#Chapter 52 – A Lover’s Quarrel
#Chaptér 52 – A Lover’s Quarrel
Adrian
Stella and I’s gazes never meet while we make our way to the airport. We may bump into each other and our fingers may meet while passing something off, but we will not acknowledge each other and what was said last night.
Truthfully, I cannot help but admit that I have not been able to stop thinking about what Stella said. Her words float throughout my mind like a nightmare ready to strike at any moment.
Stella knew what she was getting herself into when she signed the papers. Sure, the research she thought she was helping me out with was research dedicated to Clara’s medical condition, but would she have done it in the first place?
Maybe there is some truth in her words, but seeing her move as if there is a match lit under her is dispelling any concern that she may have gotten out of me. Her body looks fine, a little thin and pale, but otherwise she looks completely normal. I can’t exactly see where she has changed or been destroyed.
“Adrian?” my mother’s voice calls from my side. I look down at her and move her bag onto the scale. “Where are the tickets?”
Before I can respond, Stella’s hand stretches between our faces, tickets in hand. I turn my face to look at her, but Stella looks away before our eyes can meet. Maybe it is for the best.
The island’s airport is small. Unlike in the big city, there is no special walk on service that they can provide for us. So we are stuck in lines before we can get onto the plane, forced to watch as private jets fly in and out of the airport.
Maybe I should have gotten one for my mother and I, leaving Stella behind with some excuse that she has friends who said she can stay with or something.
Any excuse would be better than to look into her hazel eyes and be forced to face the ugly truth that sits between us: that our marriage needs to come to an end.
I know that there is no going back for me. Stella has completely forgotten what gangs and the mafia have done to my life, to Clara’s life. I can’t even begin to imagine how cruel and cold her mind must be to disregard the pain and suffering that Clara has gone through.
She took a bullet for me! What else can showcase one’s love than putting their life on the line?
“What is going on with you two?” My mother asks just as Stella walks ahead, scanning the surrounding area for the gate of our plane.
“Nothing is wrong, mom, you don’t need to worry about it I breathe out, resting a hand on her shoulder while we walk. I carry her bag in my hand, my backpack stung over my shoulder.
“Adrian, I am you mother, don’t you dare lie to me and act like everything is okay with you two,” her voice is serious and yet it holds nothing but motherly love behind her words.
Look, I know that my mother means the best, but there are some things in my life that she simply cannot know about. She should not know about how Stella and I’s marriage was one not of love, but out of obligation towards a cause that was bigger than the two of is..
“Can we…” I suck in a breath before releasing a long winded sigh, looking down at my mother just as we approach the
- te. “Can we talk about this later, mom? I’m tired and just want to get some rest on the plane before we get home.”
#Chapter 52 – A Lover’s Quarrel,
+25 BONUS
My mother gives me a knowing look, one that I have grown accustomed to while growing up in her house. I divert my gaze but I can see her ned from the corner of my eye. I let out a sigh of relief and watch as the airport employee alerts the nearby area that first class will be ready to board soon.
Stella, my mother, and I board the plane. I take my mother bag and place it in the overhead cabinet, watching as she sits down. Stella stands by my side, fumbling with her bag.
“Do you…” I begin to speak but Stella’s actions immediately interrupt me.
The woman lifts the suitcase with a struggle, basically tossing it into the overhead compartment. It slides in next to my mother’s and she barely glances my way as she covers her mouth, coughing into her fist as she moves back to her seat.
I watch her as she moves. Stella has always had tunnel vision and has been a stubborn woman, a woman who holds a lot of pride in her heart. She always prided herself on being there for me and helping me around the house when I needed it the most.
And here she is now, refusing anyone’s help help that she clearly needs
Gis
and is doing everything on her own.
I clench my jaw and rest my hands on my hips, staring at her from the aisle. Stella glances at me and a look of anger and hurt flashes across her face before she turns away, looking outside of the airplane’s tiny window.
“Adrian,” my mother’s soothing voice brings me back to reality. I spin on my heel and look down at her. “Sit down.”
I nod, unable to resist drying my mother in such a public space. As I sit down beside her, she takes my hand into hers, gently squeezing it.
“What happened, Adrian?” she asks.
“It is just a…lover’s quarrel, mom,” I try my best to cover up the fact that my relationship with Stella has completely deteriorated, rotted to the core. “It is not that big of a deal.”
“Any fight that the two of you may have is a big deal,” she sighs and leans over to look at Stella who sits on the opposite side of the plane. “I do not know why you are playing off your argument as some quarrel, but she looks genuinely distraught.”
I look over at Stella who opens up a book to distract herself. She moves slowly, covering her mouth and turning away from the rest of the plane as she lets out a weak cough. I can’t help but feel a pang of guilt towards her.
Last night was supposed to be good. It was supposed to be a time for us to come together and reconcile, to put to rest all of our differences and see how we can become a better husband and wife. All it did was push us further away, showing us just how different we are from one another.
“If you don’t make it up to her soon, my love, she will leave you. You will not be able to get her back into your life and I think we both know that she is someone you need with your hectic life, someone to keep you grounded.”
It’s ironic that my mother sees a loving couple with Stella and I. I swallow a bitter laugh and look at her.
My mother’s expression is so genuine and heartfelt. It rips my heart apart to know that her precious dauer–in- law is someone who cannot stand the sight of me.
“Things will be okay between us,” I lie to her so easily it hurts me, “we just need some time apart, that’s all.”
