Chapter 4 4

Chapter Four

IN some way, Adelina felt out of sorts as all the while, Jonathan McCurby hadn't sent a message across to her or even visited. She had bargained for an extravaganza–a huge bouquet of flowers, a live band probably and whatever Jonathan deems fitting of the moment as it was typical of him to lavish her with exorbitant gubbins all the time. Although, she was aware that he was out of the state and had only just returned to Chicago yesterday. So, she comforted herself in this as the last reason she could think of was the thought screaming in her head–Jonathan had moved on.

Even if she would never admit it to herself, she longed to see him. Yearned to be in his warm embrace again, burned to feel his caress on her skin. This made her want to delve her hands into her chest and pull out that heart of hers which has always felt so emotionally attached to him.

Despite the hundred times she reprimanded herself, her thoughts always wandered to Jonathan one way or the other. A huge part of her life had been with him and moving on could not be easy as she had envisaged.

It should be easier if she never knew him, if he never existed in her life, if she never trusted him with her heart. Plain sailing if she just pretended she had never known him and she chose the latter of all the other options.

To this cause, her therapy sessions with Easton Blaine helped in making 'operation rid Jonathan McCurby' less difficult than it already was.

She was slowly threading the long wooden bench in the garden, counting every step she made.

Blaine on the other side, had a stop watch in hand which he used to time the number of seconds and/or minutes she was able to walk, the distance she would eventually cover as well as observing her balance on the bench.

This was seemingly the hardest thing she had done in a while as most of the time, her legs became wobbly and gave in. When she falls to the ground, Blaine would help her to her feet and she would take a stand on the bench again.

Apparently, it was supposed to help with her balance while walking. He suggested this right after she had exited the gym where she had to run the tread mill ten times. It was beginning to feel like being construed in an army's camp.

The stop watch beeped at two minutes and she looked at Blaine through the corner of her eyes. He was so focused on her, watching every step she took.

At four minutes, the stop watch beeped. Adelina was almost smiling. Thirty-five more seconds and that will be a new record. Now, she was being very meticulous with her steps, slowly moving her feet forward, one step at a time.

And at five minutes, the watch stopped.

The final beep was followed by an excited squeal from her as she exclaimed, "Yes!" carefully lowering herself to the ground and going to slap hands with Blaine.

"Whoa–that is a new record," she continued in her excitement, pretending to wipe beads of sweat on her forehead.

Excitement because this meant she was making good progress and soon enough, going about long distances without her wheelchair wouldn't be much of a challenge anymore.

As much as she disliked it, Easton Blaine made physical therapy somewhat fun, compared to the sessions she had at the hospital.

"A good record," he spoke up calmly in his velvety voice. "Very good. In no time, you should be able to do ten, twenty minutes and more.

"Gracias á dios," she muttered to herself and grabbed the bottle of water from Blaine's hands, greedingly gulping down it's content.

About the same time, the housekeeper, a blonde woman in her late 40s walked in on them to inform her of the news. "Mr. Jonathan McCurby is here."

Adelina choked on the water as her expression went still. 'Well you wanted him, and now he is here,' her subconscious pricked her.

She heaved, shut her eyes for about two seconds and opened them again, determined and ready to pull off this lie.

"What did you say his name is again?" she asked the woman who was still awaiting her response.

"Jonathan McCurby."

"Do you know him?"

The woman stared blankly at her. For the past five years she has been working in the Delgado's home, of course she knew the man and the kind of relationship they share.

"Yes," she simply replied.

Adelina exchanged looks with Blaine who seemed confused before dismissing the woman.

Without giving him another look to his perturbed expression, she made her way back to her room through the back door to put on a sweater as she wore only an icyzone strappy sports bra and a pair of workout leggings.

She rolled her hair into a messy bun and in about a minute was trudging the staircase down to the living room in calculated steps. She was just about descending the last stairs when her eyes met him.

Jonathan McCurby stood beside the aquarium, hands tucked into the pocket of his blue denim jeans which was matched with a white T-shirt and a black coat, observing all the different species of fishes ranging from the emerald catfish, cichlids and a couple others there in. Watching the fishes in the acquarium always excited him.

Adelina remembered that all too well as she leered at him simper at the lemon gold fish who swam up effortlessly to follow the piece of flake food he had thrown in.

He still looked as dashing as ever in his gelled up bang she loved to see him wear. His dark brown eyes that never seemed to hold any emotion at all. Flawless beard stubble on his chisel shaped jawline. And his prefect masculinity. Nothing much had changed about him, only that he had gained a pound or two as he was looking quite bigger to her.

Unwittingly, her lips curled into a small smile when she remembered the day he had accidentally knocked down the fish tank in his apartment. He had panicked for sure, and immediately screamed at her to bring in a bowl filled with water. One by one, he scampered in search of the fishes; about four and placed them into the bowl.

As for the fifth one, he had ransacked the entire living room in search of it. Although when he finally found it, it was too late. He was truly sad and that made Adelina fall in love with him even more.

Jonathan McCurby may present himself to be the biggest douchebag of the century or the most arrogant man ever, but a year and seven months with him, she knew he had a soft spot for three things; his family, those damn fishes and Adelina Delgado.

But in the moment when he turned to see her standing at the bay of the stairs, the memories of three years floored her and immediately, she felt her chest burn with hurt. All that filled her was the anger and pain.

They stared at each other for a moment as Jonathan calculated how long it had been, observing her carefully. She was lean but still his very much beautiful Adelina. He began to take purposeful steps towards her until he was only about three inches away.

Before she could say Jack Robinson, he pulled her into his arms. Her body crushed against his strong masculine frame and she sucked in a breath, recollecting how she felt whenever he was this close.

"Oh cãrino," he cried, kissing her hair. "You have no idea how much I have missed you."

He held her by her waist, in his arms for what seemed like an hour before finally pulling back.

"How are you feeling Adelina?"

Adelina just gaped at him laxly.

"Remember when we said neither of us would go away without the other for so long?" he caressed her chin, rolling a strand of her hair on his finger. "Cãrino, you left me for so long and–"

"Are you okay?" He asked when he noticed her expression; the oblivious mien she had on.

Adelina drew back from his hands tucking the strand of hair he had been toying with behind her ear. "Yes." She deadpanned.

It was then her legs decided to give in and she fell to the ground, too quickly for Jonathan to get his strong grip around her. One of the servants who saw this dashed upstairs to get her wheel chair.

Blaine had been going through a fashion magazine she Adelina had offered him to pass time, when he saw the woman rush inside and out after grabbing the wheel chair. Sensing that something had happened, he followed her down to the living room.

By now, Jonathan had carried her over to the couch. He was stooped down in front of her, asking if she had hurt herself.

"Is something wrong?" Blaine asked calmly when he came into the room to see Adelina on the couch with Jonathan examining her legs.

On seeing him, Jonathan's jaws clenched. He stood up to size the man from head to toe and spat out without meaning to. "Who are you?"

Blaine looked at him dumbly. At least the scrub he had on should have given him even a hint. He stretched out his left hand. "Easton Blaine. Adelina's therapist."

He eyed him skeptically before turning his attention back to Adelina, leaving his outstretched hand. He crouched in front of her again. This time, taking her hands in his. She shrugged them off which only left him confused.

"What is the matter Adelina?" he asked concern etched in his voice. She exchanged looks with both Jonathan and Blaine before stuttering in response.

"I don't–I have no idea who you are."