Altezza POV
I gaze at Adaline with a whirlwind of emotions. Surprised, impressed, and annoyed all at once. Even the surprise I felt at her beauty earlier hasn't faded yet, and now? What other trials must I endure?
How could that shy girl look so extraordinary standing on stage with her mesmerizing voice that captivates me, my family, and even the guests? Her aura just radiates. After her first lyric, she seemed to forget everything around her. As if her world is there, on that stage. And that's what makes me angry.
No. This time I'll be more selfish. More selfish. I refuse to be sidelined again. Especially by obsession.
No! Adaline is only mine. I won't trade her for anything. And by God, if a single word comes out of her lips saying she wants to be a star, then I'll use a hundred, a thousand, even a million ways to silence her.
Adaline is back in her seat. I deliberately keep quiet about it. Childish, indeed. But I want her to know that I don't like what she did earlier. Even though my mouth is itching to praise her stunning performance.
"I really didn't expect you to have such a beautiful voice," I hear the tone of praise in my mother's voice. "If you want to be a singer, tell me, I'll be your first sponsor. As for an agency, we can ask Brianna for help so she can support you." Suddenly, I glare at my mother but she doesn't even acknowledge me and still looks at my wife with admiration.
"No, Mom. I don't want to be a singer."
I hear Adaline's soft reply and instantly my heart warms. She didn't even say 'I'll think about it' as a polite refusal. And she stated her desire firmly. Suddenly, I feel the corner of my lips twitch.
"It's okay, Mom. If you change your mind later, let me know. Truly, I'm proud to have a singer as a daughter-in-law. I won't stop bragging to my friends." She says enthusiastically.
I feel frustrated, I glare at my mother but once again she ignores me.
"Adaline ain't gonna be no singer, Mom. She ain't stepping into the entertainment world. I can still support her even if she ain't workin'," I said bluntly, causing everyone, including my wife, to look directly at me.
Her pretty face clearly looked surprised, maybe because of my statement that was too brusque and seemed disrespectful to my Mom. Honestly, I don't care.
Her tiny right hand suddenly reached for my left hand, squeezing it gently. Instantly, it softens my emotions.
"Wanna go home?" she asked softly. I quickly turn my hand around and tighten my grip on her fingers, then squeeze them gently. I nod my head slowly, and then Adaline represents us as we bid farewell to the family.
We're already in the parking area with our faithful chauffeur still sitting in the car. Adaline and I get into the back of the car, and somehow, I choose to lean my head on her petite shoulder.
"Feelin' dizzy?" she asks, raising her hand and massaging the side of my forehead slowly.
"A bit," I reply softly.
She continues to massage my forehead with her left hand while her right hand still tightly holds mine. Despite my palm being sweaty, I have no intention of letting go.
The car has reached the apartment parking area. Reluctantly, I release our handhold when the driver hands over the car keys and I pay him for his service. Then, the two of us enter the elevator to our apartment floor.
I collapse onto the bed while Adaline goes into the bathroom and changes her clothes into something casual.
"Change your clothes," she says while she's already swapped her party dress for an oversized long-sleeved shirt and seven-eighth pants.
Her hair, which was beautifully pinned up earlier, is now tied back into a simple bun at the nape of her neck, revealing her slender neck that somehow entices me.
"Sir?" she calls again when I don't respond.
"Later, I'm feeling weak," I replied hoarsely, though the source wasn't really my illness.
Adaline opened the wardrobe and took out a thin, light brown long-sleeved shirt and black workout pants. She walked over to me and helped me get up from the bed, then diligently unbuttoned the batik shirt I was wearing.
The closer her body got, the more I could smell the soft scent of the lotion she used, and it made other parts of my body ache.
I'm a grown man, and for the past few months, I haven't relieved my needs. It's only been a few months and it already feels this suffocating. How's Antony, who's been around for over a decade?
Once I had the shirt on, she handed me the workout pants and walked away.
"Why stop? Why half-ass it?" I grumbled as I watched her stand up and move toward the door. Without answering, the girl closed the door, and I caught a glimpse of her flushed face.
Unaware that I had fallen asleep, I woke up to see the sun had turned a light orange. I glanced at the watch still wrapped around my left wrist.
It was four o'clock, why hadn't she woken me up? But as I got up, a small towel fell onto my lap. And my clothes were already soaked with sweat. It seems I'm running a fever again and the girl is compressing my forehead once more.
I decided to take a warm shower to neutralize my body temperature. Afterward, I walked out and noticed the girl was playing with kitchen utensils. I didn't know what she was cooking this time, but from the tempting aroma, I was sure it would taste as delicious as the food she cooked this morning.
I decided to stay quiet and watch her. I saw her occasionally stir the contents of the pot emitting the scent of ginger, alternating with the sauté in another pan on the side of the stove. When she turned around, she screamed quite loudly at seeing me. I just smiled.
"Sorry, I startled you," I said without feeling any guilt. The girl just glared at me for a moment before moving her cooking onto a large plate.
"Dinner tonight, broccoli stir-fried with beef." Adaline placed the food in front of me. "Once this is finished, remember to take your ginger honey remedy for indigestion."
"When did you buy all this?" I asked, quite surprised considering my fridge must have been empty since I didn't ask the apartment attendant to restock it. Did the girl go to the market again like she did this morning?
"I intentionally went to the supermarket at the end of the street," Adaline replied, to which I responded with a nod. Adaline handed me a steaming bowl of food. Without much talk, I devoured all the dishes made by my wife. And again, this time I added more to my portion. Hmm, eventually I'll lose my beloved six-pack abs. But it's okay, adding an extra hour to my gym routine is worth it if I'm given delicious food every night.