Lea as usual in the morning would scream like crazy. And would grumble over Jack's breakfast with her high-pitched voice.
“Oh Lea if only, you enrolled yourself in the choir, I'm sure that would get an award for your talent,” Jack quipped once he found his wife chirping like a bird again.
“Heh since when did you dare to insinuate me like this?” Lea looked unhappy with Jack's words.
Jack didn't care at all, busy chewing his food. Making Lea want to grumble again. But immediately stopped because Jack immediately offered a glass of white milk which he knew was his wife's favorite.
“You want to persuade me with this?” Lea looked confused when Jack handed her a glass of white milk.
“Bribe or not. You might as well start your morning with a glass of whole milk that I milked from a tantruming cow. Instead of continuing to grumble, shouldn't you be heading to your office this morning?”
Lea was sure her ears didn't catch that Jack had just said something that didn't seem to connect. “Hey, it looks like you've started to feel comfortable with me. You seem to be talking casually to me.”
“Not really. I do like to joke around. It's just that when I'm with you, I often feel the need to be more careful with my words because I don't want to provoke anger from you. Oh... looks like I have to leave soon. Then I'll go first. See you later.” Jack took a quick glance at his watch, then got up from his chair and headed for the parking lot. This morning he was going to leave on his favorite pedal bike, which had unfortunately been blasphemed by his wife last night.
“You. It feels like I'm not married but just sharing a place to live like a boarding house friend.” Lea folded her arms in front of her chest, and watched Jack from the window who was taking his pedal bike out of the garage in a bit of a hurry.
***
At lunchtime, Jack felt hungry again and decided to go to the nearest convenience store to buy some food. Although he had enjoyed the lunch menu in the cafeteria he didn't feel full and satisfied at all. It feels like he wants to go back to find some of his favorite snacks to fill his stomach and satisfy his tongue with delicious unhealthy snacks.
In front of the minimarket, he again saw a very familiar figure, Lea. This time Lea looked more panicked than usual, looking for something in her bag with a worried expression.
“Lea? What happened?” asked Jack approaching his wife who felt like she wasn't his wife.
Lea turned her head and replied in a frustrated tone, “I forgot to bring some important files. I have to go home immediately.” From the tone of her voice it was clear Lea was panicking right now.
Before Jack could offer to help, Lea slipped. The woman became much more clumsy when in a panic situation. Jack rushed over to her, seeing Lea grimacing in pain while holding her ankle. Lea's heel had fallen off and was lying nearby.
“Lea, are you okay?” asked Jack worriedly, just like when he was scared that his favorite snacks were out of stock at the convenience store.
Lea groaned in pain and tried to get up, but struggled. “Don't care, Jack. Don't act like you care about me. I ... argh ... can take care of this myself,” she said while grumbling but still wincing at the pain.
Wow, at a time like this she can still grumble? Amazing, thought Jack who felt amazed.
Jack ignored Lea's nagging and helped her up. However, as soon as Lea tried to stand on one leg, she almost fell again. Jack swiftly picked Lea up despite Lea's protests.
“Jack! Put me down, I don't need your help!” protested Lea in a voice as loud as when confronting a pickpocket.
“Shut up, Lea. Your leg is in trouble, and I won't let you walk alone in this condition,” Jack replied firmly. Who would have thought Jack still cared about his wife despite being nagged.
Lea could only sigh in frustration and surrender in Jack's arms like a sloth. With quick steps, Jack carried her to the bicycle parked not far from the minimarket. Although Lea continued to grumble along the way, Jack remained focused and ignored her. He put Lea on the bike seat, and started pedaling towards their house.
Arriving at the house, Jack quickly went inside to get the files Lea needed. He returned to Lea breathless and handed her the file. “This is your file. But you can't go to work in this condition. You have to get permission and go to the clinic.”
Lea, who was still upset, finally agreed after feeling the worsening pain in her leg. “Fine, but don't think this makes me grateful to you,” she said in a sarcastic tone, not caring about the kindness Jack had done to her.
Jack didn't respond to Lea's comment. He immediately ordered an online taxi and waited for it to arrive. “The taxi is here. Come on, I'll help you into the taxi,” Jack said while lifting Lea carefully.
Lea had no choice but to accept Jack's help this time. With careful steps, Jack helped Lea into the taxi. “Go to the nearest clinic and get your leg checked. Don't worry about work, I'll call your office and let them know you're sick,” Jack said gently.
Lea looked at Jack for a moment, there were mixed feelings in her eyes. Although the irritation was still there, she couldn't deny the gratitude that began to rise in her heart. “Thank you, Jack,” she said softly before the taxi drove away.
***
At lunchtime, Jack felt hungry again and decided to go to the nearest convenience store to buy some food. In front of the convenience store, he again saw a very familiar figure, Lea. This time Lea looked more panicked than usual, looking for something in her bag with a worried expression.
“Lea? What happened?” asked Jack.
Lea turned her head and replied in a frustrated tone, “I forgot to bring some important files. I need to get home as soon as possible.”
Before Jack could offer to help, Lea slipped. Jack rushed over to her, seeing Lea wincing in pain while holding her ankle. Lea's heels had fallen off and were lying nearby.
“Lea, are you okay?” Jack asked worriedly.
Lea groaned in pain and tried to get up, but struggled. “Please, Jack. Don't act like you care. I can take care of this myself,” she said with a grumble.
Jack ignored Lea's nagging and helped her up. However, as soon as Lea tried to stand on one leg, she almost fell again. Jack swiftly picked Lea up despite Lea's protests.
“Jack! Put me down, I don't need your help!” protested Lea in a loud voice.
“Shut up, Lea. Your leg needs to be checked, and I won't let you walk alone in this condition,” Jack replied firmly.
Lea could only sigh in frustration and give up in Jack's arms. With quick steps, Jack led her to the bike parked not far from the convenience store. Although Lea continued to grumble along the way, Jack remained focused and ignored her. He put Lea on the bike seat, and started pedaling towards their house.
Arriving at the house, Jack quickly went inside to get the files Lea needed. He returned to Lea breathless and handed her the file. “This is your file. But you can't go to work in this condition. You have to get permission and go to the clinic.”
Lea, who was still upset, finally agreed after feeling the worsening pain in her leg. “Fine, but don't think this makes me grateful to you,” she said sarcastically.
Jack didn't respond to Lea's comment. He immediately ordered an online taxi and waited for it to arrive. “The taxi is here. Come on, I'll help you into the taxi,” Jack said as he lifted Lea carefully.
Lea had no choice but to accept Jack's help this time. With careful steps, Jack helped Lea into the taxi. “Go to the nearest clinic and get your leg checked. Don't worry about work, I'll call your office and let them know you're sick,” Jack said gently or rather trying to be gentle. Because obviously how could Jack easily be gentle with Lea if his wife was not in an emergency like this.
Lea looked at Jack for a moment, there seemed to be mixed feelings in her eyes. Although the resentment was still there, she couldn't deny the gratitude that began to rise in her heart. “Thank you, Jack,” she said quietly before the taxi drove away. It was so quiet that Jack couldn't hear her and just thought that Lea was nagging him again.