“Alexsander's point of view"
“You see, it wasn't…” I was saying when her voice interrupted me. Horror and dread filled.
" Alex. Alex!” she sprang to her feet, scurrying towards the maid who was shivering. Confused, I followed behind her.
Why was the woman sshivering. Don't tell me — my mouth dried as I saw blood and a white foamy substance gushing out of the woman's mouth.
I hollered at the guards who came rushing in, kneeling beside the lady.
I tried touching her just when the lady's eyes turned white before she suddenly stopped shivering and her body went limp.
My breathing paused. I reached to feel her pulse with my two fingers. But there was no sign of life in her.
She is dead. She is…
I looked up at Leila who looked like she'd pass out any minute from now. Whatever it was, she saw in my eyes made her looked horror struck.
She clamped a hand over her mouth taking a shaky step backwards. I turned to the guards.
“Take her to the hospital" I ordered. There might still be hope or life inside of her.
I don't know.
The guards lifted the already 'dead’ woman taking her out.
I sighed shutting my eyes, the food was poisoned.
I'd almost pushed Leila's fears aside and forced her to eat.
Damn, I almost ate it myself. It hadn't even taken a minute and the woman was dead.
Who would have paid her to kill us? We couldn't get anything from her. Why would she eat the food knowing fully well, she'd poisoned it?
My mind flashed to Ben briefly. He'd paid her, I was sure.
Jesus, I'd have lost Leila —just like that.
I peered up at her from where I squatted.
She took another step back. I saw her eyes roll back into her head before shutting.
Her knees buckled and I stood up reaching for her, just in time when she fell —into my arms.
“Leila!" I rushed towards her, she pried her eyes open to stare at me.
I knew she wasn't okay but she won't tell me what's wrong with her, she'd been acting off.
And so far, we've been okay. Damn, so perfectly okay, that we looked like lovesick fools.
We spent almost the whole day in the arms of each other. She pinches my nose and derives joy in seeing my facial expression.
I love making her laugh, I love seeing her smile knowing I'm the reason behind it.
I'd have lost her. My heart constricted inside of me.
“Alex… that…” she tried saying and I nodded vigorously, holding her tightly to myself.
I don't want to think about it. I don't want to think about the fact that she'd have been the lifeless one.
“I'm sorry I doubted you, okay?" I said, she nodded lightly, opening her mouth to speak but no words came out.
Was she that sick?
I watched her. Her eyes drifted close but snapped open. She couldn't even focus on my face.
“You're not passing out, right?" I asked shaking her lightly, as I climbed the stairs taking her to our bedroom.
She shook her head again, but I wasn't convinced.
“Shit!" I cursed, just when her eyes drifted shut.
“Leila" I called but her body felt heavy in my arms. Dread filled me.
Kicking the door to our room open, I placed her on the bed before walking into the bathroom to get a wet wash cloth.
I want to believe, she passed out because she couldn't handle the image of another woman dying from something she could have eaten.
“Two hours, Leila” I muttered draping the wet washcloth on her head and wiping it.
Yeah, I was giving her two hours to wake up before I go hysterical and drive her to the hospital myself.
Just two hours.
***
I held her hand as I watched her peacefully asleep. Her lids fanned over her cheeks, her usual red lips were pale.
I stroked her cheek lightly, the ones that always had color in them were just plain.
“Come on baby, open your eyes and talk to me” I whispered, putting her hand on my face.
Seeing her like this, hurts. I wondered how I'd be able to leave her when all this is over.
How I'd watch her start a new life, get remarried to some man and have his babies. The thought made my mouth taste sour.
I hated the thought of her with someone else. It was obvious.
“Pinch my nose" I continued rubbing her cold hands over my face.
I pressed a kiss to her palm, my lips warm against her hand.
I stared at my wristwatch.
Few minutes left. I hope I wasn't too late already.
What if…in the past hour, I'd lost her? Goodness, I should had taken her to the hospital first.
I thought, she just needed —rest. God, I was so wrong.
Dropping her hands, I climbed off the bed walking to my wardrobe.
Grabbing my pants and a tee, I hurriedly wore them. I needed to get her to the hospital.
“Wa…water”
I froze turning around slowly. Her eyes were open slightly. She was staring at me… me.
“Water" she requested again, her voice was croak.
I grabbed a bottle of water on the nightstand, uncapping it before settling next to me.
I helped her to it, grateful she was back. Grateful my instincts were right.
“Okay?" I asked her and she nodded.
Dropping the bottle back on the stand, I drew her to my chest in a hug kissing her hair repeatedly.
“I'm glad you're back, I'm glad you're here” I whispered rubbing her back. She tightened her arms around me.
“How are you feeling?" I asked her not pulling away. I wanted her close to me, next to me.
" Much better" she said, there was a light growl in her voice but I could take anything, as long as she was alive.
“God" I whispered burying my nose in her hair, she still smelled like her.
My wife.
“Should I take you to the hospital?" I asked and she shook her head.
" I'm good Alex, I mean it" she whispered, her lips grazing my neck. Soft and warm, just like her.
“I'm happy you are" I muttered before pulling back to stare at her face. Color was slowing returning to her cheeks.
She was beautiful, so beautiful it some times hurt to stare too much at her. Because she was just my wife on papers, and would eventually belong to some one else.
She framed my face with her hands, touching my forehead with hers.
“I'm glad, I get to see you" she muttered, her lips brushed mine in a feathery kiss.
“God, I love you Alex"