Chapter 5: Missed Dinners and Late Nights

Ellie was woken up by the knocks on the door. She pushed herself up and heard Daniel whistling after the blanket that covered her naked body fell. She rubbed her eyes and yawned, ignoring him.

"Kate didn't come today. Did you fire her?" Daniel jokingly asked. 

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Why would I fire her? She's good at her job. Maybe she's just late?"

"Hm. I thought you fired her after I asked her to force-feed you if you refused to eat." Her eyes widened in disbelief. Daniel chuckled. "I guess you didn't know, huh. Let me call her. And get up. Breakfast's ready."

Daniel left. He dialed the house helper's number as he walked out. Ellie stretched her arms up, not minding she was in her birthday suit, she stood and looked for her clothes but found nothing.

Did Daniel put them in the laundry? She wondered. After dressing up, she went to the kitchen and found Daniel frowning at the breakfast counter. 

"What's wrong?" Ellie asked. She opened the fridge and drank water. 

Daniel looked at her. "You did tell her not to come today. Kate said she asked you, and you shook your head."

"I don't remember. Maybe I answered without thinking…? It's not a big deal. Just tell her to come next Saturday."

Daniel became quiet. His gaze followed his wife's movement. She walked up to him, sat on the stool beside him, and still, Daniel didn't speak. 

Before Ellie grabbed the spoon and fork, she turned to Daniel. "What? What's wrong again?"

Daniel's shoulders tensed. Ellie started eating. She even pushed the plate to Daniel, unaware of the latter's serious expression. 

Watching his wife unconcerned, Daniel exhaled sharply, feeling irritated. "I told you that my parents will visit today. I even reminded you to tell Kate to come to help. Did you forget that again?"

Ellie froze. Slowly, she dropped the fork on the plate and looked at Daniel guiltily. "I…forgot."

Daniel sighed frustratedly. 

"Is it today? I can run to the grocery now and buy all the ingredients we need." She stood in a hurry, leaving her unfinished food.

Daniel shook his head. "Do you know how to cook?" Ellie stopped. She didn't. She only knew how to fry, but a proper meal, she tried once, and it was a disaster. "On top of that, we had to clean the carpet. There are a lot of clothes to launder and clean the house before they arrive. Can we do it?"

Ellie shrugged her shoulders. "Why not? Those are just…simple tasks…" She looked away after Daniel's expression turned cold. How dare she say they're simple tasks when she doesn't even wash her clothes? That was probably what was running in his head. 

"Or…I should just call Kate to come," she added hesitatingly. She took her phone and dialed Kate's number, but Daniel stopped her. 

"Forget it. I already did. Unfortunately, she thought she wasn't needed today, so she visited her grandparents in the province. Let's just do everything." Daniel sighed and finished his breakfast in silence. 

Ellie bit her lip. She silently sat next to him and carefully continued eating. "I'm sorry…" she mumbled after a while. 

Another sigh came from him. "How many times is this? Just forget it. Let's buy groceries first," Daniel said, forcing a smile.

"Okay."

However, when the two of them arrived at the supermarket, Shane was by the gates, pressing the doorbell repeatedly. She looked relieved after seeing Daniel's car. Ellie invited her inside and asked what the purpose of her sudden visit was. 

Daniel left them in the living room and headed to the kitchen.

"I told the boss what you said this morning, and he asked to meet with the production team today to discuss it with both parties present. So, I came here to pick you up. Hurry and change," said Shane with a handwave hurrying her. 

"But it's Saturday!"

"I know. But the boss said to come either way."

Ellie's lips parted to speak, but no words came out. Her gaze flickered to the kitchen where Daniel organizing the groceries was. She fidgeted with her fingers as she started pacing back and forth slowly. 

She didn't want to miss that opportunity. If the production team is willing to meet, then they must have considered Daniel's suggestion. However…

"Is there a problem?" 

Ellie's shoulders jumped after hearing that deep voice. She lowered her head and hesitated to bring up the topic. 

"I heard it was your idea, Sir Daniel," Shane answered him instead. "The production team wants to meet with Ms. Ellie to talk about it. I'm actually here to pick her up."

Daniel's gaze moved to Ellie. His brows furrowed in confusion. "You didn't tell me you have plans today."

"I don't," Ellie answered in haste. She didn't want him to think otherwise. She threw Shane a look asking for confirmation. 

"Yes, she didn't. This meeting is unplanned. Even I was surprised to receive a call from the boss asking me to get Ms. Ellie to meet with the PT today. They seem to be in a hurry with this project," Shane said. 

Daniel's expression turned cold. He turned his back and entered the nearby room. Ellie followed him after gesturing to Shane to wait. 

"I didn't—

"Really? Or did you just forget again?" 

"I really didn't know about this, Dan!" Ellie shouted. Daniel still eyed him doubtfully, and she felt irritated. "Look, I admit I forgot about today's visit because you told it to me weeks ago, but I just talked to Shane this morning after I woke up. If she had brought it up, I wouldn't forget it… Don't look at me as if I'm acting all defensive!"

Daniel palmed his forehead. His parents can only visit once every three months because they live abroad, and they've been doing it ever since their only child, Daniel, got married. Five years in marriage and her wife still forgot it?

Daniel heard a sob, which pulled his thoughts back into reality. He immediately cradled his wife to his embrace after hearing her cry. "I'm not blaming you. I'm just frustrated, okay? We only get to spend time the whole day during weekends, and yet your work still gets in the way."

Ellie wiped her cheeks. She hated that whenever they argued, even in the smallest fights, she always cried. When she tries to reason, her lips just quiver, and her eyes water. 

Daniel knew that side of her, so he always gave in and apologized even if it was not his fault. He just couldn't bear to see her cry. 

"Don't cry, Nora. If they want to meet with you, it means good news. I'm so proud of you." He kissed the top of her head and cupped her face. His thumbs wiped the corners of her reddened eyes. "Your editor's waiting. Hurry and change." 

Ellie hesitated. Daniel sighed and hugged her once more. "It's fine. Leave everything to me and do your work. You probably won't make it by lunch, so I'll explain it to my parents. I'm sure they'll understand."

Ellie left the house with a heavy heart. However, once she sat at the table across from the production team, her worries about home were forgotten.