Chapter 34: Missing Him
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Later that day, I woke up and found Gabriel sleeping beside me. Did he stay awake all night? I was in his arms, but I knew nothing had happened.
"I'm sorry," he said, opening his eyes as I sat up. "I don't know what came over me. I would never hurt you if I were in my right mind," he apologized sincerely.
I knew it was partly my fault, but I wasn't expecting him to act that way. What if he had used something deadly? Would he have said it was just a mistake?
"You used my vulnerability against me," I said. "I will never trust you again, Gabriel. If I need sex, I would rather go to a brothel."
"Please don't say that. It won't happen again, I promise," he pleaded.
Tears streamed down my face as painful memories flooded my mind. "You are just like Hernandez Davarosa. A man is always a man," I muttered, wiping my tears. Just then, Maria called, and I answered.
"Yes?"
"We have been discharged, Miss Guzman," she informed me.
"I have already paid the bills. Just come home," I replied.
"Thank you. But... are you crying?" she asked, concerned.
"No, I'm fine. See you soon," I said and hung up.
"Was that your stepmom? How is Kristine?" Gabriel asked.
"You are relieved of your duties, Gabriel. I don't want to see you around me anymore, or I will call the police," I warned, getting off the bed.
"What can I do to make things right?" he asked.
"Go to hell!" I retorted and left the room.
Gabriel didn't come to the office the next day, so I had to drive myself. I wouldn't lie—I missed him. Driving alone, walking into the office without him—it was unbearable.
"You have a meeting with Trades and More," Kate informed me, hurrying after me.
"Cancel it," I said.
"But, ma'am..."
"I don't like repeating myself," I added as I entered the elevator. Kate stopped talking as the doors closed. When I reached my office, I found two bouquets on my desk.
One note read: "Love with a scar."
The other: "Good morning, Daffodil. Don't frown at that; not the flower, but the beauty of spring."
I smiled. Could Gabriel be behind this? But why two bouquets? I called Kate to ask, and she confirmed two different delivery men brought them, but they wouldn't say who sent them. Well, I could use the flowers for decoration.
I received a text from Gabriel: "I'm bored at home."
"Lose my number, Gabriel," I texted back and blocked him.
That evening, I sat with Kristine in the living room as she watched her favorite romance series.
"Can I join you?" I asked.
She gave me a sad smile. "I have no right to say no."
I sat next to her. "How are you feeling? Any pain?"
"Not really, I'm okay now," she replied.
"You know, when I was pregnant with Razi, she kicked all the time. At first, I was scared, thinking she might hurt herself. But after another woman told me it was normal. Then, I wished for her to keep kicking every day," I said, chuckling. "It wasn't easy, though. Being pregnant without your husband around is unbearable. You don't get pampered; you do everything on your own. And I heard having sex during pregnancy helps with labor."
"We are told that during antenatal," she said sadly.
"I haven't seen you go to one. Why?"
"The hospital is near Juan's house. I can't risk him seeing me."
"I understand. You should register at Pasay Teaching Hospital. My family doctor will take care of you. I will talk to her," I suggested.
"That would be nice, Scarlett. You are the best," she smiled.
"Do you love him?"
"I don't know," she said, her tone firm. We sat in silence for a few minutes before she spoke again. "Juan was amazing when we first got married. But after two years, he changed. He stayed out late, gambled, and used drugs. Every time I confronted him, I ended up in the hospital. He would apologize and promise to change, but he never did. We have been living like that for nine years now. I don't even know if I ever loved him, or if I rushed into the marriage," she explained.
"Do you want to go back to him?" I asked gently.
"I don't care about my life, but I won't risk my child's. I don't know what he would do to us," she said, tears filling her eyes.
"It's okay. You don't have to go back if you don't want to. We will take care of you here," I assured her, and she nodded.
The past two days had been tough. That bastard Nathan kept calling, determined to ruin my mood.
"Your morning coffee is ready," Luningnig said as she appeared at the stairs.
"Get out of my way!" I snapped, pushing her aside.
"Good morning, Miss Guzman," Maria greeted me. Ignoring her, I slammed the door behind me.
"Hello, ma'am?" A man holding flowers stood in front of me. "Here is a delivery for you," he said warmly.
"Are you the same person as before?" I asked, trying to calm myself.
"It doesn't matter, ma'am. What matters is that you are in someone's heart, both when they go to bed and when they wake up."
I smiled, taking the bouquet. "You have got a pleasant sense of humor. Thanks for brightening my day."
"You are welcome, ma'am. Please sign here," he said, handing me a clipboard. I signed, then headed to the office.
When I arrived, the door was locked. "This can't be happening. I can't go back home now," I muttered in frustration. I had left my office key at home. "This is all your fault, Nathan!"
"No need to panic. I'm here," I heard Gabriel's voice. He wasn't in my head. I looked to my left and saw him holding the office key.
"What would I do without you?" I smiled, moving to hug him.
"Without me, you would be driving all the way back home," he teased, and I pulled away.
"You are annoying, but I missed you," I said.
"Not more than I missed you," he replied, opening the door. We entered my office together.
"Those flowers were unnecessary. You have no taste—they are ugly, and they smell terrible," I said, sitting behind my desk.
"But you accepted them, so thank God," he teased, and I glared at him.
"You will need to write a new application letter, Gabriel," I said as I booted up my laptop.
"Application? For what?"
"I need to see if you are still qualified to be my assistant. If you are lucky, I will schedule an interview. If not, I will hire someone else," I said firmly.
"Tell me you are not serious," he said, walking around my desk.
"I don't joke in the morning."
"You can't be serious, ma'am. I don't know how to write a convincing application letter. You hired me because you love my handsome face—that's enough of an application," he said confidently.
"You are delusional, Gabriel," I laughed.
