“I did nothing of the sort. I only told her to leave, and the next thing I knew, she was lying unconscious on the floor.” Adonis defended, leaning back against the sofa.
He was in a bad mood.
Not only was his sleep interrupted because of Cara’s situation, but they even dared to send him away from the bed.
Luca placed his hands on his hips, giving him a reprimanding look.
“Oh really? How come she has been unconscious for the last five hours then? Why isn’t she waking up? Why would you even tell her to leave? And why does she have all her stuff packed?” He exclaimed, gesturing to the suitcases and travelling bags that had been pushed aside when they came barreling in.
“I have no idea,” Adonis replied coolly.
“You.” Luca gave him a look that said ‘I’m not stupid’, “Have no idea? I sent her up to get you out of your comatose state, not to end up in one!” He retorted, unable to understand how Cara ended up unconscious.
Nothing seemed to be making sense at the moment.
When his phone beeped with a call from Adonis a few hours ago, he’d thought Cara had succeeded in making him feel better until he heard the words,
‘Cara’s lying on the floor; get Dr. Bruno.’
He blinked at his friend with a worried expression. Adonis finally changed out of the horrible clothes and gave himself a trim, but the effects of the events of the last few days were still so obvious.
“At least she made you come out. You’ve been cooped up on that floor for far too long.”
“She’s leaving,” Adonis stated plainly, and Luca nodded.
“I noticed. The question is why?”
“What would you say if I tell you I’m not sure.” He muttered. “I don’t want to hate her, Luca. I think I… no. I’m sure I love her but with everything that has happened, love is something I don’t want to deal with at the moment.”
Luca stiffened at his confession.
For a man who always had something to say, Adonis’s confession had shut him up. He knew they were getting serious about each other, but love was a strong word, especially in Adonis’s dictionary.
He knew his friend so well and could see past his befuddled mind. There were a lot of emotions running through him at once; many things were happening at the same time, and he didn’t know how to handle it. Letting Cara go was the easiest and only thing he had control of… it was the easiest thing for him to do.
He crossed his arms, giving him a scrutinizing look.
“Why do you think you’d hate her? Do you blame her for the death of your nonno (grandfather)?”
Adonis glanced at Dr. Bruno, who had returned a few minutes ago to check on Cara again, and his voice dropped an octave.
“I shouldn’t. It’s immature and self-complicating if I do. But I feel like I’m no longer in control, and it began slipping as soon as she came into my life. I don’t care if she gave my info. out or worked with Antonio, he never used them anyway. I just feel…
“… that loving her complicates things? That she’s disrupting your order?” Luca supplied
“Exactly! My life has never been this overwhelming since my father made me his stress reliever.” Adonis concluded with a small chuckle, earning a small smile from him.
“The fact that you talked about your father without a dead look in your eyes tells me something different. The previous Adonis wouldn’t have. You wouldn’t have taken Nonno’s death as well as you’re doing, and you’re doing badly.”
Adonis rolled his eyes
“You’re the one complicating things,” Luca told him sincerely, “but it’s best you figure it out. If your love isn’t going to be healthy and you’re not sure you can love her the right way, then let her go for now. Just until you’re ready, you need to heal completely, Adonis. You don’t always need to have someone to blame or be in control all the time. Sometimes, life’s just… life.” He consoled
Adonis could see sense in his friend’s words, but why was his heart still unsettled? His mind and heart were speaking two different things, and he didn’t have the strength to iron it out.
Not for now anyway.
His lips pressed together into a thin line, he was deep in thought.
Maybe he needed to heal as Luca advised; even so, that would have to wait. He just wanted to focus on giving his Nonno (grandfather) a befitting farewell and restoring order in the family.
The sound of a voice clearing snapped them out of their little private discussion, and they looked up to see Dr. Bruno staring at them as he waited to get their attention.
“So why hasn’t she woken up yet?” Luca asked. It was the second time they’d called the doctor in, since she fainted.
“I believe she’s been stressed lately and hasn’t had much sleep-
Adonis sniggered.
“Haven’t we all?”
Dr. Bruno cleared his throat at the interruption
“Like I said before, she’s been so stressed, and her body just needs rest. Aside from that, it’s nothing a few supplements can’t take care of.
“She’s malnourished?” Luca breathed, and the doctor shook his head negatory
“I think we might need to run a few tests to confirm it, but what I’m trying to say is congratulations, Mr Bernardi. You’re going to be a father.” He announced with a delighted smile.
“Oh my God.”
Adonis’s brows pulled down in a frown, a bit confused at the words.
“Why am I going to be a father?”
His friend snorted at the obvious question. “Your wife’s pregnant what do you expect?”
The patient moved slightly on the bed and all eyes fell on her- still in a state of stupor-as she let out a soft moan and blinked her eyes open.
“Whose wife is pregnant? Cara croaked out, and Luca volunteered to share the news with a big cheesy grin on his face.
“Adonis.”
“Oh.”
She paused and then,
“Oh…”
She trailed off again, then her eyes widened in realization.
“Oh?” Cara shot up, an alarmed look on her face. “I’m pregnant?”
Everyone but Adonis, who was still in a dazed state, nodded, and then her gaze found his panicked ones.
“We’re expecting a little Adonis?”