Chapter 15 He Nearly Kissed Her in His Madness
Just as Jessica was about to scream when a familiar voice whispered from above, "Don't be afraid, it's me."
That voice? If she wasn't mistaken, it was Gabriel's.
When Jessica opened her eyes and saw that handsome, sculpted face with its bright, starry-eyed gaze, she was stunned into silence.
After what seemed an eternity, she came to her senses and stammered, "How... how did you get back here?"
"What? From how you're talking, it sounds like I shouldn't have come back," Gabriel raised an eyebrow quizzically.
"I thought you'd be staying at the hospital overnight with her." Jessica bluntly replied. She truly hadn’t expected his return, especially after the temper he’d shown earlier in the day.
Jessica regretted her words as soon as they left her lips, sensing a heavy tension suddenly hanging between them.
At that moment, Gabriel abruptly turned off the lights, then scooped her up and they laid down under the covers. His voice, deep and close to her ear, whispered, "Time to sleep."
When he spoke, his breath warmed Jessica's ears, turning them soft and red like a pair of adorable bunny ears glowing in the night.
Suddenly embraced and surrounded by his scent, Jessica felt a wave of unfamiliarity wash over her. She balled her hands into fists, placing them gingerly on her chest.
After a moment's hesitation, she licked her lips and timidly asked, "Haven't you showered yet?"
The moment the words escaped, Gabriel dipped his head, his black eyes locking onto hers with hawk-like intensity. A pleasing chuckle rolled up from his throat and teased, "How did you know I haven't showered?"
"You just got back," she pointed out softly.
Gabriel pulled her closer as his voice seemingly smoother than silk, unwound, "I returned right after you fell asleep. Seeing you so peaceful, I didn't want to disturb you. After the shower, I spent some time working in the study, and as soon as I heard the thunder and lightning, I came straight to you."
Curled up in his arms, Jessica’s heart skipped a beat. It was almost unbelievable unless she heard it with her own ears.
‘Gabriel, what kind of man are you?’ she wondered.
It was always like this with him, a ‘sharp slap’ followed by a sweet date. Yet her joy from the latter never lasted long before he brought her to tears again.
"Why come here just because of the thunder?" she couldn't help but ask, though slightly embarrassed.
"Because..." his dark gaze still locked with hers, he slowly confessed, "I remember someone who's terrified of thunder and lightning, who'd cry at the sound of it."
Of course, Jessica wasn't eager to admit her fears, and as far as she recalled, she'd never shared that weakness with him. How could he have known?
"Who... who's crying? You're making things up!" she said, lacking conviction.
Gabriel chuckled lowly. "Then who had all the lights on and refused to come out from under the covers thus now?"
Jessica was silent. Did he have to pinpoint her fears?
Finally, Jessica surrendered, "All right, I admit it, I am scared of thunder and lightning. But I never told you. How did you find out?"
Gabriel flicked her forehead playfully, "Silly, not everything has to be said out loud to be known. If you care enough, if you're observant enough, you'll notice these things in everyday life."
"But how did you notice?" she probed.
"When we first got married, the slightest rumble of thunder would have you clutching the blankets so tight, frozen solid like you were too scared to move a muscle. But pretty soon, you got smarter. At every thunderclap, you’d cuddle right up against me, winding yourself around me like a vine," he recalled teasingly.
Who did that? Not her, surely! He's making her sound like a tiny piglet.
"I did not. You probably just liked my scent and pulled me into your arms." Jessica retorted with blushing cheeks, half-joking.
Initially, she felt wide awake. But for some reason, as she breathed in his scent and listened to the steady thump of his heart, sleepiness washed over Jessica again.
"And what about him? The man you loved for so long. Does he know about these habits of yours?" Suddenly, Gabriel asked.
Silence... In the dark of the night, his question hung unanswered.
When he looked down again, he found the young woman asleep in his arms, her eyes closed peacefully. Her face was delicate and fair, smooth and incredibly soft. Lashes long and curled like dainty fans, fluttering when she spoke.
Now, asleep, she looked like a little fairy.
Gabriel watched her, and then, as if under some spell, reached out hesitantly. But the moment his fingertips grazed Jessica's lips; he recoiled as though shocked by electricity. He sighed and turned to gaze out the window, frustration evident in his posture.
‘Gabriel, you're going mad, don't forget, you're about to be divorced,’ he scolded himself.
It was unusual for him today, to ask about that other man. Moreover, he had lied. He hadn't come back early as he claimed. It was the brewing storm, the ominous skies over Cloudy Boulevard, and the impending tempest that made him rush back home from the hospital.
Even to himself, his reasons seemed almost laughable. Fearing she might be frightened by the thunder and unable to sleep...
The following morning, Jessica slept in past the break of dawn. She finally awoke to the warm beams of sunshine filtering through the window.
Glancing at her phone, it was already past nine. Upon a closer look, several missed calls from Xavier lit up the screen. She promptly dialed back, her voice playful, "Xavier, sorry for getting back to you so late."
On the other end, Xavier chuckled, "No worries, I told myself, ‘I guess Jessica must be enjoying her beauty sleep’."
"Ah, Xavier, you always get it right, I'm starting to feel defeated," Jessica said with a teasing tone.
"Sleep's good for you. It keeps your skin fair and tender. Someday you'll give me a fair, chubby great-grandchild," Xavier replied cheerfully.
Jessica's hand instinctively went to her belly, a wave of guilt suddenly filling her.
Truth is, she was already pregnant. Xavier, who had been longing for this new life, remained unaware, as she carried her silent burden. It was agonizing to keep this secret, and she felt incredibly guilty towards Xavier.
"Xavier, I'm sorry!" she blurted out.
"Aw, don't be silly, kiddo. There's nothing to apologize for. I just got a little ahead of myself, that's all. And hey, we can't blame you. If anyone, it's Gabriel who's been slacking," Xavier replied with a light-hearted chide.
"By the way, my birthday is in two days. I'd love it if you and Gabriel could come to stay for a while, keep this old man company," he added.
"Of course, Xavier, I'll go find Gabriel right away, and we'll come around for dinner tonight," Jessica responded with dutiful affection.
"Great! I'll have the chef whip up your favorites," Xavier said excitedly.
"Thank you, Xavier!" Jessica replied.
After they hung up, Jessica got ready for the day and then set out to find Gabriel. She didn't even need to think about where he might be; it was obvious he'd be with Diana. So, she headed straight for the hospital.
The door to the hospital room was ajar. She pushed the door open, about to speak. But the sight before her had snatched her voice away. Pressing her lips together in shock, she couldn't bring herself to believe her eyes.
In the sun-kissed room, a gentle breeze teasing the white curtains, sat Gabriel at the bedside, with Diana propped up on the bed. Diana's delicate, creamy arms were draped around Gabriel's neck, her lips curled in a tender smile, inching closer to his.
