“Mom, Dad,” I called out while staring at their gravestones, having learned that Jane is pregnant, no words came out of my mouth, I felt dizzy and went straight here, not knowing what to do in this situation.
Tears flowed freely from my eyes, a mix of emotions engulfing me. Dan got sick, and I needed to cooperate with a man I barely knew to repay a long-standing debt, and now, Jane is pregnant.
I took a deep breath and grabbed the handkerchief from my bag, wiping their gravestones. It’s been a long time since I last visited. “Mom, Dad, don’t worry. I’ll take care of Jane and Dan,” I said.
I stayed for almost half an hour before bidding them goodbye. I took a taxi and went straight to a convenience store, buying some alcohol. I felt like drinking alone tonight; I was overwhelmed by too many things.
Gray and I still haven’t talked until now. Maybe because he doesn’t care about how I feel. What does it matter to him if I was offended by what he did? In the two years he didn’t see me, it’s impossible that he didn’t like any other woman.
It was already eight o’clock when I arrived at Gray’s house. I could still hear the voices of the household staff, but I didn’t greet them. I went straight to my room, took a quick shower, and immersed myself in the bathtub. The warm water brought relief, and after nearly thirty minutes, I decided to get out.
I wore a lavender-colored nightgown, turned down the air conditioner, and slightly opened the small glass window above the main window to let in the fresh air. Then I sat beside my bed, opened two cans of alcohol, and started drinking.
I closed my eyes as I felt the warm sensation of the alcohol sliding down my throat. It was warm but not too bitter. It had been a long time since I drank this. The last time I did, I ended up here. Married to a man I barely knew.
My life sucks, losing my parents, supporting my siblings, wanting to have fun for once, getting drunk, having a one-night stand with a stranger, and after two years, being chased by that man. And now, I have to cooperate with him, in exchange for money. It’s painful to swallow, but I can’t do anything about it. I’m not in a position to complain about what’s happening to me now.
No matter how much I try, I can’t seem to rise above this situation. I’m slowly sinking into this quagmire, and no matter how hard I try to get out, it just sucks me back in.
I didn’t realize I had almost finished four bottles of alcohol when I heard a faint knock from outside. I glanced at the clock hanging on the side, and it was already ten o’clock? How many hours have I been drinking here? Holding the bottle of alcohol, I stood up to open the door.
Gray was standing there, about to knock. He recoiled in surprise when I opened the door, holding a small red box. I hid what I was holding behind me, but he still saw it.
“You’re drunk?” he said, confused.
I shook my head and widened the door so he could come in. Once inside, he turned his back and returned to his seat. He placed the box on the side table and sat beside me. “What were you doing? Why are you drinking now?”
“Hmm,” I didn’t know if I should tell him. I didn’t know if he would understand me or not. “I don’t know. Maybe because I’m too overwhelmed with everything happening in my life right now. I thought everything would be okay, I thought we would be okay, but it seems like we’re just starting to get to the exciting part.”
He took a bottle and opened it using the key attached to his necklace. “Well, I second the motion.”
I looked at him quizzically. “Why? Are you feeling the same way?”
He nodded after taking a sip from his drink. “Yeah, a bit. But don’t get me wrong. I can’t compare your situation to mine. We have different ways of carrying our burdens.”
I nodded, feeling somewhat relieved by what he said. “That woman, from days ago.”
I fell silent, remembering the girl who came here, that pregnant girl. “What about her? Have you confirmed that you’re really the father of her child?”
“It wasn’t me. I already did my investigation and made her confess the truth, but hey,” he slid over to the side table and took the box he brought earlier when he came in. “I still want to give this to you,” he said, handing me the box. I took it, removed the cover, and found a minimalist cake inside, topped with small corals. The icing resembled ocean waves, and in the middle, it said ‘Sorry.’ It made me smile, and for some unknown reason, I felt lighter.
“I’m really sorry about that. I mean, I didn’t want that to happen, but believe me or not, I’m not like that. I’m not sleeping with any woman I see out there,” he seemed defensive at this point, yet funny.
“It’s okay. I was also surprised, and of course, I felt it was unfair because we’re legally married, and yet that’s what you did. Yeah, I owe you an apology too.”
“Let’s just forget about it, so,” he took the bottle of alcohol he had earlier and drank again. Before speaking, he said, “What might be the reason you were drinking right now?”
I sighed, set the cake aside, and covered it again. Then I took out the barbecue I bought from the corner earlier and offered some to Gray. “Well, I visited Dan in the hospital earlier,” he didn’t say anything and just listened. “Then, I decided to visit Jane too, and I saw her, struggling with all the things she has no control over,”
“Don’t worry, Eli. Money works for me, you will get that justice you were asking for, better than what you were expecting,” He said and took another sip from his bottle.
I did not respond, I have a heavy heart, but I can’t imagine how Jane must have felt right now. How painful for her every time she remembers what happen to her that night.
“Can you please do me another favor, Gray?” I muttered but enough for her to hear.
“Please send them to hell,”
He looked at me, I can’t fathom what’s inside his mind, his eyes shows various of emotions, but then he gave me a lopside smile.
“Don’t worry, I have the keys,”
——-
“Keith Sky! How many times do I have to tell you that family day means no work day? Do you not value this family?!” Mom’s voice echoed through the whole dining room, I put down my phone, as I was busy reviewing the email sent to me by my secretary.
“But mom, this is important, I need to attend to this matter, so that it’s settled by tomorrow,” I defended myself.
“That can wait for a day, Kei. Now, stop browsing and eat with us, with full attention,” she said and started to cut her steak again.
Today is Sunday, and Mom always believed that family always comes first. So, both Dad and she came up with the setup of spending the whole Sunday with the family, without touching anything work-related. I understand their sentiments; I’m aware that they are both busy people and are the owners of separate companies. They are twice as busy as me, but here they are, sitting and eating breakfast with us.
“I’m sorry,” I said and turned off my phone. Mom seemed pleased with my action, so she just nodded. Dad in the left corner was just shaking his head and laughing like he is watching a variety show. Jeez, this old man.
“Where do you want to spend the holiday, kids?” Mom opened the topic. We usually go out of the country to celebrate the holiday, especially if it’s a long holiday.
“Let’s go to Dubai, Mom!” Jaycee suggested while eating his cereal. I’m twice his age, and he’s no longer in the plan, because Mom didn’t marry early, but at least, he was born without any disabilities. I’m still glad for that.
“We can. What about you, Kei?” I just shrugged, indicating that I can go wherever they agree on. I stopped eating when my phone vibrated. Mom looked at me again, but I raised it to tell her it was not work-related. “It was Eli, it must be urgent. She’s not calling me for no reason,” which she’s aware; she just nodded.