Chapter 5: Missing her

Karimba Cellon lowers himself onto the comfortable and spacious bed, his eyes wandering up to the ceiling. Deep hollows in his eyes reveal fatigue and sleeplessness. He stares intently at the pristine white ceiling, his mind lost in a haze, unable to drift into sleep.

Three years, in the blink of an eye, three years have passed. Karimba Cellon is also unsure how someone like him has spent three years living with a stranger like Alley Houston. At first, it was perhaps fear and disgust that consumed him, but gradually he learned to coexist under one roof with her. Alley Houston is unlike those beautiful and seductive models who always try to surround and entice Karimba Cellon. She is simple and gentle, always maintaining an appropriate distance that makes him feel unrestricted.

Karimba Cellon always thinks that, regardless of the circumstances, they are still husband and wife. Even though it's just a nominal relationship, Alley Houston isn't bad to him, and he won't mistreat her. Over the past three years, they live together like roommates, seldom arguing because they understand each other. Those three years have been so peaceful that Karimba Cellon believes it could last a lifetime. He doesn't need to be a husband or a father, and Alley Houston has fulfilled the task assigned to her by the Vũ family.

These days, Alley Houston hasn't been returning to Karimba Cellon's mansion, or rather, she can't set foot inside. Karimba Cellon lies in bed, taking advantage of a rare deep sleep on a Sunday when he doesn't have to go to work. Suddenly, he feels a bit dizzy, and his body starts to feel hot. Unconsciously, he reaches out towards the classic stethoscope hanging above his bed and mumbles:

"Alley Houston, bring me a glass of water."

Silence. The strange response is silence. His eyes remain closed as if he hasn't fully awakened. Karimba Cellon lets out a sigh, repeating once again, as if afraid the other party didn't hear:

"Alley Houston, bring me a glass of water and some chicken soup. Oh, it seems like I have a fever. Also, bring me another dose of fever-reducing medicine."

Silence. Still, it's the silence that Karimba Cellon didn't expect. He opens his eyes, dazed for a moment, and then looks bewildered at the stethoscope. Then he sighs again and stares intently at the pure white ceiling.

"That's right, Alley Houston isn't here anymore! I'm the one who drove her away." At that moment, Karimba Cellon finally remembers. He and Alley Houston are no longer in the same house; they are separated, and he is the one who made that decision.

After contemplating for a while, Karimba Cellon forces a reluctant smile and consoles himself, "This is actually good, staying away from that troublesome and crazy woman."

Karimba Cellon stretches his arms towards the sun, then struggles to sit up, resting for a moment before standing up and slowly walking down to the kitchen. Karimba Cellon is extremely cautious about the presence of strangers around him, especially unfamiliar women. Therefore, in this large mansion, apart from himself and Ryan Dean, his butler, Alley Houston has been the only other person for the past few years. At this time, Ryan Dean is probably in the garden, which is why he didn't hear Karimba Cellon calling. Whether it's due to illness or the vastness of the mansion, Karimba Cellon suddenly feels extremely tired and empty.

After a while, Karimba Cellon finally takes a fever-reducing dose. He recalls that in the past, whenever he was sick, Alley Houston would stay up all night taking care of him, serving meals right to his bedside, pouring water into his mouth, and always having medications ready for him to use whenever needed. The Alley Houston of those days was truly gentle and attentive, making Karimba Cellon momentarily forget that she was the woman his father had forced him to marry. Now, in this palace-like mansion, Karimba Cellon is alone, and he should feel comfortable and free from a positive perspective, but deep down, only Karimba Cellon knows that he doesn't truly enjoy this feeling.

"I should be happy. It was so difficult to stay away from that woman. Alley Houston, she truly is a crazy woman."

Karimba Cellon laughs bitterly, then drags his heavy body up to the living room and slumps into a recliner. In the past, whenever he lay here, he would see Alley Houston bustling around the house, either trimming flowers with Ryan Dean or supervising the cleaning staff as they tidied up the mansion. Karimba Cellon suddenly smiles and unconsciously looks up at the wall clock. It's eleven forty-five, and on a normal day, this is the time when Alley Houston would be preparing lunch.

Karimba Cellon sighs, his mind filled with sorrow. Why is this house now filled with the presence of Alley Houston?

At that very moment, Karimba's phone vibrates. The sender of the message is Brenda Mclean.

"I'm at the hospital. Can you come to me? I'm so tired!"

Karimba Cellon sighs. He doesn't want to go there when he's feeling so terrible. But because he has always seen Brenda Mclean as a little sister, he can't bear to leave her alone.

"Okay, wait for me."

Karimba Cellon texts Brenda Mclean. Then, he quickly changes his clothes and heads to the hospital.

Meanwhile, Taylor Kindsley is cooking soup for Alley Houston. She knocks on the door a few times, but Alley Houston doesn't respond. Taylor Kindsley feels uneasy and decides to use the key to open Alley Houston's room. She discovers Alley Houston vomiting in the bathroom.

"Alley, what happened to you?"

"My stomach hurts!" Alley replies.

Taylor shakes her head, scolding Alley for not eating properly, and then quickly takes her to the hospital.

Alley Houston, feeling exhausted, is supported by Taylor Kindsley. She lets Taylor lead her to the hospital, her eyes blankly gazing out onto the street.

Suddenly, Alley Houston feels her heart pounding rapidly. Across the street, Karimba Cellon is embracing Brenda Mclean as they leave the hospital. His gestures are incredibly tender, caring, and gentle. Alley Houston's heart aches deeply, and tears stream down her face.