“Hmm, he’s handsome, don’t you find him attractive?” he lowered his eyelids to look at her.
“What? Of course not…” Alessandra chuckly said.
Gabriel glanced at me and poured his glass a drink before pouring mine.
“He likes you,” he said in a low volume.
Alessandra’s eyes widened as she faced her husband.
“No, he doesn’t. We’re just friends!” her lips quivered, tears filling her eyes to the brim.
I witnessed how Gabriel pulled her into a hug. Alessandra buried her face on his chest.
I slowly blinked my eyes, just like how painfully slow my heart is tearing apart. I quickly looked down and drank the whiskey.
“Join them,” he said in a hushed voice and dipped his head to kiss her on the lips.
Because of my deep love for him, he could easily hurt my vulnerable feelings like what he did right now. It was a quick kiss but it can’t comfort the pain that’s slowly arising in my heart.
“You’re not mad?” Alessandra whispered in a soft voice.
“Of course not, just spend your rest day with your friends. I’ll follow in a bit,” he said and tapped her head slowly.
“How about you, Meredith? Aren’t you going to swim?” Alessandra turned to me.
“Uh, I’ll follow later. I’ll just finish this…” I raised the glass I’m holding which is filled with whiskey.
“Okay…” She stood up and removed her bolera, leaving her with a bikini before running towards her friends.
I can’t deny her beauty. There’s no doubt that Hezekiah will like her despite his amnesia.
“Finish that and go to them,” Gabriel said in his undertone voice.
“How about you?”
I saw his jaw clenched before harshly blew out a breath.
“I’m fine here, I don’t like beach…” he uttered.
My face contorted into a frown but I quickly understood it. “Why? Is there a problem? Can’t you swim?”
He clenched his jaw tight and poured himself a drink. He drank it all at once before staring at me darkly.
“I don’t have any plans of doing so,” he answered.
I nibbled my lips, thinking of the reason why he doesn’t want to swim.
“Why don’t you try? Maybe you can actually swim, you just… forgot,” I casually said, slightly giving him hints.
His eyes immediately went to me. I was shocked to find nothing but pitch-black iris and his gloomy expression.
I blinked and slowly brought the glass to my lips, “Is there something bothering you?” I asked with a hint of concern.
I want to hear it from him. That he has amnesia… but he didn’t.
“No, I’m fine…” he shook his head.
I didn’t push it to him. I’m afraid I might cause him to hurt his brain. I’m right, they didn’t tell Gabriel about his past.
His eyes stared back at me for a longer moment. I can feel my cheeks slowly heating up with the stares he’s giving off.
I jugged the whiskey from my glass before lowering my eyes.
“You took an unreasonable leave without my permission. Tell me, how important was it that you had to risk your work for a two-week vacation?” He leaned his back against the chair while crossing his arm over his chest securely.
“It’s Dad’s birthday,” I uttered.
I averted my eyes towards the ocean where I saw them swimming. Alessandra waved at me which I returned with a smile.
“Isn’t two weeks to long to celebrate your dad’s birthday?” he asked in disbelief.
I heaved a deep sigh and looked into his eyes, but it was like nothing was there to behold. He just wanted to know the reason of my leave, other than that… none.
“I also visited my in-laws; Iseah, Zia and Kesha.”
I noticed him stiffened, his jaw clenched after hearing those names. “How are they?” he asked immediately.
My eyes widened in bewilderment, I can’t believe he asked me that question! I looked up at his eyes again but I could see nothing. His eyes were bottomless and full of darkness. He seemed to not know anything about what I’m talking about.
“T-they were fine, Zia is alreay a grown-up teenage girl while Kesha is in grade school. Iseah’s currently working as an accountant supervisor at a big company in Queensland.” I smiled while mentioning their names.
“Well, it’s good to hear that… and your husband?” he finally asked.
I smiled bitterly and stared afar at the wide ocean. “I don’t know, I guess he’s already happy wherever he is right now,” I whispered at the wind.
“He maybe not,”
I stared back at him in confusion. He just shrugged at me. “You were bonded together as one. He should be there for you, loving you completely,” he uttered in his baritone voice.
“Hmm, but that’s not what I see in him. He looks happy with in the arms of another woman,” I almost choked. I bit my lips hard to stop my tears from falling.
He didn’t answer, instead, he filled my empty glass with whiskey.
“But you’re still wearing your wedding ring. You’re still hoping that he’ll come back to you, am I right?” he asked.
I lowered my head down. I caressed the wedding ring on my finger before smiling bitterly.
“I don’t know…” My voice cracked. I tightened my lips and exhaled secretly.
The night had finally befallen, wrapping the day in its dark blanket. The salty wind whipping my hair wildly around my eyes.
The temperature was fairly chilly and comfy. I hugged myself while looking up at the dispersed stars overwhelmingly displayed above. I looked around. It’s already night but the people are stilo so hyped up. They started to lit up bonfires and danced to their heart’s content. The disco was on a blast from a distance.
I brought my eyes back to the night skies. The pitch-black curtain draped over the sky. It’s so serene, unlike everything that’s surrounding me.
Earlier, I decided to sleep my drunk self due to over drinking. I isolated myself from them because my head was pounding even though I wanted ti swim. I just woke uo when Alessandra knocked onto my door for the dinner.
From here, I can see their group sitting far from the bonfire. They were in front of alcohol beverages and food. I Silently observed them… him.
He looks very handsome in his grey T-shirt and navy blue shorts. Alessandra is by his side, laughing while having a chat with Marcus.
He seems very happy, right? He has a beautiful and kind wife, a stable job and friends he can trust.
I can’t help but to regret that I didn’t introduce myself as his wife the day we met. The law is with me and I have the right to take him but I didn’t.
I bit my lower lip, hugging my knees and lowered my head. That night, the way he kissed me was so gentle. There’s no way I’m wrong that he’s my Hezekiah. I thought everything would be clearer between us after that night, but I’m wrong. He’s now madly in love with Alessandra.
I wiped my tears away. What the fuck are you doing, Meredith? You should fight for your spot. You’re the legal wife, you should be the one beside him.
I stared emotionlessly at them for a while. Alessandra is now leaning against his broad chest, while Gabriel whispering something on her ears, causing her to laugh and hit Gabriel on his arm. I heaved a sigh and stood up, turning to the sea.
I removed my blouse and shorts, leaving me with my black two piece. I confidently walked towards the water. I have a good figure and a glossy skin. The lingering light reflected on my skin, so I don’t have anything to be ashamed of.
The gust of the night breeze brushed my chest and the sudden coldness in front of me made me shiver.
I felt the gazes of the people upon me causing me to inadvertently flinch. I closed my eyes tightly, mustering my courage and opened my eyes upfront.
“You can do it, Meredith.”