PMS1: President's Forgotten Wife

CHAPTER 22

CHAPTER 22: IT FELT LIKE HOME

NIGHT CAME. Eisen was already lying right beside Jade as they both stared at the ceiling, waiting for each other to fall asleep.

This is one of the things that Jade needed to do before Eisen allows her to leave; her, lying down beside him in bed and sleep next to him before the morning of her departure arrives.

A simple request Eisen can't afford to hear his wife say no. Desiring something like that should not be a request anymore because they are married, and married couples should stay in one room and sleep beside each other. But since Eisen is still confused about his memories, he must respect his wife's decision— that they cannot be intimate until he remembers everything about her past.

"I bet you're still wide awake as I am, right?" Jade asked out of nowhere to break the awkwardness between them. However, her question was enough reason for him to focus his whole attention on the face of the woman who is suspiciously studying his features against the darkness of the room.

"I don't know. Maybe, I'll be able to sleep when I knew you were already asleep. I can't afford to wake up in the morning to find out that you're already gone. Waiting for you to take some rest will assure me that you'll be staying with me for the night." Eisen answered before showing off his warm smile at Jade, still looking to where her eyes rest.

"I'll still be here if you wake up earlier than me tomorrow. But if you happen to oversleep, then there's no chance for you to send me off." Jade replied as a low chuckle rose to her throat, making Eisen smile at how she reacted. Only then did he realize that he's been staring at her for too long with a smile on his face.

"Well, thinking about that won't be necessary because I'm sure that I'll wake up earlier than you. If I can make breakfast and cook something for you to pack, then I'll do it." Eisen humbly answered without taking his eyes away from Jade.

But then, the woman made a sudden movement and faced him while using her hand as a pillow.

"Eisen." Jade's tone was frigid and vexatious. It's alarming to hear her acting like something was wrong when in fact, they were looking at each other a few inches apart to avoid skin contact.

"Hmm?" It was the only word Eisen could utter. He doesn't know how to react; for some reason, he can't even understand.

"What if after two weeks and I come back here, then you already remember everything? Will you— will you drive me away? Do you think you will resent me for the rest of your life?" Her words were like a stab that awaken another set of pain deep within his heart. Eisen doesn't even know where that pain came from, but he's sure that what he just heard wasn't something he wanted to hear.

Their eyes locked at each other, and the longer he pooled himself at her pensive gray eyes, the deeper he's going, drowning himself inside.

"And why should I drive you away? It's not like you have done a grave sin to hurt me?" Eisen asked while trying to divert his attention, not wanting to douse into his wife's stares. But it made Eisen curious as to why that was what Jade suddenly asked him.

"I'm a bad woman. I make mistakes, and I regret it up until now. It was never the right choice, and I'll never make one. I'm not the one woman you know. And I'm sure that once you remember everything, you'll hate me for my lies that I used to deceive everyone." Eisen's brows creased while his eyes rested still on Jade's, not wanting to separate his gaze from examining the woman's features.

Her steel gray pensive eyes say it all. She seemed bothered, yet it was still hard to tell what was going on inside Eisen's wife's head. It bothered him to see how discomforting it was for Jade to ask such questions, but Eisen wanted to wipe that away. He'll do everything to win her trust that he will never push her away. He will never do that.

Yes, he was sad that the woman would leave by sunrise and she would be away from home for two weeks, but he did not want his wife to be unhappy before she goes. Eisen didn't want to displease Jade, so he'll give her a definite answer as a promise to make her feel at ease.

Eisen got up from the bed and faced Jade before stroking her cheek using the back of his palm. He gave her a reassuring smile that everything will be alright. That he would not drive her away in a case, he remembered something.

"I asked your hand in marriage, Jade, and that is enough for me to know that I have wholeheartedly accepted you and your flaws. I may not remember it all, but I know that deep within my heart, I wasn't looking for a perfect woman. I was looking for a woman who has flaws I can adore. And I think that is how I met you. So, worry no more because whether or not I remember everything, I will still accept you as my wife, the woman I promised in front of the altar. You need to promise me that you'll accept me whoever I may become."

Jade didn't answer, but when she smiled at him and grazed her fingers on his hand that was still touching her cheeks, Eisen knew that Jade would do the same. He might be a cold-blooded monster from the start, but Jade didn't give up on him. And this time, giving up on her is not an option to choose.

"Anyway, I already instructed Lewis on what you're supposed to drink or eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I also mentioned the medicine that comes along with every meal. But, if you prefer to do it on your own, I left a note on the refrigerator door, so nobody will forget what your body needs. Remember everything that I'm telling you right now because I can't guarantee that I'm able to pick up every phone call you make since I'll be there to have a short vacay." Jade informed him that Eisen would remember everything since he relied upon his wife since God knows when. Eisen is used to being served, but now, everything will have to change.

"Do I still have other things to know about other than my medicines and meals? Because something warns me that you have a lot more to tell me?" Eisen asked her, wanting to know if there's still more to discern. A smile formed on her lips that shines perfectly enough for him to notice even when darkness enveloped every corner of the room they're staying in now.

"Well, by next week, your family doctor will arrive to check up on you. Your mom was the one who booked an appointment, so I have no full control over that. But as I said earlier, everything you wish to know will be in the note I'll be leaving on the refrigerator door. Don't stress yourself too much, and let's sleep, shall we?"

Jade's voice came out as a comfort to tell him that things will turn out fine for the two weeks of being away from him. Because his attention was too focused on the woman smiling in front of him, Eisen was unaware that his face was getting closer and closer to Jade's face. The way they looked at each other, as if electricity pulled them nearer to each other, wanting their skin against each other.

But before they could get any more closer, Jade immediately avoided his presence and immediately covered herself with a blanket, turning her back against him.

"I think it's time for the both of us to get some sleep. Goodnight, Eisen."

And he had no choice but to respond, "Good night, Jade."

__________

TIME passed by so fast that Jade woke up inside the speed boat when the vehicle stopped in an instant. If she hadn't adjusted immediately to her surrounding, she might've forgotten for a moment that she finally got out of the island and ready to go back home.

Jade rubbed her eyes and realized that they, she and the driver, had finally reached the port. If this was a dream, then Jade needed someone to pinch her and wake up already.

Someone offered to help get her things out, and she followed. Her eyes instantly roam around the area, and she saw a green car not far from where she stood. If Jade had guessed it right, it was the car that was supposed to take her home.

Lewis mentioned to her earlier that he had ordered someone to pick her. He even said the car's brand name, but she ended up telling him that she knows nothing about cars and Lewis should speak to her using a language she can understand. That's why Lewis mentioned the vehicle would be green in color. Since Jade only sees a green car around, she is sure that is what awaits her.

Then a man wearing a black tuxedo came out of the car and approached her distinctively. He even bowed as a sign of respect, which she did in return, before helping her carry her belonging.

"Thank you, but really, I can carry my things, and I can just-" Jade didn't bother finishing her statement when the man in tux shortly opened the door for her, a sign that she should get inside and stop telling the man to stop doing something she can do for herself. Nobody treated Jade that formally before when it comes to opening doors like in the movies, she used to watch with her past pursuant of her heart.

"Where to, Ms. Guevara?" the driver asked her as soon as he started the engine. At that moment, it was soothing to hear someone call her by her real name. Jade felt like for the past few weeks of her life; she had lost her real identity. Yes, people may call her Jade or miss Guevara, but she lived a life she didn't own. Being Eisen's wife strained her because she's been living for too long in another person's identity. Jade never knew that for once, again, she could feel happy hearing someone call her the real Jade Guevara. Not the other identity.

"At the nearest gift shop, you could find. After that, I want to stop by the bookstore to check on their latest books on the shelf. I need to buy something for my brothers and my friends at the hospital. You know, it's hard not to miss buying presents when going back home," she replied with a smile on her face while looking at the rearview mirror.

"It's the gift shop you look for, then a gift shop we will go."

Jade has already planned everything. She will first go to the store to buy some gifts for her friends in the hospital like the beanies, keychains, or even the food with 'BUY 3 FOR 100' promos before dropping by her favorite bookstore, STOP&READ, to buy some books for Janni who's been dying to collect the Game Of Thrones Book Series and the Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Series that she promised to get him two years ago.

Simultaneously, her brother Janus desperately needed new sports shoes because their mother purchased the rubber shoe Janus is currently using was purchased three years ago. If Jade's mom hadn't told her about the condition of Janus's shoes, Jade wouldn't know what to buy for him because it has been two years since Jade saw them and who knows what changed for the past two years being apart from her family?

Thinking about it, the last thing Jade could remember before she stayed in Manila for two long years without coming home was when Janni confessed to her about his obsession with words. Her brother is into books, just like her when she's still in high school, daydreaming about "happy ever after" with the leading man in the novels who made his heart melt. Janni is as much a journalist, and he also loves to write because writing is his passion, an escape to reality. Janni always gets to write articles in DSPCs, RSPCs, and if he's fortunate, he even reaches the NSPC. Not only that. Sometimes there is an international as well. Even if he no longer buys food or makeup for Janni, books are enough to fill his stomach.

On the other hand, Janus is the opposite of Janni, just like the words opposite to action. Janus loves doing recreations or extreme sports that made him more outgoing than Janni. Nobody can exclude him from the sepak takraw team of the school he attends. Janus loves sports, most especially football. He is very obsessed with that game became a girlfriend he's proud to introduce to the family. And when Janus wasn't able to join any physical activities in school, his world became silent and slipping. If he wants to play soccer, he makes himself available for tryouts by rescheduling his other plans. If he wants to try tennis, badminton, high jump, or even volleyball, sports became a top priority. That is how Janua shows love for sports.

And as a sister, who won't be proud to have such a sibling with an extreme passion for something that motivates them to continue in life? Proud is not enough for Jade to describe her happiness to see how lucky she was to have Janus and Janni as a part of her life. Even though they have different goals and view the world around them, or even though they're busy with the things they love, they never neglected their duties and responsibilities regarding education and household chores.

Janus and Janni always make it to the top 3 in their classes. Teachers praise them for how talented they were and how much help they give their classmates in tutoring. And when it comes to dealing inside the house, their mom has no problems dealing with them because they never failed to be the best sons a parent could ask for their children.

"Miss Guevara, we arrived at the nearest shop the GPS has provided." Jade immediately reimbursed to reality when she heard the driver's voice calling out her attention. She didn't even notice that the car already stopped because she was overthinking about someone she misses being with every day. And after today, Jade would be able to see them again.

Without wasting her time, Jade immediately got out of the car and looked for things that fit perfectly with her co-workers' behaviors. In just a few minutes of ogling at every item, she decided to return to the car carrying three large bags of food, keychains, and other utensils that she thought are useful for her mother's kitchen and garden.

Next stop, the vehicle went straight to the hospital so that Jade could drop her gifts off. Her friends in the hospital knew that she's working somewhere a little bit far away from the city, but never did they knew that Jade was living with a man who almost died because of her. Thinking about that now made her pity herself. Now, she's stuck with a situation she thought she would never get trapped. But instead of overthinking about it, Jade instantly got out of the car and head inside the hospital, trying to block the sunlight out of her sight.

The smell of disinfectant warmly greeted her as she walks through the hall to the cafeteria because Jade is sure that her friends are there.

It was already lunch break, and she was sure they were having lunch by now. And the moment she walked inside, Jade felt like she's been gone for a year. Just a few weeks ago, Jade was hesitant to vacate her things even though she's only be gone for months. She feared for the atmosphere to change inside as soon as she walks out. But the moment she entered, it still felt like home.