Our relationship have been a love-hate relationship ever since I could remember, but maybe it’s time for an upgrade.
“I would love that very much, son” he replied with an even bigger smile.
In the end, he was always trying to protect me even though he took all the wrong approaches to do that, and I felt loved.
I arrived to the car with Livy on her phone with someone, but she quickly ended the call when I opened the car and got in.
“Did you and your dad have another fight?” She asked concerned.
I held her gaze and there was something about her eyes that just takes me further down an unknown path. They are genuine and always expressive it was beautiful.
“Did you wait for long?” I asked diverting her worry but was unsuccessful.
“No- not long at all… so, did you fight with your dad again?” She pressed into.
“(exhaling)… Yes. This time it’s a big fight that would only be settled with a dinner together as family in a long while when I return from my trip.” I said sarcastically.
I swear it was pure bliss watching her lips and worried brows spark up into an excited smile. She quickly moved on to me and planted a kiss on my cheek before sitting back on her seat.
“Ha… What was that for?” I asked in surprise.
“That’s for being such a good son.” She stated excitedly.
“Oh, I see… So, what do I get for being a good husband? You don’t know how difficult it was to defend you against my father with your outstanding reputation” I asked mischievously.
“Hmmm… how about a dinner?” She asked plainly.
Ok, I wasn’t expecting that. A dinner? I’m starting to feel like I’m the clingy one in this relationship and that’s new for me.
“Just that?” I asked concerned.
“Mmmh… is there anything else you need?” she inquired casually.
“I don’t know- how about an ‘I love you, Markian’… you’ve not said those words to me before and it’s starting to feel like it’s intentional.” I replied in a serious tone.
I know how she feels about me but it would help me feel a lot better if she said those words to me. I watched as her smile gradually faded and her stare became sad. So, not hearing the words ‘I love you’ from my wife was actually intentional? This is driving me nuts.
Why was she suddenly looking at me like I just spoke an unspeakable truth? She had that look in her eyes she usually have when she wants to push me away again, and it’s scary.
“Fine… I’m not ok with it, but you can say those words to me when you really feel like saying them. I’m not going anywhere.” I stated without thinking.
“New York… you’ll be gone for 2week to New York alone.” She reminded sadly and it broke my heart.
She must really want me around if the idea of me traveling upsets her so much. So, I took her hand in mine and intwined our fingers together.
“I promise I’ll call you everyday… I won’t even enjoy the trip without you I mean it. It would be the most boring 2weeks of my life, seriously” I said in an attempt to brighten her mood.
“Every 4hrs… I want you to call me every 4hrs. I’ll be the first person you talk to in the morning, and the last person you see at night- everyday. Before going to bed you’ll FaceTime me until we fall asleep, ok?” She ordered but it was so cute and sweet.
With a pout at the end of her request, I couldn’t help but agree right away.
“I promise, I will…” I replied obediently and kissed our intwined hand.
“… are you hungry? Let go get something to eat.”
“How about some pastries? I’m in the mood for something sweet right now” she suggested and I obliged immediately.
I started the car and we drove to one of the best Pastry cafes in the city, and in the evening she kept to her word and made me a delicious dinner.
The next morning- morning of my departure, I opened my eyes to a cute clingy Livy, holding on to my waist very tight and wouldn’t let go.
My flight was scheduled for 10am and it was already 7:30am, I needed to start getting ready but Livy wouldn’t let me go.
“Baby, I swear- if this deal wasn’t major, I would have sent over a representative instead, but I have to be there personally this time around.” I tried to reason with her after she clung on to me like a koala, all the way to the bathroom.
What has gotten over her all of a sudden? Her moods were changing so drastically it was quite cute to watch.
It’s killing me to leave her and go on this trip, and I wish I could take her with me too, but she have Luthel Inc to take care of since Judy was still recuperating.
Because she wouldn’t leave my body, we took a warm shower together while she made me repeat my promise to call her every 4hrs over and over again.
Actually, it’s the least I could do, and I was happy she came up with that idea. She would be the first person I speak to each day and the last person I see before I go to bed. Win and win.
She clung on to my arms tightly until I boarded my jet, and it was personally agonizing to say goodbye to her- but I tried to stay strong.
I even tried to convince myself that in a way, maybe a little distance between us is what we needed at the moment. But, that evening after I arrived at New york, I got an email from Heather that completely rattled me to the bones and I had no idea how to react to it.
Livy
“Sophy?…” I called out in shock and disbelief.
No… this can not be happening right now, everything is going on so fast. I need more time, I thought as my sister slowly turned to face me in surprise.
“Olivia? Wh… what are you doing here?” she asked confused.
How on earth do I answer such question? What exactly is the right answer to what am I doing in her husband’s house?
“How… are you here?” I countered back nervously.
I don’t think ‘this is my home’ would appeal well in this situation. She looked at me with suspicion, maybe because of the fact that I just ignored her question and asked mine instead.
“Well, I came here for an interview of a job vacancy. I read there’s a slot available for a helpers in this villa, so I applied. Luckily, I was asked to come for an interview today. Your turn- what are you doing here?” She asked again, eagerly.
“I… emm- I’m in charge of the interview, so it’s only normal that I’m here” I replied in a haste.
Wow. if I keep going on like this for much longer, I might lose track of my morality. The lies are starting to feel heavier each time I tell them, pand I’m afraid that I’m slowly beginning to lose myself.
“Well- what the hell, huh… like how often do such coincidences occur?” She inquired rhetorically seeming convinced by my lie, while is gave a nervous chuckle.
I let her inside involuntarily and not really thinking much, until a portrait on the wall hit my eyes.
Unlike the Winfrey mansion where Sophy and Markian’s portrait were hung almost every corner, here it’s my pictures are on display in the hallways, rooms, living room, except the cottage and courtyards.
Sophy can’t see my pictures or portraits in this place neither can she know that I got married to her husband.