Chapter 7

• I stayed at my Dad’s house for one week. I skipped work and decided to cancel all my meetings. I thought of resting from all the stress that I was feeling. I want to unwind and relax.
• I didn't inform Atlas because we don't really inform each other of our schedules. I can say that we're not close. We were two different people that were binded only because of marriage. A marriage that he didn't like but was forced to because of me.L
• Before I went home to South Ridge Village, I decided to stop by my clinic first. I got some of the papers and documents of my patients. I decided to read those papers at home. It was six in the morning and I had all day to scan it. 
• I smiled as I maneuvered my car. I reminisced about the happy days with my dad. When we went to another country just to eat and wander around for three days and when he bought a new car for me. My Dad spoiled me so much that sometimes I thought he was too good to be true. 
• Maybe I'm just too lucky to have a father that supports me and loves me unconditionally. The things some don't appreciate. Sometimes forgotten, often neglected.
• When I got home, I immediately parked my car in our backyard. I even saw Atlas’ car parked in our garage. When I glanced at my wristwatch, I saw that it was almost eight in the morning. My forehead creased. Atlas usually goes to work early. It's odd that he's still here.
• I slowly opened the door of the house. I sighed in relief that the house was quiet and peaceful, the only audible thing was the wind chimes, the twitters of Atlas' pet bird, and my slow strides.
• “Where have you been?!”
• My breathing hitched as I stopped on my tracks. I felt like I was a criminal being interrogated inside a small room, waiting to be questioned and to judge my crime.
• I heard Atlas' slippers resonating. I counted his every stride. I was only standing at the entrance of our living room, afraid to turn around because I knew that he was just behind me. I know that he's mad, based on his tone.
• Atlas stopped a few inches away from my back. I can feel the warmth of his body, even his hot breath that was exhaled on my head. I'm not really that short. Trina was just exaggerating things. Even if Atlas' height was five and eleven inches, I can still feel his breathing.
• “I’m sorry, I didn't inform you. I spent my whole week with Dad. We didn't see each other for quite a long time, that’s why,” I uttered when I finally found my voice. I tried to calm myself. There was no reason for me to explain anything to him. He said it himself that we shouldn't stick our nose into each other's business.
• “Is that how a wife acts? Really, Olive?!” 
• I instantly turned my back to face Atlas. My forehead was contorted into a frown as I scanned his face and body. He looked stressed. Aside from the dark circles under his eyes, he also had stubble around his chin.
• “Do you have a problem with me, Atlas? This isn’t the first time that I spent a week with my father. Why does it seem like it's my fault, again?” 
• “You should’ve told me! So that I wouldn't look like a crazy fool waiting for you!" He held my arm. It was painful but I ignored it. All I cared about was the glint of frustration in Atlas’ eyes. He's angry.
• I blinked twice. Then blinked once more. I'm a psychiatrist. I could read minds and emotions. It was rare to see Atlas having this reaction towards me. I don't know if I should be happy or worried.
• “You're hurting me,” I whispered under my breath.
• I felt his grip loosened. He was staring intently at me, not even bothered by our current position. He was looking down on me while I was staring up at him.
• “You always make fun of everything, Olive. You just want to manipulate everything!” 
• “I-I’m–” I lost my words. My mind seemed shut. My mouth couldn’t even utter anything. I was just staring at his eyes. His eyes always bring me to another dimension. When I looked at Atlas' eyes, an unfamiliar emotion was there. An emotion that even I couldn't name.
• “I’m tired, Atlas. I don't know where this argument is going. If you don’t mind, can you please let go of me?” Finally, I found my voice. Atlas seemed appalled but released me, after. I heard his sighs and curses.
• I smiled bitterly and turned my back on him. I continued my pace to my room. I carefully opened the door and languidly walked inside. I put my bag on my bedside table and lazily sat down on the bed. I sighed, together with the question that never once got rid of my mind.
• When will I stop hoping for the feeling that seemed impossible to get? When will I feel like I was just a normal wife?
• I spent my whole day inside my room, scanning and reading papers of my patients. I would only stand up whenever I drink water from my mini fridge inside my room and when I'm getting tense with sitting for a long time. I know that Atlas didn't leave.the house because I never heard his car. Today was his schedule with Trina, so it was quite odd. Even so, I just shrugged it off and ignored it.
• I looked at my phone when it rang. I immediately picked it up when I saw the name of the caller. It was the president of the home owners.
• “Hello?” I greeted.
• “Hi, Mrs. Ramirez. The home owners association agreed on having a pool party tonight. We’re very glad if you and your husband will join us,” she cheerfully said from the other line.
• I creased my forehead like she could see me. At the end, I sighed in surrender. I thought that it was time for me to socialize with the members of the association, even if I knew that some of them had a twisted attitude.
• “Okay,” I agreed.
• “That will be great!” she exclaimed.
• I placed my cell phone down after she thanked me and bid goodbye. I looked at the four corners of my room. It was very lonely and empty, reflecting the real me. Of how void my soul is, of how sad I felt whenever I'm alone.
• When I felt my stomach grumble, I stopped what I was doing. I looked at my wristwatch and it was already past three in the afternoon. I shook my head and took my glasses off. I stretched my hands out and craned my neck. After a few seconds, I decided to stand up.
• I headed to the kitchen where I saw Atlas cooking something. My brows. raised at the scene. He never really moved around the kitchen even back then. I only shrugged my shoulders and stayed silent. Instead, I got a bowl and poured cereal inside.
• I silently ate. I can feel Atlas' eyes gawking at me. Every spoon was shoved hurriedly inside my mouth. I was quite uncomfortable with his actions but I just ignored it. We normally don't talk even if we don't fight. We ignore each other on every normal day.
• “You didn't eat breakfast and lunch. Now, you're eating cereal? Are you even thinking, Olive?” he uttered after a long silence.
• I stopped eating and peered at him. He was staring in front of me while his hands were holding the table. His brows were furrowed and he looked deadly. I felt like I did something wrong that made him angry.
• “I will eat what I want to eat, Atlas. What's your problem? Why do you even care about my food?” 
• My face was brave even though I felt like I'd collapse at any moment. If not for the chair I was sitting at, I'd probably lost strength already. Atlas’ presence was intimidating. I never got used to it inside those years.
• “I don't know why I agreed to be your husband, Olive. You're so hardheaded!” he said firmly.
• I smirked. A bitter smirk at that. I stared at him straight to his eyes. I wanted him to feel my agony. I wanted him to feel the pain that he caused me for the longest time. I wanted him to know.
• “I don't even feel like I have a husband, Atlas. So please, let's go on with our lives.”