[123] c
Chloe shuddered at the thought.
She took another long breath, looking up at the ceiling above her. The top of the café where she spent most of her time now filled her vision. She closed her eyes slowly, trying to push away her worries about Leonel. It wasn’t easy, but at least she prayed sincerely for Leonel to wake up soon.
Knock, knock, knock…
“Come in!” Chloe called out.
Tio, instructed by Chloe to make her a hot drink, finally entered. A cup of warm tea with a slice of lemon inside was now on her desk. It was accompanied by low-sugar cookies that were also sold in the café. Although they had few customers, these cookies were popular among certain groups.
“Here you go, Ma’am,” Tio said warmly.
“Thank you, Tio,” Chloe smiled genuinely. She always instilled a kind attitude in all her employees and wanted to be relaxed with the rules. They were all adults and understood their responsibilities, except when they behaved too far.
“Well then, I’ll take my leave now, Ma’am,” Tio bid farewell and quickly left Chloe’s office.
Chloe nodded quietly, acknowledging what Tio had said to her. Without saying much, Chloe looked again at the warm drink brought by Tio. Although her mind was filled with work-related matters, Leonel, and her personal affairs, for this moment, she allowed herself to enjoy the cup of tea that was prepared for her.
Consider it a “me time” through the taste of this mildly sweet yet refreshing tea. She might be more focused and know what she would do regarding her work. That includes visiting Leonel. There was still an unsettled feeling that Chloe had regarding Leonel.
The first thing that came to her mind was Darren. She couldn’t possibly go to the hospital alone. It wasn’t that she couldn’t do it herself; indeed, she could go to the hospital alone without needing Darren. But now their relationship had changed. Chloe had indeed decided to have a more serious relationship than before. She didn’t want their relationship strained just because she visited Leonel without ulterior motives.
Chloe didn’t want that to happen.
Chloe watched the watch circling her wrist, realizing it was time for a lunch break. She immediately reached into her pocket, took out her mobile phone, and dialed Darren’s number, hoping he was more relaxed. His schedule was occasionally shared with Chloe. Darren said, “I want my future wife to know when she can reach me. Don’t feel burdened by my busy schedule at the hospital.”
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“Darren, are you busy today?” Chloe asked Darren when the call connected.
“I was just about to have lunch. Why? Do you want to go out with me?” he asked Chloe on the other end.
Chloe caught a slightly noisy background, indicating that Darren had just exited his office. Chloe hesitated for a moment. It wouldn’t be appropriate for her to say it directly to Darren. She was still considering Darren’s feelings, of course, given their recent positive progress in their relationship.
“If you don’t mind,” Chloe finally decided. The beautiful woman in a chiffon yellow blouse thought it would be better to say it directly to Darren. They could discuss it over lunch instead of over the phone like this.
“Alright. I’ll pick you up at the café.”
Not long after, Darren arrived at the café where Chloe had her business. He drove at a moderate speed, and luckily, the roads he encountered weren’t too congested. The distance between the hospital where Darren worked and the café wasn’t far either. Darren looked very happy when he picked up Chloe before her café. His smile was wide as he welcomed Chloe, who had been waiting for him. He didn’t realize that Chloe would ask for his help, which could potentially disappoint and hurt him.
“What if we have steak for lunch?” Darren suggested to Chloe at that moment, which she responded to with a nod.
“That sounds good! Besides, I’m starving right now,” Chloe replied to Darren, who looked happy and quickly drove his car towards their destination, not the usual restaurant they frequented.
After a few minutes of dining there, with light conversations that created a warm atmosphere, Chloe noticed that Darren had just finished his meal. She tried to calm herself and took a slow breath. She didn’t want to jeopardize her desire to ask Darren to drive her to the hospital to visit Leonel, which might make this kind-hearted man scrutinize her. Although it was difficult for her to say it, Chloe had to. She wanted to check on Leonel’s condition at that moment.
“Darren, I want to tell you something,” Chloe said, finally summoning the courage to speak up.
“Oh? What is it that you want to talk about?” Darren asked, now acting casual after seeing how Chloe reacted upon hearing about Leonel’s condition. Although he was worried that Chloe might change direction and become more concerned about Leonel, he tried to act normal. He could see that Chloe cared deeply for Leonel.
“Can I ask for your help right now?” Chloe said again, asking the man in front of her. Meanwhile, Darren chuckled softly upon hearing her words.
“What do you need, Chloe? I’ll grant it as long as it’s reasonable and within my capabilities.” How could he refuse Chloe’s request now? After all, she was his girlfriend. If necessary, he would show his heartfelt sincerity by calling Chloe his fiancée. “Of course, you can. Is there any hesitation if you need my help?” Darren added as Chloe lowered her head.
There was a sense of discomfort in Chloe’s heart, but what else could she do? Should she go alone? It would only make Darren unhappy. Moreover, she felt increasingly awkward seeing Darren’s attitude toward her. Suddenly, Darren even playfully messed up his hair.
“Tell me, Chloe. What’s the matter?”
“I just want your help taking me to the hospital where Leonel is treated. I want to know his condition,” Chloe uttered those words in a soft tone. She bowed again, unable to look Darren in the eye, fearing disappointment in his gaze.
Upon hearing Chloe’s narrative, Darren could only sigh softly. Frankly, he found it chadriving at the hospital where Leonel was being treated. It was challenging; he had been thinking that Chloe wanted to discuss something about his offer to introduce her to his parents. After all, the end of the week was approaching, the time when he promised his parents that he would bring Chloe there.
Unfortunately, Chloe asked for something else that had not crossed Darren’s mind.
Honestly, Darren didn’t like it. But who would want all this to happen? Besides, Chloe’s request to be accompanied made Darren’s heart happy. It meant that his girlfriend was thinking about him amidst the ongoing turmoil.
“Why are you silent?” Chloe asked again, concerned. “I… I know it’s silly. Forget it,” Chloe quickly said. “Just pretend I didn’t ask for anything from you.”
“Oh, it’s okay,” Darren made an excuse. “You don’t have to worry about me, Sa. I’m fine. Don’t feel burdened by your recent request. I’m glad you invited me.”
A smile began to appear at the corner of Chloe’s lips.
“Shall we leave now?” she asked Chloe, who nodded quickly.
Even from the expression on her lover’s face, Darren could see the remaining concern in Chloe directed towards Leonel, her ex-husband. But Darren could only remain silent and accept it. It wasn’t his fault or Chloe’s fault. It was just a matter of time that made Chloe reluctant to forget her ex-husband. Or Darren could conclude that Chloe was too kind, always thinking about others, so as not to hurt her too much.