Part 85

85

Amber shook his outstretched hand, accepting his gratitude. "You're welcome. And if I may give you some advice, prioritize your wife's feelings above all. Don't get too close to other women, even if it's impossible for anything to happen between you."

Vano raised an eyebrow.

"Don't think poorly of me. I'm not assuming the worst or accusing you. It's just that, as a woman, I understand how jealousy can feel. Sometimes jealousy can make you lose control and act recklessly. Respect her feelings while she's still by your side. Remember, regrets always come at the end, while at the beginning, it's registration."

Amber chuckled a bit to lighten the mood in the room, so Vano wouldn't feel too tense while talking to her.

"Alright, Sis. Thank you for your advice. I'll think carefully before taking any steps."

"That's what a real man and an ideal husband would do."

Vano kept that message in his mind during the journey to the office. He also contemplated his behavior in front of Alexa so far. He admitted that he talked more with Chelsea. Fortunately, his father never had a problem with it because he knew how he and Chelsea were.

What about Alexa? She was a newcomer who didn't know much about their lives until now. Of course, Alexa's perspective might be similar to Celine's. The difference was that Alexa tended to keep things to herself and stay silent, but that's what worried him. Once she got angry and exploded, everything would likely become a mess.

"I thought you asked me to come in the afternoon, but it turns out..." Alexa trailed off, suddenly as Vano welcomed her. He hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

"I'm sorry for being busy and acting distant from you. Honestly, I didn't mean to. I just didn't know how to behave in front of you. I was afraid you'd feel uncomfortable or disturbed."

Alexa used both her hands to return Vano's embrace, stroking his back.

"Don't say that, Van. I understand you've been busy with your thesis and managing this office as well. So, it's normal not to have much time for us. But I'm sure once everything is finished, we'll find time for each other. We're both learning to open our hearts. Although right now, I'm starting to feel uneasy every time you contact your thesis advisor for consultations," she confessed honestly. "Well, it's not like I should feel that way. But when she calls you 'Sis' instead of 'ibu,' I feel strange," she added with a touch of humor.

Alexa preferred to discuss Amber, who was her thesis advisor and also Celine's cousin, helping her uncover various mysteries from the past. Alexa wasn't ready to discuss Chelsea yet, not until she found the right time and opportunity to avoid Vano misunderstanding her jealousy.

Was she angry? Of course not. Vano understood that Alexa was new and didn't know about their life until now. Gradually, Vano would show who he was and how they lived. It wasn't out of the question for Vano to talk about Chelsea.

"I'm sorry I haven't been sensitive enough and have neglected your feelings."

"This time I forgive you, but not for next time." Alexa pinched Vano's straight nose. "You go on working. I'll sit there." She pointed to the nearby sofa.

"Alright, then. I'll get back to work. Hopefully, it won't take long."

Alexa nodded, releasing her embrace from Vano and moved to the sofa. She sat there, observing what her husband was doing.

Nothing particularly special, but seeing Vano's dedication, she couldn't help but smile.

She never expected to get married so young, to a man she didn't know. Now, she was beginning to feel afraid of losing him, even though she couldn't express it openly. Alexa didn't want Vano to become conceited and reluctant to make an effort to instill the same feelings she had.

"Alexa, Dad said that you and Vano will stay in the hotel near the office. He's already booked a room for both of you."

Alexa raised her eyebrows, reading Chelsea's incoming message. She wondered what Carlos meant by booking a hotel room for her and Vano.

Alexa had been enjoying her time at Vano's office, watching firsthand how busy he was. Her husband hadn't even eaten anything, while she had already finished her dinner.

Earlier, Vano had only eaten a piece of bread and a glass of hot chocolate. He was now back at his desk, wearing glasses that framed his eyes. His face was looking wrinkled due to the endless workload. He alternated between staring at the computer and the files he held in his hands.

"Eca, aren't you tired or sleepy? If you're sleepy, you can head to the hotel first. It'll be another two hours before I'm done," Vano said after receiving a message from his father.

Since they hadn't arrived at the hotel by 9 PM, Carlos urged Vano to go to the hotel and take Alexa to rest.

Alexa, who was enjoying her hot chocolate while looking at the stars and the city lights cooperating to decorate the sky through the window on Vano's right side, turned her head. This was her favorite part, the special nickname "Eca" made just for her by her husband, and it made Alexa feel very special.

"Not yet, Van. I actually find it quite enjoyable looking at the stars and the city lights working together to adorn the sky. There's a unique beauty up there, so I'm not bored looking at it. That means I can wait until you finish working." Alexa approached Vano. "Besides, I can see how hard my husband works so that I don't think negatively all the time," she admitted honestly. She was opening up to her husband, hoping for an explanation without any argument, unlike when Vano was with Celine in the past.

"Alright, then, you sit here," Vano reached for Alexa's hot chocolate glass and guided her to sit on his lap.

Alexa complied. From this position, she began to realize that while Vano might not be emotionally close to her, his attention and treatment were very sweet. Alexa also understood that during their marriage, they had only been intimate two or three times, and even then, Vano had not been fully engaged because of her menstrual cycle and urgent calls from the hospital.

How could she demand closeness and intimacy when Vano came home late, and she was already fast asleep? Alexa woke up, but Vano was still lost in dreamland. This repeated over and over again. Therefore, how could she now suddenly demand more attention and intimacy?

"After the defense, we'll stay in the apartment for a while. So that we won't have any suspicious feelings anymore. You can also learn to be a full-time housewife, and I'll do the same. Living in the apartment is just temporary until I find a dream home according to your preferences," Vano said without taking his eyes off the computer. He was trying to finish his work quickly so he could take Alexa to the hotel.

Although his wife had said she wasn't bored or sleepy, Vano noticed that Alexa occasionally fought her drowsiness. Staying up late or waking up early, Alexa must have quickly felt tired, not to mention sleepy.

"Sir, sorry, can I come in?" asked a man from the doorway. It was Vano's secretary, who rubbed his neck. He felt a bit awkward showing up, especially when Vano was holding Alexa.

Vano pulled the corners of his lips into a smile. "Of course, please come in!" he invited. "Ca, could you wait on the sofa for a moment? We're almost done," he asked Alexa.

His wife nodded and stepped down from Vano's lap. She reached for the hot chocolate glass that she had placed on the table earlier. She didn't want to sit on the sofa; she was afraid she might fall asleep there, so she preferred to stand and gaze at the city's skyline, as she did earlier.