“Maybe you’re just exhausted this day, Denver.” I smiled at him, enough to be wryly one. He stared at me and nodded after. “You want me to cook for you?”
“How about lasagna?”
“Sure.”
I went to the black sofa to get my things before I felt Denver’s presence beside me. I want to hold his hand, but I am afraid that his employees might get suspicious of us. I just followed him when he gave me a side glance as we walked outside their company.
Even as we enter his car, I was quiet, and so was Denver. The sky was already dark and gloomy and felt like it resembles what I feel right now. I should be contented that I confessed, right? But the disappointment is creeping out inside me as I didn’t get a single response about it. Just a notion stopping me to like him.
Or maybe, it was the response he has. I just didn’t want to accept it. Because I know, I can’t do that now.
“How about we go to your hometown after this semester?” he asked as we were eating the lasagna I made for him. He looks so tired but still gives his time to be with me. “Or you want to go to another place?”
“I don’t know, Denver.” I bit my inside cheeks as I imagined his plans. “Carmienne and Kian will visit while my parents are currently busy with the business, and so is my uncle.”
He smirks and didn’t rebut after, and it was a fine dinner for us. And it’s been like that for weeks until I felt like he got busier than ever. Ever since the day I confess, he didn’t try to have long talks with me, he managed to get up earlier than me, and he doesn’t look like he even needs me here. It just gets worse, day by day.
It was January 28, the last day of our exam when I felt my phone vibrate. I received a text from Denver saying ‘Goodluck’ to me, a rare time that he texts me. I pocketed my phone and heaved a sigh before I started my exam. Someone beside me was a little bit talkative when the teacher is not in front. It went on like that until the last subject was finished. It was just a half day for the Seniors, so I went straight home.
And even when the semester ended, Denver is still very casual to me. This is how he treats me before. As I saw him walking to the kitchen with only his boxers on to have his breakfast, I can’t help but think that he doesn’t want me there. He didn’t even notice me who was just sitting here in the living room. I can’t help but feel alone again. I was already in my comfort zone, but I thought it was. And now, it’s hard to leave.
This is how I expected my marriage would be. As it was just on paper. No strings attached. Pure business. And it was my fault that I’d been too soft for this. For him.
Maybe, I’ve been clinging to his words too much that my grip on him wounded me in the end.
I opened the door of Denver’s unit who is also considered mine. It felt empty. The sunlight breaking into the windows seemed to be somber. How has it always been like this since the day I confessed? I do not quite remember. All I could notice is him avoiding me. Again.
I saw my canvas in the right corner of the television. It was the final sketch of Denver that I drew. The black strokes complement the gray hues and white shades. It was a stolen shot of him and he was smirking at someone who looks at it. This is how I picture him the first time we met. It’s been too heavy in my heart being avoided by him. But I need to be patient as his wife.
Denver suddenly entered the unit with a hackneyed face. It was obvious with his smell of liquor too. He removes his coat and put it on the sofa before he throws himself on it too. He closed his eyes. I went to his side and sat on the carpeted floor, facing him. I caressed his hair and stroked it gently with my left hand.
“How’s your day?” I asked, waiting for him to reply. He just groaned and didn’t dare to respond, but then reach for my waist as he wrapped me into his arms. My cheeks landed on his neck and caged me.
“My wife…”
I just sighed and stayed like that for several minutes before I assisted him. I started removing his shoes and socks before I put his feet on the sofa for him to have a comfortable sleep. He cannot seem to walk straight to our bedroom. A few minutes later, I immediately heard his low snores, indicating that he was asleep.
I went to our bedroom and changed into comfortable clothes. I was about to sleep when my phone vibrated again, but this time it was a request to answer a video call from Kian. I immediately accepted it.
“Hi!” I waved my hands at the screen as soon as I saw his face. It looks like he’s outside, I think, based on the background of a street light and it’s kind of familiar. “You okay?”
“You look pale,” he muttered as he was panting heavily. He’s wearing a black cap and royal blue hoodie and ripped jeans I knew it was him. “Come outside. I’m here.”
“What?” I ran to my windows and opened them. He was waiting outside as he was holding his phone and waving his other hand at me. He seems to know where I live. “W-wait, how did you—”
“Just come, Sharmienne, I’ll explain later,” he cut me off. “Wear something comfortable, hmm?”
“But Denver’s here. And he’s asleep,” I mumbled. I heard him tsked on the other line. “Kian?”
“Can’t you call someone to look after him? This is important.”
“I’ll tell his friend.”
I turned off the call and texted Daniel to come over to this unit. After that, I changed into comfortable clothes before I left the Madrigal’s Tower. I didn’t try to explain it to Daniel when I saw Kian waiting for me near a mustang beside him. He guided me to enter before he followed. And without hesitation, he maneuvered his car.
“Turn off your phone, Sharmienne.” He looks serious as he was driving. With a clenched jaw, he glanced at me when I didn’t oblige.
“Denver might get worried—”
“Just do as I said, Sha. Please,” he pleaded. I slowly nodded and hesitated at first but then followed what he said. Denver’s asleep and I don’t think he won’t worry too much.
“Why are you doing this? And what is this important matter you’re talking about?”
“It’s about your husband, Sha. So please, cooperate with me.” He muttered eagerly as he was smoothly driving past the cars in front of us.
I have a lot of questions that need to be answered by him. It feels like not the right time to do that. He seems worried and serious over something. Kian’s hands are trembling as he grips tightly on the steering wheel.
“Kian…”
“I’m mad right now, Sharmienne. I shouldn’t have trusted that Velasquez in the first place.” I held on to the seatbelt as he fastened his pace. “I’ll help you get away from him.”
“W-what? No! Wait, Kian. Y-you need to calm down or else, something might happen bad to us.”
With a trembling voice, I tried to talk to him. My hands were shaking but I manage to hold his arm. He glanced at me. His stare softens and his car unfastened his speed until we stop on a bridge. He sighed heavily and put his head on the steering wheel. We kept silent and no one dares to break it.
“He’s not just a wealthy playboy, Sha,” he mumbled without looking at me. It was almost a whisper. His hand holds mine and grasped it as if he needed support to continue what he wanted to say.
“What do you mean?”
“Your husband is a gangster, Sharmienne. A notorious one.”