Chapter 82 Chapter 82
I AM NOT ONE TO REFUSE his command. He wanted to comfort me; that’s why he brought me here to Singapore. He made an effort to be with me even if it’s just for a while, so I won’t let this chance to be with him pass… especially to bathe together, which is a natural act for a married couple.
He followed me with his gaze as I walked toward him. I slowly removed the clothes I was wearing and gently dipped my foot into the warm water of the jacuzzi. Because of the clarity of the water, I could see beneath it the naked lower part of Hendeix’s body, which looked like it had been waiting for me for quite some time.
He just stared at me meaningfully as I stepped down into the water. I was about to lean against the other side when he pulled my arm, causing me to fall into his embrace.
He rested his head on my shoulder while making the most of every moment that we were tightly holding each other. I could only close my eyes because I couldn’t stop myself from savoring the way he was holding me like this.
My tears slowly started to fall, especially when he gently patted my back.
I did not expect he would comfort me like this. I wondered why he invited me to bathe together earlier—I thought we were going to do something… something we often do, but no, he was just quietly soothing me. His left hand rested on the back of my neck and would occasionally stroke my head.
This is really helpful. He is not a doctor, but he is able to heal my heart filled with fear and anxiety. Because of what he’s doing, I want to love him even more… I want to take the risk even more and face all my fears.
He pulled away from the embrace and studied my face. I thought he was going to point out my tears again, but he just wiped them away. Then he grabbed a small bath towel and started soaping my body.
I couldn’t even speak and just watched him scrub every part of my body… even my back, which he patiently cleaned. Until he reached my hair… The massage he was doing while shampooing my hair was relaxing. He carefully rinsed it as well. I felt like I had gone to a beauty parlor because of all the wonderful services he was giving me.
Until we got out, he didn’t stop taking care of me. I was like someone without hands as he dried my hair using a blower… he was also the one who combed my hair. And not a word came out of my mouth because I was too amazed.
I couldn’t help but remember our honeymoon in Italy. What we did there was full of sexual intimacy, unlike this… everything here was just a heartfelt act of service.
He noticed my long stare at his reflection in the mirror, so he asked,
“Yes, wife?”
A smile formed on my lips, and I shook my head. “Nothing, I’m just grateful, Huz. I didn’t expect you to do all of this for me. I realized how lucky the person you marry will be—this is the kind of care she will receive.”
“But I’m already married to you, my wife,” he replied and stopped combing my hair.
“Yeah… but I can’t get it out of my mind that someone you truly love deserves this more… she’s very lucky.”
“Tss. Why do you keep talking about someone else when, first of all, that place is already taken by you?”
He turned me toward him, then bent down and looked up to meet my eyes.
“This ring…” He pointed to the wedding ring I was wearing, which I couldn’t remember how he put on my finger… whether there were promises involved… “When I gave you this one, I vowed that I would be the husband you need. I’ll provide you everything—”
“Including love?” I couldn’t stop my tongue from saying that, and I received a long stare from him. Fear wrapped around me.
I knew clearly that it was impossible. From the beginning, we got married because of our individual needs, and love was not included in the list.
But I couldn’t stop myself from wanting more than that… wishing that everything he does for me was real and truly came from his heart.
“Regarding your request last time… I’m afraid I heard that,” he commented, which made my chest feel even tighter. “However, I must be clear. I cannot guarantee that, Mori. When we entered this marriage, there was no affection involved, and I have no intention of engaging in that kind of relationship. Just as you initially wanted this arrangement to be based on convenience, I expect us to respect each other’s boundaries while maintaining our commitments and loyalties.”
I lowered my head as I gathered the words I should use to respond to what he said. I could only grip the collar of his robe and lightly tap it.
“Yes, yes, yes, clear. As if I even need someone to love me,” I said, then stood up and walked toward the bed. I lay on my side, hoping Hendeix would lie beside me and hug me, but his cellphone rang again. He didn’t even excuse himself when he answered it.
I just closed my eyes and tried to sleep off the heaviness I was feeling inside. Why is it like this? Why did what he said earlier hurt me so much? Did I expect too much, thinking that everything he did meant something?
Right now, everything is very clear to me. I am just a trophy wife of Hendeix Kai Lavarre.
WHEN WE returned to the Philippines the next day, Hendeix and I went our separate ways. I told him I had somewhere to go. I didn’t wait for him and just went with Roan in the expensive car.
Roan kept glancing at me, but I didn’t give her a chance to ask anything.
“Just drop me here,” I instructed when we arrived at the place I gave her. “You can go now.”
“Who are you meeting here, Miss Jade? In case Mr. Lavarre asks, I’ll know what to answer.”
“Dr. Martino. I’m meeting him.”
“Why?”
“Just because. Don’t wait for me since this might take a while. And I might stay at my place tonight.”
“Mr. Lavarre will be mad about this.”
“Well, I had my own life before we met. Just like him doing the usual things he does, it’s the same for me. I am a doctor. I also have things I’m busy with, so I can’t always just stay at the Villa,” I replied directly, and she didn’t argue anymore.
I simply went inside Dr. Martino’s clinic. And even without an appointment, I showed up—not to ask how he was doing, but to question why he wasn’t including me in the next medical mission.