Chapter 33: Chapter 33

"I DIDN'T know you're married," Kelly told me while we were having lunch. Rory came to the shop with a box of pepperoni pizza for us. The old woman was a very nice boss.

I managed a smile. "Yeah. I've been married for almost a year."

"Your husband… he's gorgeous," Kelly commented, admiration was obvious in her voice.

I shrugged. "Well, yeah."

Gideon was really physically attractive. No doubt about that. He could easily catch everyone's attention with just his looks.

"Did something happen to him?" Jeff asked, biting on his pizza. "Or was he really…"

"He had an accident four months ago…" I filled him in. "He's in a coma for three months."

Kelly gasped. "Oh. I'm sorry, Bianca. It must be hard for you then."

I gave her a small smile. "It's okay. He's in recovery now."

"I noticed you're not wearing a wedding ring." I saw Jeff drop his eyes on my left hand.

"Yeah. I… uh lost it." I lied.

I didn't want to explain anymore. They didn't have to know about that part of my life.

"You should eat more, Bianca." Kelly motioned to the big box of pizza in front of us. "You only had one slice."

"Nah. I'm already full…"

The truth is, I don't feel good. I woke up with a slight fever this morning. I just took a pain reliever before going to work. I didn't want to be absent in my first week.

"You okay, Bianca? You looked pale." Jeff commented while staring at me.

"I'm fine. I just didn't get enough sleep last night."

I picked up a tissue and wiped the grease on my face.

Well… it's true. I hadn't been able to sleep properly after everything Gideon said last night.

"You can take the time off, Bianca," Kelly said to me. "We don't have many customers right now, anyway."

"Yeah. Don't worry about us. We can close the shop, right, Kelly?"

Jeff turned to Kelly and winked. Kelly just rolled her eyes at the man.

"It's okay. I can finish my shift."

I spent four more hours in the shop when Gideon arrived.

"Your husband's here, Bianca," Kelly informed me.

Just like last night, Gideon entered the shop. This time, he was wearing a black long-sleeve shirt and dark grey pants. His hair was pushed back.

I was no longer surprised that he was here. After agreeing to his proposition last night? Of course, he'd be here.

"Good evening," he greeted me.

I cleared my throat. "You're early. I still have twenty minutes before my shift."

He glanced at his watch. "It's okay. I'll just look around."

Kelly pointed at a vacant stool near the CD stand. "You can sit there, uh, Gideon."

"Thanks." Gideon took the seat.

He looked around the shop. I felt uneasy behind the counter. He should've waited in the car.

A group of college girls entered the store. They immediately noticed Gideon.

I saw two girls giggling while staring at Gideon who was oblivious to the attention he was getting.

I wanted to roll my eyes.

"Do you need help, Mister?"

Rory entered the shop, and just like everyone else, she noticed Gideon.

"No." Gideon politely smiled at my boss. "I'm waiting for my wife. She works here."

The old woman's face lit up. "Oh. You're Gideon."

"You know me..." Gideon looked surprised.

"Bianca has told me about you."

Gideon glanced at me before his eyes went back to Rory.

"I hope you don't mind that I'm fetching my wife for a date."

My eyes widened. What the…

"Oh. You're going on a date?"

I saw Rory glance at me, before returning to Gideon.

Damn. I'd told her I was going to leave my husband soon. And now, she found out that Gideon and I were dating?

"Yeah."

"Next time, you should just wait for me in the car," I told Gideon when we left the shop.

Those three were giving me weird looks, especially Rory.

"Why?"

"I…" I took a deep breath. "You're distracting some of the customers."

"I hadn't noticed that…"

I frowned. "Well, those college girls were squealing when they saw you earlier."

He slightly raised his brow. "And you're upset because of that? You don't want them to notice me?"

I gave him a sharp look. Damn. He was making my head hurt more.

"Next time, don't mention people that we're dating. I told Rory that we're divorcing soon."

He pursed his lips. "You can tell her we are fixing our marriage."

I just rolled my eyes before sliding inside the car.

"Are you okay, Bianca?"

Suddenly, Gideon looked worried while looking at my face. "I noticed you're a little pale. Did you eat lunch earlier?"

"I'm fine—" I stopped when he suddenly placed a hand on my forehead.

"You're burning up!"

I blinked. "I'm fine, Gideon."

"You're not." His forehead creased. "You're sick!"

"Stop overacting. I'm fine. I took medicine before I went to work."

His lips parted. "Don't tell me you're already feeling that this morning?" Now, his eyebrows were almost in one line. "Go straight to the house, Denver."

"I thought we're dining outside?"

He breathed. "You need to rest."

"I told you I'm fine."

He suddenly raised his eyebrows at me. "You're looking forward to our date tonight?"

I frowned. "W-what? Of course not!"

He pursed his lips. "Then stop complaining."

I gave him a sharp look but remained silent.

"Just go to our room. I'll follow you soon." Gideon said when we reached home.

I suddenly felt tired when I got into bed. After slipping into my pajamas, I laid down and pulled up the comforter.

"Bianca…" I felt a slow tap on my arm.

I didn't know how long I was sleeping when I woke up and saw Gideon near me.

He was sitting on the edge of the bed, wearing a white shirt and drawstring shorts.

"I didn't want to wake you up but you need to eat and take medicine."

I slowly get up.

"What time is it?" My voice was scratchy.

"It's eight."

I slept for more than an hour. I noticed the tray of food on the side table.

Gideon picked up the breakfast table and put it on the bed. There was a bowl of chicken porridge, and a plate of fruit.

My forehead creased. "Did you cook this?"

He pursed his lips. "Well, as much as I want to, I don't trust myself in the kitchen. I ordered this online." He handed me a spoon. "Please, eat."

"Did you eat?" I ran my fingers through my hair. My head was throbbing.

He smiled at me. "I already had dinner. Don't worry about me."

I frowned. "I'm not worried about you. Well, I am. But only because Amelia asked me to take care of you."

He pursed his lips, but didn't say anything.

"You should eat more," he said when I put down my spoon and told him I was done.

"I'm already full." I pushed the bowl away from me.

"Then at least have some fruits."

"You're annoying." I frowned, before picking a slice of orange and putting it in my mouth.

"Good girl." There was a smile on his face as he watched me eat the bowl of fruits.

"Shut—" I stopped when I felt his hand on my face.

He wiped off something on ng cheek with his thumb.

I cleared my throat. "I can take care of myself, Gideon."

"You've been taking care of me for months, Bianca. Let me take care of you now."

He smiled gently. I didn't understand why I could suddenly hear my own heartbeat. What the hell's wrong with me?

"Gideon—" I stopped when my head throbbed.

"Stop complaining, wife," he said, handing me a piece of medicine and a glass of water.

"Now, drink this so you can go back to sleep."

And I swore that something was indeed wrong with me that night when all I did was nod and follow him.