Chapter 20 DON'T LEAVE ME
1655words
I hear a low growl, "Ahh…" and only then does my fear break and I look up. I meet Andrew's cold gaze, he looks at me with a frown and with another hand touches his nose, shit, Did I just hit his nose?
I facepalmed myself and then mutter a quick apology. "I am sorry."
He look down at me as he gritted, "Next time…" But he then stops and looks behind me, I turn curiously and see Ann coming over, she stops looking at us both together and then smiles, "Good morning to both of you."
Andrew immediately let me go and walk to Ann, He kisses her cheek and greets her politely.
"I am leaving for two weeks, Ann." He announces and my face falls. Ann looks at Andrew blankly and then at me, "Take Tessa with you." She says and I feel excited but Andrew, as expected, crushes my all excitement.
"She can't travel with me, what if someone might catch us, Ann. Let her get used to here without me." He emphasized the last words quite loud and I doubt if he says that to Ann or me?
Disappointedly, I look away from both people and turn to take my place but Miss Celine's glare made me stop. I look at her annoyed, "What?" I shout inwardly and she gives me a look that says that without Miss Ann sitting first, I am not able to take my place.
What the hell?
I stand patiently as both brother and sister chat ignoring my existence completely, a butler comes over with Andrew's suitcase and my heart drops. Is Andrew really leaving me? I want to cry and stop him but I didn't do anything because I know all I will get is a disappointment from him.
He needs some alone time so let him have it.
I take the suitcase from the butler and wait for my husband to come over, he looks at me puzzled and before he opens his mouth, I explain quickly, "I am just seeing off my husband."
Miss Ann turns to look at me and gives me a warm smile at the choice of my words. Andrew couldn't refuse as he starts walking out of the mansion.
It's a long walk, he walks faster deliberately I think. But I try my best to match his pace. After passing the second door, I see Ron and hand him the suitcase, he greets me politely and I greet him back.
Ron opens the car door for my husband and I hold the door impassively, "When I am going to see you again?"
He looks at me for a moment and then at my hand that is blocking the door, "I... I don't know." He stutters and I feel panic rising in my heart. "You're leaving me?" I ask hoarsely and then suddenly tears start to fall from my eyes.
I pull my hand away, giving him access to the car as I cover my mouth and sob sadly, not looking at him. I hear the voice of the door closed and cry more sadly.
BAM
Suddenly, my hand was pulled and I am forced to get inside the home. I frown and look up to see Andrew pulling me with him. He stops and then turns to me, "What is this? Why are you crying like this?" He asks, I could sense the irritation in his voice.
"You are leaving me." I choke still crying badly.
"I am not." He snaps at me and I look up at him dumbfounded. "Listen, I am not leaving you or ending this marriage… It's just… I need some alone time to think… Will you please let me go in peace?" He requests softly and my restless heart comes to ease.
I nod my head, still crying sadly, "Please.. Don't leave me."
Andrew sighs deeply, his gaze is not cold on me instead they have softened on me, he pulls me in a warm hug and pats my head as if I am a small child to comfort.
"I will come back soon. Don't cry, ok." He says softly and then pulls away, "Take good care of yourself, bye." Giving me a last deep look, he finally walks away from me but this time I didn't feel disappointed by him instead I see hope.
Hope that our marriage will work. A hope that Andrew will soon accept me. I am happy that he tries to ease my worry instead of leaving me hanging with my unspoken emotions.
Feeling overwhelmed by his concerned behavior, I walk back to the dining table with a smile on my face.
"Tessa, I am done, dear. You carry on." Ann stands and says sweetly to me. I smile back as I take my seat, "Tessa, don't worry Andrew will come back soon." Ann comforts me as she pats my shoulder and then leaves for work.
I look at the table, I don't really have an appetite but still, I cut a small piece of omelet and start eating it. I don't see coffee on the table, there is milk tea, oat milk, and juice but not coffee.
"Miss Celine," I call out and she rushes out of the kitchen. "Yes, Miss."
"Can I have a cup of strong coffee, please?" I ask her and she nods her head politely.
After five minutes I am sitting in my room and enjoying my strong coffee. I look around my room, it's too big. After finishing my coffee I start to examine the books that are neatly placed on the bookshelf.
Most of the books are related to History like Grant, Guns, Germs and Steel, The history of the ancient world.
I look around and then a book catches my attention, A Woman Of No Importance, It's the story of an American spy who helps in World War Two, it seems interesting to me as I keep it on the table to read.
I sit on the chair that doesn't look very comfortable but surprisingly it's very much comfortable I sink myself in the seat. I then start reading the book and after giving it a whole hour, I yawn and decided to take a quick nap.
Last night, I didn't sleep well, and also these brother and sister woke up so early, they had their breakfast before 6:30 and went to work before 7. I wonder if all the rich people have this kind of schedule.
I am feeling so sleepy that as soon as I hit the bed I fall into a deep slumber.
RING… RING… RING…
The ringing of the phone disturbs me, I turn and pick it up in frustration, "Hello."
"Miss, Ron is here to see you." Miss Celine informs and I sit up immediately, why Ron is here, isn't he supposed to be with my husband?
"Send him up," I tell her, and she pauses, "I can't, Miss." I shrug what the hell?
"Why?" I ask trying to not sound rude.
"Miss Swan never allows a male servant to enter into the personal floors." Miss Celine informs and I curse myself, embarrassedly.
"Oh, I see. Then I will come down to see him." I tell her.
"Okay, Miss." Miss Celine disconnects the call and I groan from the embarrassment, Oh God, such an idiot I am. What Miss Celine would think of me?
Quickly combing my hair and smoothing my dress, I walk down to the ground floor. Ron is sitting alone on the sofa looking at me approaching him, he stands up and nods his head respectfully to me.
"How are you doing, Miss?" He asks with concern and I flush from embarrassment when I remembered my little melodrama of crying in the morning.
"Oh… I am fine, Ron. Thanks for asking." I tell him as I nervously sit on the sofa and then gesture for him to sit.
"So, why you're here Ron instead of accompanying my husband?" I ask him.
"Uhmm… Mr. Andrew didn't want me to accompany him and also, I have something that belongs to you." He takes out my phone from his pocket which is covered in a white handkerchief.
He looks around cautiously and then hands me back my phone. For a moment, we look like a spy exchanging some precious material. "Please, don't let anyone know about it."
Ron whispers and then takes his leave. I walk back to my room and then check my phone. There have been several calls from my mom, I frown and immediately call her back.
"Tessa, dear how are you?" My mother's anxious voice comes and I smile.
"I am fine, mom. Stop worrying about me." I tell her and I could sense her frowning badly, Alas, mother's worries can't go away easily.
"I had a bad dream last night." My mother tells me and I listen to it, intently, "I see blood on your wedding dress." My mother pauses and then asks, "Are you happy, Tess?"
Her question makes me freeze, Am I really happy? I look at my reflection in the window, I am wearing a beautiful dress in light blue color with mild embroidery on it, I have diamond studs in my ears, my wedding ring is shining on my finger, I have all the luxuries except my husband's love. So, do all these things count as happiness?
"Tess.."
My mother calls out and I gulp with difficulty, "Yes, Mom, I am very happy." I clench the phone tightly, these days my emotions have been out of control. I don't know when I become happy or when I turn sad.
