Chapter 14

Chapter 14

“Why are you acting like you care for me?”

The deafening silence invaded the entire dining area. Elijah's eyes were pinned on me and that's the same for me. I was holding the spoon firmly in my grasp, squeezing it, while waiting for Elijah's reply.

“Nevermind,” I said and was the one who broke our gazes together when he didn't answer.

“Because you're sick,” that made me pause again, the moment he said that. I found his eyes still on me, having no emotions at all.

“We're still married in papers, you are my responsibility. Do not expect anything,” perhaps that was the answer I needed the most. A clarification with his actions.

I have no words to say. He looked away and continued eating while I was stuck there, looking at him. Once again, an excruciating pain attacked my chest. I didn't say anything anymore and tried all my best to swallow the food even though his words weakened me.

The next day, we were back to how we normally started this marriage. Elijah isn't speaking to me again, and so do I.

“I don't know if she can come,” I heard him say when I went downstairs, ready to leave. He was dressed up as well, probably leaving too after he finished his coffee on the table. I gave him a short stare before I feigned my ignorance.

Maybe it's time for me to get used to this kind of relationship we both have. I should kill all my hope by myself.

“Come home before 6 pm. It's my Mom's birthday and she wants you to come to the party,” Marie and I stopped before we could even come out of the living room.

“I'm not prepared, it's too sudden.” I replied.

“You're a designer and you own a clothing brand. A gown would not be hard for you,” he stood up and faced me.

“The theme is The Great Gatsby. You know, black, white and silver.” He added before he grabbed his coat on the sofa and left before us. I watched him rode his car, leaving me hanging there. He didn't even ask me if I am free or not.

“Are you going?” Maria asked. I took a deep sigh, having no choice at all.

“What can I do? It's her mother's birthday,” I shook my head and still headed to my company.

I quickly asked my secretary to find me a gown for the said party. It's a good thing that I am a designer. Elijah was right, a gown won't be a problem to me.

Just like what he said, before 6 pm, I was already home. I started to prepare while having no idea where he was. I stood up in front of the long mirror in my room and checked myself. I'm wearing a very simple sleeveless dress that shows a bit much of my skin and a bit of my cleavage. I also wore light makeup and tied my hair up, leaving some pieces of my hair down to make it look more enticing and stunning.

I didn't waste time and went downstairs immediately.

“Yeah. She's coming with me. We're on our way there, too.” I heard Elijah say, talking over the phone again.

“Wow,” Marie captured my eyes when she saw me standing there. Her eyes are bawling out while her jaw suddenly drops.

“Why?” My brows crossed, a bit bewildered by her reaction.

“You look stunning, Ms. Faith!” She exclaimed and giggled. I only chuckled at her. I thought something's wrong with my look tonight.

I glanced at Elijah and found him staring at me with his lips a bit parted.

“W-We have to go,” he said and quickly looked away.

Marie eyed me with her teasing eyes as Elijah headed out of the house.

“Oh, shut up.” I commented as I followed Elijah.

The guard opened the door for me and Elijah as we rode the car together. It's the first time we spend time in the same car. The last time we were in the same car, he was drunk and I had to pick him up from the bar.

None of us dared to break the ice between us. I wasn't expecting him to talk as well until we arrived at the venue.

“Let's try to act fine,” Elijah uttered as we both came out of the car. I was only looking at him while his eyes were traveling around the people who were already there.

“There are a lot of people here. We wouldn't want them to gossip and witness how wrecked this marriage is.”

Before I could even reply to that, his hand quickly landed on my waist as he pulled me closer to him. My lips parted. I almost froze, too shocked by his sudden movement. I heaved a silent sigh and had to act up just like what he said.

“Elijah, Faith! Over here!”

There were his parents, waving towards us, wearing their widest smiles. I didn't see any hate from them when they met my parents and planned our wedding. But still, I'm not that comfortable around them.

“Did you bring a gift?” I mumbled while we were walking towards them. A little smile on my lips is all that I can do.

“I was busy, I have nothing.” He replied.

“Happy birthday, Mom.” Elijah quickly gave her a peck on her cheeks.

“Happy birthday,” I greeted.

“Oh, Faith! It's good to see you! I have been asking Elijah to bring you with him tonight,” she laughed even though nothing was funny. I tried to chuckle and go along with him.

“You look stunning, Faith.” His father praised.

“Thanks. You two look amazing, too. Sorry, if we came empty handed. What dress do you want? I can design it for you,” I quickly said to make it up for her.

“Oh, hell, yeah. My son's wife is a famous designer. Well, if you insist, just design me anything and I'll gladly accept it.”

“Sure, sure. I'll send it to you once it's finished. That's our birthday gift to you,”

“I love her, Elijah.” His mother commented and we all chuckled. Elijah's hand shifted down in my hand. I was surprised when he held my hand all of a sudden, but I also reminded myself that it was just a show.

“So, how is it going, huh? I need a grandchild, Elijah. Come on!”

“Dad,” Elijah said, making them stop from teasing us.

I almost became a stone while standing there. I couldn't even move a bit.

“You're married. The next plan should be a kid. Whether it's a boy or a girl, it doesn't matter.” Oh, hell. Here we go, being pressured by them.

I mean, Elijah and I did it. They just didn't know that I didn't like it. There was a force to that honeymoon.

“We just got married, Mom.” Elijah reminded them.

“What do you say, Faith?” His father now gave me the spotlight.

I wasn't able to answer immediately, especially because all their eyes were at me.

“We'll come to that,” I replied.

When the party started, Elijah and I were being interviewed by different faces that I am not familiar with. I know few of them, but the more we converse, the more I lose my strength as if my social battery is dying.

“Hey, can I excuse myself?” I asked Elijah. He now looked at me, checking me out.

“Why? You okay?”

I don't know if he really meant that or it was still part of our show.

“Yeah. Gotta grab a drink,” I said.

“Okay,” he replied and now let me go.

I took a deep breath as I walked towards the drink section. I just grabbed a wine lined up there and drank it immediately.

“Mam, that wine will make you drunk easily. It's a bit strong,” the girl said.

“Yeah, I don't mind.” I said. I just want to leave right now. This is why I always hate parties.

“Getting drunk?”

I glanced at the man beside me, wearing a playful smile on his lips. I have no idea who he is, so I ignored him.

“Woah, slowly.” He commented when I finished another glass.

“Who are you? I don't even know you,” I said, with a bit of my attitude bursting out.

“Are you alone, babe? Want some company?” My brows crossed when I felt his hand on my waist. But then, I was getting dizzy. The girl was right earlier about this wine.

“Let go of me,” I said, trying to push him away now.

“What? It seems like you're alone and you're getting drunk. I can be your company, babe. Come on,”

“Stop. Leave me alone,” whatever I do, he was so strong that I couldn't even get his hand off me.

“Come on. We're just having fun. I'm being kind here, babe.”

“Just go aw—Elijah!”

My eyes widened along with the gasping of the people around. All their eyes went towards us. Oh, great. We just stole the spotlight.

“Elijah, stop!” I exclaimed and pulled him away from the guy.

He was chasing his breath, looking like an angry beast who can kill the guy.

“You get off your hands to my wife!” He exclaimed.

“What's happening here?” His parents are now here.

“Elijah, calm down.” I whispered, trying to cool him down.

“I'm not doing anything!” The guy exclaimed back.

“I saw you! You were fucking forcing my wife, you bastard!”

“Is that true?” His father asked. They were all now looking at me.

“I-I saw it. It was true,” the girl earlier said, a bit scared to speak up.

Elijah smirked to the guy.

“How dare you mess with a Luciero, Gabriel? I'm pulling out all my shares to your damn company.”

I was already trembling with everything that happened.

“Let's go, Faith.” He said firmly and grabbed my hand as we both marched out of the venue.

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