Chapter 27: Hesitation

Her eyes were focused on the screen displayed, but her mind was miles away. How would living alone with 'my husband' be. I was finding the whole arrangement so weird. Part of her knew for sure it wouldn't work, but part of her wanted to give it a try. Rehab in China... It sounded like such a far-fetched deal. She thought of running it by Jayden but she knew he'd refuse without a second thought so honestly, this was a decision she has to make on her own.

She glanced at Maddie wondering if he had gone silent all of a sudden just to see he'd fallen asleep. He looked like a different person asleep. Someone angelic, incapable of hurting someone's feelings and yet here they are. A sharp pang of pain pierced through her chest and she shook her head wondering where those thoughts and feelings came from. She guesses the memories were trying hard to break free. Maybe she should also take a nap. She turned down the volume and lay back on the bed shutting her eyes.

It was a miracle how fast she could fall asleep honestly. She lazily opened her eyes checking outside the window. It seemed to be a bit past lunchtime. She glanced around the room and no one was in.

Feeling a bit downcast that she didn't have anyone to keep her company, she reached out for her phone and slowly scrolled through her feed looking at all the unknown faces who were all most likely friends of her that she had forgotten.

Jiaye was a bit relieved when she saw a couple of familiar faces and suddenly felt like all was not lost.

"The first thing you do when you wake up is using your phone?" Maddie said as he pushed the door open, carefully holding a tray in the other hand.

"I woke up a while ago. And I had nothing better to do so..." she trailed off as she began questioning herself as to why she was even bothering with giving him an explanation.

"Understandable. I brought you some food. Figured you'd be hungry when you woke up."

Once he said it out loud it dawned upon her, she was starving!

"I am hungry actually. Thanks." she slowly sat up as she took the tray from him and smiled pleased. It was fries, nuggets, coleslaw, and Pepsi. So many people would disapprove of this meal for a patient. She was just glad Maddie wasn't one of those people.

"How did the nurses even let you get past them with this food?" She asked in between mouthfuls.

"I said it was mine, we argued a bit with some of them, but," he shrugged his shoulders, "here I am."

She nodded slowly shooting him a glance. He looked pleased with himself. Their eyes met and he smiled a bit. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach and color flooded into her cheeks as she quickly looked down pretending her food was the most interesting thing in the room.

He stood up and took the remote beside her.

"Do you mind if I choose something to watch this time?" He said already having turned the TV on and scrolling through the channels.

"depends on what you decide to settle for," she said softly having managed to get her voice back.

He chuckled and settled on a business news channel.

She groaned loudly, "You can't be serious!" she shouted already bored and he'd just put it.

"We still need to be updated about the business world," he said looking at her for a while.

"You're the only one who needs to start updated, that's why we have phones," she whined.

"Now, see, that's where you're wrong little wifey. I need to stay on top of it for obvious reasons, and you're my darling wife, who is up there in the finance department. You should stay updated so that you're not too clueless when you get back to work." his handsome face slips a seductive smile.

"What if I don't want to?" She asked in a rebellious tone challenging him.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, I'm only dwelling on the positive." He replied in a calm tone.

She just looked at him speechless. She sighed defeated and ate her last nugget. Sad that she'd already finished them.

Jayden came in a while later. Jiaye was surprised he'd even come in with Maddie still around. He shot Maddie a look that she couldn't read fully but it spokes waves of his dislike towards him then turned to her affectionately.

He came straight to her bed and leaned in.

"I'm sorry darling, I have to leave now. I'll be back though. We can still keep in touch over the phone okay?" He kissed her forehead lightly then stepped back. She had so many questions, but he seemed like he was in a hurry. She'd have to ask them another time.

" Okay, " hard as she tried she couldn't hide the disappointment from her voice, "stay safe."

"Don't look so down. I'll be back. Cheer up, okay?" Jayden said.

She was now pouting like a small baby.

"Come on, Jiaye, don't look at me like that." He rushed over and gave her a quick hug and before she could do anything else he left.

She sighed. Great now it was just the two of us and the business news on TV. She grabbed her phone and scrolled through her feed again replying to the messages she'd gotten.

" Are you that sad he's gone?" Maddie suddenly asked breaking the silence. She is almost even forgotten she had company. Did he sound.... bitter?

"Yes." she replied honestly, "he's my best friend. And he's pulled this stunt on me before. He had been summoned back for his parents. I didn't see him for months!!!"

When she looked at Maddie, she immediately realized that might not have been the best thing to tell him. He still had the stupid impression that Jayden and she were lovers. His expression was so dark and stony. All his attention to the screen.

Well, at least this time he didn't choose to storm out.

She decided to call her mum. It had been a while.