Chapter 35: Chapter 35

“How are you, my love?”

I caressed his hands, looking down at his fingertips. That’s enormous compared to mine. It’s like my fingers can be similitude to a baby. I smiled while staring at our intertwined fingers. I missed him holding mine when he was still awake, kissing the back of my palm while staring intensely through my soul, searching and scorching my heart.

“It’s been exactly weeks since we arrived, and you’re still sleeping.” I smiled, suppressing my emotions from bursting out. I know he needs a lot of rest because he pushed his body to the edge last time, but I just hope that he can still remember me, my face, and everything between us once Ethan wakes up. That’s why I have this daily routine of talking to him.

Even though I don’t have any assurance if he’s hearing me or not, I won’t give up.

“How are you doing? If you’re going to ask about me, I’m doing fine here. Don’t worry about me.” I rest my head on his chest. I caressed the top of it, fixing his shirt.

“Life was fun here. People here are nice and friendly. You’re going to love them, especially the house owner who took us in.” I smiled to myself when all of a sudden, his face appeared in my head.

“I don’t know what will your reaction be once you see him, but I hope you won’t throw your hands since he’s a male.”

I know how jealous Ethan can be, but I can assure him that I don’t have romantic feelings toward Harry. I only see him as a close friend of mine.

“He’s not in the way, don’t worry, love. I can assure you he’s safe. I can feel in my guts that this man who’s helping us won’t turn his back on us.”

I closed my eyes, and a tear escaped from them. I told myself I shouldn’t burst out here, but I couldn’t help. I want to tell him everything. Everything I have heard, witnessed and happened to me, but I don’t know exactly how will I start by summarizing it. I’m just throwing random words at him, hoping he will understand me.

“I wish I could tell him why we’re being chased. However…” I breathed in before finally releasing what was bothering me.

“But I need more time. I don’t want to sacrifice everything we have gone through. I don’t want to lose you, Ethan. I might…lose my sanity. I might lose my purpose, my other half, and my senses. I don’t know where it will take me if they take you away from me.”

I choked back a sob. I’m breaking down from overthinking again the stuff I shouldn’t worry about for now. Can I blame myself for acting like this? After all, what had happened these past few months? Every time I had this feeling our lives would be perfect soon be crashed down. It’s as if we don’t deserve to be together. Fate has been testing us, and I do not like it anymore.

“Please, fight, my love. Fight this for me. I am not rushing you to wake up since I’m scared something might happen, and everything will fall apart again. Take your time to rest there and regain your energy. But please, give me a sign you’ll survive. I love you so much, Ethan.”

A cried on his chest for an hour, but nothing changed in his heartbeat. I expected this since I have been doing this for weeks. I wiped off the tears from my cheeks and was about to leave the room when someone spoke.

“I’m sorry, Natasha.”

I flinched from my spot and hurriedly looked behind me when I saw Harry was standing on the door frame. His hand was positioned to knock on the door, but he probably stopped himself when he heard me crying. I smiled at him, composing myself while drying my cheeks.

“Hi. How long have you-”

“Oh,” Harry shook his head, waving his hands dismissively.

“I just got here, actually. I heard you’re crying, so I got worried. How do you feel right now, by the way?” he first glanced at me before averting his eyes to Ethan.

“i-I’m fine, don’t worry.” my voice cracked a little from the after cries, but I didn’t mind it. It’s not new for me to cry every day if I have the chance to talk to Ethan.

Harry didn’t say anything for a while. Instead, he walked past me and stopped before Ethan’s bed. My eyes widened, and I thought he would do something because I was about to run towards them when Harry spoke.

“Thank you for being a great husband to your wife.” he started, which made me stand still in my position. My brows knitted into a straight line. Not sure where this is heading. I actually thought he was going to do something there for a minute. Bold of me to feel like that when Harry was the one who helped us.

“I can see how lucky you are to have her in your life and how lucky she is to have you. I admire your relationship together….” Harry smiled then he did the unexpected thing.

He bowed his head a little, giving him respect to Ethan. My jaw dropped to the ground when I witnessed this. Since I met Ethan, no one has ever shown gratitude to him. Either they despise him or want him dead. But today, I saw a miracle.

“I hope you live long for your wife….” Harry mumbled before standing up straight. We both step outside the room closing the door.

None of us spoke for a minute when Harry broke the silence.

“Sorry if I accidentally heard some of your words earlier. It’s not my intention actually to-”

“It’s okay.” I cut him off, smiling warmly. Harry’s eyes bore through my soul when he stared at me intently. He was inspecting my face, making my stomach twist a knot. Why is he looking at me like that? It’s making me uneasy, not in a creepy way, though.

“My fiancee died just before our wedding.”

My whole body went solid as a rock when he said these words. My lips parted a little, and my body went numb for a second when he continued.

“She was pregnant with our unborn child. She was on her way to the venue.” Harry kept his smile, even though every word came out of his mouth.

“Harry…” I wanted to halt him because I didn’t want to trigger a buried memory, but he raised his hand, telling me it was okay and he could take it, that I shouldn’t worry too much about him.

“Unfortunately, she got into a car accident. A truck with no brakes crashes into the limousine. It all happened so fast. In just a blink of an eye, she’s gone along without our child.”

Harry took a sharp breath, coating his lower lips before looking up at the ceiling. I wanted to stop him from going on because it’s tearing him apart. I could see it in his eyes how the way he’s controlling his emotions from exploding.

“We could have been a perfect family, but I guess not everything we wish for would be given to us in just a snap.” Harry then gradually looks down at me, placing his hands on my shoulder.

“That’s why I’m happy that both of you survived, and I was glad that I chose to save you and your husband. If not, my conscience wouldn’t let me walk outside with a free mind.”

I was speechless after his speech. I couldn’t find the right words to say to him. Suddenly, I felt like something was pulling me down to the ground, and this heavy feeling was placed above my shoulder. I felt terrible for him, and this must be the same way he’s feeling towards me.

I guess we were both survivors of our own traumas.

Harry suddenly coughed, then took a step away because he probably noticed we were so close to each other. He scratches the back of his head.

“It’s actually time for dinner. That’s why I called you,” he said, looking embarrassed, and I chuckled in response.

I nodded and turned around. I need to go back to my room to fix myself first before going down to grab some dinner. Harry let me and got there, telling me he would wait for me down the ground floor. After a minute of pampering myself, since I didn’t want to look horrible when I went downstairs, I finally went to the kitchen to see Harry was waiting for me and beside him was a visitor I didn’t expect.

“Steve?” I called him, recalling if this was actually his real name. He pointed his two fingers at me while winking.

I chuckled but gestured my head, considering his appearance. I went straight to Harry’s side and sat down. The food was already placed down. I grabbed my spoon and fork since I noticed they were all waiting for me before they could start to eat.

“How are you?” I asked him, and he ran his fingers through his hair.

“I’m fine, thank you for asking.”

Harry rolled his eyes, “Steve, just tell us what you want to announce. I know you have been dying to tell us.” Harry grumbled, making me glance towards Steve, who gave him the finger.

“Now, it’s never a surprise.” Steve crossed his arms, acting like a child.

“Steve…” Harry threateningly called his name, and he raised his hands in surrender.

“Fine! I won these free tickets online, and I need two more people to go with me to grab my prize….”

Harry’s brows raised, asking for more.

“And where is this heading to…?”

Steve stuck out his tongue before dropping the bomb.

“To a beach.”