The next morning…
Declan sipped his coffee while reading the tabloid. Yasmin stared at him as she ate her cereal. She'd always seen him eat quickly and rush off to work. Today, however, was different. He appeared relaxed as if he was not in a hurry.
For a brief moment, she assumed he had taken a day off. But that assumption didn't last long when she looked at his grey suit.
'Is he not late for work?' she wondered as she shoved a spoonful of cereal into her mouth. She waited for him to say something, but he kept reading the tabloid.
'He was trying to apologize last night. Why is he not saying a single word now?' Her temper sparked. 'What is it in the tabloid that he is reading so attentively? He is not even looking at me. Humph…'
She stuffed another spoonful of cereal into her mouth, her gaze moving to the tabloid. She wished she could burn it down.
Buzz-Buzz-Buzz…
The phone vibrated on the table. Declan folded the tabloid and put it aside as he checked the phone. He quickly responded when he saw Francis' name on the screen.
"Yeah…"
"The meeting is scheduled for 3:00 pm. at the Crown Plaza resort."
"Okay."
"Do you need anything special to arrange?"
"A bouquet of white roses," Declan said calmly.
There was a moment of pause from the other end of the phone. "Alright. Anything else?"
"That's all." Declan hung up the call.
He saw her walking into the bedroom. He also got to his feet and went to the hall, taking the tabloid with him.
"He has time for everything except talking to me," Yasmin grumbled as she fixed her make-up. "This is the third day of our marriage, and I'm already tired of him. How am I supposed to spend the rest of my life with him?"
She dropped the lipstick into the drawer. "I would have asked for a divorce if my father's company had not been in a dire situation. Huh…" She slammed the drawer shut and looked in the mirror. She moved her head left and right.
"Am I not attractive? My skin looks flawless, though." She brushed her fingers across her cheek. Her fingers paused at the corner of her lips. "My lips are full as well." She pouted, checking her lips. "Why is he not kissing me? Does my breath stink?"
"Hah…" She blew air, putting her hands in front of her mouth. She sniffed. "It is not at all smelly," she murmured dejectedly. She then remembered the rumors about his homosexuality.
"No, no, no, no… He is not gay… definitely not gay." She shook her head.
"Oh, gosh…" She covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes widening. "He likes someone!" Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach. "What should I do? Um…" She felt like crying loudly. "Mommy…"
She remained glued to the spot, her eyes down on the floor. "I have to talk to him. I will ask him if he likes someone." She lifted her chin and rubbed the tip of her nose. "I am not weak. I won't sit and cry." She gazed upon herself in the mirror and muttered fiercely, "Mr. Declan Wilson, be ready for Yasmin's interrogation."
She pushed her hair away behind her shoulder and went out, taking her bag. As she walked down the stairs, she saw Declan sitting on the sofa in the hall with the tabloid in his hands.
Her steps abruptly came to a halt. "What on earth is he doing here?" Her eyes widened in surprise. "Seems like he is not going to the office today. Good for him."
She walked down the hallway and proceeded to the main door. When she noticed him getting up and putting the tabloid aside, she slowed down. Her steps suddenly became wobbly. She walked cautiously, making sure not to stumble anywhere.
Her heart began to race when she heard his footsteps following her. The confidence she had built up in the bedroom a few minutes ago, evaporated instantly. She clutched the straps of her bag and walked ahead.
"Get into the car." His deep voice made her stop on the track. She turned to him frantically.
"Get in." He nodded to the car.
"M-Me…" She directed her index finger at herself.
"Do you see anyone else?" He looked around the surroundings.
Yasmin's face flushed instantly. She walked over to his Rolls Royce and hopped into the passenger seat without asking him any further questions.
Declan got into the car and started the engine. He glanced at her and said, "Seatbelt."
Yasmin buckled her seatbelt. "I am going to college," she said, as if she was reminding him.
"I know." He drove through the heavy iron gates.
Declan was driving her to college!
Yasmin felt a surge of happiness wash over her. She wanted to scream with joy. She wondered what he ate in the morning that had changed him so drastically.
'You could not have acted so coldly, Mr. Wilson. But I am still happy.' She turned to the outside to hide her smile.
Declan rubbed his chin and rested his elbow on the door, fighting the urge to smile. He found it amusing when he saw her sneaky smile.
They still didn't talk to each other, but they enjoyed the silent journey.
They got to the college several minutes later. Declan was the first to get out of the car. He walked over to open the door for her.
She smiled at him as she stepped out. In the meantime, she saw Lisa and some of her friends gaping at her.
Declan shoved his hands inside his pockets and said, "A driver will come to pick you up. Don't take a cab."
"Thank you." She threw her arms around his neck all of a sudden.
He pulled his hands out of his pockets unwittingly. His hands flew to hug her, but before that, she kissed him on the cheek and ran away. It happened so quickly that he didn't have time to figure out anything.
Declan moved his hand to his cheek as he watched her interact with her friends. He could still feel the softness of her lips. He had no idea what she was saying or why she was so happy. But he smiled like a fool.
Yasmin looked back and waved at him.
He mimicked her actions in a daze as if he were under a spell.
Buzz-Buzz-Buzz…
His phone buzzed inside his pocket, jolting him out of his trance. He pulled out his phone and answered it.
"Hello." His gaze was on Yasmin, walking into her department with her friends. "Yeah. I am on my way." He walked over to the driver's seat and hopped into the car. He turned the wheels and drove away the next minute.
Later that day…
At the Crown Plaza Beach Resort…
Declan stood in the concrete walkway bordering the open café of the resort. He watched the waves crashing on the shore, his hands inside his pockets. It was hard to figure out what he was thinking from his indifferent expression.
Francis came over to him and whispered something, leaning towards him.
Declan arched his eyebrows as he turned around, only to see a graceful woman in her late forties coming toward them. A glimmer of sorrow flickered in his eyes. But it didn't last longer than a few seconds. As he approached her, his indifference returned.
The woman smiled, her eyes brimming with tears. "It is such a pleasure to see you." She came in closer to him, spreading her arms wide.
Declan held up his hand, forcing her to stop on the spot. "I'm not here to rejoice, Grace."
"Declan…"
"Have a seat." He nodded to a nearby table.
Grace took her seat on a chair and glanced around. The tables, placed in two rows, were empty.
"You booked the entire café," she said with astonishment.
"I needed some privacy," Declan answered flippantly.
Grace's eyes crinkled as she smiled at him. "It has been such a long time."
In the meantime, Francis approached and presented her with a bouquet of white roses. "This is for you, ma'am." He bowed to her. "Please enjoy the coffee and snacks." With a nod, he signaled the waiter standing behind him to serve them.
The waiter served two cups of coffee and a plate of fried snacks. He bowed and walked away. Francis left as well to give them privacy.
Grace marveled at the roses, her eyes turning glassy. "You still remember that I like white roses."
"Why are you here, Grace? What do you want?"