Yesterday's Pain

Chapter 6

The atmosphere became heavy because of Clinton's remark and everyone looks uncomfortable except for Clinton who seemed to be enjoying the situation.

"How is the business going Andrew?" Mr. Herman asked his son trying to divert the topic and create a pleasant environment but Clinton still find a way to ruin everything.

"I am sure the business is going well Dad, it's Andrew your favorite son is the one who manages it, everything must be working perfectly." Clinton sounded so bitter while saying those words. It somehow answered my question about why is Clinton acting like this, it is because he is jealous of Andrew.

"Stop butting in Clinton I am not talking to you." Clinton just smirked at his father while shaking his head.

"The business is fine Dad," Andrew answered shortly and once again the atmosphere became heavy to the extent that no one bothered to eat their food.

"How is your marriage?" His Dad asked again. I want to speak up but I was too nervous to say something and it looks like Mr. Herman Gray is waiting for his son's answer, not mine.

"Fine." Andrew didn't add anything so his father shifted his attention to me and I can't look at him in the eyes. I am scared and nervous at the same time.

"Is Andrew being a good husband Lauren?" His father's question triggered a painful memory. The image of Andrew and Cassandra having s*x on the kitchen flashed on my mind but I stopped myself from thinking negatively and gathered my courage to lift my gaze and looked at Mr. Herman's eyes.

"Andrew is a good husband, Sir." I smiled to affirm that my answer is genuine. It's true though, Andrew is a good husband. He never hurt me, that one time when he pushed me is an accident. He just wanted to stop me and Cassandra from fighting so I understand him. Besides he gave me milk and a cold compress after he did that.

"My perfect brother seems to have a perfect life indeed." Clinton interrupted the discussion by mocking Andrew again. I don't know if Andrew is just patient that is why he doesn't seem to be affected by his brother's remark or he is just respecting his father that is why he doesn't entertain his brother. But opposite of Andrew Mr. Herman lost his patience and couldn't take Clinton's veiled comment so he slammed the table and it created a loud sound. I jumped in shock but when I look at Andrew and Clinton they look like a stone with no emotion.

"Can you please stop your childish act, Clinton?" Their father's voice doesn't sound like begging but more of a command.

"Okay fine, I will stop. Chill Dad." Clinton laughed that annoyed Mr. Herman more. After that heated discussion, they started talking about a business matter. Clinton stopped his insulting remarks and started talking like a serious businessman. They tried to involve me in the conversation but I cannot keep up so I simply nod and listen intently to what they are saying. It is been an hour since they are talking about business and all of us are done eating but no one dares to stand up.

"So when do you plan to give me grandchildren?" Mr. Herman asked and I choked even though I am not eating anything. Andrew handed me a glass of water so I hurriedly took it to take a sip. After a few seconds, I was able to calm myself.

"We have not talked about that matter, Mr. Gray," I answered shyly because I am afraid that I might disappoint him with my answer.

"Just me call Dad Lauren, you are already part of the family, there is no need for formality." He gave me a smile that melted my heart. Feeling the sense of belongingness in Andrew's family means everything to me.

"Thank you D-dad." I stuttered while saying the word Dad because I feel like I have no right to call Mr.Herman Gray Dad, his level is too far from mine. Andrew's father's laugh roared and I have no idea why he is laughing, maybe he finds me funny so I just smiled awkwardly because I do not know how to react.

"You will get used calling me, Dad Lauren." He hold my hand and squeezed it slightly. Clinton is just watching us while holding a glass of water. He is staring at me which makes me a bit uncomfortable so I shifted my gaze at Andrew and I saw him looking at his brother. I do not know what is the deal between them but one thing is for sure something is wrong in their relationship.

"Family is the foundation of success you know that right, Andrew?" Mr. Gray or should I say Dad called Andrew's attention. Andrew turned his head in his father's direction but before that, our eyes met but it happened just for a few seconds.

"I know that Dad," Andrew answered boredly as if he is tired of hearing those words for million times already and there is no need for his dad to remind him over and over again.

"I just want to remind you son because that is the reason why Gray Corporation is successful because of this family." Those words warm my heart because I can see in Mr. Herman's eyes that he values this family so much and I am thankful that I belong in this family.

"Gray Corporation was not that big when I started but when I met your Mom and both of you came into our lives, I strive hard because I want to give both of you an abundant life. I don't want both of you and your Mom to experience hardships." I felt tears at the side of my eyes upon hearing Dad's narrative. His eyes are full of love while saying those words. Andrew's mother is so lucky to have a man like Mr. Gray and Andrew and Clinton is also blessed to have a father like him.

"How sure are you that Lauren and Andrew's relationship will be like you and Mom's relationship Dad?" Clinton broke off his silence and for the nth time, he killed the mood and brought a heavy atmosphere by asking an insulting question.

"We might not have a great relationship like Mom and Dad Clinton but I will make sure that I will never abuse Lauren like what you did to your wife," Andrew smirked and I saw how Clinton's playful face turns into a mad look.

"All those things are just accusations, Andrew. You made those all up to ruin my image to Dad so you can have the company, you selfish fucker." Clinton's voice is scary. It is full of emotion but the most dominant is anger.

"Just admit it, Clinton, you are an abusive husband who killed his wife and his unborn child." Andrew must have hit a nerve because Clinton stood up aggressively and the chair that he was sitting on earlier fell on the floor. It created a loud sound that made me jump a little because of shock. In just a blink of an eye, Clinton made a facile movement and he is now facing Andrew. They have the same height and their body built is almost the same. None of them looks intimated. The surrounding became intense when Clinton grabbed Andrew's collar but Andrew didn't seem affected because he managed to smirk.

"Truth must have hurt right, Clinton? You should be in jail right now talking with your fellow murderers but since Dad wanted to keep this family clean he cleaned up your mess and paid for the lives you have killed." Clinton held Andrew's collar tighter to the point that the veins in his hands are showing. He was about to hit Andrew's face when we heard a slump on the floor and it was their father. He fell to the floor while holding his chest. Andrew and I run in his direction but Clinton is just standing watching us panic. He is not doing anything as if he didn't care about his father's current situation. Andrew looked at me and I saw pain and worry in his eyes.

" Call for help Lauren." He said those in a weak voice so with shaking knees I immediately stand up and call for someone to help us. I got out of the penthouse and told some personnel of this condominium about our emergency. They acted so fast and after a few minutes of waiting, we are now in an ambulance. A man wearing a blue suit is doing his best to revive Mr. Gray and luckily after a few tries his heartbeat came back to normal. The heavy feeling in my chest was gone when I saw the monitor that shows a normal heartbeat of Mr. Herman. Andrew is here with me. He is holding his father's hand as a way of telling him that his son is here by his side. Clinton didn't come with us, instead, he chose to leave without saying anything.

"How long will it take before we arrive at the hospital?" Andrew asked with fear in his voice.

"We will be there in a few minutes, Sir. You can lessen your worry since your father's breathing came back to normal."

The medical staff assured Andrew that his father is now in safe condition but it doesn't brush off the worry and fear on Andrew's face. After a few minutes, we arrive at the prestigious hospital and we are welcomed by more than ten doctors. All of them shake Andrew's hand and said positive things to him like Mr. Herman is strong and he can handle this situation but those words didn't even make Andrew feel better. When Mr. Herman was successfully transferred to the hospital stretcher the medical staff pushed it and even Andrew helped to make everything faster.

I was running while following them as they are pushing the hospital stretcher where Mr. Herman is laying. I looked at Andrew and I saw sweats on his forehead. When his father was about to reach the operating room Andrew let go of the stretcher and sit on the chair assigned to the patient's guardian. I sat beside him and offered my handkerchief so he can wipe his sweats but he didn't move so I decided to lift my hands to wipe his forehead. My handkerchief was about to reach his forehead when he spoke.

"Stop Lauren, do not f*****g touch me." He must be stressed so I oblige and didn't insist on wiping him I bowed my head and uttered my sorry.

"Can you please leave? I want to be alone." I do not want to add to his burden so I nod and leave the waiting area. The hospital is too big so I didn't know where to go. I saw the hospital's cafeteria after a few minutes of roaming so I decided to go there and maybe sit for a few minutes. I didn't bother to get any food I just silently sat there and watch everyone do their business. I have seen different people, the tired-looking doctors, nurses, the patients, but what caught my attention is a pregnant woman sitting in a wheelchair while holding her tummy and a man probably her husband, pushing her wheelchair. They look so sweet and jealousy crept into my system. I smiled bitterly while watching the man bend down and move his head closer to his wife's tummy, they are probably feeling the movement of their child. The woman is so lucky to have a husband like him. They are lucky to have each other, they are full of love. I hope to experience that kind of thing also. I hope that one day Andrew will look at me the way that man looks at his wife, but will that happen? Can I also experience pure love? A love that wasn't forced. A love that is slow but pure. A genuine one.

I was busy watching the sweet moment of the woman and her husband when white clothing blocked my vision. I lifted my gaze and I saw a young doctor holding a tray full of food. He is smiling at me and I am confused why he approached me. I roamed my eyes around to check if all the tables are full but they are not, so this doctor doesn't have any reason to come near me unless it is his favorite spot.

"Can I sit with you beautiful woman?". He flashed a smile and his complete set of white teeth show. I smiled awkwardly having no idea how to respond. I couldn't gather any words so I just decided to nod my head, it will be rude if I declined his offer when technically he is working in this hospital and he has more rights compared to me to sit on this spot.

" Calix." He extended his hands so I took them and introduced myself as well.

"Lauren." I smiled upon responding.

"Are you sick?" He asked and concern can be traced to his voice so I shook my head.

"My husband's father." He looked shocked when he heard my answer. I don't if know his shock is from hearing that my husband's father is sick or the fact that I already have a husband.

"You have a husband?!" He asked in a high-pitched voice so I laughed and showed him my ring. He held my hand and examines if it is really true and I cannot help but smile because I am amused by his reaction but it immediately faded when someone grabbed my hand and forcefully pull it from Calix's hold. I was ready to shout at the ill-mannered person but my anger was replaced with fear when I saw Andrew's face. I saw Calix in my peripheral vision hastily stood up.

"C-calix S-sir." Calix extended his shaking hands but Andrew just look at it and shifted his gaze to me.

"Are you enjoying huh Lauren?" He asked with a stern voice and I felt my whole body shiver in fear. I couldn't look at him in the eyes and I couldn't find any words to explain my side. I did not do anything wrong anyway. I and Calix are just casually talking but I have forgotten what Andrew told me, media can turn a simple picture into a malicious one by just creating a story. I have forgotten that the world I am living in since I married Andrew was way too far from the life that I am used to. My every move is being watched so I have to be extra careful.

"Consider yourself fired Calix." After Andrew said those words he dragged me out of the cafeteria and we started walking back to the waiting area of the operating room. I felt bad for Calix so when we reached the waiting area I look at Andrew.

"Can you just let that go, Andrew? Calix and I just talk for a few minutes. I'm sure no one has seen us don't fire him please." I pleaded and I was about to kneel when he spoke.

"I won't, just behave Lauren, and let's give this marriage a chance to work."