A step closer
2844 Words
"Thiago!"
Anabelle caught him just as his knees threatened to give way.
The restaurant fell silent.
Several diners stood from their seats while others watched in confusion.
A waiter rushed forward.
"Sir—"
Thiago lifted a trembling hand, stopping him.
His breathing had become uneven.
"...Manager."
The waiter didn't waste another second.
He hurried away.
Anabelle supported Thiago as best she could.
"Stay with me."
His face had lost its usual color.
Another cough escaped him.
Within moments, the restaurant manager hurried over.
The instant he saw Thiago, his expression changed.
"What happened?"
"I don't know," Anabelle answered quickly. "He was eating, then suddenly—"
The manager's eyes swept across the dishes on the table.
He froze.
His gaze stopped on one of the sauces.
He turned sharply toward the waiter.
"Who served this table?"
The waiter swallowed.
"I-I did, sir."
"Was the allergy notice given to the kitchen?"
"Yes, sir."
The manager's face hardened.
"Then why is there peanut sauce on his plate?"
The waiter's eyes widened in horror.
"I... I don't know."
The manager didn't wait for another explanation.
"Call an ambulance!"
"No..."
Thiago's strained voice interrupted him.
"I have... medication..."
His breathing grew heavier.
"...In the car."
The manager immediately turned to another employee.
"Bring his vehicle around. Now!"
The employee ran.
Anabelle looked back at Thiago.
"You should've told me."
He didn't answer.
Whether he couldn't...
Or simply had no strength left...
She couldn't tell.
A few tense minutes later, the car stopped outside the entrance.
The manager himself opened the rear door.
"We've already informed the nearest private hospital."
Anabelle nodded.
"Thank you."
With the manager and two employees supporting him, Thiago was carefully helped into the car.
Anabelle climbed in beside him without hesitation.
As the car pulled away from the restaurant, she looked at him.
For the first time since meeting him...
The man who always seemed to have everything under control looked vulnerable.
She gently reached for his hand.
"It's going to be okay."
Thiago didn't speak.
But for the first time...
He didn't pull his hand away.
The private hospital staff were already waiting when the car arrived.
A stretcher was wheeled toward the entrance.
"I'm fine," Thiago said quietly.
The doctor gave him a brief look.
"Humor me, Mr. Adebayo."
Thiago didn't argue again.
Within minutes, he was taken into the emergency treatment room.
The doors closed.
Anabelle stopped outside.
For the first time that day...
There was nothing she could do.
She lowered herself into one of the chairs in the waiting area.
Her hands were still trembling.
Everything had happened so quickly.
Only an hour ago...
They had been discussing food.
Now...
She was waiting outside a hospital room.
A nurse approached her with a glass of water.
"Here."
Anabelle accepted it.
"Thank you."
"He's in good hands."
She nodded, though the knot in her chest refused to loosen.
Several minutes later...
The treatment room doors opened.
The doctor stepped outside, removing his gloves.
"Mrs. Adebayo?"
Anabelle stood immediately.
"How is he?"
"He's stable."
She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
"It was an allergic reaction."
"We administered the necessary medication in time."
"He'll be fine after a few hours of observation."
A small smile finally appeared on her face.
"Thank you, Doctor."
The doctor nodded.
"You may see him now."
She walked into the room.
Thiago was sitting up against the hospital bed.
His color had already begun to return.
The oxygen tube had been removed.
When he saw her, he simply said,
"I'm alright."
She folded her arms.
"You don't look alright."
A faint silence settled between them.
Then she spoke again.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
He looked at her.
"My allergy."
"You never mentioned it."
"I didn't think it would matter."
She stared at him for a moment.
"It matters."
Another silence.
"If we're going to be married..."
She searched for the right words.
"...I should know things like this."
Thiago held her gaze.
Then, with the same calm expression he always wore, he nodded once.
"You're right."
Nothing more.
No excuses.
No explanation.
Just two simple words.
For Thiago...
That was enough.
And somehow...
For Anabelle...
It was enough too.
By the time they returned to the hotel, the sun had already begun to set.
The suite was unusually quiet.
Neither of them spoke as they stepped inside.
Anabelle closed the door behind them before turning toward him.
"You should get some rest."
Thiago loosened the cuff of his sleeve.
"I've had worse."
She gave him a look.
"I don't think that's supposed to make me feel better."
For a brief second...
The corner of his mouth almost lifted.
Almost.
"I'll be fine."
She walked to the kitchen counter and poured him a glass of water.
"Doctor's orders."
He accepted it without argument.
She watched until he finished drinking.
Only then did she seem satisfied.
A comfortable silence settled over the room.
Anabelle walked toward the balcony.
The city lights shimmered in the distance.
"So..."
"This wasn't exactly how I imagined our honeymoon."
Thiago joined her a few moments later.
"No."
She rested her hands on the railing.
"I thought today would be... easier."
"It will be."
She looked sideways at him.
"You're very confident."
"I prefer certainty."
She smiled faintly.
"I noticed."
The breeze drifted between them.
Neither of them felt the need to fill the silence.
After a while, Thiago reached into the inside pocket of his jacket.
He removed a small laminated card.
Without a word, he held it out to her.
She looked at it before taking it.
Her brows knitted together.
It listed his blood type.
Emergency contacts.
Drug allergies.
Medical conditions.
And clear instructions on what to do if he suffered another severe allergic reaction.
She looked back at him.
"Why are you giving me this?"
His answer came as calmly as ever.
"If it happens again..."
"You'll know what to do."
She lowered her eyes to the card once more.
It wasn't an expensive gift.
It wasn't romantic.
Yet somehow...
It felt more personal than anything he could have bought.
Carefully, she slipped the card into her handbag.
"I won't lose it."
Thiago gave a single nod.
"I know."
Outside...
The lights of Amsterdam reflected across the water.
Inside...
For the first time since their marriage...
Silence no longer felt unfamiliar.
By the time they returned to the hotel, the sun had already begun to set.
The suite was unusually quiet.
Neither of them spoke as they stepped inside.
Anabelle closed the door behind them before turning toward him.
"You should get some rest."
Thiago loosened the cuff of his sleeve.
"I've had worse."
She gave him a look.
"I don't think that's supposed to make me feel better."
For a brief second...
The corner of his mouth almost lifted.
Almost.
"I'll be fine."
She walked to the kitchen counter and poured him a glass of water.
"Doctor's orders."
He accepted it without argument.
She watched until he finished drinking.
Only then did she seem satisfied.
A comfortable silence settled over the room.
Anabelle walked toward the balcony.
The city lights shimmered in the distance.
"So..."
"This wasn't exactly how I imagined our honeymoon."
Thiago joined her a few moments later.
"No."
She rested her hands on the railing.
"I thought today would be... easier."
"It will be."
She looked sideways at him.
"You're very confident."
"I prefer certainty."
She smiled faintly.
"I noticed."
The breeze drifted between them.
Neither of them felt the need to fill the silence.
After a while, Thiago reached into the inside pocket of his jacket.
He removed a small laminated card.
Without a word, he held it out to her.
She looked at it before taking it.
Her brows knitted together.
It listed his blood type.
Emergency contacts.
Drug allergies.
Medical conditions.
And clear instructions on what to do if he suffered another severe allergic reaction.
She looked back at him.
"Why are you giving me this?"
His answer came as calmly as ever.
"If it happens again..."
"You'll know what to do."
She lowered her eyes to the card once more.
It wasn't an expensive gift.
It wasn't romantic.
Yet somehow...
It felt more personal than anything he could have bought.
Carefully, she slipped the card into her handbag.
"I won't lose it."
Thiago gave a single nod.
"I know."
Outside...
The lights of Amsterdam reflected across the water.
Inside...
For the first time since their marriage...
Silence no longer felt unfamiliar.
Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains.
Anabelle slowly opened her eyes.
For a brief moment...
She forgot where she was.
Then she remembered.
Amsterdam.
A small smile appeared on her face.
She pushed the curtains aside.
Outside, the canals shimmered beneath the morning sun.
Cyclists crossed the bridges while small boats drifted lazily through the water.
The city felt peaceful.
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
A hotel attendant wheeled in breakfast before quietly leaving again.
Moments later...
The bedroom door opened.
Thiago stepped out.
Gone was the tailored suit he wore almost every day.
Instead...
He wore a simple white linen shirt with the sleeves folded neatly to his forearms.
Dark trousers.
A wristwatch.
Nothing more.
Even dressed casually...
He still carried the same calm, composed presence.
Anabelle looked at him for a second longer than she intended.
He noticed.
"What?"
She shook her head.
"Nothing."
He raised an eyebrow.
"You've never dressed like this before."
"I have."
"Not around me."
A brief silence followed.
Then he picked up his coffee.
"I suppose that's true."
She smiled.
"I think this looks better."
He took another sip.
"I'll pretend that wasn't criticism."
"It wasn't."
"It was... an observation."
For the first time that morning...
A faint smile touched Thiago's lips.
It disappeared almost as quickly as it came.
After breakfast, they left the hotel together.
The streets were already alive.
Fresh flowers lined the sidewalks.
Street musicians filled the air with soft melodies.
Anabelle slowed her pace every few minutes, taking in every little detail.
She stopped beside a flower stall.
"These are beautiful."
The elderly florist smiled warmly.
"They're fresh this morning."
Anabelle admired them for a moment before thanking him.
Further ahead...
A violinist played beside one of the canals.
She paused again.
Thiago waited quietly beside her.
He never urged her to keep moving.
When the music ended, she dropped a few euros into the violinist's case.
Only then did they continue.
After nearly an hour of walking, the crowds gradually disappeared.
They reached a quiet lakeside park on the edge of the city.
The breeze rippled gently across the water.
Anabelle walked toward the railing overlooking the lake.
"This..."
She smiled softly.
"...is exactly why I wanted to come here."
Thiago stood beside her.
For a moment...
Neither of them spoke.
They simply watched the water.
Scene 5
The breeze carried the scent of fresh grass across the lake.
A flock of ducks drifted quietly over the water.
Anabelle rested both hands on the wooden railing.
"It's peaceful."
Thiago stood beside her.
"Yes."
She turned slightly.
"I can see why people like coming here."
He looked across the lake.
"It's quiet."
"Exactly."
She smiled.
"Everything doesn't feel... rushed."
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It simply existed between them.
Anabelle glanced sideways at him.
"Can I ask you something?"
"You just did."
She laughed softly.
"You know what I mean."
"I do."
She looked back at the lake.
"Have you ever had a girlfriend?"
"No."
She blinked.
"Never?"
"Never."
She studied him for a moment.
"Why?"
He answered without hesitation.
"Not interested."
She tilted her head.
"In relationships?"
"In distractions."
She let out a quiet laugh.
"I don't think many women would appreciate hearing that."
"I never intended for them to."
She couldn't argue with that.
A few moments passed before she asked another question.
"Then..."
"Why did you marry me?"
Thiago's eyes remained fixed on the water.
"Old story."
She waited.
When it became obvious he wasn't going to continue, she smiled to herself.
"I'll ask another day."
He didn't respond.
Some questions...
Didn't need answers yet.
The breeze picked up again.
Anabelle tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"You know..."
"A lot of people have told me I look like my mother."
Her voice had grown quieter.
"I wouldn't know if they're right."
"I never met her."
She lowered her eyes.
"There wasn't even a photograph."
"At least..."
"Not one that anyone could find."
Thiago looked at her for the first time since they had reached the lake.
She wasn't looking at him.
She was looking at the water.
"As a child..."
"I used to imagine what she looked like."
She smiled faintly.
"Every year she looked different."
"Sometimes I imagined she had long hair."
"Sometimes short."
"Sometimes I imagined she smiled like me."
She gave a small shrug.
"I suppose children create answers when they don't have any."
Thiago remained silent.
Not because he wasn't listening...
But because he knew some memories didn't need advice.
After a while, Anabelle straightened.
She took one last look across the lake before smiling again.
"Come on."
"If we stand here any longer..."
"I'm going to start thinking this place is perfect."
She stepped away from the railing.
Thiago followed beside her.
Together...
They disappeared into the quiet streets once more.
The afternoon sun bathed the streets in a warm golden light.
People wandered through the narrow sidewalks, stopping at cafés and little boutiques.
Anabelle walked leisurely, taking in everything around her.
There was no schedule.
No destination.
Just the city.
Suddenly, she stopped.
"Oh..."
Without thinking, she hurried toward a small pet shop.
Thiago continued at the same steady pace until he reached her.
Inside the display window, a tiny golden puppy bounced excitedly against the glass.
Its tail wagged so hard that its whole body seemed to wiggle.
Anabelle couldn't help but laugh.
"You're adorable."
The shop owner noticed her interest and smiled.
"He seems to like you."
He opened the small gate.
"You can come in if you'd like."
Anabelle looked at Thiago for a brief moment.
He gave a slight nod.
She stepped inside.
The puppy immediately ran to her, circling her feet before stretching onto its hind legs.
She crouched, gently rubbing its head.
"You're full of energy."
The puppy answered with a cheerful bark.
The shop owner chuckled.
"I think he's chosen you."
Anabelle smiled but slowly stood.
"I don't think that's my decision to make."
She gave the puppy one last gentle pat.
"It was nice meeting you."
The puppy whimpered softly as she stepped away.
She turned back toward Thiago.
"He's cute, isn't he?"
Thiago looked at the puppy.
"Yes."
That was all.
She smiled faintly.
"Come on."
"We've kept him long enough."
The shop owner nodded politely.
"Have a wonderful day."
"You too," Anabelle replied.
She and Thiago walked out of the shop together.
Neither of them spoke as they continued down the quiet street.
By the time they returned to the hotel, the sky had already turned shades of orange and purple.
Dinner was quiet.
Neither of them spoke much.
The long walk through the city had left them pleasantly tired.
After finishing their meal, they returned to their suite.
Anabelle slipped off her shoes near the entrance.
"I think I'm going to sleep early tonight."
Thiago loosened the sleeves of his shirt.
"As you should."
She smiled faintly.
"I'll just freshen up first."
She disappeared into the bedroom.
A few minutes later, she walked back into the living room, drying her hair with a towel.
She stopped.
Something didn't look right.
She frowned.
"...Thiago."
He looked up from the document in his hand.
"What is it?"
She pointed toward the sofa.
There...
Curled into a small ball on a soft blanket...
Was the same golden puppy.
Its tiny ears twitched at the sound of her voice.
Then it lifted its head.
The moment it saw her...
Its tail began wagging wildly.
It jumped off the sofa and hurried toward her.
Anabelle's eyes widened.
She slowly knelt.
"No way..."
The puppy happily licked the back of her hand.
She looked up at Thiago.
Then back at the puppy.
Then at Thiago again.
"You..."
Thiago closed the file in his hand.
"It arrived a few minutes ago."
She couldn't hide her smile.
"You bought him."
A brief silence.
Then...
"I did."
She looked down at the puppy, gently rubbing behind its ears.
"You remembered."
Thiago answered simply.
"You liked him."
She laughed quietly.
Not because the puppy was expensive...
But because someone had noticed something she never asked for.
She picked the puppy up carefully.
It immediately settled against her shoulder.
"What should we call him?"
Thiago looked at the tiny dog.
"That's your decision."
Anabelle smiled.
"I'll think about it."
The puppy let out a tiny bark, making both of them look down.
For the first time since their marriage...
The room didn't feel unfamiliar.
It felt...
A little more like home.
- Writer
