[34]
Chloe couldn’t stop smiling. The light in this room was very bright, but she had gotten used to it. The smell of medicines she inhaled was no longer as frightening as before. Perhaps it was because of the frequent therapy sessions she had to attend that made her feel like she was no longer sick. It must be said that Chloe still needed post-accident care.
“I’m pleased with this progress, Miss Chloe.”
“Don’t be too formal, Doctor.”
“Who started it?”
Chloe chuckled. “Alright. You win, Darren.”
The man in the white coat smiled widely. Before him, Chloe was just as excellent as she felt, and there was something different about the beautiful woman in front of him, especially her smile. The sense of pressure Darren had noticed on Chloe’s face was starting to fade. It wasn’t because of what had happened to her, but rather as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.
And it was enough to touch the heart of a doctor who had perhaps been paying extra attention to this woman from the beginning. But he remained cautious. Maintaining professionalism with his patient was necessary.
“But you still need to watch your diet during recovery, Chloe.”
Chloe nodded.
“Do you still feel any headaches?”
“Not too much. It could be the effect of suddenly receiving so much light.
“Which means you’re getting better.”
“Hopefully, Darren. I’m looking forward to that.”
“Oh, by the way, can we meet outside tomorrow? Maybe have a slice of rainbow cake?”
Chloe giggled. “I’m not a big fan of sweet food.”
“Ah… you’re right. You shouldn’t consume too much sugar. Besides, the owner of the bakery is already sweet enough.”
Chloe furrowed her brow.
“Just forget it. Or at least have lunch together?”
“Is this a date invitation?”
“If it can be called that. But I know the boundaries, just a doctor and his patient, right?”
Chloe’s smile remained there. “I’ll consider it that way. It doesn’t matter as long as I’m with Adrianna and Peni. You know, I rarely travel alone and still have some trauma.”
“It doesn’t matter. Talking to Adrianna is also enjoyable.” Darren didn’t care who was next to Chloe, whether it was just for company or who was still behind Chloe-her husband. He also ignored how Leonel had accompanied Chloe the first time she came for treatment. Leonel’s possessive behavior. The disapproving gaze Leonel had for him. He brushed it all aside. Even if he eventually lost because he liked another man’s wife, it didn’t matter.
At least he had certain moments with Chloe. For him, having a cup of coffee and engaging in conversations about things the woman liked was enough to brighten his day and keep him motivated.
“Well, then I’ll take my leave,” Chloe said, immediately getting a response from Peni. The woman moved to help her employer stand and ensured her steps were not tripped over anything dangerous.
“Be careful, Miss.”
It didn’t take long for Chloe to walk down the corridor. She also refused Darren’s offer to escort her to the car. He was here to work, and she didn’t want him to get into trouble because of her. Her steps grew lighter with each passing day. It may have been confirmed that her decision regarding her relationship with Leonel made her steps lighter. Even in her mind, she had scattered thoughts about what she would do after they officially separated.
Maybe her heartache was too high. Perhaps Chloe finally realized that her love was one-sided. And again, what was she forcing? Wouldn’t it just cause her more pain? Instead of getting too deeply involved, Chloe chose to step aside. Let Leonel be happy, and she will pursue her happiness.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
“Miss,” called Peni after closing the car door, giving directions to the driver who always accompanied them wherever Chloe wanted to go. “Are we heading straight home?”
Chloe remained silent for a while. The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror several times to confirm their destination was indeed home. Chloe may have wanted to visit a specific place. No one knew, right? Even though the two knew, Chloe rarely asked to see any site.
“I think I want to visit my parent’s graves. You know where they are, right?”
“I’m not sure, Miss. Can you tell me the location? We’ll use maps. As long as we’re still in New York City, we won’t get lost,” Lukman, Chloe’s driver, joked.
“Yes, please.”
Lukman nodded quickly. He had never been there, but the place was familiar on the nearby maps. Lukman directed the car toward the desired destination of his employer. Lukman didn’t know that Chloe Delilah was an orphan, but he had never visited her parents’ graves until now. Maybe Chloe drove herself there before the unfortunate incident happened.
Lukman himself couldn’t believe that Chloe was given a chance to live after the accident, which saddened him greatly. For Lukman, Chloe was a good employer who never acted strangely or harshly towards her subordinates.
“But before that, Miss, you should eat first. What do you want to eat before we go?”
Peni’s words made Chloe turn and think for a moment. “You’re right. Let’s have some Solo traditional restaurant food, shall we? If we don’t find anything suitable along the way, anything will do. I’m not too picky about food.”
“Alright, Miss,” they both agreed. Not long after, Peni’s cell phone rang loudly, causing her to reach into her pocket quickly. The display showed Leonel’s name.
“Miss, it’s Mr. Leonel on the phone.”
Chloe considered for a moment. “Just let it be. I don’t feel like talking to Leonel right now.”
***[]***
Since his wife’s accident, Leonel had never taken business trips outside the city or country since his wife’s accident. All matters outside office meetings or around New York City were handled by Mikaela, his very capable and efficient cousin who would travel all over Indonesia or abroad to facilitate the projects Leonel was working on. Plus, Jena always accepted everything Leonel asked for. She said it was an opportunity to splurge his money while traveling.
Whatever, as long as everything could be accomplished, financing Mikaela’s accommodations was never a problem for Leonel. What Mikaela, or sometimes Leonel would call her Ela, gained there was more than enough to fill Leonel’s account quickly. The profit turnover at Mountain Pte was also stable, and the work vision Leonel desired was always on track.
However, this time, Mikaela was in Switzerland. Her year-end project was being prepared, and Soho needed a much more exclusive location than the previous year’s grand annual exhibition in Paris. But this meeting in Switzerland was to lobby the organizing committee for a significant event.
No one else Leonel could ask to deal with Jana Group but himself.
So, he quickly returned home, preparing a few personal items that he could bring even for just two days. He rarely used the facilities, especially toiletries, available in the hotel booked for him. For some reason, every time Leonel went out of town over the past five years, a fully packed suitcase would be waiting by his bedroom door.
Who else would prepare it if not Chloe?
And now? He needed clarification. He didn’t want to get lost in his confusion because of Chloe, so he quickly called Peni. Rossa said they hadn’t returned from therapy when he arrived home earlier.
But he had tried many times, and it had not yielded any results. It felt like he wanted to slam the phone he was tightly gripping. “Where are you, Chloe?”
His eyes quickly scanned the scattered piles of clothes in various places. He intended to find a matching tie for his chosen shirt, but everything was in disarray. He couldn’t find the right one. Everything was a mess. And it wasn’t just today. Since the accident happened, he only picked what he thought was suitable, starting with the shirt, primarily black pants, not to mention the blazer he wore, where the color options were also limited.
But his walk-in closet had many branded clothes, especially work attire. He didn’t know how the wardrobe ended up so full, but Leonel was sure that every time Chloe went shopping with her mother, she would buy something for herself. She would also prepare shirts complete with accessories on the edge of the bed when he showered, without being asked. He didn’t need to thank you because the woman was waiting for him at the dining table.
She was preparing a delicious meal for him that he used to ignore.
“I’ve prepared the clothes and everything you need in the suitcase, alright? I’ve neatly folded them according to the day of your meetings. I’ve already matched everything: ” the tie, cufflinks, wristwatch, and even socks,” Chloe said with her wide smile. “This small suitcase contains your toiletries for when you’re out of town. I intentionally separated and matched it with yours in the bathroom because Mama Agatha said you didn’t quite like what’s available in hotels, Leo.”
Leonel only glanced briefly at his wife’s work. He hadn’t asked Chloe to do it for him, but since she had done it and all he had to do was grab the suitcase, why not? “Thank you.”
“After you arrive at the hotel, can you let me know, Honey?”
Once again, Leonel glanced at the woman who looked at him full of hope. “Sure.” That was Leonel’s only answer, but it was just an answer. Had he ever done it? No. Once he arrived at the hotel, he was busy with his work. Or maybe he was busy with his affair with Ester. Sometimes, his meetings also included discussing things Chloe should have done for him. But he chose Ester to do them. It was engaging in an affair that hurt his wife’s feelings.
“Where are you?” Leonel asked with annoyance.
“Yes?” Chloe answered because Leonel’s call was truly bothering her.
“Where are you?” Leonel felt like he had been drenched after being under the scorching sun for too long.
“I wanted to visit my parents’ graves, but there’s been a disturbance from your ex-husband.”
“Oh my, Chloe. I still need to sign the divorce papers. You’re still my wife.”
“True,” Chloe replied immediately. “The wife you neglected and who is now disabled.”
“Can we not discuss the disability? I don’t like it,” Leonel snapped in an unaccepting tone. “Where are you now?”
“Outside the front door. What’s the matter?”
Leonel didn’t need the approval to end the call. He immediately rushed to Chloe, who was indeed already there-standing, looking straight into his eyes that were moving slowly. “Chloe,” he called out. He was silently asking Peni to leave the two of them alone. Peni didn’t want to do it, but she remembered who she was in this situation.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’ll be out of town for two days.”
Chloe frowned. “And?”
“Can you… help me?”
No response or reaction from Chloe made Leonel suddenly feel a bit nervous, wildly when those eyes stared at him so sharply. “I… don’t know how to put together an outfit properly, Chloe. I have an important meeting.”
Chloe sneered. “Just call Ester. Use her well. Don’t just use her body to satisfy yourself, Mr. Honorable. I’m not a maid in this house.” With slow steps, Chloe moved away, leaving Leonel looking lost. That man was acting so arrogantly!