Chapter 42: Chapter 42

"THAT'S Martin," I said, clearing my throat. I heard something weird in his tone. Was he mad?

"Martin? I thought you're only with Jeff and Kelly?"

"Martin's the nephew of the store owner. He's also a part-timer at the shop." I explained. "He also came with us."

"Oh."

I pursed my lips. I suddenly wanted to ask him what he ate for dinner but I stopped myself. "I have to go now, Gideon. It's loud here."

"Alright," he breathed. "Take care."

"Thanks."

"Is that your husband? The one who called?" Martin asked after getting back from the restroom.

"Yeah. Just checking on me."

Another hour passed before Kelly finally asked to go home.

"Is Gideon going to fetch you, Bianca?"

Kelly asked as she ran her fingers through her hair. We were already heading to the exit of the bar.

She already looked drunk. I couldn't count the margarita she had earlier. Beside her was Jeff who was subtly supporting her.

In contrast to her, I felt fine. I only had five glasses of mojito the entire time.

"I'm just going to take a taxi."

"Oh." She grinned as she pointed at Martin beside me. "Ask Martin to take you home. I'm sure he'd gladly agree. You're his type, you know."

"Come on, shut your pretty mouth, Kelly," Martin chuckled. "Bianca's married."

"Oh. But she said she's filing for divorce. Right, Bianca?" Kelly's unfocused eyes went to me.

My eyes widened at Kelly. Confirmed. She was really drunk.

"Damn, Kelly. I told you not to get drunk." Jeff gave me an apologetic look.

"Shut up, Jeff. I told you I'm not drunk."

"I'm sorry about Kelly," Martin said beside me when we reach the bar exit. Jeff and Kelly were already outside.

"She really had no filter when drunk."

I turned to him and smiled a little. "It's fine—Oh!"

I tripped on something and almost fell flat on the cement if not for Martin who instantly pulled me to him.

"Are you okay?" he said, steadying my stand on the ground.

I smiled at him as I tried to fix my hair. "Yeah. Thank you, Martin. You had good reflexes."

He smiled as he removed his hand from my arms.

"You're welcome." He raised his brow. "You sure you're not drunk?"

I chucked. "I'm not. I just accidentally tripped!"

"Bianca… uh, your husband's here."

I immediately turned to Jeff and Kelly. And there… I saw Gideon in front of them.

Wearing a brown coat, black pants, and boots, his face was grim while looking at me. No. He wasn't directly looking at me. His blue eyes were on the man beside me, Martin.

"Is that your husband?" Martin asked beside me.

"Uh, yeah," I answered without looking at him. Instead, I walked towards Gideon.

"Hey, uh… what are you doing here?"

His eyes zeroed in on me. "Fetching you," he said, his face still serious and unnerving.

Did something happen? Why did he suddenly look so cold?

"Yeah. But I already told you that I'll take a taxi."

He breathed. Then in an instant, his face turned soft at me. "Do you think I'll let my wife go home on her own while I'm in the comfort of our house?"

I bit my lower lip. I didn't know what to answer. I mean… I was still shocked to find him here, waiting for me.

"Bianca… we'll go now."

Gideon and I both turned to Kelly and Jeff. I completely forgot that they were still here.

"Yeah. Sure." I smiled at Jeff.

"Good night, Mr. Henry," Kelly smiled goofily at Gideon. "Take care on your way home."

"Bianca." Martin cleared his throat. He was already standing behind Kelly and Jeff. Both of his hands are in the pocket of his jeans. "I'll go ahead, too."

I smiled at him. "Sure, Martin. Thanks for tonight."

"Wait, Bianca. Aren't you going to introduce me to him?"

Gideon said beside me. It seemed like Martin also heard it because he took a step closer to us. Then he pulled his hand from his pocket and extended it to Gideon.

"Uh. Gideon, this is Martin, my boss's nephew. Martin, this is Gideon, my husband."

I looked at Gideon as he accepted Martin's hand. I noticed how the smile on his face faded while looking at Martin.

He continued to eye Martin sharply as the three of them walked away.

"I don't like that man," Gideon said when he turned to me.

"Martin?" My brows furrowed.

His thick eyebrows almost crossed in one line. "I don't like the way he looks at you."

"What? He only looked rugged but he's actually a nice person, Gideon."

Seriously, what's his problem with Martin?

I rolled my eyes at him. "Stop being so judgemental of people, Gideon."

His brows furrowed. "I said I don't have a problem with his looks—"

I raised my brow. "You just said it, Gideon!"

He pursed his lips as he touched my wrist and examined my face. "How much did you drink?"

"I'm not drunk, Gideon. I only had five glasses of mojito."

"Oh, yeah?"

My eyes widened a bit when he slightly crouched before his face went closer to me.

"What are you doing?" I said, a little panicked. I could suddenly feel the beating of my heart inside my chest.

"Just trying to smell the alcohol in you," he whispered, looking at me.

His face was only inches away from mine. My eyes zeroed in on his red lips.

I swallowed. "I-I told you I'm not drunk," I said, pulling away my hand from him.

"Come on, let's go home. It's getting cold here outside." I stood on the curb and waited for a taxi.

"Come here, wife. There's already a taxi waiting for us," Gideon said beside me. He pointed at the cab, which was parked a few meters away from us. "I asked the driver to wait for us."

My eyes narrowed a little. "How long have you been waiting here?"

"I've been here since eleven."

I glanced at my wristwatch. It was already past midnight.

My lips parted. He had already been waiting for me an hour now? "Y-you should've called me, Gideon."

"It's okay, I didn't mind waiting for you." Gideon smiled.

That moment, I felt something move inside me.