Chapter 72 Chapter 72
I closed my eyes and shook my head. Then I took another gulp of my beer.
“Oh, why not? You know, you shouldn’t keep your problems to yourself. Didn’t you marry a powerful businessman? I’m sure he’ll find a way to help you. Why not try opening up to him?”
“I don’t want to be a burden. Compared to the problems he solves in his company, mine is nothing. This is just being dramatic. I can handle this. He already has a lot on his plate—should I still add myself to that?” I chugged my beer down to the last drop and asked for another one.
“Do you think it wouldn’t hurt him once he finds out that you’re suffering all alone, when he could’ve been right beside you?”
I smirked a little, with a hint of loneliness. “It wouldn’t hurt him… we still haven’t reached that level of care to be hurt by each other’s personal problems. We don’t love each other enough to share these kinds of vulnerabilities,” I answered—hurting myself in the process.
“How can you be so sure that your husband doesn’t love you? And you—don’t you love your husband?”
It became hard for me to find an answer. I remembered when I whispered those words to his ears when we were making love… Those were our safe words, but I can’t deny the fact that it became hard for me to utter those words as if they really had a meaning.
“Your silence says it all. You might actually have fallen for him before you even realized…”
My throat went dry. I wanted to deny it, but at that moment, it felt like the alcohol had completely worn off.
“We’ve only known each other for a little over a week…”
“Who cares about time when you’re falling in love? We’re not kids anymore to not know what we truly feel. Like the alcohol you’re holding—when it’s strong, it hits fast. Just like love—when the feeling is intense, you fall fast. One taste, and you’re already in love.”
I couldn’t laugh at his line because something else crossed my mind. When did I ever feel the taste of love from him? Was it when we went to Italy, when he kissed me in front of many people? Was it when I accidentally discovered a photo where I was actually in it? Or was it way before that?
I sobbed into my arms as I leaned my face down on the bar counter, crying helplessly. It felt like the reason for my tears had changed, and the only thing I could remember now was Hendeix’s face.
Why, all of a sudden, do I want to open my heart to him? And why am I scared—not because he might not feel the same, but because he might be willing to reciprocate everything I give? He’s that kind of man—willing to do everything for me. No reason at all; he just wants to because he thinks that’s how a wife should be treated.
How can a man like him exist in this world—to actually save me from my petty problems? To be childish and stupid at the same time for me. To be crazy enough and never judge me. How am I married to such a man? Did I save our country in a past life to be blessed like this?
I continued crying until I felt someone sit beside me. When I peeked, I saw Hendeix talking to the bartender. Slowly, he turned to look at me.
“Wife, are you okay?”
Instead of answering, I just pulled on the sleeve of his black long-sleeved shirt, so he moved closer to me. I tilted my head to his neck and inhaled his addictive scent.
“I’m okay now because you’re here,” I whispered as my eyelids slowly grew heavy. I felt him lift me up like a child, and I was so lucky that he wasn’t embarrassed for others to see us like that. I kept crying because it seemed like my eyes had no intention of stopping.
“What happened? Why are you here at the bar again?” There was worry in his voice, but I could feel the warm strokes on my back.
“Didn’t your medical mission go well?”
I sniffed again, this time because of my runny nose. I tightened my embrace around him until we reached the parking area. Roen and Roan were there, preparing the car for us, but Hendeix still didn’t put me down. He wanted to give me time to talk.
“A lot of things happened, huz… I think I need your help,” I confessed.
“What kind of help do you need, hmm? Tell me what you want me to do, and I’ll do it.” I felt the assurance in his voice. I know he really cares about me. And I know that even if my request is crazy and stupid, he would do it.
With my eyes still closed, I whispered into his ear.
“Can you… love me?”