Chapter 52 The Call That Didn't Matter
Adrian's POV
"Contact the finance department to get the evaluation of the total cost for the last project, so we can know how to go about this current one," I say to my secretary.
"Alright sir," he replies.
I nod and wave him off. "That will be all for now. You can go."
Immediately after he left, I removed my glasses and closed my eyes as I massage my temples.
My back is stiff from sitting down for too long. My stomach grumbles, reminding me that I haven't eaten since I left home.
Darcy has spoilt me with homemade food. Now I barely order takeout and I guess today is one of those days.
She's been taking care of Hazel all day and it will be selfish to call her for food. She's my lover, not maid.
Before I could call my secretary, a knock lands on the door. I pause and raise my head to look at the door.
"Come in," I said and the door opens.
My lips tug into a bright smile as Darcy walks in with a stroller and a lunch bag on another hand.
I push back my chair and approach them.
"Hello baby," she beams but her voice is not too loud.
I take the bag from her and press a kiss to her lips. Unfortunately, she pulls away before I could deepen the kiss.
"Don't be stingy babe," I murmur and she rolls her eyes before slumping down on the couch.
I smile as I see Hazel sleeping with a pacifier in her mouth.
It now seems like the only thing she does is sleep, eat and play with Darcy. But I'm not complaining.
The more she sleeps, the more time I have to spend alone with my baby.
I sit beside her grinning. "Thank you so much for the food baby. I am starving," I bring out the food and starts eating.
"Won't you join me?" I ask and she shakes her head. She looks exhausted.
I turn to face her properly. Holding her face. "What happened babe? I don't like this gloomy face."
She chuckles. "Nothing. Just tired."
"What have you been doing all morning?" I ask with a serious face.
She hesitates for a while and sighs when she realized that I wasn't joking.
"There was nothing much to do, so I did a few house chores," she says.
If a few house chores will drain her this much, then it's high time we choose another option.
"We're getting maids," I announce and resumes eating.
"Wait... What? Maids? Out of nowhere?" She demands.
"You're not a maid, babe," I insist.
"Of course, I know that. But we agreed not to allow strangers into our home," she reminds me of our agreement.
I ball my hands into fists and close my eyes.
"Taking care of Hazel is already a lot of work and you can't keep cleaning that huge house all by yourself."
"But..." She tries to argue.
I take out my phone from my pocket and call the HR directly. The receiver picks up almost immediately.
"Good day Mr. Anderson, what may I do for you sir?"
"Contact a high rating cleaning agency, three maids are needed. My wife doesn't want live-in maids. Do that as soon as possible," I order and end the call.
I can feel Darcy's eyes boring holes into my skin.
"What is it babe?" I ask with a sigh.
"My opinion doesn't matter anymore," she scoffs.
"That's not true," I hold her hands. "You've been doing a lot for us. I do appreciate all you do but I don't want you to lose yourself while caring for us. I love you too much to be selfish," I confess.
"I understand. Thank you baby," she greets and my pride flies over the roof.
"You're welcome love."
"Wife? I don't remember you asking me to marry you," she taps on her chin, looking into space.
"I know I haven't asked you officially, but it is bound to happen. We are not leaving each other for anybody else," I reply cockily and she shakes her head, smiling.
My phone buzzes. A call from an unknown number. I stare at the screen of my phone before shifting my gaze to Darcy who raised her eyebrow.
"Is there a problem,?" She ask.
"It's an unknown number and I don't take such calls," I reply.
"Well, if the person has your number, they must know you then," she shrugs.
That makes sense. My phone stops ringing before I can answer the call.
Less than a minute, it starts to ring again. I tap on the answer icon and there's silence.
"Hello..."
There's silence.
"Is anyone there?" I ask as I grit my teeth.
Whoever it is, is clearly pushing my button.
"Adrian?" The person calls out softly.
I clench my fists as my eyes darken.
It's been peaceful around here for a while. So why is she back to disrupt my peace?
"What do you want?" I seethe.
She breaths out shakily. "I... I just want to know how you're faring," she says.
My fingers twitch for me to end the call.
"Fine," I reply coldly. "If there's nothing else, I'll hang up the call now."
"Wait!" She says with a higher tone.
I don't say any word as I patiently wait for the words to roll off.
"I know you're still mad at me. I'm probably the last person you'd want to talk to but I can't help it. I miss you," she says.
Her words are supposed to make me feel something but there's nothing. All the times I wanted to hear those words, she made me suffer instead and now, her words don't have any value to me.
"Bye," I grit and end the call.
I clutch onto my knees tightly until my veins pop. My chest tighten. Anger courses through my body.
Darcy place her hands on mine. Slowly, I look at her and she has a small smile on her face.
"Calm down, babe. I'm right here for you," Darcy says with a soft voice. All I can see is love.
The knot in my chest, loosen. Gradually, my breathe becomes steady.
Darcy shifts closer and gently cups my face.
"Don't let anger ruin your mood," she whispers.
I nod and rest my head on her forehead as I close my eyes. Everything suddenly feels calm.
I don't know how she does it so effortlessly. She knows the right things to make me feel better, her touch calms the storm in me, reminding me how to breathe again.
"Don't let her words get to you, babe," she adds softly.
I pull away and shake my head. "I thought I moved on from it...all the pain she caused me," I admit with a hoarse voice.
"Healing takes a long time and I'll be with you on the journey, every step of the way," she reassures me.
This reminds me of why I fell in love with her. She feels like peace, like home.
The silence between us stretches. But it is comfortable.
Hazel stirs in her stroller, letting out a tiny whine before settling again. Darcy runs her fingers through my hair while I hold onto her waist tighter.
She tilts her head and kisses me.
It is slow and filled with love.
Her lips part slightly and emotion flashes across her face as she smiles.
"I never want to lose you or Hazel."
"We're not going anywhere," she promises.
I pull her down onto my lap carefully, ignoring her small squeal of surprise. She laughs softly while trying not to wake Hazel.
I bury my face in the crook of her neck.
Maybe love wasn't supposed to feel chaotic.
Maybe it was supposed to feel like home.