Chapter 27: Chapter 27
The next morning, which was a Sunday morning, Carol woke up late, and by the time that she got downstairs, Mr. James and Sebastian were just settling down to breakfast. Carol was surprised to see that Sebastian was still around, but did not show her surprise. She greeted both men, who answered her greeting cordially and then settled down to dinner. They were all silent for a while as everyone ate their food. Surprisingly, Sebastian finished his food first. Mr. James did not seem to be very hungry this morning and only picked at his food.
“I’ll be going back home today.” Mr. James announced to the table at large.
“Oh so soon? We had thought that you will stay with us for some time.” Carol lied, playing the perfect wife to her adopted father-in-law. In truth, she could not wait for the man to leave. He seemed to be monitoring her every move and with him out of the way she would be able to breathe.
“Yes, my dear. I only came to do something in town briefly yesterday and now that it is done, I have to return to my wife. She misses me a lot, you know. That is how couples in love behave. Every minute away from each other is pure torture for them and they are only truly happy when they are together.” He said, eyeing the both of them meaningfully. Carol felt herself blush and look away in embarrassment. Sebastian merely looked annoyed.
“Now, Sebastian. Like I told you earlier, I am not in the least bit happy with the way you treat your wife. Look at her, looking all pale, bored, and lonely. People marry for companionship but in your case…”
“Well, in our case, you got us married for your own beloved agenda, so don’t go blaming me for what I do not know,” Sebastian said, not sounding remorseful at all.
“That was not what I was about to stay. You are starving your wife of your affection and company, and it is not good for her. You must strive to make out more time for her. It will be good for the both of you, you’ll see.” Mr. James said, not to be put off track. He sounded so weary and tired that Carol took another good look at him. There were bags beneath his eyes and all of a sudden, he did not look like the robust man that she had seen that first day at her parents’ house. He picked up his glass of water and took a sip from it, but it seemed the water went down the wrong way because no sooner had he drunk it than he burst into a serious coughing fit that caused Carol to panic immediately.
She sprang up immediately and began to pound on his back as he tried to get himself under control and produce a white handkerchief from his pocket, which he coughed into. To Carol’s utter horror, she saw that the handkerchief was stained with blood which he had coughed up into it. He quickly tried to hide the handkerchief from her, but she had already seen the blood. Her eyes went wide with panic and she raised them to meet Sebastian’s where he was still sitting in his chair and picking calmly at his food. How could he be so nonchalant to see someone coughing like that? Carol opened her mouth to say something, but he gave a slight shake of his head and his eyes spoke volumes.
Immediately, she deciphered that he didn’t want her to let on that she had seen something, so she patted Mr. James back shakily and then went back to her seat when the coughing had subsided. Mr. James quickly took a sip of his water and smiled at them. Carol knew that he was trying to wipe any trace of blood on his teeth or his mouth.
“That is what you get for meddling in affairs that are not yours to meddle in,” Sebastian said lightly, as though he did not know what had just happened. Carol tried to pretend that she had also not seen anything, but she did not know if she was doing a good job of it. Mr. James looked relieved that Sebastian did not notice.
“Well, I will always meddle in your affairs if I think it will benefit you, my boy, and this will really benefit you. You should try to grant the wish of an old man. You know my wish has always been to see you happy and settled, the way your aunt and I are settled. You will have someone to take care of you and love you and always be there for you. It’s a good thing, my boy. I tell you, it’s a good thing.”
“Alright, uncle. Don’t worry. I will try my best to take care of my wife and give her my company and every other thing that she deserves, okay. Can we now give the topic a rest?” Sebastian said, rolling his eyes good-naturedly so that his uncle burst into laughter. Carol was surprised. She had never seen Sebastian in a light mood before.
“Yes, yes, of course, my boy. You’ll be glad you did. Anyway, it is getting late. I have to get back home on time. Your aunt and I have to attend our goddaughter's child naming ceremony later in the evening.”
“Oh crap. I had forgotten all about it. Supposing I knew that you were coming here, I would have gotten something beforehand for the baby. Anyway, I’ll send them a check later. Give my love to Melly, okay.”
“I sure will. You should have attended the naming ceremony with your wife so that they will know her though. Mr. James said, his eyes twinkling.
“Okay, you’re pushing it now. I think you should start leaving.” Sebastian said jokingly.
Mr. James laughed a hearty laugh that almost turned into another coughing fit and then stood up, gesturing at Carol to stand up too.
“You both should see me off.” He said.
Carol and Sebastian both followed him obediently. Carol was still shaken by what she had seen, but she tried her best not to show it. One of the drivers was waiting to take Mr. Sebastian to the airport. He gave Sebastian a brief hug and then also hugged Carol.
“Remember what we talked about. Please give it your best shot.” He whispered into her ear and then he was gone.