CHAPTER 4
1790 Words
I started picking up the scattered plastic wrappers of frozen goods and put them in the trash. I also rinsed the eggshells in the sink.
Next, I gathered the plates, saucers, bowls, forks, spoons, ladles, glasses, and whatever else was strewn about. I placed them all in the sink and turned on the faucet. I lowered the water pressure to remove the leftover food scraps.
As I turned the faucet, I was almost startled. I almost bumped into Grantt's chest.
"What the hell are you doing? Move over there so I can finish this quickly," I scolded him.
I deliberately let out a small sigh. It seems he's the reason for his mother's scolding. He doesn't really bring anything positive to my life; instead, he just gives me headaches.
I looked up to see what he was doing. When our eyes met, he stayed silent, not budging from his spot. He was staring at me, unmoving.
"What's bothering you?" I asked sharply, rolling my eyes. "What have you done to make such a mess in the kitchen? Are you filming a cooking show all on your own?" I scolded him even more.
"I'm sorry," he said seriously. "For what my mom said to you," he added.
This might be the first time he's genuinely apologized. Is he feeling guilty for all the difficulties he's caused me in this household, both inside and outside?
"It's okay. Your mom has a point. I don't have the right to blame or be angry with her. Besides, I know she wants me to stop working so she can take care of you and this house."
It appears that what she needs isn't a daughter-in-law but a babysitter for her child. Tsk.
"Let's do it then," he suggested.
I raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"
"Let's have a baby," he added.
I felt momentarily stunned by what I heard. Here he goes, being unpredictable again.
I didn't know why, but I automatically glanced at his reddish lips. I noticed he was also staring at my lips.
Pull yourself together, Yongsann. He's probably saying this because he feels guilty.
I gently moved past him. "If you're here to tease me, not now. I'm not in the mood, Grantt."
"Why don't you want to? I'm your husband, and I have enough money to support both of you."
"Support? I never dreamed of becoming a single mom or divorced mom. Plus, don't give in to your mom's persuasion. We only have one more month," I reminded him.
He didn't say anything. I looked for a cloth to wipe the table. I saw some pot holders lying nearby and grabbed one.
I paused in my cleaning when I remembered that I didn't buy anything like this. I looked at him while holding one pot holder.
"Did you buy this?" I asked. He nodded.
"Yeah, I was going to clean up, but then Mommy arrived."
"Ah," I replied briefly and continued cleaning while he watched me. It seems like this pot holder is his only contribution to our kitchen.
I briefly stopped when my hand cramped again, trying not to let him notice.
"Aren't you tired?" he inquired.
"I am, but it's alright. This is a wife's duty," I replied playfully.
He remained silent. Even after I finished cleaning the entire kitchen, he didn't leave. Despite feeling uncomfortable, I chose to ignore him.
I exited the kitchen and headed straight to the living room. I quickly sat on the sofa, grabbed the remote, and turned on the TV. I propped my feet up on the sofa and hugged a pillow.
I felt exhaustion all over my body. I closed my eyes briefly to calm down.
After a few minutes, I let out a deep sigh. To be honest, I no longer understood the situation between Grantt and me. I just wanted to sleep and hopefully not wake up.
I slowly opened my eyes when I heard a familiar voice. As I looked at the TV, the beautiful face of Wendy appeared in an exclusive showbiz report.
Well, I must admit that she's pretty.
"Grantt!" I called out to the man still in the kitchen. It seemed like he didn't hear me, so I called him again.
"Oh?"
"Come here! Hurry!" I exclaimed.
He quickly came out of the kitchen, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.
"Why?" he asked.
"Look, it's Wendy," I said, gesturing towards the TV screen.
He glanced at the TV, and I noticed how he smiled while staring at the woman.
"She's quite pretty, isn't she?" I commented.
It was genuine praise because it was true. Besides, I didn't really have any issues with Wendy. Whether she was in a relationship with Grantt or not, I wasn't interested.
After a while, I felt his gaze on me, even though my attention was on the TV.
"Aren't you jealous at all?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No. Why? Do you think I'd be jealous of her? Wendy is Wendy, and I am Yongsann. Even if I were to die of jealousy, nothing would change."
He gently tapped my forehead and then left, returning to the kitchen.
"Don't bother cooking; let's just order food! It's on you!" I yelled, but I wasn't sure if he heard me.
After finishing watching the news and as the commercials came on, I stood up and left the TV on. I followed the man absorbed in his own world.
"I told you not to cook," I commented when I saw that he had already prepared the dishes. It seemed like he had also been grocery shopping because our fridge was empty earlier.
"Am I the one who will pay for the food we're going to order?"
"Why? You're wealthy; I don't think it will affect your future with Wendy, right?" I teased. He briefly glanced at me and smirked.
"Are you jealous of Wendy?"
His question took me by surprise, and my mouth and eyes widened.
Me? Jealous? Why? She's just his girlfriend, and I'm still his legal wife.
"No, why?"
"Are you sure?"
"I'm 101% sure, Grantt. Wait, I'm a bit curious about this too. Is Wendy really your girlfriend?" I sought confirmation.
Actually, I wasn't entirely sure about their actual relationship status. I assumed they were a couple. I've never been interested in their love team before, but now I am.
"You said so," he casually replied. I stared at him, somewhat dumbfounded. It seemed like my system was getting even more messed up. "Why? It's not like you didn't expect it."
"I thought you'd be loyal for at least one month," I pretended to say dramatically. He sarcastically laughed.
"You really don't know how to lie. It's obvious you're just messing with me."
I didn't say anything else. I simply watched him as he prepared our meal. I didn't know he was actually a good cook. It turns out he has more to contribute to the world than just annoying me.
"Wow," I softly exclaimed as I saw the Bicol Express dish he prepared. It's one of my favorites. I hadn't mentioned it to him, so I'm sure it's also his favorite, which is why he's cooking it.
"Is that Wendy's favorite?" I asked. I wanted to cover my mouth because I might have asked the wrong question. I meant to ask if it's his favorite, not his girlfriend's.
"It's my favorite. It's spicy, so I'm sure you'll enjoy it too. I've noticed that whenever our team eats out, you always order spicy food."
Wow, he's observant too.
I fell silent once more. His cellphone on the table began to ring, and it was just an inch away from my resting elbow.
"Wendy is calling," I informed him. He glanced at his phone.
"Answer it," he instructed.
"Are you crazy?"
"Just press the answer button and stay quiet. I'll handle the conversation." I rolled my eyes and reluctantly followed his instructions.
"Grantt," the voice of the woman greeted. I wasn't sure if I should leave to give them privacy or stay and overhear their talk.
"Wend, how are you feeling now? Is your headache still bothering you?"
Headache? Was that the reason he didn't want her to go to Melendrez's party?
"Yeah, but it's not as bad now. Have you eaten?"
When I sensed that their conversation might become more personal, I stood up and left the kitchen, heading to the living room instead.
I grabbed my guitar and sat on the sofa. I strummed its strings lightly, recalling the lyrics and melody of the chorus of one of my favorite songs. After a minute of improvising, I began to play the correct tune and sang along.
"If I had just one wish, it would be for you to love me," I sang. I paused briefly, realizing that something was amiss with my voice. I wasn't off-key, but there was something missing.
I stopped for a moment and adjusted the guitar strings. Maybe it was because I hadn't used it in a while.
I strummed it again and smiled when it sounded right. "It would be for you to love me," I sang again. Now, I could feel the emotion of the song more deeply.
"And if in this lifetime, you're the one by my side..." I didn't know why tears welled up in my eyes. It was just a song, after all.
You're sentimental, Yongsann.
"No need for anything else." I closed my eyes briefly to hold back my tears, but they flowed even more. "You're the dream, always on my mind. The one and only."
I kept my eyes shut for another moment, and once I had regained my composure, I wiped away the tear stains on my cheeks.
I stood up and returned the guitar to its place. When I turned, I was met with Grantt's somber expression. I chose to ignore him, fearing I might become the target of his anger over whatever disagreement he had with Wendy.
I quietly lay down on the sofa. "Just wake me up when it's time to eat," I said, hoping Grantt would hear me.
I missed you, Greel. I want to see you, not because I want to revive what we had before, but to let you know that I managed to live without you. That I didn't really need you.
I had my eyes closed, but my mind was immersed in deep thoughts. I was thinking about someone I shouldn't be reminiscing about anymore.
Why didn't you appear? Why didn't you return to the Philippines if you were really in another country? I've moved on from you; my love for you has vanished, leaving only pain in my heart. I still can't accept that you simply toyed with my emotions, Greel!
- Writer
