“I was too afraid of being dumped. Because of it, I made up the story,” Julian said in a choked voice. “Actually, Mom gave a necklace for both of us. But, I don’t accept it.”
The man who told the story began to wipe his wet face. His voice had been muffled by a suffocating gasp.
“I was annoyed that Mom put a necklace around Max’s neck, while I was asked to keep it tight. I was angry that his necklace contains a picture of Mom and you, while mine is … a man I don’t know.”
Hearing that unexpected statement, Herbert’s breath began to falter. With trembling hands, he grabbed Julian’s shoulders and shook him.
“Say that it’s not true! You’re telling something to evade your rights.”
Getting no answer, the old man’s laughter began to sound insane.
“You are a coward and a fool, Julian. Why do you make up such a story? It really doesn’t make sense. After all, you are still my biological son, the one who deserves the top position in Quebracha.”
With eyes blocked by tears, Julian shook his head in front of his father.
“But, that’s the truth. I can no longer bear this burden. When I got the news that Max had an accident, I was terrified. I’ve been stealing his happiness all this time. I won’t be able to survive if it turns out, I also stole his life.”
“Enough!” Herbert rebuked in a booming voice. “I don’t want to hear any more excuses from you. Tomorrow, you must come to Quebracha. Don’t try to hide or I’ll drag you into the CEO’s seat!”
Quickly, the old man took a bottle from the shelf and walked up the stairs. He didn’t care if the man behind him sobbed louder.
After a while, Julian also left the room, leaving Gabriella who was wiping the tears on her husband’s face.
“Max,” the woman called in a thin voice. Her eyes also glazed over with sadness.
Instead of answering, the man closed his eyes and shed more tears. With cold hands, he pressed the woman’s warm palm against his cheek. The man’s sigh really cut the woman’s heart.
“If you want to cry, cry. You will feel more relieved,” Gabriella said in a low voice.
However, the husband did not answer. The man was still trying to withstand the pressure that almost exploded his chest.
Unable to bear to see her husband’s suffering, the woman lifted the helmet that she had forced. After that, gently, she pulled the man into a hug.
“Cry, Max. Don’t hold back your sadness,” Gabriella whispered, stroking her husband’s hair.
Slowly, sobs began to sound. The man gripped his wife’s shirt tightly. His chest was too tight, while his heart was too empty. He didn’t know how to get rid of the pain.
“Why did they treat me like that, Gaby? Why?”
Gabriella’s heart trembled at Max’s moans. Not knowing what to answer, she patted him on the back, accompanying the man to lament the fate that was so unfair.
***
“Why aren’t you sleeping, Max?” Gabriella asked the man whose head leaned against her heart. “Go to sleep, don’t let your head hurt again.”
“I can’t sleep,” Max said hoarsely.
“Why? Are you still thinking about Julian and Herbert’s conversation earlier?” the woman sighed, stroking her husband’s head.
A second later, no sound was heard. Gabriella could feel the man’s chest expand to beat the tightness.
“I’ve tried not to think about it. But, Julian’s words kept ringing in my mind,” Max said, suddenly making his wife furrow the eyebrows.
“Is there any way I can cheer you up?” the woman asked, examining the man’s expression.
As if he knew, Max suddenly lifted his head near Gabriella’s chin. A small curve was then painted sadly on his face.
“Just hug me. I already feel comforted,” he said softly.
“But your sadness hasn’t gone away, Max,” Gabriella said, feeling disappointed in herself.
Receiving that kind of attention, the man widened his smile. After a few moments, he was silent while stroking his wife’s beautiful face.
“Gaby, do you mind if we move out of here?” he asked, breaking the silence.
The woman’s eyebrows suddenly arched high. “Have we already talked about that? You want to live in a peaceful place after our honeymoon.”
With a slow motion, Max shook his head. “I want to get out of this city as soon as possible,” the man said with sad eyes.
“Are you sure?” Gabriella asked doubtfully.
“Yes. I want to start a new life with you. No vengeance or threats. Let’s forget everything that ever hurt us. How?”
The woman’s eyes quivered at her husband. After a moment of contemplation, she finally developed a smile.
“I will follow you anywhere, Max. Have you got a destination?” Gabriella asked, trying to sound cheerful.
Getting a positive response, Max’s sadness automatically decreased. “Do you like beach?” he inquired, tilting his head.
Wasting no time, the woman nodded. “The sound of the waves at night will make beautiful music.”
“And seeing you in a bikini would be a very beautiful sight,” the man teased before starting to laugh.
Seeing the joy had returned to brighten her husband’s face, Gabriella laughed too. Then, without hesitation, she pressed her lips to his.
“Don’t be sad anymore, Max. I don’t like seeing you dispirited.”
“Does that mean, you like it when I’m burning with passion?” Max asked with a lopsided smile.
Gabriella understood what that expression meant. Without waiting for a signal, she began to move her feet, rubbing something that would make the man forget all sorrow.
“Since you’ve been declared healthy by the doctor, should I start burning?” the woman sighed in a coquettish tone.
Max’s eyes suddenly narrowed. “You do understand me best, Gaby,” he replied, moving down through his wife’s nightgown. Once he found the end, gently, he began to enjoy.
In just a few seconds, Gabriella gasped at her husband’s action. Even though the man’s face was no longer visible, she knew that Julian’s confession was already buried. It’s her job to fill Max’s brain with warmth. She would not let her husband go back to being sad.
“Max, would you like to try a new style?” the woman asked between sighs.
“What style?” Max replied with blazing eyes.
Suddenly, Gabriella placed her feet on each of her husband’s shoulders. “I accidentally saw it on the internet. You will feel more challenged,” the woman explained with a nosy smile.
“Oh, I love experimenting,” Max groaned before starting to make his wife squeal.
That night, Gabriella managed to make her husband forget all the problems.
***
All suitcases were neatly arranged in the trunk, while the car was waiting for the passengers to enter.
“Why so sudden, Sir? Didn’t you say you wanted to go on your honeymoon first before looking for a new place to live?” Minnie asked on behalf of all the lined up servants. “We haven’t even had a chance to say goodbye yet.”
With a small smile and sad eyes, Max patted the back of the woman who had served in his house for a long time.
“We want to calm down. Too much pressure these days,” the man replied, successfully weighing the air.
“This house will be so lonely without both of you,” Minnie muttered with teary eyes.
“Don’t be sad, Auntie. Every now and then, we will visit you,” Gabriella said while rubbing the arm of the old woman in front of her.
A second later, the two women embraced. “Be careful wherever you are. Do not fight anymore. Understand? I am not there to mediate with you.”
Laughter finally sounded for a moment. “Understood,” Gabriella answered with a smile that felt awkward.
After a while, they exchanged glances again. “See you later, Auntie.”
“See you, Madam,” Minnie said before turning to the man, “Sir.”
With heavy steps, Max and Gabriella got into the car. While watching the waving of the servants, the man took a deep breath. There was no smile on his face.
“Are you sure you want to get out of here?” the wife whispered as she understood the meaning of the look in her husband’s eyes.
“Yeah,” Max said before forcing a smile.
As soon as the car moved, a feeling of emptiness immediately filled his heart. The memories that had been engraved in the house suddenly came to mind. Max won’t let some of them to leave. But he didn’t want the remainders to leave a trace.
After a moment, Gabriella slipped her fingers into her husband’s fist. When Max turned around, a sweet smile greeted him.
“Wherever you go, I will always accompany you. You don’t need to feel lonely,” the woman said, successfully lifting the burden off the man’s shoulders.
“Thank you, Gaby. I’m so lucky to have you,” Max said before kissing his wife’s forehead.
Leaning on her husband’s shoulder, Gabriella stared at the road through the windshield. She didn’t know what would happen after they left. But clearly, the place they were going to, would feel so peaceful.