Chapter Thirteen

Andrew rubbed his face as he walked out of the elevator.

Oh, somehow, he was so tired today. But he doesn’t think he has much to do these days. After leaving the café, he went back to the studio and wrote for several hours until his cousin told him to stop writing. When Andrew checked the clock, it was already past dinner time.

David had offered to have dinner first, but he refused. After all, he can eat at home. Maybe with some ramen. He didn't want to experience what happened this afternoon twice.

When he walked towards his apartment unit, he was startled by someone sitting on the floor leaning against the door of the apartment unit 1504. Andrew took a deep breath and started walking again. He walked over to the woman and stared at her for a moment.

He doesn't know what else has happened to the woman today. But it is in his nature not to get involved in other people's problems. So, he decided to open the door to his apartment unit.

However, there was something in his heart that made him hesitate to leave that person.

Andrew looked back at the woman intently.

"Macy..." he said. "What are you doing there?"

But that person –Macy- didn't answer anything. Her head was still hanging low. He was sure that the woman didn't sleep, fainted or worse, died. It's just that she didn't give any reaction or response which made Andrew a little worried.

He then closed the door of his unit again and knelt in front of Macy. He tried to see her face.

“Macy… hey, you're okay, aren't you?” he asked softly.

Again, there was no response.

Andrew sighed softly. Oh, he wasn't used to dealing with his neighbors like this. He took a closer look at the woman. Then he reached out. He slowly brushed her black hair that covered her face so that he could see that Macy was fine.

She looks fine for him though. Her face didn't look pale or her body felt warm. But he knew that something had happened. It seemed unlikely that the woman would behave like this if the situation was fine.

Could she be having trouble again with her job? Like what happened last weekend.

“Macy…” he mumbled once again.

This time the woman started to move. She then brushed off Andrew's hand that was combing

her hair. She slowly stood up, followed by him.

"Hey, are you really okay?" asked Andrew.

The woman still didn't answer. Instead, she just entered the door code of her unit then walked inside. Andrew watched her carefully. The unit door is still wide open. And then he saw that only Macy's shoes were removed in the foyer. Marcus’ shoes are nowhere to be found.

Andrew then walked into the woman's apartment unit. He took off his shoes and closed the door. He walked through the hallway and found Macy drinking a bottle of soju. He took a deep breath and then approached her. He took the bottle of soju from the Editor's hand. Macy looked at him with annoyance.

“What do you want, Writer Coangco?”

Andrew put the bottle of soju on the counter. "Where's Marcus?"

"He is with his father," Macy said as she was about to take the bottle of soju again. However, the Writer’s reflexes are much faster. “Give it to me, Writer Coangco.”

Andrew took the soju bottle away from the woman and threw its contents into the nearest sink. Suddenly it made Macy's eyes widen. She tried to take the bottle from Andrew's hands, but the big man pushed her body resulting in her hitting the counter with a lot of force.

Macy fell down with a groan of pain. He threw the bottle into the sink and approached the woman.

"Macy!"

He touched Macy's back slowly, but even with a small touch, the woman groaned in pain again. Andrew really feels guilty. He only intended to push Macy away so she couldn't reach the bottle of soju, but he miscalculated his energy use. Especially with Macy's current condition.

"Sorry I did not mean it. I'll take you to the hospital, okay?"

The woman shook her head and touched his wrist. "H-help me stand up..."

Andrew immediately obeyed. He helped her to stand on her own feet. Even though his hands are still behind the woman’s back. Macy slightly leaned her body against him for support.

"Can you walk?" asked Andrew.

She nodded. She released her hand from Andrew's arm and then slowly started walking towards the living room. Andrew walked slowly behind her so that when she was about to fall, he could support her body. But Macy is doing pretty well.

That made him a little relieved because the woman didn't seem to be seriously injured from the impact. But he needed to persuade her to go to the hospital for a checkup. A bump on the back isn't something you can take lightly. Andrew was really relieved to see that Macy was still able to walk.

Andrew helped Macy to sit on the sofa. He then looked at his Editor intently who apparently still looks so hurt.

"You need to go to the hospital, Macy. At least make sure that your back is fine.”

Macy shook her head again. She looked at him. "No need. I’m sure that the pain will go away after some time.”

"Are you sure? If the pain doesn't go away-”

"Then you can take me to the hospital. Are you willing to wait for two or three hours?" the woman

asked.

Andrew nodded. He sat on the coffee table while still watching Macy. The woman just sat back while holding the pain in her back. Trying to hold on until the pain slowly subsides.

Now the silence engulfs then again. Only the sound of inhaling and sighing. And also, the woman’s moaning, a little in pain, will be heard. Especially when the woman tried to move a little. Andrew doesn't even know how to help Macy get rid of the pain.

"You didn't explain why Marcus is with his father at this time," said Andrew suddenly.

The Editor opened her eyes and looked at the man sitting at the coffee table – right in front of her.

“I don’t know. Should I tell my neighbors something private? Did your neighbors always tell you about their private lives?”

"That is not what I mean."

Macy exhaled. "His father asked him to stay with him until the decision of the custody hearing is finalized."

"And you didn't refuse?"

"My son is with his father, why should I refuse."

"Oh."

Macy closed her eyes again. The pain hasn't gone away yet. She was sure that tomorrow she would see the bruises on her back. Oh, she doesn't care about those bruises. After all, no one will see it. But she needed something to relieve the pain immediately. And she didn't want to go to the hospital.

“Andrew…”

"Yes?" the man immediately answered.

“Could you go to my room and get me the medicine box? It's in the desk drawer by the window. Get me some painkillers as well."

Andrew mumbled softly. He then rushed to Macy's room to look for the medicine box the woman was asking for. After he found the painkiller, he walked out of the room and went to the kitchen to get a glass of water.

When he returned to the living room, he put the medicine and a glass filled with water on the coffee table. Then he carefully sat next to Macy. With caution, he helped her to straighten her body. But it seems he made a little mistake, because Macy winced again in pain.

The woman instinctively grabbed his arm.

"Sorry…"

Macy shook her head. She inhaled and exhaled slowly. The pain still feels so real. She then rested her head on the man's shoulder.

"Give me the medicine," she whispered after a while.

Andrew glanced at the medicine on the table and thought for a moment. With their current position, if he moves again so suddenly, it will only make the woman hurt again.

“Err… I can't take the medicine if you…”

Macy lifted her head from Andrew's shoulder. Quickly, he took the medicine bottle and water glass. He handed Macy the glass then opened the medicine bottle and took out two pills which the woman immediately drank.

Andrew then put the medicine and the half-empty glass back on the coffee table. After that, Macy dropped her head again on his shoulder. It felt much more comfortable, compared to having to sit back on the sofa.

Well, of course, he will let her do that. After all, this is his fault. He will try to make the woman feel as comfortable as possible until the pain goes away.

"Much better?" he asked.

Macy just mumbled softly. The medicine works well and rapidly.

Andrew once again breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe they don't need to go to the hospital. But he needs to stay alert. He recalled that previously the woman had drunk soju. He must pay attention to every change in her condition for at least a few hours. Sometimes alcohol and chemical drugs are not a good combination.

He let her stay in her position. The head on the shoulder and the hand gripping the front of his clothes tightly. As if Macy will not let him go from his responsibilities. Heck, where else can he go?

“I…” he heard the woman speak again. "I had to let Marcus live with his father," Macy said quietly.

He silently listened.

“During the divorce process, he and I agreed that our son would live with us alternately until the judge ruled on Marcus’ custody. He would stay one week with me, then another week with his father. We've been doing it for almost four months," Macy continued.

Andrew stayed still and didn't say anything. He waited for the woman to finish what she was saying.

“At first I thought that what we were doing would not be good for Marcus. Until I took him to a psychiatrist. But they didn't find anything strange. So, I carried on. Our son had to move between my apartment and his father's flat. Until today…” Macy exhaled a long breath.

Andrew looked at her head which was still down on his shoulder. Reflexively, his hand moved to

touched the black hair and gently stroked it.

Macy chuckled. Andrew was obviously treating her like she was a child. But she didn't protest. She instead continued, “The woman came and asked me to let him live with his father. Until the court's decision. I had to agree. I couldn't refuse, because they could have used that as an argument against me in court. They can convince the judge that I won't let my son meet his father if I get custody."

"But that's not true. You wouldn’t do that."

The woman laughed again. "Of course not. I'm not a bad person. If Marcus wants to meet his father, I will definitely allow it. Even if I get custody, but he chooses to live with his father, I will let him. For me, my son's happiness is the most important."

Andrew smiled. "You are a good mother, Macy."

"Tell that to my ex-husband."

"Certain. If I meet him, I will say that you are the best mother I have ever met," said Andrew.

Macy smiled again. Her eyes slowly closed. The soft touch of the man's warm hand made the pain lessen more.

“But… I don't think I was a good wife.”

*****