Chapter 159: I know you're pretending.

I WASN'T PROUD OF HOW MY HEART BETRAYED ME AND SUDDENLY SIDED WITH ADAM. I was supposed to be angry with him but it sure seems not to be working.

Nevertheless, I was happy that he was back.

"You look good babe..." he kissed my head and hugged me again before walking to the dinning hall where he saw the food which had gone cold.acc

"You made this for me???" he asked, gasping each time he opens a plate.

"Yes I did...but it's gotten cold now and----"

"Let's eat....am famished...." he hastily took off his coat and served his plate, eating the food with satisfaction.

I looked at him and although I was enjoying every bit of it, I could tell he was acting to make me happy.

I know pretend when I see it.

"Adam....." I walked to his side and ran my hands on his shoulders. He paused for a moment and pulled me down, kissing my cheek.

"I know you're pretending...." I kissed his cheek and took my hands off of him, sitting right opposite to him.

He stared at me and I returned the gesture, my hands folded around my chest.

"It's been fifteen years, Adam. I know you inside out...." I broke his ego making him wear an angry face. He then dropped the cutlery, looking at me as if I was caught red handed when he was actually the victim. After a whole moment of trying to fight it, he gave in and sincerely looked at me.

"Am sorry....." he apologized.

"What happened??" I asked casually.

"There was a delay at the airport...."

"Hmm... okay." I smiled. "How was the trip???"

"Peaceful."

"Alright... You must be enjoying painting her portrait, aren't you???"

"Eleanor...I..."

"Please...." I cut him mid sentence. "I just wanna know....."

"Uh...yeah...." he replied casually.

"How long does it take to paint a portrait??" I asked and he suddenly turned pale. "I mean....you've been there like four or five times??? Am sure you would've finished by now...." I asked, smiling innocently making sure he doesn't think am judging him because I wasn't.

I was just trying to highlight the thorns for him and make sure he eliminates them so the roses can sprout.

This wasn't just my battle. It was our battle. We had to fight it together and some part of me is telling me there are thorns in England.

"Eleanor....if there's something bothering you....you can just talk to me.....What's the matter???" he asked, moving out of his chair and coming close to me.

He placed his chair next to me and held my hand in his, making me look at him.

"Talk to me baby....what's up??"

"I know you finished a long time ago painting the portrait...." I accused and he suddenly dropped my hand.

"What???"

"I know....."

"No you don't. I....I can't believe this....." he got up and paced about in the room.

I stayed quiet, wondering if my question was stupid or inappropriate or if he was just running away from giving me honest answers.

"Do you have any idea how long it takes to make a portrait??? You don't, do you?" he lashed out on me and I stood up ready to shut him up.

"Don't talk to me like that...." I raised back my voice.

"I will when you're acting like this. Do you really think I could leave you Eleanor?? is that what you're afraid of???" he hit the spot and I stood still refusing to acknowledge the truth in his accusation.

Yes! Yes I was afraid of him leaving me.

I couldn't even imagine my life without him.

I'd lose everything if I were to lose Adam. My career, my future, my dignity. Everything.

I'd lose everything.

"Answer me!!!" he yelled angrily making me shiver and back away from him. He pulled his chair away and I could tell he was fumingly mad at me for whatever reason known to himself. I tried not to be overcome by his presence and only decided to be on my best behaviour.

"It takes three months to finish a portrait. Do you hear me?? Three solid months. But each time I go, I've worked my head off all for you. You know very well that you're the inspiration of my art, Eleanor. Why would you even think for a second that I'd leave you?"

"So you're only with me because of your career...."

"Did someone tell you something?? This is very unlike you....."

"No. it's nothing...." I mumbled softly, avoiding his flinching stare. "You must be tired.....To be frank, so am I....let's go to bed...." I smiled about to walk past him when he suddenly grabbed my arm stopping me in my tracks.

"We're not done here....." he held me back.

I breathed in and out, ready to fight with him for the entire night if need be.

Then, I heard him sigh unbuttoning his shirt and wringing it to the wrist. "Like you said my dear, It's been fifteen years already.... I know you as much as you know me. I know how that brain if yours works....so please tell me what's going on??? What is wrong that you don't seem to trust me enough to talk to me...."

"It's not like that....." I bit my lover lip, looking at the raw sadness in his eyes.

"Then tell me!!!" he asked furiously. This time I couldn't contain it. I covered my mouth with my palms and burst into tears.

"No...no.no...don't cry my love....don't. Your tears are expensive.....don't cry....am sorry for yelling like that...." he pulled me into a hug and I cling tight to him.

"No...am sorry....." I muffled into his chest while crying my eyes out.

"For what????" he asked, slowly breaking the hug and kissing the top of myhead.

"I....I was talking to a friend about how o have noticed our relationship is sailing through turmoil. We aren't like we used to. You're focused on your things like I am focused on my things....and..."

"What did your friend say...." he cut me.

"Well....the advice was that love is like a rose. It has its own thorns...so we can't avoid the thorns but rather make sure the roses shone brighter and not let the thorns resurface....." I explained, constantly sniffing.

"So you were attempting to make the thorns disappear???" he asked, rubbing his thumb on my cheek.

"I thought you'd leave me....and find someone else....." I smacked his shoulder and cried.

"Oh my dear...I love how your brain works...." he kissed my forehead and hugged me tight.

"Your name is printed on my heart. okay.... No one can take me away from you..." he convinced me and I believed.

I nodded and smiled as he dried my face.

"I love you...." I told him.

"I love you too", he replied, helping me get up. Let's go to bed, shall we??"

"I'd love that very much..."