I was so startled that I couldn't help but stagger at my feet. My mind went frenzy, and I left the room in annoyance.
After I left the room, glad no one noticed the tears that almost dropped from my eyes.I went straight to my room and poured myself a glass of sauvignon blanc.
The shit was expensive, but it'd been a wedding gift from Stephen, my colleague at work.I finished my first glass and poured myself a second one.
I sat in my room and leaned my head back against the headboard, listening to the silence.I promised not to drink again, but seeing Gabriel treat me like a nobody, I felt so devastated. If he didn't even like me a bit, why did he offer me a ride? Why did he say those words that made my heart to flutter?.
He doesn't look like someone who could be so charitable.
I tossed back the rest of my drink and savored the burn of whiskey sliding down my throat.In that moment, it was the only thing keeping me warm.
Considering my condition, I only took three glasses. I won't want to kill innocent babies.
Judging by the dangerous glare Gabriel aimed at me earlier, it was obvious that he'd never accept me as his wife.I wanted to just pack my bags and run away, but it was already night, and I know no damn place in Washington,. Fucking DC.
I would have made some friends in the neighborhood. They seemed to like me when I introduced myself as Master Gabriel's wife. And some have tried to visit me, but I dismissed them because I don't like people.
I didn't sleep well that night. I made sure I locked the door to my room and hid the key in my drawer. I wouldn't want to enter Gabriel's room in my drunken state. I might give him a beating that would paralyze him for the rest of his life.
If he won't kill me before that.
***
At 8 a.m. the next morning, I was awakened by soft taos at the door. It was Evelyn, and she asked me to join her for breakfast.
I totally didn't want to, but when she insisted, I decided to go. After all, I didn't eat anything before bed yesterday.
I
was about to stand up, but then the pain in my body reminded me that I drank yesterday.
The aching in my skull ebbs and flows like a cold tide, yet the pain is always there. I understand at once why they call it a hangover, for it feels as if the blackest of clouds are over my head with no intention of clearing until late afternoon.
The hangover feels like a balloon under my cranium, slowly being inflated and pressure-mounted. I splash cold water on my face just to feel something refreshing, and I instantly wish I could wash my brain free of the toxins too.
The mirror shows my eyes, no longer the glamour girl of last night, a lattice of pink over the white..
The smell of the wine last night was intoxicating, yet this morning it adds to the nausea. The thirst stays after each slow drink of water, and my head feels fit to crack open.
I brushed and buried my self on the bed with the duvet, waves of nausea adding to my misery.
My phone pinged with message after message, none of them from Gabriel.
My brain felt like it would swell beyond the capacity of my skull and now my dehydration was too obvious to ignore.
I would have to bump down the stairs on my backside. Again, my stomach lurched and gurgled. Perhaps some painkillers would help too.
I raised my heavy eyelids half way, only for them to fall shut.
I sank back to the bed; there were too many jobs to do, so much mess, and my life was in tatters.
I managed to get myself downstairs, and in the dining room, everyone stared at me until I sat down.
This time opposite Gabriel, who was sitting in a wheelchair. It seems that Ethan moved his position.
I decided to just eat and avoid thinking about him..
who didn't even spare me a glance.
In between my meals, I felt bile rising up my throat, and I rushed out to throw up my stomach contents. I watched my face and rinsed my mouth to avoid reeking of vomit.
Vomiting and retching sure make one feel so wretched. At these times, kind words can do so much.
"I heard you might be pregnant with my child." His voice was emotionless as he spoke.
NnMy breath tightened, and I immediately stopped eating. I lost my appetite even before I started to eat.
"Which do you prefer, medical abortion or surgical abortion?" His gaze was indifferent as he said those cruel words.
I smirked a bit, attracting everyone's attention and his confusion.
Right now, I am more aware of my cracking headache than of any sh*t he's talking about.
I continued eating, even though I had lost my appetite.
"Surgical abortion would do," he concluded and sipped from his coffee. He was done eating even before I came in.
"Gabriel"
"Who gave you the right to call my name?"
"Should I perhaps call you my darling?" I lost my temper too. He can't keep treating me like a trash bag.
I noticed his hands clenched tightly to the cup in anger, but that didn't bother me a bit.
"Get your documents ready; we are getting a divorce."
"Sure... Should I do that now? Like immediately?"
Charlotte kicked my leg form under the table and signaled for me to stop. I know getting on Gabriel's bad side would do me no good, but acting as if I needed his pity would do me even more harm.
That man is ruthless and arrogant, and I bet he had no sympathy whatsoever left in him.
The little sympathy I had for him vanished immediately after he woke up.
"Did I hear you say divorce, Gabriel?" Grandma interrupted and joined us at the table. I felt ashamed for not going to check up on her yesterday, but thank God she seems better now.
"Good morning, grandma," I quickly greeted, standing and bowing slightly.
"My daughter, you are not getting any divorce. I mean, now that he is awake, you both will share the same room. Ava, move your things to Gabriel's room once you are done with your food."
My eyes lifted in surprise as I stared at Grandma and Gabriel.
"Grandmother, you know that would never happen".
"You should focus on your recovering Gabriel. You have been away for way too long, and I am sure you will still leave once you are healthy to continue your hunt. Allow me to take care of things. And you won't dare treat your wife bad. ".
Gabriel kept quiet, unlike I expected; he was ruthless and arrogant, but he seems not to be rebellious.
I wonder what made him this way...