'What's the matter?'
'Hmm...', i turned my face towards him. 'Nothing', I sighed. 'I'm sorry, I'm just a bit tired. We had two emergency operations today'.
He nodded.
'We'll be home soon'.
Then silence.
He fetched me at work today and we went to Deli's mom birthday party. But my mind was wandering the whole time. It started since I saw Simon and shared a lunch, in which he invited me to go with him. I declined at first for I didn't want to be familiar with him anymore but he insisted, almost pleaded actually, so for old time sake, I gave in.
'I can't stay long Simon, I only got fifteen minutes break', I said hurriedly, glancing at my wristwatch to check on the time. The hospital cafeteria is filled with people. I usually take my lunch with the ICU staff.
'Don't I know that Nicky?'
My head snapped up, he is the only one who calls me Nicky.
I took a deep breath, trying to kill the urge of giving him a piece of my mind. I would be a hypocrite to say that I forgot everything that happened between us. Words of accusations wanna burst from my mouth but what's the point of stating them?
'What do you want?', I sounded stern but damn it to hell what is he doing here?
'I wanted to see you. I mean my cousin is here but aside from that I wanted to know how are you doing?', I can sense that he is studying my reactions.
'I'm perfectly fine', I smiled but it didn't reach my eyes.
I saw his eyes sombering as if he's in pain. Now what?
'I heard you got married', he said in a low tone.
'Yeah, I did', nodding my head in emphasis.
'Why?'
'Why?', I asked, dumbfounded.
'Why did you marry him, Nicky?'
I was surprised by his question. He has the gall to question me?
'Why do you think I married him, Simon?', my temper not far from the surface. What's his point?
'He's quite the catch', then he glanced at my engagement and wedding rings on my left hand. I always wear them when I'm not working as a bedside staff.
I scoffed sarcastically and crossed my arms against my chest.
'Are you thinking I married him for his money?', My frown deepened.
'You don't love him, Nicky', he ignored my question and declared that.
I stared at him levelly. Then took a deep breath to calm my nerves.
'Oh I do. I love him so much', I said seriously.
He shut up. Both of our emotions are running high. Simon can be very stubborn and I don't want to put up with his attitude anymore. I can't believe I survive those years I was his.o
Then to my surprised he clenched his fist and he looked so sad.
I slowly leaned forward and reached for his hand. As much as I wanted to be mad at him, I don't want to carry the burden of hate in my heart. I can't bear to see him like this . Not only him, that includes everyone I know.
'Simon, I wanna thank you for trying and have this talk with me', I took a deep breath and continued. 'Remember we both agreed it was for the better to part ways. I--'
'I still love you, Nicky', he said and squeezed my hand. He was staring blatantly at me.
I was shock. What happened to his other woman? The woman he got with child?
'I realized I made a huge mistake. I want you. I need you. She's-- she isn't you Nicky. I'm so sorry for what I've done, I love you. Please believe me, I love--'
'I'm sorry', I cut him off then I removed my hand from his grapsed. I don't need this. He's confusing me.
'I'm not going to give up on you Nicky. I know you still love me and I won't stop not until you tell me to'.
'Stop now', I said quietly. 'This is madness. I'm married Simon', I hissed.
'I know--'
'Then stop. I don't want to discuss this any further. We're through', I was unrelenting. He needs to know that I'm not the same Nicky that I used to be.
I changed and that is because of him.
My husband. My Eric.
He healed my broken and shattered soul.
I had a change of heart.
I will always be grateful for Simon for if he didn't leave, I would never have met the man of my dreams.
***
'Is there something you wanna tell me?', Eric said the next day while we were strolling around the park just right infront of the hospital. The place where I was sitting with Mina when he had an accident.
He was holding my hands while we were enjoying the playful kids running around with their onlooking parents.
I raised my eyebrows in question.
He stopped walking and let go of my hand. He cleared his throat and faced the sunset. He then placed his hands inside his black slacks pockets.
It was almost seven in the evening but the sun is still up.
'I saw you talking to a man yesterday Nic', he started. His voice sounded different.
My eyes widened. Why didn't he asked me?
He glanced at me and watched my reaction.
'I waited for you to say you've seen him', he stated, answering my silent question. 'He's Simon, right?'
I nodded. My heart started booming in my chest. I frowned. I'm not prepared for this.
'Yes. How did you know him?'
'Mina told me', he sound deadly, and I felt like the hair at the back of my nape started scrambling. But he continued, 'I wanted to take you out for lunch'.
'He's cousin is our patient. Room four', my voice sounded funny. If you're listening to it you can even say it sounded guilty.
'What did he tell you?', he inquired.
God! He looks dangerous.
I look around but everyone were busy with their activities.
Why is he confronting me?
'E-eric, I don't think this is the best place to talk about that', I didn't answer him. We are in a public place and by the look of him, he's boiling mad.
He stared at me for a long time with those chilling blue eyes which was new to me.
He never looked at me that way before. Never. Just today.
Then he smirked and shook his head to himself.
'I'll wait for you in the car', he said, resigned.
I opened my mouth to explain and tried to get a grip his arm but he walked fast ahead of me.
Shit! What have I done?
I was left dumbfounded.
***
He didn't touch me that night and the night after that. He slept on his study and my pride didn't want me to asked him to stay in our bed.
I don't want this silent treatment he's giving me. It is such an uneasy situation. It felt like we're having a strained marriage and I know it's because of me.
I should've told him about Simon, about the visit and about the ending-it-totally-communication-part but due to my stupidity, I didn't tell. Maybe because at the back of my mind I wanted to delve his reaction. He sounded jealous and it made me feel triumphant. For that means he really cares a lot about me.
But still there's this thing about his paintings which leaves too much doubts in my head.
I sighed and bit my lower lip, worrying about his whereabouts while I'm preparing my patient's medications is not gonna help. I need to concentrate or I might give the wrong dosage.
After writing my nurses notes, I started think about him again.
God, I want the loving Eric back.
What happened? How can I bring him back?
Well, there's no one to blame but myself.
I got to go to him and explain things. He'll believe me, coz I know he trusts in me.
I checked on the time from the wallclock. I still got four hours before I'm off work but I need to get the hell out of there.
I need to explain to him. Quick.
I don't think this can wait till he'll fetch me after work.
I made up my mind.
I'm gonna run into his arms and declare my greatest love to him.
I called the nursing office and informed them I'll leave early from work with no thorough explanation. That's one of the benefits of marrying one of the hospital owners, people don't question your motives. Sorry to say but I had a reason so I'm not guilty of being lazy.
I endorsed my patient and took my things. I didn't change my clothes. I covered myself up with a wrinkled lab coat and got away from there.
***
It took me forever in traffic to reach his office building. It's warying to say this is my first time to see the place.
I actually didn't know where it is located, good thing the taxi driver has a knowledge of it.
Most of the people there looked crisp in their business suits. Even the receptionist looked so elegant that she raised her brow at me when I told her I came to see the owner of the building. Her eyes avidly feast on my person but I ignored her. There's a bigger task I have to do.
I went to the elevator and pushed the top floor button.
Top floor, imagine that?
I an aware that his family owns a shipping company but to be included in an airline company too is too much for me to handle?
He's that rich and his wife is left in the dust. For I have no idea. Nothing at all.
I felt momentarily like a rag doll.
I married a guy you can google and his name is included in wikipedia.
Where am I from? Ithink I'm from planet gaga.
I scanned the massive elevator with my eyes, it describes how many employees they can accomodate in that area alone.
I got a bit dizzy after the elevator ride that I have to collect myself. Wow! That was a long ride.
I walked over to a long hallway looking for a sign at the door with his name on it. This part of his building looks grim and not a sound can be heard.
Did I come at the right office?
Then to my luck I saw a massive desk at the far corner of the hallway. Atleast someone's around.
As I traced the path towards it ,I saw a lady coming out of the door from the wall that opened up automatically. I smiled. That's it!
So that's what I need to look around the house. A secret door.
I grinned and was still grinning as I approached the woman in her mid-forties who is now sitting and answering a phone call.
'Good afternoon, may I speak with Mr. Morisson please?'
She covered the mouthpiece of the phone and gestured that she will entertain me after the call.
So I stood there, awkwardly waiting for her to finish. My eyes roamed around and my! There are five massive paintings around. They are all painted with flourished. My heart started thudding. I know they are his.
But among them, one particular painting caught my attention. I walked towards it and as I got nearer I frowned.
It was a woman sitting in a bench, looking so sad with only the side of her face visible. Actually you can't even recognize her as if the one who drew it just made a rough draft. The background of the painting also is blurred as how the painter wanted it to look like. It was as if he doesn't want anyone to recognize the model of his art or even the location where it was taken. But there is something very familiar with her.
Something that really piqued my interest.
Who can she be?
As I stood there trying to come up with an idea, the woman called my attention.
I went to her and introduced myself.
Her eyes widened. Oh-oh maybe she thought I'm making that up.
'I'm hi-his wife', I said, in a low tone again. Now I sound so unsure of myself. Who would believe a plain-messy looking woman is the wife of a handsome billionaire?
She raised her brow too but atleast she smiled.
'Sorry Mrs. Morisson, I didn't recognize you there'.
'It's fine', I gave her a small smile.
'Does Mr. Morisson knows you're coming?', she continued, 'He's in a meeting right now but you can wait inside for him so you can be comfortable'.
She ushered me inside that magic door and wow! You can guess what I saw inside his office.
And yes there are paintings there too.
One looked like a real family photo but if you'll look closely it is a painting. Eric is very talented. He really captured each of his family's features in that frame.
'Can I offer you refreshments?'
'Just water please'.
'Right away, Ma'am', then she left.
She called me Ma'am? That's new. I'm just nurse Nicolaa but never ma'am at the hospital.
I tucked my hair behind my ear and let my eyes wander around.
Soft carpeted floor, expensive furnitures, I sighed.
Who is this guy I'm married to?
My hands started sweating.
She came back with a bottled water, a glass with ice on a tray.
'Meeting's over. He'll be here in ten minutes', she informed me smiling.
I smiled back and thanked her for her assistance then I was left alone again.
As I sat there, rumagging my bag for a lipgloss, I heard someone giggling flirtatiously from outside the door.
Then I heard his assistant informing him about my presence.
'Mr. Morisson, your wife is here'.
'Wife?' he sounded confused then there was a paused. 'Nicolaa?!', he sounded surprised.
I frowned. As far as I know I'm the only wife he has or does he has another one?! Or maybe he must have forgotten he's taken when he's strutting like a peacock.
'Wife?! When did you got married?', a heavily accented woman spoke.
There was a long paused.
'It's a long story', he said in a bored manner.
My eyes widened in shock while my heart and breathing became erratic.
Long story?!
The door opened instantly.
They both looked gayishly smug and beautiful with their office business suits while I look out of place with my lab coat and scrubsuits.
Who is this tall, blondie?
Then a wild recognition dawned on me.
I feel like I wanted to destroy things.
My eyes huge with accusations, seeped into his way.
Coz damn it!
That's the woman from the internet!