With eyes spinning and ears ringing, Max tried to grab Snowy. Having managed to get the white teddy bear, he got out of the car filled with deflated balloons.
“Are you all right, Sir?” someone asked in a pinched voice.
Unexpectedly, Max ignored like he didn’t listen. The man continued to stagger while chanting his wife’s name. No visible blood. However, everyone was worried by his pale face.
“Sir? How about we go to the hospital?”
Max turned to the woman who was standing not far from him. Instead of answering, he whispered, “Gabriella?”
Two seconds later, the man fell on the asphalt. Hysterical shrieks immediately rang out from the people surrounding him.
“Call an ambulance!”
“Is there a doctor around here?”
“How about we just take him to the nearest hospital?”
Max had no idea about the panic around him. He had fallen asleep with Gabriella’s image as his last vision.
***
“What is Max doing now? Is he okay?” a woman thought as she was leaning on a wooden pole.
Looking up at the stars, she returned to that day, the night her husband made her the happiest and saddest woman on earth.
“What are you doing here, Madam?” a young girl asked as she placed a cup of hot tea beside the woman.
In an instant, the corners of Gabriella’s lips were forced up. “Just looking at the stars and enjoying the night. You’re so lucky, Rose, to have a place as beautiful as this.”
“What’s so beautiful, Madam? The walls alone are made of boards. If it rains, we are always in trouble. There is no luxurious furniture like in Mr. Evans’ house. You shouldn’t have run away, Madam,” the girl said with pursed lips.
Hearing her husband’s name, Gabriella’s lips stopped to curl up. The wound she had been trying to cover, had opened up again.
Noticing the change in the woman’s expression, Rose immediately covered her mouth. “Forgive me, Madam. I don’t mean to be presumptuous.”
“Do you hate Max?” Gabriella asked, ignoring her former servant’s guilt.
The young girl immediately blinked and raised an eyebrow. “Hate Master?”
The sad-faced woman nodded spontaneously. “He has fired you. I’m not sure how he treats you before. But I think, you must be annoyed by his cold demeanor.”
Unexpectedly, Rose shook her head. “No, Madam. I never felt that way. Even though our interaction was simply giving and carrying out orders, I never objected or offended. That’s my job as a servant.”
“But still … he can’t be mean to anyone,” Gabriella muttered before taking a deep breath.
“I don’t understand what Madam means by mean. But, for me, repaying Master’s kindness is an obligation. Instead, I feel bad when I have to break the rules.”
The woman’s eyes widened. “Kindness?” she sighed in surprise.
A small smile automatically graced the young girl’s face.
“Do you know that my mother has a heart defect? In the past, when we were almost in despair, Master came to offer help. Even though it was through his charitable organization, still, it all happened because of Master’s kindness.”
Gabriella pensively heard the story that seemed new to her, while Rose had looked up as if staring at the stars.
“That’s why, when I found out that Master was looking for a servant, I immediately signed up. I want to repay his kindness. Thanks to Master, I can still see my mother smiling.”
As Gabriella was contemplating, digesting the story, suddenly, Rose took a quick breath and turned to her.
“At that time, I was surprised by the truth that all applicants had suffered the same fate as me? They had also received help from the charitable organization.”
The woman was wide-eyed at the unexpected testimony. “Is it true?”
The young girl nodded. “Therefore, we never took issue with Master’s cold demeanor. We consider it reasonable. That’s why, when you came, we were surprised. Master had never paid so much attention to any woman before.”
Seeing Gabriella widen her eyes with tightly pursed lips, Rose secretly smiled.
“But then, we are glad that he chose a woman as good as you. And we are also very grateful that your presence makes Master seem happier. It feels like you are a gift sent by God to repay Master Max’s kindness.”
Hearing such praise, heavy air instantly filled Gabriella’s lungs. With a gloomy curve of her lips, she lowered her head.
“I’m not that good, Rose. Because of my existence, Max is in danger of losing his position and dream.”
Sniffing the sadness from the woman beside her, the young girl exhaled slowly. With lips no longer curved, she took Gabriella’s hand.
“I’m really sorry, Madam. If only I could turn back time, I wouldn’t want to be seduced by that bastard.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong, Rose.”
“No, Madam. I played a big part in trapping you. I replaced Master’s vitamins with stimulant. I was also the one who was spying on you so that those people could perfect their evil plans. If only I had refused to-”
“Then they would find another way,” Gabriella interrupted with a small smile.
A second later, she began to pat the back of the hand that was holding her. “Don’t blame yourself like this, Rose. Those bad guys were too cunning. Besides, you have to take care of your mother’s health, right?”
Tears started to block Rose’s view. With breath starting to sob, she swallowed hard. “My apologies, Madam. I’ve been blinded by Sebastian’s seduction. When I realized, it was too late for me to run away from him.”
Gabriella’s hand moved to the young girl’s shoulder. “Never mind, it’s okay. This is how my life goes. But, if you still feel guilty, help me to hide. Don’t let Max find me. The plans of the bad guys must not come true.”
Rose nodded and took a quick breath. “Yes, Madam. I will help you as much as I can.”
“Thank you, Rose,” Gabriella said with tears in her eyes.
After a moment of silence, the woman’s eyes fell on the teacup which left a little steam. The image of Max’s face suddenly flashed in her mind.
“Is this for me?” the woman asked, holding back her breath.
The young girl wiped her face and nodded. “Yes, Madam. Is there something wrong?”
The curve of the lips again formed on Gabriella’s face. “I don’t drink tea anymore.”
Rose’s crying suddenly stopped. With a confused blink, she searched the memory for an explanation. After a while, she gasped and sighed. “Sorry, Madam. I forgot.”
Gabriella smiled a little too. “It does not matter. Take it for you. Besides, I’m going to my room. Today is very tiring.”
As soon as the woman started to move, Rose also stood up to match the movement. “Do you want me to take you to the room?”
“No, Rose. Thank you. Room number two, right?”
The young girl spontaneously scratched her head. “Sorry, Madam. I forgot that my house is too small for you.”
Gabriella shook her head and refuted, “Absolutely not. My house used to be this big too. Even though it wasn’t as large as Max’s, the important thing is it’s warm. I should be the one apologizing. You have to share a bed with your mother.”
“I don’t mind, Madam.”
Seeing the girl’s sincerity, Gabriella nodded. After saying goodbye once more, she entered a room.
Just as her eyes fell on Smiley, the woman’s face suddenly went blank. Memories of the husband had been spinning by themselves.
Unable to shake off Max’s image, Gabriella grabbed the teddy and rubbed its head.
“Should I leave you with Snowy?” she asked before letting out a dry breath. Tears were gathering in her eyes again. “That way, it won’t be this hard for me to forget about it.”
Holding Smiley tightly, Gabriella lay in pain. Every now and then, she took a deep breath, trying to collect the remnants of her husband’s scent that clung to the teddy. But unfortunately, longing ensnared her heart tighter.
“I’m sorry, Max. I have to break the promise. I hope your steps are lighter now. Defeat those bad guys and show your success.”
Gabriella had absolutely no idea that her departure would only bring greater torment to Max.