Chapter 48: Chapter 48

"GOOD morning!" I greeted Kelly and Jeff when I got to work that morning.

"Morning, Bianca!" Jeff greeted me back.

I smiled. "How was Rory's birthday?"

"It was fun," Jeff smiled at me. "But it would have been more fun if you were there."

I pursed my lips. "I'm sorry again, guys."

"Rory liked your gift, Bianca. She said she'd visit here to personally thank you."

I smiled. "I'm glad she liked it." I gifted Rory a vintage vinyl player.

Kelly went to me. "You're gorgeous last night, Bianca! You looked so elegant in that black dress."

My lips parted. "H-how did you know–"

"I saw you and Gideon in a business tabloid. Here."

I didn't notice the newspaper in her hand. Kelly showed it to me. My lips parted when I saw Gideon and I's faces on the paper.

"Henry Corporation celebrates its 30th year in the industry; CEO professed his love to his wife," the caption read.

"So, what does it feel like to have a husband like Gideon?" Kelly asked me, her face in a giddy smile. "Gosh, he's so sweet, Bianca. Imagine, he made a promise to you in front of many people. Don't tell me you're still planning to divorce him after this?"

I sighed. "I told you, Kelly. I'm not in love with him."

Kelly stared at me, as if trying to read my face. "Really, Bianca? You don't really feel something for Gideon? Not even after this?"

I shook my head. "I don't feel anything for him."

Kelly looked dubious. "You didn't feel anything last night? While he was professing his love to you?"

I opened my mouth. I did… I did feel something. I remembered how I heard the thumping of my own heart.

But that doesn't mean anything, I said to myself.

I only felt that because all eyes were on me.

"Just surprised… that's all," I answered, trying to dismiss the topic.

"Why can't you look me in the eye, Bianca?"

"I…" I opened my mouth to find something to say, but I failed.

"You know what I think, Bianca. I think… you're really in love with your husband. And you're just being in denial about it."

I gasped. Then I shook my head. "That's impossible." I chuckled nervously. "You're wrong, Kelly. I don't… love him."

That couldn't happen.

"Well, yeah. Maybe I'm wrong and you're right, Bianca." Kelly said before leaving me confused and worried.

What if Kelly's right? What if what Helen has been saying to me was right?

I shook my head. That couldn't happen. With the amount of hate I had for Gideon, it was impossible for me to fall in love with him.

Later that afternoon, Martin dropped by the store. He was in his usual outfit. But this time, he was wearing a black shirt instead of a white one.

"You're here again, Martin," Kelly commented.

Martin shrugged. "I have some free time today."

Kelly suspiciously raised her brows. "Really?" she asked, glancing at me.

Martin chuckled, then shook his head. "Well, I brought some pizza."

Kelly grinned as she went to Martin and tapped him on the shoulder. "Now, we're talking."

"Come on, Bianca," Martin asked me when he opened the box of pizza on a wooden table in the customer lounge.

"Get off the counter."

I was assigned to the counter that day.

I looked at them. Kelly was already sitting beside Martin.

I pursed my lips. "Is it fine to eat at work?"

"Don't worry, Bianca. Rory's not strict. We can eat as long as there's no customer." Kelly grinned. "Besides, we're with Martin."

"Alright," I pursed my lips when even Jeff, who came from the storage area joined the two.

"We missed you at Aunt Rory's birthday dinner last night," Martin said to me as he handed me a slice of pizza.

I looked at him. "I'm sorry, Martin. I just really had another commitment last night."

Martin smiled. "No, it's okay. We understand. But Kelly said you attended a party with your husband?"

"Uh, yeah." My cheeks heated up again when I remembered my face was put on the tabloid. "Anyway, thanks for this," I said, slightly raising the pizza in my hand before taking a bite.

"Kelly mentioned that you like pizza," Martin said. "I hope I got the right flavor, though."

"Oh. My favorite's Hawaiian, but this would do." I said, talking about the pepperoni pizza he brought here for us.

"So, that's why you brought pizza? This is for Bianca?"

I didn't realize Kelly's full attention was already on us.

I pursed my lips. "O-of course not, Kelly…" I looked at Martin beside me. He was just being friendly, right?

Martin chuckled. "Of course, Kelly. Don't worry, next time, I'd bring something you like. Just tell me what it is."

"Fine. Bring chicken pops next time."

"There's no need for you to do that, Martin," Jeff said out of nowhere.

"Why? Because you'd bring her that by yourself?" Martin teased.

"Oh, shut up, Martin!" Kelly annoyingly said.

Martin chuckled and turned to me. His smile slowly faded when he looked at my face.

"Bianca…"

"What?"

He pursed his lips. "You have pizza crumbs on your face."

"Oh." I used the back of my hand to wipe the corner of my lips.

"No. Not that, Bianca," Martin said. Before I could react, his hand already went to my face.

Then I felt his thumb slowly wipe off something on my left cheek.

"There." He smiled.

That was the scene when I heard the wind-chime on the door. Someone entered the store. It was Gideon.

"Oh, hi, Gideon," Kelly greeted my husband.

I looked at my husband, and I noticed his eyes were spitting fire into me. No. Not into mine. Into the man beside me.

If looks could kill, Martin would have died right on the spot with the kind of stares Gideon was giving him.

His blue eyes were a shade darker, as if a storm was brewing in them.

"G-Gideon…" I stood up from my seat and went to my husband. "You're early."

"No. Bianca. I'm just in time." He showed me his wristwatch.

Five pm. It said there. I swallowed. "Oh. I didn't realize the time."

"Looks like you're having a good time," he commented, his eyes snapping at the people behind us.

I knew who exactly he was looking at. I could feel the thumping of my heart inside my chest. I wasn't doing anything wrong, but with Gideon's face, I felt like I did something wrong.

It was like he caught me doing something unacceptable.

"Gideon, do you want pizza?"

My eyes widened a little when Kelly had the nerve to even ask Gideon.

"Martin brought this for us."

"No, thank you, Kelly," Gideon answered, managing a small smile at Kelly. "But can Bianca go now?"

"Oh, yeah. It's already five. Sure."

Gideon sighed before he turned to me. His face was somehow gentler now. But I felt like he was just trying to hold back. "I'll wait for you here, wife."

I nodded. "I'll just fix my things."