Chapter 8: The Lonely Bed - II

Later that night, Ellie stirred away. She found herself tucked into their bed, warm and safe. Daniel must have carried her, but the spot next to her was still unoccupied. She pushed herself up, trying to look for her missing husband. 

When she heard the faint sound of water running in the bathroom, she lay down again, waiting for him to come out. But her eyelids felt so heavy. Unwillingly, she drifted back to sleep.

The next morning Ellie woke up, and Daniel was gone. She found a note on the fridge's door to reheat yesterday's leftovers. She ignored the warning about her eating habits and just drank a full glass of water. After that, she made coffee and went to her office to write. 

"Will you be able to finish the first draft by tomorrow?"

Ellie took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose. She answered Diana while doing so, "I have to, right?"

"Yes, Ms. Hartwell. We have to review the part and see if the revised story will be marketable," Diana replied politely. 

"Expect it tomorrow." Ellie ended the call. She stood from her chair and stretched her arms upward, beating her lower back with her fist while checking her phone. Daniel hadn't sent any message since yesterday. 

She felt sad. But instead of initiating, she flipped the phone upside down and focused on writing again.

Soon, the glow of the computer screen was the only source of light in her office. The sounds of keyboard clicking were the only noise, and there was no knowing when was the last time she stood from her seat. 

Ellie typed furiously, completely immersed in her story. Time moved unnoticed and another hour passed in a blink. When the pouring words inside her mind came to a halt, she finally noticed her phone that kept buzzing for a while now. 

She reached to answer, but the call ended. A message popped in instead. 

Daniel's message: I'll be home late—company dinner. Don't forget to eat.

Ellie replied with a single word: okay. 

Despite being the company's owner, it was rare for Daniel to join company dinners because of her. Knowing her husband out there enjoying other companies made her feel a bit lonely, but she bit her lips and stopped herself from calling him home. 

She stood from her chair and got some food. The leftovers of her favorite dish he cooked last night still sit inside the fridge. Her hand hovered over the Tupperware for a minute, but she picked up the box of pizza instead. 

She reheated a few slices, leaning on the edge of the table as she waited. 

The silence of the whole house was never new to her, but the emptiness inside her was. The nostalgia hung in the air, and unpleasant memories danced in her head.

Ting!

Ellie blinked. She took the pizza slices out of the microwave and ate them on the spot. Only a few minutes passed and she was already done. A meal eaten alone doesn't taste good to her anymore. She wiped her lips and went back to her office after sipping a drink. 

Daniel arrived at almost midnight. He went straight to the bedroom but was disappointed to see it empty, the sheet was still tidied as though it was ironed. He walked to Ellie's office and opened the door without hesitation. 

"Are you coming to bed?" Daniel asked, his voice sounding tired yet still concerned. 

Ellie barely glanced at him as she replied, "Soon. Just finishing something up. You go ahead."

Daniel clenched his fist. He regretted bringing up that idea. If he hadn't, Ellie would have not accepted the offer. She wouldn't have beat herself into creating that draft in just a week, and have more time for herself. 

His lips moved, parted, ready to speak his mind to his busy wife, but as he looked at those brown eyes, he saw someone doing something they loved. No trace of boredom, no weariness, and just pure joy sparkling in those brown orbs. 

The words he was meaning to say were caught in his throat. He imagined her losing that brightness, and it made his chest tighten. Ellie shines the most while she creates a world out of her imagination, and Daniel does not wish to dim that light. 

He slowly stepped back, carefully closed the door, and walked away. He kept telling himself he should be used to it and it was fine, but even he, himself, could no longer be convinced.

He lay awake on their bed, just staring at the ceiling. When was the last time they talked about random things while counting sheep, waiting to fall asleep together? It felt like a distant memory to him now. 

He checked on the time and sighed depressingly. It was already two in the morning. He couldn't fall asleep. The other side of the bed remained untouched, and the coldness was gnawing in his heart. 

Another heavy sigh escaped him as he rolled over, facing away from the empty space beside him. The silence of the room was suffocating. The louder the clock ticked, the greater his urge to knock some sense in his wife, close her laptop himself, and throw it out the window. 

Will she get mad at him? Daniel thought it didn't matter. He felt neglected, yet afraid to confront his wife. Their relationship is in fine waters. He didn't want to stir the surface. He was afraid to create even a single ripple. 

He loves Ellie so much. He could never take it if she decided to choose her career over him and leave him for good. 

Therefore, he will endure.

On that cold night when Ellie used to curl up against him, was now just him and the quiet hum of longing. 

The next morning, before the alarm rang, Daniel was up. He stared at the figure sleeping next to him, his hand moved to touch her, but it faltered after thinking she might wake up. He carefully pulled the covers and turned off the set alarm on her phone before he stood up. 

He was already dressed and drinking his coffee alone in the kitchen when Ellie walked in, rubbing her barely opened eyes. Her messy hair was tied in a bun, and the strap of her loose-fitting tank top was slightly falling. 

"Morning," Ellie mumbled, grabbing a glass of water. 

Daniel watched her carefully, waiting to see if she would say anything. Anything about how short they have time together. Perhaps, if he knows she's aware of it, then he'll know he's not the only one feeling lonely. 

However, Ellie just went and grabbed a cup of coffee after drinking water, yawning, and was so unaware of her surroundings. 

Disappointment washed over him. 

They ate breakfast together, but unlike the usual ones, it was so quiet. Obviously, Ellie was still not there mentally. She kept yawning and rubbing her eyes. Daniel was a bit irritated. 

"Do you have a busy day?" he asked. 

"Oh, right. I need to finish the draft before lunch. Then, I have to meet with the screenwriter in the afternoon. I also need to ask Shane about the new story I just submitted," Ellie replied without glancing up. 

Due to this, she didn't see Daniel's face distort. "Sounds like a lot."

Ellie paused. Did she mistake the indifference and coldness in his voice? She finally looked up, but Daniel stood already. She could only answer in a daze, "...yeah."