Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3: COLD AND DISTANT

I politely declined Miss Yeye’s invitation to eat because I wanted to rest before my ex-husband's arrival tonight.

I didn’t sleep well last night because of too many things I needed to think about.  

The sadness was evident in Miss Yeye's eyes as she followed me with her gaze up to the stairs. 

The spacious guest room greeted me. I removed my high heels and carelessly tossed them on the floor, walked towards the glass sliding door, and opened it, stepping out onto the veranda. 

I squinted my eyes as I looked in the lush green surroundings. The distant mountains, tall trees bearing fruit, the vast pineapple and vegetable plantations, as well as other fruits that are exported to other countries. 

The Hacienda Constancia is truly a paradise. In addition, the Hacienda also supports many lives, from the workers to the scholars…

I slept for a few hours before someone knocked on the door of my room.

"Señorita, Sir Nexus, and Sir Alejandro are here."

I was startled by the name they called me.

"I'll be right there. And not Señorita. Don't call me that."

The woman nodded and turned away shyly. She seemed new to the mansion but she recognized my face. She looked like Bernard’s daughter who lived near the pineapple plantation.

I put my high heels on again since I couldn't find any slippers inside. I could hear noises from the living room as I was still descending the stairs. I also saw some maids carrying some suitcases upstairs.

Almeradez’s brother's gaze fell on me as I finally descended the stairs.

Nexus' face lit up when he saw me. The blue color of his eyes was almost sparkling as he looked at me.

"S-Steph," he called me in a stuttering voice.

Compared to the last time I saw him; he was not as pale anymore. His shoulder-length hair was tied in a man bun. He was sitting in a wheelchair with a private nurse behind him. 

I approached Nexus as he offered his hand to me. I tried my best not to flinch when I finally held his hand. 

My ex-husband gave me an innocent smile. 

"Steph," he called me again, so my lips curled up.

"Hi," I spoke softly.

"I-I'm here."

"Yes. You'll stay here until you get better."

"W-Will you take care of me?" he asked like a child, his eyes were speaking.

"Yes."

"T-Thank you." He raised both of my hands and affectionately kissed them.

I simply took it back and turned to Miss Yeye who was beside Alejandro.

"Miss Yeye, is Nexus' room ready?"

"Yes," said the old woman after shifting her gaze to Nexus. 

Yeye’s face reflects sympathy for the man's situation. Alejandro introduced Rex, my ex-husband’s private nurse – to me. The man also had some knowledge of therapy and was recommended by the GICC hospital. 

The dinner went well. Alejandro led the conversation to avoid any awkward silence. I sat quietly next to Nexus and occasionally fed him as requested. I didn't speak unless I was asked. I felt suffocated the whole time. If Nexus hadn’t been curious, I probably would have left the dinner table earlier. 

After dinner, Rex took Nexus to the master's bedroom. The nurse didn't have any trouble because the three-story mansion had an elevator. 

I, on the other hand, escorted Alejandro out of the house. He had to go back to Manila because he had important things to do there. I felt heavy as I followed him. I looked at him casually when we got close to his car and faced me. 

"Mara, I know that this is hard for you. But if you really don't like what you're doing, you better stop it."

 "What do you mean?" 

"Nexus is smart, I know he's suspicious now. You can't help him regain his memory if you're always avoiding him," Alejandro sighed, "If you can't do this job, it's better to tell me now. I'll tell Leticia myself. If you continue to avoid Nexus, he will ask himself what's wrong and there's a big possibility that he will force himself to remember. If you're just going to put my brother in a difficult situation, it's better if you quit this job and stay away." 

Alejandro's blue eyes looked seriously at me as if reading my mind. I held back from reacting to those blue eyes. It had the same eyes as Nexus Almeradez.

"You don't know what I feel, Alejandro.”

 "I never said I knew what you felt."

"This isn't easy for me,"

"Then quit the job. It's that simple. If you're worried about money, I'll make sure Leticia will not make a demand to you to give the down payment back. 

I gave a fake laugh as an answer. 

"Take care of my brother. If you can't be with him, the Hacienda Constancia will always be open for you to leave."

I didn't reply, just watched as Alejandro got in his car and left. I stood in front of the mansion until the car was out of sight. 

I sighed and a bitter smile formed on my lips. Alejandro was right. If I didn't want to, I would not do it. 

 If I wanted to, I would. But it wasn't just about the money, I agreed to this for a reason.

"I don't need your money," I muttered softly in the dim light coming from the mansion. "I want to see your brother hurt too. I want to see him broken, just like how he broke me."

When I went back inside, the servants were already in their respective rooms. 

 I climbed the stairs and headed for the guest room I occupied. But after a few minutes of holding the lock, I let go and walked to the opposite door. 

The cold lock of the master's bedroom gave me shivers. It had been two years since the last time I entered the room where I and Nexus had a good relationship. Good, happy... but it was all a lie.

I saw Nexus on the bed, leaning against the headboard while Rex was massaging his feet. The room was bright and I could clearly see the glint in Nexus’ eyes when I looked at him.

I walked closer to the bed and sat on the left side. Stretched my legs on the soft mattress and adjusted the pillows behind me for more comfort as Rex massaged his boss’ thighs down to his feet.

"When is he coming back for therapy?" I asked the private nurse. I didn't pay attention to Nexus’ hands on my waist

"Next month, Ma'am. Dr. Johanson says Sir Nix needs to rest before he gets back to the therapy sessions."

"I already prepared the room you’ll use. It's just beside this master's bedroom. Or if you want, I can arrange an extra bed here so it will be easier for you to take care of Nexus."

"N-No," Nexus protested and squeezed my waist.

I ignore him. "This room is big enough Rex. It won't be a hassle for you. From time to time, you have to take care of him."

"N-No," he protested again. "Y-You... you will take care of me. You're the one I want."

"What do you think, Rex?"

The man shyly looked down and scratched his head, especially when Nexus looked at him. "No need, Ma'am. I'm okay with my room."

"You can call me, Amara."

"M-Ma'am?"

"You can call me by my first name. Let's not be formal, we're the same age, right?"

The man nodded, blushing.

Nexus raised one of his hands to signal Rex to stop. He glared at the nurse as the man left the room. When the door closed, Nexus squeezed my waist again which formed a small smirk in my lips.

His face was dark when I looked at him, the gaze was threatening. Like before whenever he didn't like something I did and I needed to be punished.

"W-What is it?" His voice stammered, but the coldness was evident.

"What?" I asked.

Instead of answering, he just leaned closer and pulled me close. I didn’t react immediately and it was too late when my face was buried in his chest. I inhaled when his natural smell hit my nostrils. 

God, he's still so brusque.

When he caressed my left cheek, I came to my senses and pushed him hard. He would have fallen on the floor if he hadn't grabbed the headboard in time. His eyes widened.

I pulled Nexus back to his position on the bed. I felt his gaze and shrugged it off.

"Go to sleep," I said.

He barely nodded, so I helped him lie down on the bed. I covered him with the comforter and turned on the lamp. I turned off the light on the ceiling and went back to bed.

I pointed to the buzzer on its nightstand. "Press the buzzer if you need something."

When he nodded, I turned to leave but before I could take a step, Nexus grabbed my hand.

I looked back and saw the blue eyes of my ex-husband. "Why?"

"Y-You won't sleep next to me. Where are you going?"

"I have some paperwork to finish. I won’t be at work for the next few days so I need to finish them.”

Nexus didn't answer so I removed his hand. I felt cold all of a sudden.

"I need to go. Just press the buzzer if you need something."

I straightened the blanket again and walked towards the door.

"W-Why do I feel like you're being distant from me? You're here but I feel like you're far from me, Steph."