The next morning, it feels like a little different than usual. I came to the restaurant and the first thing I noticed was the empty space outside, which was supposed to be where the flowers are. When I walked inside, I can no longer smell the fragrance of my favorite flower. The setting and arrangements were now back to normal. A sad smile formed on my lips because I admit, my eyes were already used to its new setting and also my nose from its fragrance.
“So, what happened between you two, last night?”
Noelle followed me inside the office.
“What did he say?”
“He didn’t notice my last message about my brother,” I said while taking a seat.
“Hmm… alright. So, what did you tell him?”
I sighed. “I want to breathe for a while. I want us to continue the divorce.”
“What the fuck, Madielyn! Are you insane?” she snapped at me. “He’s been waiting for you for three years, just to show you how much he loves you!”
“I know. I-I just want to breathe, you know. I want to think for a while!”
“By filing a divorce?” she asked me looking disappointed. “What’s happening to you, Madi? Three years ago, you came here crying because he couldn’t see you, he couldn’t see your efforts and he can’t love you back. And then now that he’s making all the efforts, and showing you how much he loves you, suddenly you want to breathe? And you want to file a divorce ‘again?”
She emphasized the last word.
“Don’t you think you’re being unfair and selfish? Why don’t you tell him everything you want and everything you feel about your relationship and your situation? Try to understand him and not just yourself. He’s also a human, Madi.”
“Hey, why don’t you listen to me first?”
“I know all your sides Madi, and I totally understand you. If you want to do this, because you feel like you can’t breathe and you’re suffocated, then go on. But don’t you ever cry to me again.”
“Where are you going?” I asked when she got up and headed for the door.
“I’m just going outside and giving you time to think too. I don’t want to add to suffocation and make you stop breathing,” she said smiling but you can notice the sarcasm in her voice.
“Noelle..”
“He can also feel pain, Madi.” she left me a half-hearted smile before she opened and exited the door.
I was left speechless and dumbfounded at the same time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When I tried to call him the next day, it always goes to voicemail, so I just tried to dial Sandy’s number.
“Hello, Mrs. Wilsons, how are you?” I rolled my eyes when I heard her question.
“Hi, Sandy. I just want to ask if Gabriel is there? I’ve been calling him but it just turns into voicemail.”
“Hmm… yeah, he’s here, but he’s currently in a meeting.”
“Ahh… okay.”
“Madi, what happened to you after the bar incident? Because he’s been quiet these last two days. He hasn’t even smiled all day and take note, he didn’t ask for coffee since yesterday. He was sulking inside his office.”
I just bit my lips and closed my eyes.
“He’s being the old Gabriel again, Madi. Are you two okay?”
“Y-Y yeah.. we’re just having a little misunderstanding.”
“Hmm… okay. I hope you two can fix your ‘little misunderstanding’ soon. Because I swear Madi, I don’t want to become a robot again inside this company. It’s so hard to become your husband’s secretary when he’s in a foul mood.”
I chuckled. “You said he was in a meeting, but why aren’t you with him?”
“Hello.. he has his PA, duh! And he told me not to go with him, so yeah, I’m here talking to you.”
“Was it a board meeting?”
“Nope, he has a meeting with our new Australian investors.”
“I see. ” I said nodding.
“Do you want me to call him? You know, he can cancel everything when it comes to you.”
“No! I’m just gonna call him later. Thanks, Sandy.”
“Okay. You want me to inform him that you called?”
“Yes, please. Thank you.”
I sent him a text message if we can talk tonight or maybe after his work but when I got a reply, he said he still has a midnight meeting so he can’t be able to talk to me tonight.
I went home alone that night. He didn’t call me the whole day and didn’t even send me another text message. When I closed the door, my eyes landed on the kitchen area and a smile instantly crept on my lips. I remember these past months of staying here and Gabriel in the other unit, knocking on my door at early six in the morning almost every day, just to bring me breakfast or to cook for us. He always said, it’s more comfortable to move around in my kitchen, that’s why he loves cooking there every day.
But of course, I know it was just his reason to see me and to eat together with me in the morning. And later at night when we get home, he always helps me prepare our dinner and eat together before moving back to his unit.
Tears welled up in both my eyes when I noticed the new DVDs and dried roses on top of the coffee table. That was the last flower he gave me before he flew to Texas for a business trip. And the DVDs that he told me not to watch until he came because he wanted us to watch them together.
I missed him. I’m so fucking missed him. I don’t want this feeling… alone and empty He’s now there for me, showing me how much he loves me, but I’m pushing him away. I don’t know what I want. I love him and I have no doubt about it.
That night, I fell asleep with dried tears on my eyes and face. And when I woke in the morning, his number was the one I dialed first. But just like yesterday, it only goes to his voicemail. So, I don’t have a choice but to call Sandy again.
“Hi, Sandy.”
“Madi? What made you call this early in the morning?”
“Is he in a meeting?” I asked her, ignoring her question.
“Who, Mr. Wilsons? You didn’t know, he flew to Australia last night for their new investment contract.”
“What?” I blinked repeatedly. Did I hear it correctly?
“Ohh… it seems like you don’t know. Didn’t he tell you?”
“H-He didn’t mention.”
“Really?”
“W-What time did he leave, I mean his flight last night?” I tried not to sound disappointed, but I know I failed.
“As far as I know, it’s midnight. And for sure they’re still in the plane at this hour, because from here to Sydney, it’s going to take you eighteen to twenty hours flying using his private jet. And they will go straight to their hotel reservation to talk about the investments.”
“Hmm.. do you have an idea how long the meeting would take.”
“Four to five days I guess. But it still depends on how they will discuss the project and proceed immediately to the contract signing, you know the business world.”
“I see. Thanks, Sandy.”
“Wait Madi! Care to share what’s happening between you two? Because as far as I remember, this is the first time he didn’t inform you about his meeting out of the country meeting.”
But before I could answer, I was interrupted by the familiar female voice on the other line.
“Sandy, can I borrow a copy of the reports from the finance department.”
“Sure. Just take it from the shelves, it’s in the yellow folder.” Sandy’s answered. “Hello, Madi. I’m sorry it’s Mica.”
I curled my eyebrows. “Mica? You mean, Gabriel’s assistant?”
“Yes. The one who lunged at your back the last time you came here.” she chuckled but that’s not what caught my attention.
“Sandy, you said Gabriel is in out of town meeting?”
“Yes, he is.”
“Then why Mica is also there with you? Shouldn’t there be at least one of you with him in this meeting? It’s out of town, he should take one of you with him.”
“Actually, we already talked about this morning. We’re both wondering why Mr. Wilsons didn’t bring anyone with him? Well, except his driver. But anyway what can we do, we’re just following orders here. Or maybe he just wants to be alone.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged even though she can’t see me. “Anyway, thank you, Sandy. I have to go.”
“Hey! You haven’t answered my question yet!”
“I’ll just explain it to you the next time. I really have to go. Bye Sandy.” I didn’t wait for her to speak again. I ended the call immediately.
I fall myself back on the bed with lots of questions swirling inside my head. Sandy was right, this is the first time he didn’t inform me about his out-of-town meeting. I know he’s giving me time to think but I can’t help but feel worried about this meeting. He didn’t bring his PA and secretary and not even another representative from the company.
I need to contact him as soon as possible.