"AH, COME IN FIRST?" I couldn’t help but say when I opened his car door. He did not answer, instead turning off the engine of his car.
I went inside first when I heard his footsteps from behind me. I went straight to the kitchen to open the stand cabinet and fridge and look for something to cook. Eventually I just opened canned goods and fried eggs.
"What do you cook for dinner?" I was startled by Gabriel's voice from a distance.
I looked at him before smiling, "I'm sorry, I haven't bought yet, I'll just cooked omelette and I'll have some canned goods for dinner." I shyly said, immediately both cheeks blushed with embarrassment.
"Hmm, that's good enough for the two of us." he commented.
I was left speechless by what he said, I couldn't help but blush at what I heard. Two of us? Damn, Emory!
I suddenly turned my attention to him when I heard he sneezing one after another, I immediately turned off the stove and faced him first.
"Hey, are you okay?" I sounded more concern. I no longer hesitated to approach him.
"Yeah," he replied quickly, combed back his hair effortlessly.
"You're not looking okay," I stated. I looked down at his wet T-shirt and his pants.
"Uh, I'll have some extra shirt on my closet–"
"I'm okay, Meredith." He interrupted what I had to say. His eyes lowered slightly, and took a deep breath.
I didn’t accidentally map close to what he did. Damn, Emory!
"Can you get me a towel instead?" he asked softly.
I open my eyes immediately, "Y-yeah, I'll just go upstairs," I quickly said goodbye to get him a towel in my closet. I immediately went down and straight to the kitchen where I left him earlier.
The food was already served at the round table when I arrived. It looks like Gabriel has arranged it. I open my mouthed with astonishment not because of what he did, Is just because he was naked from the waist up.
"I hope you don't mind, if I've already ruined your kitchen," he said politely.
"Of course not, you shouldn't have bothered to do this." I came quickly towards the table across to him.
"This is the towel, wipe it for a moment." I reluctantly handed it to him without looking into his eyes, I also tried to avoid looking at his naked body.
"Thanks." he reached for the towel and immediately wiped his body.
I turned to the counter table to sip some wine. I was almost stunned by what I did because some bottles sounded because of my haste.
"Be careful," he warned me.
I took a deep breath first before facing him, holding the selected wine tightly in my hand and choosing to sit in front of him.
He's wearing his T-shirt again, even though I'd rather say that he was better off before.
"Let's eat!" I excitedly said.
But what I thought was a happy dinner was wrapped in silence. It was so quiet so I could hear his heavy breath.
I tried to stay calm because of his constant glances at me that I couldn’t reciprocate.
"May I ask you something?"
I looked up at him now that I was holding the glass of wine in my right hand.
"Hmm, what's that?" I said and smiled sweetly.
He first stared into my eyes, seeming to affect every part of my face. I swallowed but it seemed to clog my throat.
"Your husband, Is he treated you right?"He is staring hard and there seems no end to his fascination.
The only time his gaze breaks is when I turn my head down, my hands reach for the wineglass and I immediately stunned by the drink.
"I saw you several times, crying alone." He continued, watching my reaction carefully.
"We – we're okay."
I smiled bitterly, I couldn't hide the pain. I gulped the wine into my glass again.
He gripped the wine bottle and pour me another drink. "Thanks," I murmured.
"How many months haven't you seen each other?" he asked again, pouring himself a drink.
My heart raced and I just unable to withstand the pressure any longer. I couldn't answer, when was that day?
"Two to three years..." I whispered, I didn't want to be heard but it came out of my mouth on purpose.
"Didn't he come home?" he asked, brows furrowed curiously.
"It's normal that he didn't come home," I answered truthfully, it hurts to think that he can't really come back to me.
Suddenly I looked up at him, when I heard he muttered curses under his breath.
"But I'm okay, I can see he's happy with what he's doing." I hurtfully said and smiled bitterly.
"That asshole!" He chuckled, a sort of laugh before the smile disappeared, then he glared sharply at me. Apparently not liking what he heard from me.
My heart wanted to grow fat because of his reaction. But if you think about it, he’s funny himself I’m referring to. I shook my head repeatedly, I also wanted to laugh but I couldn’t.
"Tell me are still together?" he asked again with his intriguing tone.
I can't help but to laugh at what he just said. I also shook my head at his question.
"Of course! We've been together for years, it's not easy to throw that away," I answered back.
But he only made me look darker, so I returned the seriousness of my face.
"But–" I couldn't continue what I had to say. It hurts to explain what I really felt about it, especially involving my feelings as well.
"But, what?"He put down his wineglass and laid his back against the chair, brows furrowed then he asked again, "Is he cheating on you?"
I couldn't speak right away, I lowered my lashes, shielding my dark pupils. Draw on my lips the unspeakable pain. I knew what I did didn’t escape him so I chose to smile at the end.
"You know what? Just enjoy your food, maybe Alessandra is already at home and waiting for you." I chose to say rather than answer his question.
"I told her I have to meet someone and I'll be home late." He prompt response.
I looked up again with my eyes full of questioning.
"Are you going somewhere after here?" I couldn't help but ask.
He shook his head, "Nothing," he answered, then swirled the wine of his glass sexily.
The brilliance of my eyes dimmed as what he said, a strange tremor rose in my heart. What about Alessandra? does he not think of his fake wife at these times?
I gripped the wine glass tighten as I could. I violently sipped it before shaking. This is not right. The beach. The dinner and this precious moment.
"Alessandra must be worried about you, maybe she's home now," I said painfully, I tried to act okay as he left.
Silence lingered for a moment ...
I closed my eyes tightly when he finally decided to stand up. "Thanks for this wonderful dinner, Meredith. I really appreciate it," he said huskily.
I let out a deep sigh and lowered the wine glass before standing up as well.
"You're are very much welcome, sir!" I expelled and nodded affirmatively before stepping on my feet to go first to the main door.