DON'T I DESERVE YOU?

TRUE TO HANS' words, a driver picked her up and brought her back to the resort where Fern was waiting for her.

As soon as she stepped out of the car, she immediately saw the displeased look on her friend's handsome face.

"Have I not told you to discard the idea of wearing these type of clothes?" Fern frowned as he scanned her outfit.

"Hans bought me these, boo!" She exclaimed happily, "it's very warm and cozy. I love them."

"Well, as you say but ain't you feeling hot?"

"Not at all," Zoe chuckled, "Boo, take a picture of me, I'll send it to Hans."

She gave her phone to Fern and stood beside a palm tree and pose while putting on her sweetest smile.

She proudly wore the clothes Hans had chose for her. It was a white knitted long-sleeve turtleneck and high-waisted mom jeans. Hans even bought a denim jacket and white sneakers with it. The outfit was cute and she felt like she was in her teenage years again.

"Here you go. Not gonna lie, it suits you," Fern said as he gave back her phone.

"Thanks, boo. Where is Cindy, by the way?"

They decided to head back to their room to prepare leaving Hawaii and go back to Texas.

"She took her leave first because she had a contract signing. Though she said that we'll see each other again soon."

"Aww, I haven't even said goodbye to her."

"That's what you get for leaving us last night!"

"My husband dragged me out of there because took you so long to be back with my juice."

"Oh my bad. But I was the one who told your husband where you were that night," Fern smirked smugly, "thank me later."

"You did?! Well I will thank you now!" Zoe almost hugged Fern but she knew he hated it.

"So, did something happened?" Fern wiggled his brows.

"Nothing really happened," Zoe denied, "I fell asleep right away."

Zoe wanted to keep first what happened last night in the car. It was just a kiss and she knew Fern will still not be satisfied with it.

"What? After I did a lot of effort last night? You just fell asleep?!"

"Hehe yup."

Fern took a deep breath as if he was calming himself before mumbling, "We can't do anything about it. I'll just think of other plans."

Zoe then realized something, "Fern! Don't tell me?"

"I won't tell you, then."

"You sneaky Fern! Now I understood why you insisted on giving me shots of alcohol even though you knew that I have low tolerance on it. And were you the one who told Daniel to give me another shot?! You planned all about that night!"

"Bingo!" Fern grinned proudly, " and no, I planned all of it on the spot when I saw your husband at the party."

"Oh my god, boo. I'm surprised about the things you can do," Zoe sighed in defeat.

"Haha! Just call me awesome, boo!"

Shaking her head, Zoe mumbled, "Hmm, you're awesome."

Fern continued to boast how he did a good job in setting up the two of them but he also scolded her for not taking the opportunity of sleeping with him.

The time came when they will already fly back to Texas. Their trip was as peaceful as the deep ocean.

Zoe took the time during their trip to send a message to Hans.

To: HUBBY

Hubby, look! The clothes you bought fits me well, right? I love them.

Zoe sent her photo taken by Fern earlier.

To: HUBBY

It's almost lunch. Don't forget to eat. Take care, hubby.

She smiled as she kept her phone inside her purse. These days, she noticed that she's been smiling a lot. Her heart has been contented and delighted.

They stayed on air for hours and finally they set foot on Texas again. The sun was almost hidden and the moon was about to shine again. Uncle Herman was waiting for her on the airport so she and Fern parted ways.

She looked at her phone again but there was no reply from Hans.

To: HUBBY

Are you going home tonight, hubby?

"Miss Zoe, Hans will not be able to go back home. He has an important business trip with the mayor," Herman informed her which also answered the message she sent to Hans.

"Okay, Uncle. How many days their trip will be?"

"He didn't say anything but usually whenever they were on a business trip, it always took more than five days."

Zoe nodded, "I see."

It means that she will not see Hans for a week or even more than that. Her elated heart sank once again.

It's already dark when they reached home and Aunt Dhalia excitedly gave her a big hug.

"I miss you Aunt Dhalia."

"I miss you too, dear."

"I'm hungry," Zoe mumbled sadly in their hug.

That word automatically came out from her mouth everytime she's feeling blue. And tonight was no exception.

Aunt Dhalia felt her sadness so she tried to cheer her up, "I prepare a lot of dishes! And you can tell me what do you want to eat, I'll cook it for you."

"I'm okay with anything, Aunt Dhalia. Your food were always the best," Zoe smiled and tried to be lively.

"Yes, let's eat before the food turn cold!"

The three of them sat together in the table and ate dinner happily. Zoe somehow forgot being lonely because of the delicious food.

Night came and she's lying on the large bed, alone again. She's even wearing her thin nightgown under the covers wrapped around her. She can't sleep well if it's not warm.

Before heading to sleep, she sent another message to her husband.

To: HUBBY

Good night, hubby. Don't tire yourself too much. See you soon!

Zoe didn't expect a response from him so she closed her eyes and cleared her mind which helped her fall into deep slumber.

Zoe woke up in the morning feeling so exhausted. Her body is heavy as well as her head but she still got out of bed and started her day with a jog around the lake.

"Such a beautiful scene. I wished to have someone to enjoy this another blessing of life," she uttered as she watched another sunrise again.

She promised the kids in Angels' Haven that she will visit them today that's why she's now sitting inside the car as Uncle Herman drove her to the place.

"Uncle, you don't need to pick me up later. I will visit my family and ask our driver to drive me home."

"Yes, Miss Zoe."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Zoe went inside the Angels' Haven and found that the kids are having their snacks in the playground. As soon as they saw their Mami, they ran towards her and attacked her with their hugs.

"Mami! You're here!"

"Yes, little angels. Mami's back!"

Zoe giggled as the kids kissed her cheeks one by one.

"Mami!" Jessica called out, "Dadi sent us these foods! He said he has something important to do that's why he can't visit."

Shock and pain escalated in her heart. Zoe forced a soft smile, "He did?"

Nurse Wendy spoke beside her, "Mr. Hans sent a video message for the kids and someone brought these foods, Miss Zoe."

Only a small hum and nod she could make in response. She watched the kids enjoy the snacks. She should be happy but her chest was tightening.

Hans contacted the household and the Angels' Haven, explaining that he was busy. But Zoe herself, didn't receive any words from him. Hans didn't even replied to her messages. It was clear that he ignored her.

It hurts. So much.

"I'll go to my office. Continue eating, kids."

Zoe strode to her office and locked the door. As soon as she sat on her swivel chair, the tears she's been holding back finally made their way down her face.

Why?

Why would Hans treat her like she was nothing?

She knew he had spare time but why he couldn't send her a single message.

Is she that worthless for him?

She felt like she's a ridiculed wife. Zoe laughed bitterly while her tears kept on falling. She was wiping them away but it does nothing.

It does nothing to her pained heart.

'Don't I deserve his time? His love?'

Zoe was quietly sobbing her heart out inside her office. She had expected it, but why does it still hurt?

Her tears soon stopped and she decided to wash her face in her personal bathroom. Her eyes were red and swollen. She applied make-up to atleast hide the evidence of her broken heart.

Sitting back in front of her desk, she activated her working mode and focused her attention in reviewing some documents of Angels' Haven. She didn't notice that it was almost noon until Nurse Wendy knocked on her office.

"Miss Zoe, please take your lunch," Nurse Wendy spoke on the other side of the door.

"Yes, Nurse Wendy! Just a minute."

Zoe looked herself in the mirror and she looked like normal, there was no sign that she cried.

The kids were sitting on the dining table and was waiting for their Mami. They all noticed that Mami is sad today and it also makes them feel down.

"Kids! Sorry to keep you waiting! Let's eat?" Zoe say on her chair with a smile.

"Mami, are you sad?" Vegas asked, "Does Dadi made you sad?"

Zoe smiled, "Of course not! I was just tired riding the plane yesterday."

"Is riding the plane really tiring, Mami?"

"A bit. But it's fun riding. It looks like you're flying and you can see everything below!"

The kids nodded, believing Zoe's excuse but there is one kid who was not convinced.

"So who was about to lead the prayer?" Zoe asked.

Marcus was the leader and they prayed before digging in. The kids chatted with their Mami happily. They missed her so much.

After eating, they did their usual thing. Doing art classes, telling stories and playing. It was a fun afternoon for all them.

"Little Marcus, are you ready tomorrow?"

Marcus nodded, "I am a bit afraid, Mami."

Zoe stroked the hair of the little guy and smiled assuringly, "Papa God will guide you and the doctors will surely cure little Marcus. And after that, you will be a healthy boy forever!"

"Will Mami be there tomorrow?"

"Yes, I will be there, little Marcus."

Denyse held Marcus' hands, "we will be there for you, Marcus! And we will pray that Papa God will help the doctors in curing you."

"T-thank you." Marcus said shyly as he hugged his Mami to hide her blushing cheeks from Denyse.

Zoe smiled and hugged back the little guy.

'Little Marcus, when you grow up and you still like Little Denyse, I hope you will make her happy.' Zoe thought.

They continued to tell stories and kids had all the energy for the day. Zoe was happy that they are starting to get healthy, that's all she wished for them.

Their bonding was interrupted when Zoe's phone on her pocket ring. She took it out and saw who's calling.

"Let me answer this call first, kids."

"Yes Mami."

Zoe walked to one corner of the room, enough for the kids not to hear the phone call. She smiled before answering the call but it doesn't reach her eyes. She had a bad feeling about it.

In a soft voice, she greeted, "Hubby..."

"Let me tell you this, I don't have time for your foolish games," Hans spoke coldly and it stabbed her heart.

Biting her lip, she mumbled, "What do you mean?"

"I won't go with the honeymoon you asked from the mayor," there's indifference in his voice.

"But why? All I ask is to have a week from you, Hans."

"A week with you is just a waste!" He hissed on the other line, "I'll end the call now. I hope we're clear that there is no honeymoon that will happen."

Zoe heard the beeping tone as the call ended, but she was still frozen on spot. Her hand was still holding the phone against her ear.  Her heart thumped violently and she's having chills all over.

Why Hans? Don't I deserve you?