CHAPTER 9: YELLOW

©S A F I E

CHAPTER 9

ELLE

I've been 11 weeks far in my pregnancy. Morning sickness is still there and my husband having no clue about it. I am afraid that as the time drags on, it gets harder for me to confess to him.

He always comes home late and it kind of ticks me off when I fall asleep before he arrives, but in the mornings he makes sure to join me at breakfast. It's been our routine now; I stay at home all day, doing paintings for my clients while he works off in the office, visiting the houses and villas we are set to renovate and sell, checking our restaurants and shops, and meeting with various people we are partners with. Gabriel shall arrive past ten at night, slip inside the comforter and cuddle me, comforting me with his warmth as I am dreaming. I know he's making so much effort to spend time with me but how I wish I could get the chance to spend a whole day with him, again.

Yes; We get to see each other every day but all we say is, 'Good Night' and 'Good Morning'. But the main reason for my frustration is that I haven't had the chance to tell him about the baby inside of me,

I'm thankful enough that I get to work from home after I asked my clients that my studio in the city is currently being renovated - which is partly true. Gabriel has suggested that the room next to ours is perfect for a studio, considering that it has the view of the forest outside and the classical wide windows provided me with the perfect lighting I needed. I moved most of my art materials in the room next to ours, slowly until I have transformed it into a workroom. It wasn't much work since most of my things are already there–especially my brushes, canvases and easels. I just have to arrange it near the window and then, I'm all set.

As for me and Gabe, we are still struggling through our relationship.

Sometimes, he still avoids sharing facts with me but at least, he still shows that he cares by simply hugging or kissing me. Somehow, his heart is still there, thawing and I will strive to win it.

I hope that soon, I can tell him about our baby. No matter what his decision would be, I'll accept it, even though I'm pretty sure that he'll be clearly pissed about this news. I can't understand why he doesn't want a kid. He despises them with no concrete reason, acting like a very complicated math problem.

I hate math, but I'm sure as hell that I love this problem being that it was him.

I love him but there are times on which he just has to hit that one particular nerve in me that made me want to rip his head off if I could. I sat back and lean on the wall as I remember what Gabriel did about a week ago...

*

"How could you forget that, Gabe?! I barely have any request and this? I messaged you a gazillion times, I called you and, you don't care! You thought I am being childish. " I hugged Choco closer and nuzzled on his neck. Choco turns to me and licked my tears before he began barking at Gabe.

Gabriel sigh, running his hands through his hair as he puffs his cheeks. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? It totally slipped my mind. I'm really sorry." He gave me a pitiful gaze, trying to imitate Choco's puppy dog eyes, making me roll my eyes.

"You're impossible! How can you forget that minion after I told you a dozen times? I want that thing so much! I'd rather trade you to have a real-life minion - they're much better than you." I huff, letting go of Choc as I hug my shoulders, bowing my head down. "It seems that all you cared for is that blasted company. Maybe you should marry that company of yours and I swear it will cook for you and pleasure you until you go crazy - that I could definitely guarantee!" I snapped at him as straighten up from the other side of the couch, trying to pull me to his lap.

"I'm really sorry, love. It's just-I focused on that million dollar contract for a couple of months regarding Greene industries and now that I won, I could finally gain the trust of your past suppliers. I can even order you that minion right now–if you really want to– I could order a ton of them! I'm just so sorry that I forgot about it, it totally slipped my mind when I met with the client, " he ran his hands and grab my elbow, "Love-"

"Don't call me that and don't you dare touch me!" I scoot farther from him and take Choco, burying my head in this fur ball I am caressing, "You can now go and celebrate with your dear wife-company and have sex with it for all I care! You should even consider taking it to a fancy restaurant first and there you could feed both of your foul mouths with your blasted money!" I was surprised when he suddenly turned to stare at me with a murderous glare.

"There's no one that can satisfy me more than you, Elle and it's not blasted money. I worked hard for it. I've had enough of this, why are you acting like a kid over some stupid toy I forgot to buy? I had ways of acquiring them if you want but you are so stubborn, you just want to go your way even if it's crooked!" He snapped at me, the intensity of his voice making my heartache.

I didn't dare to say a thing to him after that. I stand from the sofa and gave him the cold shoulder.

He can go live with that company of his and leave me be.

*

I know it's the most stupid fight we've ever had and I do not know how to make it up with him. I have accepted that I am in the wrong for blaming it all on him but I feel so pressured with my secret that I did not expect that I will react like that. I hated that I have exaggerated on such a small thing. He's right - it is just a toy and I am acting stupid.

We've finally dawned into a decision of not talking to each other and now, we are here about a week past that happening, still not talking to each other.

I know that it is all about my pride. I wish I have not yelled at him in the first place. I wanted to make it up to him but I find it hard to so after what happened between us. I want to demand some time with my husband, to have him listen to my woes and comfort me as I confess about our child but how exactly shall I do that?

I mean, I can't just blurt it out that I am pregnant, right?

Swimming out of my thoughts, I stretch my legs and lean my hand on the wall, rising from the floor. I look around the room and sigh, making my way out and walking down the stairs. I entered the kitchen, washing my hands on the sink and scrubbing off the paints in my fingernails, deciding that I should start making dinner seeing as it's already quarter to seven. I am just chopping off the vegetables, swaying my hips as I listened to Megan Trainor when a pair of hands gripped my waist.

I swear - I stopped breathing.

I catch my breath, my heartbeat quickening as I turned around to face my beautiful husband; his hair tousled unto the side as though a million hands ran through them throughout the day, his tie hanging loosely on his neck with a few buttons of his shirt undone. Gabriel gave me a silly grin before leaning down to whisper in my ear, "I need to tell you something very, very important."

I almost fainted as I felt his hot breath on my ear, and the way he said those words made me blanch, I should be the one saying those words to him. I nodded at him pretending not to be affected by his words as I resume my job of chopping off the vegetables.

"I've missed you."

I'm lucky enough that I didn't cut myself with the knife or faint because the words blew me away like leaves in the autumn. My heart is about to jump in my throat as I felt him leaning closer, his hands a pressure on my hips. I glance up at him, giving him a frown as I shake my head at him. Not giving him any verbal answer, I put a distance between us, trying to catch my breath and refrain from falling into a dream, drawing farther away from him.

Is this some prank he wanted to play on me?

I wanted to change the subject as to why he was early because he usually stays up until ten though he only shakes his head, walking closer as he continues, pulling me closer, "I swear Elle, I miss you. It's been so long...talk to me, please. This treatment is far much worse, just be angry at me, hit me even. I just want a response from you. Talk to me, love."

He nuzzled my neck, sniffing my hair. I do not know why I didn't bother answering him. I am having this sudden surge of irritation seeping on my nerves when I see his face even though I really wanted to see him.

"Listen to me, please?" He pulled me closer, his head resting on my shoulders, acting more like a dog than a human as he nuzzled.

"Gabe, honestly, you're acting like you are drunk-" I stopped as he kissed me on the forehead. He gave me a smirk as he draws his head from my shoulder, his face lifting.

"Finally, words of wisdom from mighty Elle and hey! I'm not drunk, why don't you believe me when I said I really miss you? I miss you screaming at me, fighting me, don't you miss me, too? Don't you feel the same?" He tried to lace his hurt with a look of annoyance but I know better.

I can smell his minty breath as his head draw nearer to mine, making us share the same oxygen. I raised my hand, "Gabriel, stop it!" I struggled to push him off but before I scream for him to stop, he kissed me.

His lips are so soft against mine as he deepened the kiss, pulling me up and pushing me down on the counter, "Gabe-". My hand keeps on slipping from his shoulder and I adjusted them so that I am grabbing his neck. He kept on kissing me, my hands tangling on his already tousled hair, "Be with me, Elle. "

That made me stop and he drew his lips back, staring at me with his wide blue orbs. I opened my mouth to speak, "Gabe, what do you mean by that? You know, I still haven't forgotten about that toy incident and if you really want to apologize for that, I'd rather tell you to just run out of here now and buy me those minions." I push him away, trying to steady my breathing as I start to feel a little bit lightheaded. But as stubborn as he is, he nuzzled my neck again, kissing it slowly.

"Gabe, I swear. You really need to get off of me now or else I'll cut your bird off your anatomy!" I watch him as he pales but his hand still lingers on my waist, "But I-"

"Gabe, I really need to finish this or else we won't be having anything to eat for dinner." I pulled the knife from the sink and lower myself back to the floor, resuming my position a while ago. "Just go to your office or do whatever you want, Gabriel..."

"No." He grabs my elbow, pulling the knife out of my hand and throwing it back on the sink, the vegetables toppling over as he slides the chopping board down it. He carried me on his shoulders as he makes his way out of the kitchen, heading up the stairs even when I am trashing wildly "Gabriel, urgh- You are unbelievable!"

I push him and he finally lets me off, his hand still gripping my elbow as we stand by the landing, both glowering at each other. "Elle, I tried to contain myself but I can't do it anymore. Please forgive me. I want to be with-"

"Why can't you get it, Gabriel? I haven't forgotten what you've done. You really need to suffer for not granting my very small request!" I snapped, biting my lips as I tried to stop myself from crying.

Damn, hormones. I sound very pathetic and miserable as I glowered at him, my hands trembling.

Gabriel huffed, "Then let me make it up to you. I apologize if I have not taken you seriously. I promise I won't do it again..." I tried to pull my hand from him but he tightened his hold.

"Gabe, stop making a promise because I know that you can't keep it!" I pulled my hand back and stared at him, "We only have a year left so, don't worry. We just have to deal with each other for a few more months and make ourselves entertained so we can forget about the reason why we're even married. We can just live life. Separately, for now." And probably for the rest of the duration of this stupid deal. I bit my lip as I digest what I just said. Shocked because I even suggested living separately - will I be able to survive to be away from him?

"Fuck no, Elle!" His voice startled me, pulling out of my thoughts as he groans. He runs his hands on his hair as he continued, "It's just a f*cking damn toy and you want us to have the divorce and live separately because of that? That's f*cking hilarious! Darn, if I would've known then, I should've just bought you tons of those yellow, cursed things. Damn it. You are just making these excuses to keep the real reason of you getting pissed at me. Tell me the reason behind all of this. I'm pretty sure that this isn't only about that fucking toy..." He sighed before looking at me, his face showing defeat, "Haven't I done enough? Tell me what should I do." He bowed his head and I can't help but feel guilty.

It was true, all of his words are true. But still, I can't find the courage to tell him the truth and make him understand why I am acting like this.

"I can give up my time at the office if you want. I'll choose to work here at home if you want me to be with you. I can finally give you the love you've been yearning for, after all this time." He caressed my cheeks as he pulled me close. "Don't do this anymore. Don't push me just because I forgot to buy you that stupid toy. You are making me confused about my feelings - do you even really want me?" He looks at me, his eyes shining with tears; he pulled my hands up before he laid it on his chest. "This heart is only beating for you, Elle. I'm ready to risk my heart. We can finally give this another shot."

"Gabe, please. Just--" I pulled away from his grip and run inside the bathroom, locking myself away from him.

The tears I've been trying to suppress glistened on my cheeks as I sat down on the tub. I just can't keep up with the emotions I feel and his revelations are just too much right now. He's ready, finally. He wanted me in his life but why do I feel like this? Why am I acting like this?

'Elle? Elle! We can fix this, love. We can get through this, Elle. I'll buy you that minion right now!' He coaxed me as he continues to knock on the door, turning the knob.

"Just let me think, Gabriel. I--" I hugged myself closer and sat in the bathtub, crying silently as I hug my shoulders.

'Elle, I am here now. I won't leave you ever. We will make this marriage work just bear with me, love... ? Just be with me!' I can hear some shuffling and bolted upright when I the door cracked.

Did he just kick it? Damn, he's acting like a movie star - what happened to him.

'You better trust this git or cow or whatever name you want to call me. Even though I failed to buy you that minion, you know that you love this very insensitive cow, no matter what! ' With a loud crack, the door groaned as the love of my life conquered my heart once again.

As persistent as ever.

*

"That one is Cassiopeia," He pointed at the constellation as he held me in his arms.

"You mean, the mother of Andromeda?" I nodded as I watch him frowned down at me.

"Why are you frowning again, Mr West?" He gave me a look before looking back at the sky. "Because-?"

"Because she died after she gave birth to Andromeda. Saddened by this, the gods decide to make her a constellation so her daughter can still see her." He's still looking up the night sky but I can see many emotions in his dark hooded orbs.

"There's an 'And', right?" He just smirked and pulled me closer to him.

"And I don't want you to have a kid, because I don't want you to die." He whispered, tightening his grip on my hips, snaking his arms on my side, settling them to the place where our child lies.

"So that's the reason why you don't want a kid?" I stated on a ridiculous tone. "But then, the technology now is more advance than in the past. I am not gonna die just because of childbirth plus, that's not even a concrete reason. Surely that's not the only reason why you despise the idea of having a baby, right?"

He gave me a death glare but I stand my ground, he scowled, a sour look on his face, "I can't tell you now. It's complicated, I-"

"What is it, Gabe? What is it that you do not want to tell me?" I forced him to look at me, putting my hand under his chin. "C'mon, tell me now, please?"

"I can't." He looked away and I can feel his warmth leaving me as he moved. "Not now, Elle."

The wind blew my hair making me shiver, but that's not the only thing that made me shiver. I remembered my own secret - he is so close to knowing now with only a few words for me to say. "Look, there. Isn't that a pegasus?" Gabriel pointed and I shivered once again.

"I can't see it," I closed my mouth to stop my teeth from chattering. I am feeling nervous - what must Gabriel say once he hears my secret? "Where is it, Gabe?"

"There, look." He pointed but I am trying so hard as to not shake so he won't notice. I was about to excuse myself to go to the bathroom when he slipped his hand on my back and held it there, "Are you feeling cold? Let's go inside. You're shivering." He said, dragging me back in his penthouse.

We are currently staying in his penthouse since Gabriel decided that a change of scene will do us some good. This is the place that I once have dreamt to go to from the very first moment we married, I have never expected that I will be here now. The house welcomes us with undeniable gloom, and Gabriel taps a button to light it up.

After he broke the door awhile ago, he drove me to the nearest Mc Donald's, buying me that happy meal he promised, before he proceeds to bring me here in his sanctuary.

I look around the room; black and grey colours dominate his furniture including that of his bed and carpet and the curtains framing the glass slides on the far left. From where I stand, I can see a door to the right, swearing as I looked down.

I really need to pee, like really.

"Gabe, I, uh- I really need to pee." I blurted, looking at him as I tried not to pee right then and there. I was surprised when a chuckle rumbled deep inside his chest, he held me close, r"What? Why are you laughing, Gabe?" He just looks at me before shrugging, mirth lighting up his face.

"I don't know, it's just that if I didn't know better, I would think that you are pregnant considering the frequency-"

I just look at him, frowning, not knowing what I should say as his words died in his mouth. I can hear a pin drop as the both of us stare at each other; I am frozen, my heart beating furiously. Did he finally figure it out? He raised his hands and pointed to my left, “That door is to the bathroom." He gave me a slight push before opening the door for me and leave me to do my business.

I entered, not looking back as I closed the door behind me. Okay, so, what am I going to do now? Like really. I can feel my cheeks warming up as I let the scene play in my head. He had meant for it like a joke, right? But then, if it is not a joke for him and he has found the truth, does it mean that he is alright with the baby?

After doing my business, I went outside the bathroom only to face the whole bedroom lit by candles everywhere with no Gabe insight. I was startled, not expecting this out of him.

Did he really plan this for me?

But before I can process what is happening, I heard his footsteps drawing nearer and nearer and...

"Elleana..."

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