I was suddenly struck by retching, feeling the stomach cramps. So I rushed to the bathroom and spewed up everything.
“It tastes awful?” a chilling voice sounded from behind. I paused out of surprise and turned around. Then I saw Dennis leaning against the door.
I hurried to deny by shaking my head, “No. Perhaps my stomach was being too stuffed in such a short time after starvation of the whole day. So my stomach started to surge and I can’t help retching.”
He supported me up and we went upstairs to the second floor.
He asked while noticing my confused looking face, “What’s wrong?”
He took off his suit and changed into a casual one. Then he looked at me, “Get yourself changed. Let’s hang out for something to eat. What do you want for dinner?”
I paused out of surprise and hurried to reply, “No, I still have no appetite. I just feel like staying alone.”
However, my refusion didn’t work. He still stared at me and continued with a domineering tone, “I will keep myself waiting outside the house.”
Honestly speaking, I wasn’t hungry for food.
After considering for a while, I still got changed and hung out with him.
The city was in its bustling hours. Dennis gave me a sidelong glance and said, “Do you have any food in your mind?”
“I want something bland.” I replied after consideration.
Perhaps it was because of morning sickness, I disgusted pungent food.
He nodded. While staring at his shining eyes where there hidden tenderness, I seemed to notice that it was the day of most harmony staying with him since we got married.
During the few seconds of joy, I couldn’t help fancying the beatific life that we spent time together in peace with our baby.
He parked the car beside the door of Nancy Cafeteria. I got off the car and entered to take a table.
It seemed that it wasn’t the peak hour for catering. As soon as I took a seat, a waiter walked over to hand me the menu. Dennis had been here before. As I didn’t have good appetite, so I only ordered some snacks and a bowl of mushroom soup.
To my surprise, there were two following Dennis behind when he entered—Olivia and Marcus.
She was wondering if it was just a coincidence or an appointment.
They walked over after I took the table. However, when Olivia noticed me, her expression seemed to be a bit sulky. But she kept silent and took the table of four.
As I was the first to take a seat, Olivia hurried to sit beside me before Dennis. Then she said with sweet voice, “Clara, may I have the seat beside you?”
Obviously, she left me no room to refuse.
So I only replied with silence.
“What do you have for order?” asked Dennis as he took over the menu from a waiter.
“Some snacks and a bowl of porridge.” I responded.
He nodded and ordered some dishes. Marcus pouted, “Dennis, don’t take me into consideration. I have no appetite yet.”
Dennis nodded and then handed the menu to the waiter.
Then they started to chat. As I had no point to jump in, I just kept silent.
I froze, having no idea what to answer.
While looking at Olivia’s red swollen eyes and her mere nosebleed remaining, I held back my distress feelings and apologized, “Sorry, Miss Pearson.”
Actually, I didn’t even lay an inch of my finger on the porridge. Olivia would be the only suspect who moved the porridge to my front.
“It’s okay. Clara, please be careful next time.” While speaking, Olivia said to Dennis while fixing her tearful eyes on him, “Dennis, the porridge spilled and so did my appetite. Would you please take a walk outside with me?”
Dennis frowned and said as he noticed those snacks that remained unmoved, “Okay, but after we have some snacks.”
However, during this silent mess, nobody noticed that I was the one scalded and the porridge also spilled all over on me. I stood still next to them, feeling ridiculous and awkward.
“I will dismiss myself.” After saying that, I turned around to leave the restaurant. My heart felt like being penetrated by a freezing cold dagger. It stuck inside and tormented me.
The God had always been biased—he offered some of the girls joy and sweetness while some of them only received pain and torture.
“Clara!” a deep and sulky voice sounded from behind. I turned around and saw Dennis follow out.
He frowned while looking at me. He seemed to be holding back his anger, “What are you doing?”
‘What am I doing? He is actually blaming me for hurting Olivia?’
“I don’t want any food. I want to return home.” I kept my mouth shut and tried hard to suppress my grievance in case I would lose control.
He walked over and looked exasperated, “Clara, watch your manner!”
He grabbed my arm and I stared at his cold and horrible face. I looked into his eyes and suddenly let out a quizzical smile, “Manner? Dennis, do you think you can lecture me with manners? You, a married guy, actually showed great care for another lady while turning a blind eye on me?”
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Please Love Me, Mr. George