Elena's Pov:
I step out of the car before the engine comes off.
"Elena," Adrian calls after me, following behind.
I don't stop. This whole night has just been a humiliation ritual. This whole marriage is a humiliation rite.
Just as I'm about to climb the stairs, a hand wraps around my wrist, pulling me back.
"Don't walk away from me," his voice is low.
"I have nothing to say to you, Adrian. Just let me go to my room."
"Not until you answer my question."
I sigh heavily, and turn to look at him, twisting my wrist out of his hold.
"What question?"
"Why did you let him walk over you like that? Why didn't you stand up for yourself like you normally try to do?"
"And where exactly has that gotten me?" A bitter laugh escapes me.
"You wanted me to stand up to your father, when you couldn't even do that? You sat there and watched him say those things, so why are you asking me these things now?"
His jaw ticks. "That's not the point."
"It's exactly the point. Don't come here and act like you care, when you clearly don't. You're no different from him anyway."
"I am not my father," his eye flashes with anger.
"You're right. You're nothing like him. At least he was very clear about his distaste, not like you, who ups and runs at every little inconvenience."
His gaze narrows, and he shifts back slightly.
We stare at each other without a word. For a moment, I think he'll say something. But it never comes. I sigh, before turning to leave.
Luckily for me, he doesn't try to stop me again.
THE NEXT DAY
"Good morning, Lucia," I greet as I enter the kitchen.
"Morning Elena, You're just on time. I was just about to serve breakfast."
I smile at her, but it's cut short by a yawn that seizes me at the smell of all the good food.
She serves me my plate, and I start feasting on it immediately. I didn't really have much to eat last night. The awkward tension at the dinner made me lose my appetite.
"Oh, before I forget, I noticed something strange when I went into Adrian's room this morning before he left for work."
I pause on my food. "What is it?"
"He was coughing," she states seriously.
"Coughing?" I frown.
"Yes, coughing. It was really bad, and it sounded so rough. It just kept coming, and wouldn't stop."
A wave of concern washes over me, but I brush it away quickly.
"I'm sure he'll be fine, Lucia. You shouldn't worry yourself too much over a grown man," I try to laugh it off.
"That's the thing. He's a grown man but he's always acting like a young boy who still needs babysitting."
"I touched him, and he seemed like he was running a slight fever. I told him to go get checked but as stubborn as he is, he insisted that he was fine, and still went to work anyway," she sighs and shakes her head.
Is he really fine? I mean, he's an adult. If he's feeling sick, he'll go to the hospital and get checked. Right?
"Even when he was smaller, he never liked going to the hospital. And I could never force him. He's been stressing himself a lot lately with work, and he's not even been eating properly. He skips meals, overworks himself, and doesn't get enough sleep."
Yeah. Typical Adrian.
"You really need to stop worrying, Lucia. Adrian is an adult. He will be fine, okay?" It sounds like I'm trying to convince myself instead.
"I hope so, but I would like you to talk to him."
"What?" I almost choke on my drink.
"You're his wife. I'm sure if you tell him to go get checked, he'll listen to you?"
I burst out laughing. She can't be serious. If I know any better, Adrian doesn't listen to anyone, least of all me. And,...I'm supposed to despise the man.
"Uhm…I'm sorry, Lucia, but I don't think I'm the best person for the job," I take a swig of my juice, shaking off my nerves.
"Well, It won't hurt to try, would it?" She insists.
"Lucia!!" I groan. "Let's not, okay?" I laugh awkwardly.
"Only a suggestion," she shrugs her shoulders and gets back to work.
I stuff my mouth with food, pondering on what she said. Would he really listen? I mean, if it's as serious as she claims it is, then he has to go check himself.
He might though.
Ohh, who am I kidding? There's no way he's going to listen to me. Not now. Not ever.
****
After fighting with myself throughout the afternoon, I find myself outside of Adrian's office, with a cup of green tea in my hand. I made him green tea. An act that I'm still surprised at.
He came home a few minutes ago, and went straight into his office. And it seems as though Lucia didn't lie. He's been coughing pretty seriously for those few minutes.
It sounded raw and throaty, and almost painful. So I made him green tea hoping it would do something.
And no. I don't care if he coughs out his insides. I'm only doing this because of Lucia. She's worried, and she asked for my help.
I take in deep, steady breaths, and when I finally muster up enough courage, I knock.
Once, twice, thrice. There's no answer, and so I twist the doorknob, and let myself in.
He's typing away on his computer. He doesn't even look up.
I walk over to his desk with unsteady legs, and place the cup of tea in front of him.
"Lucia said you might need this," I lie.
He still doesn't acknowledge me.
"You've been coughing for a while now. Lucia said it was bad," t
"Lucia says a lot of things," he mutters finally.
I cross my arms and sigh. "Adrian."
His eyes finally lift to mine, and for a second, I'm taken aback. He looks pale…paler than usual and there's a tiredness in his eyes that wasn't there before.
"You don't look fine, Adrian. Lucia's worried about you, and she asked me to check on you. You need to go see a doctor."
"I don't need to see anyone. I'm fine," he answers flatly.
"Have you seen yourself in a mirror? You look terrible. And you shouldn't even be working in this state," I gesture at his computer.
He sets his pen down, rubbing at his temples.
"I said I'm fine, Elena, now please leave so I can get back to my work."
"Adrian you–"
"Elena," he calls my name with warning.
"You need rest, Adrian."
"Leave," he says with finality, leaving no room for more talk.
I hesitate, but then the look on his face tells me otherwise. There's no need pushing. He wasn't going to listen anyway.
I turn, and head out without another word, feeling somewhat agitated at my sheer dismissal.
Once the door shuts, I lean back on it, and release a breath I didn't even know I was holding. I'm trying to help him, but he doesn't care. Lucia is worried sick about him, but all he cares about is his stupid work.
I should have just let him be. Now I've ended up looking like a fool. Here I am bothered about someone that isn't even bothered about himself.
I shouldn't have listened to Lucia in the first place.
Even when I'm back at my room already covered up in bed, I can still hear his coughs bounce through the walls.
I can't believe he can be this reckless. You're obviously not well, and you're still refusing to check yourself. Don't you even care about your own health?
But another thing I don't understand is why I'm so bothered by him. If he won't go to the hospital then it's fine. He can cough to death for all I care.
I shut my eyes, and cover my blanket over my head, forcing myself to sleep.
The sound of the harsh cough comes through again. I open my eyes and stare at the ceiling, suddenly agitated.
You won't even let me sleep too!?
Moving the blanket away from my body, I sit up, and fold my arms, leaning against the bedstand.
Did he drink
the tea I gave him? The ginger should have a calming effect on him. Why is he still coughing so hard?
His coughs keep coming through, each one rougher than the last, and I listen for when it'll stop.
Only,... it doesn't.