“Ma’am Madi, you’re back!”
I smiled at the maid who opened the front door.
“Where is your Sir Gabriel—”
“Madi!”
My words were interrupted by Nancy’s voice coming from the wide staircase. She’s running her way towards me.
“Thank God, you’re here!” she hugged me tightly and pulled me to the couch. “Madi, you know I like you, right?”
I gulped with her words.
“And I seriously want you to be my sister-in-law. I want you to know this. I’ve never seen Gab cry with any woman before, not even with Stacey when she left him. I’ve never seen him so devastated, Madi. And this is the second time I see him in this situation.” she held both my hands. “He loves you, Madi. He loves you so much, and I saw how lifeless he became when you were gone. He didn’t want to go out, he didn’t want to socialize and talk to anyone. He always locked himself in your room.”
“In my room?”
“Yes, he lost direction in life. He searched throughout America just to find you. And when he saw you in Colorado, he never wasted any second to go back and see you again.”
She looked at me with a half-hearted smile and tears started running down her cheeks. I bit my lips to control my own tears, but I failed when I saw her eyes with silent pleas.
“I love my brother, Madi. And it hurts me to see him like that. That’s exactly what he did three years ago. He was so excited to see you and share the news with you that Stacey’s child wasn’t his, but when he found out that you already left him, his world suddenly crushed down on his feet. He always came home drunk, he always slept drunk. And alcohol became his best friend and companion at that time.”
She paused as she wiped her face.
“I’m sorry for telling you this, but I don’t want to see him anymore in this situation Madi. Please, if you still love my brother, forgive him Madi. I know—–”
She stopped and we got up immediately when we heard the sounds of shattering glass. We both shared a look of panic and were about to run when we heard someone’s voice from the kitchen.
“What happened?”
My eyes snapped to the owner and… “Martin?”
“Babe?” He uttered in surprise, but when he looked at Nancy, “Ohh… Madi?”
If we’re just in a different situation, I’m sure I already found myself rolling on the floor and laughing so hard at Martin’s horrified face. But instead, I immediately ran upstairs and the two followed behind me. I saw Elsa in the hallway and her eyes widened in realization, but I don’t have enough time to greet her.
“Gabriel? What happened to you there? Open this door!” Nancy tried to slam and turn the knob, but it was locked inside.
“Elsa, can you please get the spare key—-” I didn’t finish my request when she grabbed my arm and put the three keys in my hand. “Thank you,” I said smiling at her.
I unlocked the door with the key in my hand but before I could push it, Nancy patted me on the shoulder and gave me a pleading smile. I nodded and took a deep breath before finally turning the doorknob
I gasped and my hand automatically went to my mouth to control the heavy sobs that wanted to come out from my lips. It’s too painful and it almost choked me. Hysterical tears immediately blurred my vision as I closed the door behind me.
I wasn’t ready for this. The room was a total mess and completely ruined that you can no longer call it a room. Clothes, pillows, empty wine bottles, and beers were all scattered on the floor. And there were also shattered glasses and bottles everywhere. The whole room smelled strongly of alcohol and tobacco. Since when did he learn to smoke?
I can no longer see the image of my old room in my head. I entered slowly and tiptoed to avoid the broken glasses. The flat screen tv was no longer hanging on the wall but now one of the things that you can put in the junkshop. I roamed my eyes and tried to find him, but I can’t see him inside. Then I heard muffled sounds inside the bathroom.
I pushed the door gently, and my handbag fell to the floor as I felt my knees buckle, from the scene that came into my view. I found Gabriel sitting at one of the bathroom corners, his head leaning against the wall while clutching a picture frame on his chest. His other hand was still holding a bottle of beer.
He didn’t seem to notice me, because he kept bringing the bottle to his mouth while he was still with his eyes closed. I don’t know how many times I took a deep breath before I slowly walked closer to him. I wiped my tears away using my hands as I felt my heart melt from his current condition… rumpled shirt, and ruffled hair, probably because of his mannerism of brushing them up.
I knelt in front of him.
“What are you doing here?”
I gasped when he suddenly asked me. So, he noticed that someone was watching him? He knew it was me. He was about to bring the bottle again to his mouth but I snatched it from him.
“That’s enough, Gabriel. You’re drunk.”
“Give it back to me,” he said but he didn’t move from his seat.
“No! Why didn’t you go to your Australian meeting? I thought you were missing and I was so worried. Why didn’t you inform me?”
I asked as I take the frame out of his grip, but I was stopped when he opened his eyes and looked at me.
They were bloodshot and looked restless. He now has a beard and mustache of imposing length and his cheeks were covered with dried tears. I bit my quivering lips to control the sobs that wanted to lose from my throat.
“Shhh…” he raised his hand and wiped my tears with his knuckles. “I’m sorry if I made you worry. What are you doing here?” he asked me with a smile that didn’t even reach his eyes.
“What are you doing to yourself?” I asked him back with a blurred vision. “Why are you locking yourself up here? You’re not even calling me or sending me messages?”
“Because you said you wanted to breathe.”
I was left speechless.
“It kills me every time I dial your number and then I remember what you said, that I’m caging you and I’m too possessive of you, so I stopped to give you enough time to think about what you feel for me. I love you so much Madi, and I don’t want to lose you. I can’t afford to lose you again. So even if it breaks me, I asked my lawyer for a divorce paper.”
I closed my eyes as I felt the pain from each of his words.
“I want you to be happy because that’s what I promised myself when I saw you again.”
“I-I’m sorry.” I blurted out in the middle of my little sobs. “I’m sorry I did this to you, I’m ——”
“Shhh.” he stopped me by putting his forefinger on top of my lips. “Don’t say sorry, my love, it’s my fault. I just love you so much, that when you left, it made my life a living hell. And when I found you, I promised to show you the love and care that you deserve. Because those are the things I didn’t do before and I regret not showing you my feelings. That’s why I tried to be on your side every day, always showing myself to you, but because of that, I didn’t notice that I became too possessive and that now I’m already suffocating you in this marriage.”
He paused and closed his eyes.
“Gabriel…”
“I’m willing to give you everything, Madi, including the divorce papers and plenty of time to think. I won’t call you…” I started to shake my head. “.. I won’t send any text messages.”
“No!”
“I won’t disturb you.”
“No, don’t do this?” I took both of his hands, and that’s when I saw who’s in the picture he’s been hugging ever since I walked into the bathroom. It’s me and him in front of this house, it was our wedding picture that he put in the frame. And a painful sob escaped through my lips when I saw him in tears.
“I’ve already signed the divorce papers and asked my lawyer to send you a copy. And I’ll just let you file them in the court—”
“What are you talking about?” I cut him off as I raised my voice and he looked at me.
“Haven’t you received the copy yet? I’ll call again my lawyer—”
“No!” I continued to snap at him. “That’s not what I mean! You said you don’t want us to divorce! You said you don’t want me to let go and you can’t afford to lose me again! Then why did you ask for another divorce paper?”
“I don’t want to let you go! I love you but if it’s the only thing for me to show you how much you mean to me, and not to see you crying like this again, I’m willing to do it, Madi. And I won’t hesitate to give it to you!”
“No! You’re a fucking bastard! How dare you tell me that you love me, but send me a fucking divorce papers?”
I saw the shock that flashed through his eyes, but I ignored it. I roughly wiped away my tears as I got up and walked to where I had dropped my bag. I took the envelope inside and the paper out of it as I walked back toward him. He didn’t utter even a single word, he was just watching me with a frown when I stopped right in front of him.
“Is this what you’re talking about? This bullshit divorce paper?” And right there and then, I tore it into pieces. With tears racing down my face, I tossed them on the floor.
“I’ll just contact Mr. Dioson for another copy,” he said as if he was not even affected by what I did.
I knelt again and raised his chin with my fingers.
“I love you, Gabriel and I’m sorry I asked you for these divorce papers again. I’m sorry I wasn’t thinking that time. I realized that I was being selfish and all I was thinking about was my feelings, that I was hurt. And because of that, I didn’t notice your efforts, your work, and all the things that you’re showing me just to make me feel how much you love me. Whatever happened between us then, it wasn’t your fault. We talked about your agreement, but I fell in love with you.”
I paused and looked directly into his eyes.
“But now I’m ready and I want you to know that I love you and your possessive way. The way you want to protect me, your care, and your love. I love all the things that you do, and I don’t want you to stop.”
When I didn’t hear any response from him, I sighed loudly and closed my eyes.
“If you’re going to let me go this time, you will never see me again in your life. I’ll forget that you and I —-” but those words died inside my throat when I was suddenly pulled by two strong arms and warm soft lips brushed over mine in a long, warm kiss that left me short of breath.
“Huh!” I gasped for air when he pulled back.
“Say that you love me,” he said cupping my both cheeks with a smug smile playing on his lips.
“I love you.”
“Say it again!”
I crunched my eyebrows but I said it again in a loud one.
“I love you, Mr. Wilsons!”
And he drew me into a warm, bone-crushing embrace.
“I love you too, Mrs. Wilsons.” he kissed me on my forehead and I looked at him.
He gave me a sweet smile before his eyes darted to my parted lips. He brushed it with his thumb. And my eyes closed automatically when he lowered his head and his smooth lips finally captured mine. He kissed me in a passionate way that made all my insides melt.
He pulled me closer to him and I put my arms around his neck as I kissed him back with the same passion he was giving in that kiss. Then it goes deeper. He pulled me more to him. His lips were seeking hungrily and searching for more response as his hands started to roam my back and down to my spine.
And I felt his warm lips kissing their way to my jaw, down to my neck, and across my shoulder. He groaned when a small moan escaped through my lips and he pulled back immediately. We’re both catching our breath as he put his forehead on mine. And a blush instantly crept to my face when I realized what was supposed to happen. But he just chuckled and cupped my cheeks when he noticed it.
“Marry me.”
I blinked repeatedly as my mouth hovered over what he had said.
He smiled, the one that showed his cute dimple.
“I don’t have a ring right now, but I promise to give you one later.”
“But we’re already married,” I said not taking my eyes off him.
“I know, but this time I want it for real. No deal, no negotiations, no plans, and no ex-fiancee involve. This time I want it to be you and me alone. Will you give me the honor to be your husband and be the only man who could able to kiss you..” I chuckled. “.. for the rest of our lives?”
I took a deep breath and cupped his left cheek.
“Yes, I want to marry you with nothing and no one involved. It’s just you and me. And I also want to be your wife, the only woman you will kiss until you get old.” I paused and changed my facial expression to a serious one. “And the woman that will chop your precious jewels when you try to cheat on me!” I playfully narrowed my eyes at him.
“I would never do that and I love my precious jewels.” he pulled me into a hug as he laughed so hard that echoed throughout the bathroom.
After that confession and proposal in the bathroom, I let him bathe and clean himself as I also cleaned the whole room outside.