
He was behind the stove. Beside him was Hanna.
"Now, Gideon. The pasta has already settled. You can now season it."
It was Hanna. What has he been doing? Was he cooking? Pasta?
"Bianca, good morning!"
Hanna said when she turned in my direction and finally noticed me.
"I heard from Gideon you had a fever last night."
I smiled at her. "I'm already fine."
Gideon's eyes were suddenly on me. "Good morning."
I couldn't help but suck him in. He was wearing a different shirt from last night. This time, a gray sweatshirt and brown cotton shorts. His hair was slightly disheveled. His five o clock shadow was visible on his face.
Alright. I didn't understand why I suddenly found him extra handsome right now.
I cleared my throat. "Good morning. You didn't go to work?"
He shook his head. "No. How was your sleep?"
"Fine."
I felt my neck heat up when I remembered last night. Gideon took care of me.
I even woke up in the middle of the night trembling. I remembered Gideon… hugged me.
"M-mom…" I whispered as I pulled up my blanket and clutched it. I realized I was trembling hard.
I was suddenly craving my mother's touch. I remembered how she took care of me every time I got sick as a kid.
"I miss you, M-Mom."
"Bianca… what's wrong?"
I heard Gideon's voice. I slowly opened my eyes… I found him in front of me. Inches away from me.
His deep blue eyes were staring at me with much concern.
Before I could speak, his hands were already on my face.
"Shit. You're trembling."
My eyes fluttered when I felt his touch. His hand was warm. It felt good. So good.
I felt like my heart stopped beating when he pulled me in for a hug. Suddenly, I was covered by his large body.
"W-what are you going?" I asked, staring at his wide chest in front of me.
"You're trembling. You need to get warm." I could feel his warm breath on top of my head.
I didn't know why at that moment… I didn't stop him. I didn't push him away. I remained inside his arms.
Maybe my head wasn't functioning right now. Because it felt good inside his arms.
"You're no longer hot."
I blinked. I hadn't realized Gideon was already right in front of me. His hand was again on my forehead.
"Y-yeah." I said, clearing my throat. Gideon was staring at my face. I didn't understand why I suddenly felt conscious. I just got up from bed.
My lips almost parted when Gideon tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "Hanna was already heating the chicken soup. Go back to bed. I'll bring you your breakfast."
I cleared my throat and ran my fingers through my hair. "No. I can eat here. I'm already fine."
My eyes went to Hanna who was putting soup in the bowl. I walked past Gideon and went to her.
"We have chicken mushroom soup for breakfast, Bianca. And pasta bolognese. Gideon said it was your favorite."
I looked at the pan of pasta bolognese that was still on the pan. Then my eyes went back to the woman in front of me.
"Thank you, Hanna."
She smiled at me. "You should thank your husband, Bianca. He's the one who cooked this. He only asked for my help."
I turned my head at Gideon. He was already pulling a chair for me.
I bit my tongue. I can't thank him, can I?
Before I could open my mouth to say something, Gideon already looked at me. "Come on, Bianca. Go and sit."
"Did you already eat?" I asked Gideon. I eyed the soup and mushroom soup garlic bread on the table.
"Yeah. I just didn't wake you up."
"It's fine." I picked up the spoon and started eating the soup. I was suddenly reminded of home.
My parents used to prepare soup for me every time I didn't feel well. I missed them.
"You okay, Bianca? Doesn't it taste good?"
I turned to Gideon who was sitting in front of me. I blinked. "I'm fine. This soup is… good. I just remembered something." I continued in a small voice.
His eyebrows moved in concern. "What do you remember?"
I bit my lower lip. "My parents. My mom used to cook this soup for me before."
"Oh."
I lightly shook my head and gave a tight lip smile. "Anyway, why didn't you go to work today?"
His lips pursed. "Why will I go to work when you're not feeling well?"
I frowned. "I already feel fine."
"But I still want to take care of you," he said, which made me still on my seat. "My wife's more important than anything else."
I wanted to snap back at him, but then I stopped when I remembered how he took care of me last night.
I just continued eating. But then from the corner of my eyes, I could feel his stares on me.
"Are you going to watch me eat the whole time?" I couldn't help but ask him.
He pursed his lips. "Why? Do you want me to help you eat?"
My eyes widened. "Of course not. I can eat on my own. I just… I felt uncomfortable."
Adam raised his eyebrows. There was an amused look on his face. "You're distracted by my presence?"
I frowned at him. "Just stop staring at me. I'm eating."
He playfully raised the corner of his lips.
"I can't help it. You stop being beautiful first, I guess."
I almost choke on my food. Just damn him! I gave him a sharp look before I continued eating.
From the corner of my eyes, I noticed Hanna stifling a smile. I suddenly felt my cheeks heating up.
"Come on, eat more–" Gideon stopped when we heard the doorbell.
"I'll get it," Hanna announced before leaving.
"It must be Penny," Gideon said.
"Penny?" I looked at him. The name wasn't familiar to me.
"She's the head interior designer of Henry Realty. I had asked her to redesign our house."
I blinked. "Re-design?"
He nodded, pursing his lips. "I don't like the dark interior of our house."
I couldn't help but look around the kitchen area. It had a beige and white interior, a contrast to the interior of the entire house.
"Whatever you want. It's your house, anyway."
"It's our house, Bianca. Not just mine. We're married. Everything that I own is also yours."
I raised my brow at him. "Oh. I forgot to tell you something, Gideon. You asked me to sign a prenuptial agreement. I have no claim on all your assets."
I watched how Gideon's frown deepened. "I did that?"
A gave him a mocking smile. "You can ask your lawyer for a copy of that document. I wasn't kidding when I said that you hated me, Gideon. That's why I don't understand why you're doing this. You, trying to make this marriage work."
"I'm a different person now, Claire. I'm no longer the Gideon you met months ago."
I was about to answer him when Hanna entered the kitchen.
"Gideon, a certain Penny Walter was waiting for you in the sitting room."
"Thanks, Hanna." Gideon stood up. "I'll just talk to her, Bianca. Finish your meal."
I was left there on the dining table with my brows furrowed. Penny Walter? Who the hell was that woman?