Chapter 7: The Lonely Bed

For the first time in a while, Ellie was the first to come up in bed. It was past midnight already, yet Daniel hadn't arrived. She reached for her phone and dialed his number. A few rings and the call connected. 

"When are you going home?" She asked with a yawn. She slid her body from the headframe and lay on her side, facing the empty spot next to her. 

"I'll be home soon. I had to talk to the officers and send one of the workers to the hospital. They fought with the thieves and one got badly injured. Don't wait up and just go to sleep," Daniel answered. The weariness in his voice made Ellie worried. 

"Okay. Don't drive if you're too tired, okay? Be careful. I love you."

"Alright. I love you too."

After the call ended, Ellie fell asleep instantly. She woke up from the warm feeling touching her cheek. She reached out, thinking it was her husband's hand, but she just touched her cheek instead. 

Opening her eyes, she was surprised to see how bright it was already. The rays of the morning sunshine passed through the curtains by the windows and woke her up. She rubbed her eyes and adjusted them from the sudden brightness. 

Noticing the spot next to her was untouched, her brows furrowed.

"He didn't come home…" Ellie mumbled. She stared at the empty space, feeling a bit lonely and disappointed. When her phone alarmed, she pushed the thought to the back of her mind and prepared for the day. 

She was heading straight to her office to start working when a foot dangling at the edge of the sofa caught her eye. Slowly, she walked to it and found her husband, sprawled on it. It was Monday, yet her most punctual husband was still snoring. 

Instead of waking him up, Ellie crouched next to his face and caressed the strands of hair that covered his forehead. She planted a soft kiss on it, before pulling the blanket to his chest. Then, she began preparing his breakfast and left a note next to it. 

When Daniel woke up, Ellie was in her sanctuary—her office, lost in the world of words she was creating. A space that even Daniel, when the creator was at work, could not enter. 

Daniel was used to it. He was even grateful that she cooked him breakfast, so he went to work in a good mood. He had already memorized Ellie's work routine, as well as her work attitude every time she was working on a new novel. 

Any writer did not want to be disturbed when they were writing. They work according to their train of thought. Once it is broken, the words circulating in their minds could go astray, and before they know it, they lose focus. 

Ellie's work often became the cause of their small fights in their early years of relationship, but over time, Daniel saw how passionate she was with writing; therefore, he learned to be more considerate and understanding. 

That evening, Daniel set the dinner table. He made a home-cooked meal for both of them. Ellie often takes a break at dinnertime to chat with Daniel about his day, but at that time, the door in her office wasn't moving. 

He waited for ten minutes, but the food only grew colder. Finally, he walked to her office and raised his hand, ready to knock despite the consequences he would face later. His fist was caught in the air after hearing Ellie's voice inside. 

"Yes, I'll make the revisions by next week. No, I don't mind cutting that scene if the screenwriters think it won't work, but I don't think I can erase this other part…We had an agreement. I will submit the first draft…"

Daniel shook his head. Ellie is passionate about her work, but sometimes, she forgets to take care of her own health and keeps on overworking herself.

Once her conversation ended, he knocked and opened the door carefully. Peeking his head at the door, he frowned seeing the untouched food, probably her lunch delivered by Kate. 

In a stern voice, he said, "Dinner's ready."

Ellie paused. Then, "You can eat first. I'm almost done."

"You didn't even touch your lunch." 

"I had snacks."

"And when was that?"

Ellie sighed. She rubbed her nape and replied dismissively, "Dan, not now, please."

Daniel sighed, rubbing his temples. The least he wanted to do was get in the way of her work, but sometimes, he could feel his patience slipping past its limit. He closed the door before he argued with her. 

He sat back on the dining table, alone. He decided to wait for a few minutes, but Ellie still did not come out. He ate in silence. He was always complimented on his cooking, but at that moment, the food tasted bland.

Hours later, Ellie finally stepped out of her office. She stretched, cracking her neck, feeling accomplished. She noticed the empty table, the dishes were already washed. She blinked. "Did you already eat?"

Daniel looked at her from the couch, tired and dejected. "Yeah. Two hours ago."

Ellie frowned. She checked the time. Her face twisted into a grimace, lips pressing together as regret settled in. Looking back at her husband, the words were caught in her throat seeing his back seemed so lonely. Something tugged in her heart, and the urge to slap herself was great. 

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize it was that late," she muttered quietly. 

Daniel let out a small laugh but it didn't sound alright. "Yeah. You never do."

Ellie froze. Guilt crept in. "I said I'm sorry. I just—"

"Forget it." Daniel waved his hand dismissively and focused on the late-night news on the television. A long silence reigned in the room. Noticing the shadow of his wife still standing behind him, Daniel pinched the bridge of his nose and looked back. "Should I reheat the food for you?"

Ellie frantically shook her head. "I'll do it, but…can I eat next to you?"

Daniel stared at her, gouging her intention. Ellie fidgeted with her fingers, hoping to receive a positive answer. Daniel sighed again, and it made Ellie slumped her shoulders in disappointment. She forced a smile and took it back. 

"...I'll just eat at the table." She walked away dejectedly.

"Come back here once you reheat your food," Daniel said, a bit louder for her to hear. He knew how lonely it could feel eating alone, and Ellie had enough of those days. He was upset, but he didn't want her to be reminded of her old days. 

Ellie's ears perked up in joy. "Really?"

Daniel nodded. He gave her a subtle smile. "Let's watch a movie together." 

Ellie ran back to him and kissed him on the cheek. Then, she hurried to the kitchen to get her dinner. Daniel's heart lightened a bit. They still have time to be salvaged together. He chose a movie. Ellie came holding a bowl and her tumbler. She sat next to him and Daniel pressed play. 

They watched in silence. Half an hour into the movie, Ellie finished eating. Another half passed and her head drooped onto Daniel's shoulder already. She fell asleep. Daniel watched her, a tired chuckle escaping his lips. 

His gaze flickered on the bowl of food on the table, half of it was uneaten even though it was her favorite dish. He gently adjusted her, so she was more comfortable, but his chest felt so heavy. He didn't try to wake her. He just finished the movie alone.