ARGON
Eleven at night, I was going through the emails to check out the works my staffs sent in.
My eyes were already getting heavy from the scrolling and the bright light from the screen. I felt so tired, that all I could think about was my bed and a good night rest.
“Just a little more, and… Done.” A tap to the key and I was done with all the emails.
“Finally! ” My arms came stretching out, followed by a big yawn. My heavy eyes became more ponderous, forcing me to lay down in bed immediately, without bothering to get changed for the night.
“I need to be awake by six. Can’t miss tomorrow’s project,” I yawned, slowly drifting into sleep.
The whole room fell silent. My doughy eyes came shut, filling my body with a soothing feeling of peace.
This is just what I need. A good night…
KNOCK! KNOCK!!
My heavy eyes flashed wide open on hearing the bang on my room door. That got me lifting my head a bit, staring at the wooden furniture nailed to the entrance.
“Who’s that animal knocking at this time?!” I groaned, attempting to ignore the knock and act like it didn’t exist. But the constant pounding would’nt stop. It came louder than before.
Out of anger, I shouted, “WHO’S THAT?!” Now I was sitting instead of laying down to sleep.
That’s when I heard a familiar voice outside my room. “Open up! I’m ready for my stroll!”
“Wait, Brielle?” My eyes broadened at the sound of her voice, driving away the sleep I’ve been nurturing.
“Why is she here at this time?” I immediately got out of bed to answer the door, only to find Brielle standing outside my room, with her arms crossed.
“Brielle, why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be asleep?” I asked, looking through the passage. It was quiet. No sign of any helpers around.
My eyes fell back on a restless Brielle, who demanded for a stroll. “I need to move around now. Let’s go, ” She said, stepping away from me.
She can’t be serious. A stroll at this hour? There’s no way I’m stepping out of my room all in the name of sauntering.
“It’s late. You can’t go out and stroll. It’s either you wait in the morning or when I’m back from work. For now, I want to sleep and get set for the office, please,” I said to Brielle, preparing to step into my room for a shut eye.
Before I could shut the door, Brielle placed her leg in the way, stopping me from closing up.
“Brielle!” Her action almost triggered my anger. I held the door tight, suppressing my fury while looking back at her.
She didn’t look remorseful at all. She just stared at me with a cold, emotionless gaze and said, “And you’re the one who volunteered to take care of me whenever and wherever. How sad.”
“Yes, I made the decision to help you get well, Brielle! But do you have to make it hard for me?!” I questioned, raising my voice at her.
“In just one day and you’ve frustrated me like crazy! I bet if Sir Derek had taken you instead of me, you wouldn’t treat him like this! You would act like an angel, and not the demon you are right now!” I sparked, drawing closer to Brielle.
My chest was beating fast from the yelling. What she was doing to me was unbearable!
“For once, can’t you just give me peace of mind? You always want to eat my soul whenever you get the chance! All I ask from you is a peaceful moment without you making it hard for me! Can’t I get that in one day?!” I roared, grabbing her by the arms, panting out.
Despite my roars, Brielle wasn’t moved. She just had her eyes on me, tilting her head to the side. I noticed how her eyes lingered around my face, before letting out a scoff.
What’s funny now?
What is she going to say this time? That I look ugly with my baggy eyes or that I sound stupid?!
“You remind me of someone. A helpless, young, frustrated, heartbroken lady. Yes, your tantrum is a flash to the past, ” She said, comparing me to someone I know nothing off.
“You’ll know her well, Argon. She used to cry at your feet whenever she wanted a time to herself. When it’s eleven or twelve midnight, be it in sickness or pains, you always send her out in the cold night to do some inessential assignment around the mansion for you. Do you remember?” She grinned, waiting for my answer.
Her words sounded like a storyline, but when I thought about it clearly… I… I remembered. She’s talking about herself!
Brielle is bringing up the past. How I would deprive her of sleep, making her carry out unnecessary works, all because I didn’t want her to stay around me or have peace in the marriage.
She still remembers it!
“From your face expression, it’s obvious that you recall those moments, right Argon?” Brielle asked, smirking out.
Now I was silent. I couldn’t speak or argue with her anymore. She now has the upper hand against me.
“All I asked for was a stroll, and you’re already yelling for the whole world to hear. At least learn how to endure, Argon. I went through this phase without screaming to the universe, even when the situation was enough to turn one into a psycho,” she chuckled, mocking me.
All I did was watch her make fun of me and my past actions towards her. She didn’t miss out any of my crime. She was bent on filling my head with guilt from all my previous doings.
And trust me, it’s working.
“I can see you’re not ready to fulfill your own promise, after assuring me that you’ll take me on a stroll, this and that. Head back to bed. I may be ill, but I still know how to walk.” She scoffed, dusting my hands off her arms, and drawing back.
Her mockery switched to detest. It was clearly written all over her face. The sight of it triggered a deep feeling I hardly get around anyone.
I was getting it from her, and… It hurts.
Just as Brielle was turning her back to leave, I don’t know what came over me. In a flash, I grabbed Brielle’s hand stopping her from leaving.
“Brielle, wait.”
“What now?!” She groaned, glowering at me. “I said you can head to bed, what do you want from me?” She questioned, attempting to pull her hand out of my grip.
Having no plans of letting go… “How much do you hate me?” I asked, dropping the question that has been living in my heart for some time.
When she heard this, Brielle’s body shivered. She gave up on her struggles and settled her gaze on me. Her rage vanished in an instant. She became as a calm as the clouds.
“I need to know how you truly feel about me. The percentage, if possible,” I asked, slowly letting her off my grip.
My whole body was shaking from where I stood. I know it’s just a question, but it felt like I had asked the heaven’s for an answer to something I’ve always wanted to know.
“The night to my wedding… I asked you to tell me your true feelings. I… I know I mistook your behavior for love, but… But it’s all coming together now.”
My fingers were trembling. I couldn’t compose myself in this situation. I was anxious, yet desperate for her response.
“Your hatred… How big is it?” I asked once again, looking at Brielle while demonstrating sizes with my hands.
Silent, Brielle lowered her head a bit, looking at her hands. For a second, I thought she was giving me the measurement, not until she said, ” If I tell you the amount, will you be able to stand?” She asked, lifting her right brow.
That was enough to tell me her answer. It’s worst than I thought. I… I don’t know how to express myself to this discovery.
“Do you hate me that much? ” I asked again, rubbing the back of my neck culpably.
Brielle stared at my face with no answer. Her eyes suddenly shimmered, revealing sparkling tears that gathered within, ready to flow out.
When I saw this, my heart sank deeply with guilt.
“It’s best you don’t ask, Argon. The answers I might give may wound you terribly. And trust me, I am not in the mood for an emotional chat, because I buried that side of me a long time ago, ” She said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
She may have no interest in the topic, but I really do. This is something I caused, and I really wish to make amends, only if she would give me the chance.
But Brielle isn’t ready for it. She don’t want to give me a chance in fixing my mistakes.
“I’ll be outside.” She sighed, stepping back.
When I saw this… “Wait,” I stopped her in her track, drawing closer.
“Argon, enough of this topic. You can head to bed and…”
“Can you please, from the depth of your heart, allow me to take good care of you?” I asked, making another request from the previous one.
“I know how you feel whenever you’re around me, but can you keep that hate for later when you’re better again? Just give me this chance to take care of you before that time comes. A genuine answer this time, I beg of you. ” I took hold of her hand, caressing it to show my eagerness to make a change.
There were traces of doubt covering her forehead, but after thinking about it… “Fine, I genuinely agree to it. You… You can help take care of me.”
“Genuinely? No fighting or cursing after this agreement? You know it’s the same thing you did this morning,” I asked, just to be sure.
Hearing my question, Brielle dimmed her eyes at me, letting out a smirk. “You make it sound like I’m evil, ” She chuckled lightly, calming my racing heart.
“Yes, genuinely. You have my word this time.”
“Thank you, ” I appreciated, placing my hand on her shoulder, only to feel Brielle’s body shiver at my touch.
She immediately drew from my point and decided to head back to her room, cancelling her strolling plans.
I made sure she went into her bedroom before entering mine.
“Did she feel it too?” I muttered, looking at my hand. When Brielle shivered, I felt that vibration from before. That beautiful sensation that I failed to get in this past few days. After all these times, I felt it again, and I think Brielle did as well.
I’m sure of it.