Chapter 127 Thin Patience
Luke and Peach’s marriage started but it wasn’t as dreamy as the world considered it. Luke decided to not be an asshole for the time being but his patience was being tested.
Why? Because he married a workaholic.
They were lying in bed, the room overflowing with comfortable silence, her head on his chest, his arm strongly around her, discussing where to go on their honeymoon.
“Paris?”
“Nah, I don’t like it,” Luke let out a ‘tsk’ sound.
“Venice?”
“... We can think about it,”
“How about a trip to Europe?”
He chuckled mockingly, “Will your work let you?”
She frowned but ignored it. “Ummm, I think I want to stay in Venice,”
“Anything you say, Ma’am,” He hummed, caressing her gently.
Her muscles relax, indulging in his proximity and scent, promising herself to make things better and never let go of him again.
Luke was beginning to think he had won the battle for her attention.
Then, the nightstand vibrated, indicating the device which won her cognition more than he did was at it again.
Peach was about to shift but his grip on her shoulder tightened, pressing her harder into him to shift her attention back to their conversation.
"Ignore it," Luke murmured, his voice husky with sleep. He pulled her closer, burying his face in her neck, hoping this might help.
"It might be the overseas shipment," she whispered, her eyes already fixed on the glowing screen.
She didn't move to grab it, but she was vibrating with the need to.
"Peach. Don't." Luke gave her a warning look, letting her go gradually with a questionable look.
She held out for five seconds. Ten. Resisting the urge to not do it but couldn’t help herself, especially when it had been her top priority for years.
With a frantic motion, she snatched the phone, trying to sound optimistic along with an apologetic look.
"I just need to see if it’s a red alert or not. One second, Luke. I promise."
Luke rolled away, letting her go, the sudden absence of his warmth pinched her heart yet he decided to wait.
He watched the blue light reflect in her emerald eyes as she began to type furiously. The "one second" turned into ten minutes of furious tapping.
“Done, so what-”
By the time Peach was done, Luke was already fast asleep with his face to the wall. Her delightful expression curled into a sorrowful one.
Shaking her head in disappointment, she also turned to the wall, covering herself with the duvet and went to sleep as well.
The next morning, Luke was going through the flight tickets for Venice, trying not to feel enraged by what happened last night.
“How about on Saturday?”
“Wait before booking. I will check in with my schedule first and wrap things up,” Peach entered the dining hall, taking a seat.
“I thought we were supposed to do that before marriage like I did,” He frowned, disliking when she was more focused on her work.
“I didn’t do it, I thought it was all a sick fantasy of mine. That none of it is happening,” She shrugged, lying smoothly. She did wrap it up but due to her current deal, her workload had increased rapidly.
“Is that why you are working too much?” His tone softened.
She forced a smile, “Mhm. I am sorry, I should have done it before,”
“I see.” He hummed before plating her a perfect breakfast before her, making the most of the moment they had together.
“Forget about it for now. Let’s indulge in breakfast,”
He set her phone on the high kitchen counter, out of reach so it won’t interrupt their moment together. He was feeding her a piece of fruit, making her focus entirely on him.
"See?" He teased her, tugging a strand of her hair behind her ear, "The world hasn't ended because you took twenty minutes to eat."
She giggled sheepishly, offering him a bite too, creating a heartwarming, honeyed moment between them only to get it ruptured
The intercom buzzed. Not her phone, the front door.
"Mr. Harrison sent a courier," The voice crackled through the speaker.
"He said it's a 'Level One' document that requires an immediate physical signature."
Luke’s jaw clenched, one hand curling into a fist with displeasure when her Father was constantly attempting to meddle and ruin their moments together.
Peach jumped up so fast she nearly knocked over her coffee and slapped Luke’s hand back unintentionally.
"I will be right back!"
Luke sat frozen, a piece of cantaloupe still held between his fingers, still in the air, blinking a few times to register what happened.
He listened to the frantic exchange at the door, the scratching of a pen, and the courier’s muffled apologies.
When Peach came back, she wasn't looking at him. She was reading the document in her hand, eyes submerged on them instead of him.
"Sit down, Peach," Luke breathed out, his voice dangerously low.
She pointed her finger at him as she used to do to her servants and cut him off. He sat stunned, staring at her to realize he was not a servant, she didn’t and ignored him.
"I have to call him, Luke. He is right, if I don't sign off on the merger terms by noon, the whole deal-"
"The eggs are cold," Luke interrupted, dropping the fruit onto the plate with a dull thud, gaining her attention.
"And so is my patience."
“Luke-”
Extending her hand out extensively to him, she tried to call but he walked away, no longer in the mood for the role of the affectionate husband.
To avoid getting bored, he changed into formal wear and came out. The second he grabbed his car keys, she rushed to him.
“Where are you going?”
“To see Helena,” He replied coldly, walking out of the main entrance with her following him.
“We can go together. I will done just now-”
He let out a mocking chuckle, “Yeah, just like last night,”
“Can’t you wait for a few minutes?” She asked worriedly, grabbing his elbow to stop him from leaving.
“Peach, I don’t want to disturb you.” He sighed pulling away from her.
“You continue your work and get it done, my fault I decided to get mine done so I could spend two minutes peacefully with my wife,”
Ending in a taunt, he walked away, leaving her stunned and hurt. Her eyes watched him leave with a sting in her chest as he was out of her sight.
The papers in her hands were clutched, she almost tore them.
“Tsk,” Gritting her teeth, she threw the papers on the ground. Not that she wanted it too but she couldn’t help it either. It was out of habit.
Peach would never desire to do anything that could ruin what she considered a ‘second chance’ but circumstances were challenging.
“Madam-”
“I have signed them. Send them back,” She growled, going back inside, spending the rest of the day all alone with nothing else to do.
Just like Luke did on the first day….