IT WAS exactly noon and the sun was burning high in the sky. The guests arrived one by one. Alessandra entertained the guests, wearing a lovely champagne dress. That color is her thing. She's shining like a sun pouring heat onto Gabriel's face. They welcomed the guests and have a small chitchat after that. I glanced at what I was wearing. I only wear a straight cut dress, tie my hair into a sweet bread and a light touches of make-up. Very simple and not intimidating, not like Alessandra. I pursed my lips, why do I have to compare myself to her? I seem to be losing the confidence to question myself. I silently watched them from where I was standing with some waitresses and staff. If crying was the way to get rid of the pain I would have done it earlier. But what is the effective way to get rid of the disease? Maybe that's if I don't breathe and just close my eyes and go deaf to everyone. "Meredith," Mareng touched me. I reluctantly looked at her, "Mareng," I smiled at her shyly. "A
"OH, MY GOD!" The girl, beside Marcus, exclaimed. Everyone is in shock, even more, distracted by the breaking of the glasses. "Hey, are you alright?" Marcus tried to approach me when the woman next to him stopped him. She started whispering to Marcus as they noticed the arrival of someone. Their eyes darted on me, almost all. The white dress I was wearing earlier was almost red because of the wine stain on my dress. I bit my lower lip, when I felt Gabriel's tighter grip on my wrist. "I – I'm so sorry," I whispered, bowing my head. "What is happening here?" A high voice turned to me. Her violet eyes strayed at me, and the aristocrat of her face darkened slightly as she approached us. I immediately felt Gabriel release my hand and faced the visitor. "Just a slight trouble," Gabriel said to her Mother-in-law. Instead of looking at Gabriel, she looked at me. She checked me again, her brows hitched with displeasing, and give me a crudely insulting stare. "You're just going to do a s
THE NEXT DAY I got up early go to my rental apartment for my day off. Although I didn't want to, I agreed to Alessandra's suggestion. I don’t want him to think I want to always be at home to see Gabriel when he's on a day off. "Are all your things okay?" Alessandra asked me, she wiped her mouth before finally turning to look at me. "Uh, yeah. I only have a few things." I replied timidly, they accompanied me to breakfast. Now that I'm with them again, more often than not I reject Alessandra's offer to avoid the pain it brings me. "That's good, I'll just send you together Gabriel so that it won't be difficult for you to go home, " she declared, before drinking pineapple juice from the glass. My gaze flew quickly to Gabriel who was holding the newspaper in his hand. He doesn’t bother to engage in the conversation so I don’t know what his reaction was to Alessandra’s suggestions. "Then, I'll just pick you up maybe tomorrow morning or tonight," she added, without confirming his husban
I RAISED MY HEAD "Together?" I cut him off, I couldn't stop my heart from saying that. The dark brown eyes seemed to flash with brilliant expression. I was suddenly embarrassed by what was said because he didn't speak right away. "I, I mean, with Alessandra of course!" I said and laugh. The solemn look in his eyes disappeared, and gnashing his teeth is visible to my ears. "Yeah, with my wife," he concluded. **** The heap of sea swelled silently, waves were rippling gently to my skin. I gathered the strands of hair that covered my face. I walked for a while Gabriel looked at the shade of the lush tree, he lies in the sand like he was sleeping. I've watched him carefully. The lowering height of his chest gives more thrill to my heart. I bent down and smiled slightly, clumps of seaweed got washed up on the beach, and even some seashells were just onshore because of the strength of the waves. My gaze returned to the distance. The sea is a cerulean-blue gown and the beach seems dip
"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 standing 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 cook an omelet and I'll have some canned goods for dinner." I shyly said, immediately both cheeks blushing 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 him sneezing one after another, I immediately turned off the stove and faced him first. "Hey, are you okay?" I sounded more concerned. I
"I'LL PICK you up tomorrow." His voice directly behind me, radiates through me. I swallowed and blinked emphatically. I couldn't even answer. I was not even able to open the door and remained tight on the doorknob. "You don't have to, I'll just take a taxi." Eventually, I got to say. I turn the door handle to open it, but he extends his hand to push the door close. "I insist, I'll pick you up as Alessandra said." His breath produced a soft sound in my ears. He's so close behind me, I can't even make a move. I gripped the door handle much tighter. At any time, I feel like I want to give up and tell him not to leave and he's just staying here with me. But it is the happy image of Alessandra that struggles to control my conscience. She didn’t know anything, we were just constant victims. I let out a violent breath as I let go of the door handle and had the courage to face him. "I can do it myself, I can even use my car," I lifted up my chin, to show that I had made a decision. Thi
I SET SAIL early back to the Mansion. I couldn't wait for Gabriel to pick me up like what he said last night. I also cooked them breakfast early because it's Monday today and the couple has a job. "Good morning!" I heard the sweet voice of Alessandra behind my back, she even pulled the chair to sit, so I was immediately stunned. "How's your day off? I heard you and Gabriel went to the beach?" I quickly turned around to see the shock on my face. "Uh, I'm sorry." I bow my head. "It's fine, he tried to ask me to join you yesterday but I really can't." She even tapped his hand in the air and laughed slightly. My eyes widened, and I also swallowed the rock in my throat. Didn’t she think badly of Gabriel and me? I looked at her carefully, wearing her nightgown. I could see the kiss marked on the upper part of her chest. I frustratedly looked away. That was again the delicate pain that hit me. "Next time when my schedule is no longer hectic. Maybe we can go out of town," she said ca
"MEREDITH, is it okay for me to wear this?" I looked up at her who was on a few steps of the stairs wearing her lovely pink dress, while her coat was on her arms. She barely combed her loose hair and carefully stepped down. I was stunned looking at how gorgeous she is right now. I hesitated to smile for a moment. "Do you think Gabriel will like what I'm wearing?" She's now in front of me with a wide smile on my lips. I blinked and turned my head sideways. "Yeah, you are very lovely Alessandra. I'm sure Gabriel will like not only what you're wearing but also you." I proudly say. "You think so?" she asked, seemingly unconfident in her own words. "Of course! It's not important what you are wearing, what important is... Gabriel loves you so much, it doesn't matter how simple you are or how sexy your dress is, I'm sure Gabriel will appreciate you as her wife. I noticed her face lit up at what I said. I sighed, and form my lips into a bottom one. "Thanks, Meredith." She absolutely h