Jewel stared at him, waiting for him to speak again but only silence answered her. She sighed and averted her gaze. "It's fine if you see me as worthless."
"Jewel, you're not worthless."
"If I'm not, then why are you avoiding me? Why did you give me away just like that? If I am a burden to you, then we can have a divorce... if that's what you like," she said, whispering the last sentence.
"Do you want to?" he asked.
Jewel stared at him, lips parting in disbelief. She burst into tears as she bit her trembling lip. She kept on cursing him as she covered her face with her palms, sobbing louder.
Gideon did not say a word again until she calmed down. She raised her head only to meet his melancholic gaze. "Jewel, I'm sorry. Your husband is just too weak and is not good enough for you."
"I never ask for a perfect husband, Gideon," she said, sadness was evident in her voice. "I only ask for someone whom I can trust and run to, someone who will never betray me and accept me for who I am." Jewel stared at him. "In this world, you're the only person I won't run away from, and I hope I am the same to you, Gideon."
Gideon stood and walked close to her. Jewel raised her head and stared at him who stood in front. Bending his knees, he kissed her forehead. "My wife, I will not abandon you."
A soft smile appeared on Jewel's lips as she closed her eyes to feel the warmth in her forehead. Gideon hugged her and she hugged him back, burying her face on the crook of his neck.
She likes his warmth. It's comforting and giving her a sense of security no one has ever done in her life. This is her husband, her man, her own.
"Would you like to go back to UDM again and let me live in this house?" she asked suddenly.
She felt Gideon's body stiffened. Jewel frowned. Just like her, Gideon has his insecurities too and she understand it, but what she didn't like is the fact that it's hard to change her husband's decision.
"No. I can't. The culprit is still on loose and another issue might spread if I'll keep my job in UDM. It's not good for your reputation. And you need to stay in your father's mansion until this crisis has to come to an end. It's to protect you from malicious gossip in the high society."
"But they know that I'm married," she reasoned out. "Why should I keep on living with my parents?"
"Jewel, you need to understand that your family has enemies too and they might use this issue against you and your parents."
"Why? We can just fight them off! We have your father's power in politics and my parents' influence in business. This is enough to stop them from throwing malicious stones against us!"
Gideon tugged the corner of his lips up. "A proud tree in the forest will attract strong winds and adversities. We can't fight them off forever because powers and influence will weaken over time, Jewel."
Jewel took a deep breathe and shook Gideon's hand away. "You're just being coward." Frowning, she looked around and didn't saw her pot. She was sure that Tang hadn't retrieved it yet from the teresa. Jewel stood. "I will go. Nevermind the pot. Play with it if you like!" she huffed.
"Wife, what's this? Where are you going?" Gideon asked, confused.
Just a minute ago, they were still talking smoothly. But how come Jewel's throwing tantrums again? Where did he go wrong?
"Where? Of course my Dad's mansion! You won't let me live in your house, right?"
"Just bear with it for awhile. I'll get you back when this crisis' over," Gideon assured her.
"Bah! Retrieve me when crisis is over? Gideon, do you think of me like a broken doll that you could give and get whenever you like? Hah. Forget what I said earlier. You're a pathetic fool! I regret being your wife!"
Jewel huffed and turned, walked out of the house, but Gideon quickly grabbed her arm and turned her around to face him. He gripped both her shoulders carefully and stared into her eyes. "Are you lying?" he asked.
"Of course not. Why should I?" She tried to shook his hand away but his grip on her was tight. She frowned and glared at him. "Let go!" she warned.
Gideon's expression softened. His mouth opened and closed as if he had something to say but eventually closed his mouth and averted his gaze. "I know it when you lie. I can see you through, Jewel. Don't lie in front of your husband."
Jewel pursed her lips in annoyance and didn't speak again. Gideon sighed. "I'll escort you outside," he offered.
She glared at him, eyes were red as she was holding back her tears. "A wooden freak!" she yelled.
"What?"
Jewel felt her blood boil in anger. "You really couldn't read between the lines or are you just ignoring it? You're annoying! Get away!"
She pushed him away and ran towards the entrance. But before she could take a step outside, her feet stopped and she clutched her chest. Jewel gasped, panting for air as her chest tightened. Her knees hit the floor and her vision blurred.
"Jewel!" Gideon cried.
He quickly knelt opposite her and raised her head.
"Tang, that paper bag!"
Jewel closed her eyes. She felt Gideon's grip on her hand. He intertwined their fingers and squeezed her hand.
A few more seconds later she felt a paper bag placed on her mouth. She inhaled and exhaled deeply while holding up the paper bag.
She did that for a few minutes, until the tightening of her chest gradually loosened. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Gideon's worried eyes. She averted her gaze, frowning hard.
"Shall I call the hospital, Sir?" Tang asked.
"Feeling better?" Gideon asked her.
She nodded weakly and averted her eyes. Jewel tried to stand up but her leg shook so she almost fell face first. Gideon quickly caught her up, watching her every move.
"I want to go h-home," she said, voice was still weak and a little hoarse.
"Stay. Let me take care of you," Gideon said.
Jewel's heart beat faster and she frowned even more. She couldn't help but to steal glances at her husband who was beside her and helping her to stand in her feet. She sighed. "Y-you're too close," she reminded her.
She might as well get another panick attack everytime Gideon's doing stuffs that makes her heart flutter.