Chapter 6 After All

• YENEFER
• Franco didn't show up for days after the anniversary party of the River Group.
• I was busy preparing for a job interview at that time, so I didn't notice his absence much. One day, Tiana and I agreed to meet up after being separated for years. So now, I stood on the street, waiting for my dearest friend to come.
• Suddenly, a young redhead came running from a distance. It wasn't until she got closer that I recognized who she was. It was Tiana.
• "Tiana, why did you dye your hair red?" I asked incredulously.
• Tiana had always wanted to dye her hair red since elementary school. Now, she had finally done it. I was surprised when I saw her. After all, her hair still had its natural color the last time we had a video call.
• "Bitch, it was supposed to be a surprise! You didn't come home for three years to see your best friend. Of course, I had to do something to punish you."
• We were like sisters who had been separated for many years. We hugged and jumped for joy at the entrance of the cafe. Yes, we chatted frequently through video, but it still couldn't replace the joy of being with my friend in person. We could only embrace each other with delight.
• "Well, tell me everything. When will you move in with me? Oh, yes! I'll call our other friends. We can have a pajama party!"
• "Honestly, I have no idea, but it will be soon."
• Tiana took me to the cafe as we talked. We ordered two slices of tiramisu and enjoyed it while we continued our conversation.
• "Franco still won't let you go? Haven't you heard? There are rumors about that bitch Sophia that have been spreading recently."
• "I don't care about them. When Franco and I get divorced, I won't have anything to do with them anymore."
• "That's great then. We can be roommates again soon."
• Tiana and I had a great chat. We shared the same feelings about the matter. Whatever happens, I knew she would always be on my side. I was grateful to have a friend with whom I could share my feelings without worries.
• "Do you remember the job I mentioned last time? Well, I talked to my boss about you and gave him your resume. He's pleased with you. In fact, he wants to bring you to our company by all means, even if it means kidnapping you."
• "You must be joking," she laughed and took a bite of the cake.
• "I'm not! Get ready to become a famous TV presenter! Let that man regret letting you go."
• After spending almost the entire morning with her, I went to Tiana's residence. She lent me a formal suit before going to her company, Insight Media, for the job interview.
• At that moment, Tiana patted my shoulder and smiled reassuringly.
• "Don't be nervous. You look perfect."
• In the interview meeting room.
• "Miss Yenefer Riley, why do you want to join my company? We have read your resume. According to your qualifications, you could have applied for a better position. Why here?" asked the bald and friendly interviewer with a smile.
• "Presenting to the audience what interests them is the real reason why I chose this field. The role of the media is to open the public's eyes and make them see reality, not deceive them. I believe Insight Media has the courage to tell the truth and take responsibility for it," I replied.
• The interviewer reviewed my resume again and asked a few more questions. Then he whispered something to the interviewer next to him. I looked at him anxiously as he finally turned towards me.
• "Congratulations, Miss Riley. Welcome to Insight Media."
• As soon as I left the building, I called Tiana and shared the good news with her. Then I booked an Uber and headed back to Gardner Street. I didn't bring much with me. In fact, I only brought one suitcase. Maybe I could pack up and move today. When I arrived home, I found Franco's car in the driveway and the lights in the villa were on. He must be home. This was a perfect opportunity to clarify things once and for all.
• I pushed the door open and my eyes widened in shock at what I saw. Franco was lying on the couch, clutching his stomach with a pained expression on his face.
• When he looked at me, he wasn't cold and indifferent as usual. Instead, he reached out his hand towards me as if grasping for the last drop that saved his life. He looked vulnerable and in pain.
• "What... what's wrong with you?" I asked, astonished.
• "My stomach... it hurts so much..." he responded tensely.
• I immediately ran to the medicine drawer and grabbed a pill for his stomachache. I knew Franco's stomach sometimes bothered him. Then I poured him a glass of water to help him take the medicine faster.
• To my surprise, he opened his mouth for me like a bird waiting to be fed.
• Did he want me to feed him? Three years ago... didn't he ask me to stay away from him?
• "Give me your hand," I said cautiously. I didn't want him to resent me again.
• Without waiting for his response, I placed the pill in his hand and handed him the glass of water.
• Franco took the medicine. Then, with his eyes closed, he lay back on the couch, grabbed a pillow, and hugged it.
• Indeed, no one was made of iron. Even Franco, who was always as cold as ice, was as gentle as a toothless tiger when he was sick. I couldn't help but steal a few glances at him. I must admit that I like this side of him more than his usual arrogant and dominant side.
• At that moment, I went to my room and grabbed a blanket for him. When I put it over him, he simply looked at me and didn't even say thank you. I figured I could clarify things with him while he was at his weakest. In that moment, I took a deep breath and gathered my courage.
• "I'm going to move out," I said firmly.
• The toothless tiger suddenly stood up and threw the blanket to the floor in surprise.
• "What did you say?" Franco asked, looking at me with a fiery gaze.
• "I said I'm going to move out and live with Tiana," I repeated. But when I looked at his face, which was red with anger, I lost the confidence I had just gathered.
• "No way!" Franco refused sternly. But as soon as he finished speaking, he grimaced in pain, grabbed his stomach, and lay back down.
• "We'll go through the divorce process when you're better," I bent down to pick up the blanket from the floor. However, Franco covered his nose and didn't take it.
• "Why do you smell so weird?" He looked away and added, "Let's talk later. Go and shower first."
• I couldn't help but mock his words. It seemed like the medicine had already taken effect since he was arguing with me.
• Still, I smelled myself, not weird. What was he talking about?
• Nevertheless, I went upstairs and showered as he asked. Suddenly, his words crossed my mind. What did he mean when he said 'no way'? Did I need his permission to move out? The divorce agreement had already been sent to me by email when I returned from abroad. What else did he want?
• I finished showering not long after. As I dried myself with the bath towel, I realized that I had forgotten to bring my clothes to the bathroom in a hurry. Franco should still be downstairs. I could sneak out to change clothes without any problem.
• But just as I was about to leave the bathroom naked, I heard footsteps outside the door.
• From the sound of it, Franco was coming up the stairs. It seemed like his stomachache had decreased, and he was recovering faster than I had anticipated. I went back into the bathroom just in time before the bedroom door opened.
• "You're not done yet?" Franco asked with a frown.
• "I forgot to bring my clothes," I replied awkwardly from inside the bathroom.
• The room fell silent for a while. But then, I heard my suitcase being opened. Suddenly, a thought occurred to me. I pictured Franco rummaging through my suitcase for underwear, and my face turned as red as a beet. But for some reason, I was more curious about his expression.
• "Your clothes are on the bed," Franco said calmly.
• With that, he left and closed the door behind him.
• I rushed out of the bathroom and dressed as quickly as I could. Once I was done, I went downstairs and saw Franco still lying on the sofa, groaning in pain.
• "What's wrong?" I asked, furrowing my eyebrows.
• "It still hurts," he weakly replied.
• Seriously? Didn't he just take the medicine and even have the strength to climb the stairs? How could he suddenly get sick again?
• I looked at him suspiciously.
• "Do you want to take another pill?"
• "Too much medication for one day. Do you want to poison me?"
• "Just lie down then."
• Without another word, I went upstairs to pack my luggage. Even if I couldn't leave tonight, I could pack now so that tomorrow I could grab my things and go.
• I froze in place the moment I entered the bedroom. My suitcase was open, and my clothes were scattered everywhere. Did I really have to take everything out and spread it all over the place?
• While I was lost in my thoughts, a strong and pitiful moan came from downstairs. I rushed down the stairs immediately and found Franco covered in cold sweat and in unbearable pain.
• "Should I call an ambulance?" I asked.
• "I'm not okay. I'm hot. Just give me a glass of cold water," he replied.
• "I'm afraid I can't. Your stomach hurts. You can't drink cold water, or the pain will only worsen. Instead, grab a wet towel and put it on your forehead to absorb the sweat."
• I couldn't leave him alone like that. Since there was nothing else I could do, I resigned myself to my fate and sat by his side.
• Franco fell asleep a few moments later. Out of consideration, I pulled the blanket over him. I had decided to take care of him tonight. But before I knew it, I had fallen asleep too.