"Secondly, I used to think that the best way to show my affection was to get physical. I still think that way. I feel doing things you can do yourself is not enough to express how I truly feel.
Also, I still question what I can offer you. I mean, you already have all these," she said, gesturing to the house.
"Perhaps, the only thing I can offer is myself and I feel it"s not enough. I live in your house, I eat your food, I can"t help but feel that I"m a freeloader.
I"m just a burden to you and as a wife, I ought to support you but I bring nothing to the table. It makes me feel so insecure. Without you, I can"t do anything for myself… I hate it."
Once she said her piece, she felt lighter than ever. These were all the things bugging her… gnawing at her heart.
Carl began, "I should remind you that you"re still young, you still have a long way to go. It"s not too late when you start making money. Secondly, this is your home too. Besides, we are married, what"s mine is yours. You don"t need to be in a hurry to prove your worth. I can see it myself.
As for what you can offer, take away these materials things that makes you feel uncomfortable. Do you think that they are everything?"
She shook her head.
"Then I can tell you that you can offer companionship to me. It goes both ways. What about now, would you share these things with just anyone? I can lend you my ears, you too.
I can"t begin to list what we can both offer to each other asides material things. There"s care, love and these things matter the most."
Kim almost teared up as she listened. She was so afraid all these times that she had nothing more than her body to offer. She was so concerned about it. Though she was willing to let him have it, she also knew it wasn"t enough to keep a man.
It gets old. Apart from that, there were other ladies who had much more to offer.
"My wife"s worth is not in material things."
She could no longer hold back her tears so she let it fall.
"Why did she think that way previously?" She pondered.
He placed a kiss on her forehead, comforting her.
Carl softly stroke her hair, "Thank you for opening up to me, for accepting me, for marrying me too."
Kim felt it went both ways. She felt she would have not been able to open up to someone else.
It is said that those who have been in the dark for long, appreciate light.
How could they not appreciate each other when they were light to each other?
"Thank you for being patient with me," she whispered.
Thankfully it wasn"t too late to accept him. If she had kept on pushing him away, not willing to come to terms with her feelings, what would have happened? What would she have done if he had moved on? Thinking that, she began to panic.
Would she be able to trust anyone as much as she trusts him? Would she be able to find the courage to get close to someone again?
"I"m sorry, I won"t hurt you again. I won"t try to leave again. I promise I"ll cling to you as much as possible till you complain."
He chuckled, "I won"t complain."
"You better not complain. I"ll rely on you. I"ll depend on you so you can"t leave either. It doesn"t matter, I won"t let you leave me."
The conversation made them feel closer to each other than ever. They did not want to stop conversing.
Then Carl"s phone rang, "You"re not at work. Are you still alive?" Chamberlain asked sarcastically, though with a hint of worry.
Carl rolled his eyes, "Took you long enough to notice. Seems having a wife has pushed me away from your heart. That"s nice."
In the past, Chamberlain made sure to see him every morning. Since he was right outside Chamberlain"s office, it couldn"t be avoided. Then again, when he moved, Chamberlain also made sure to check on him.
Chamberlain laughed, "Of course, you can"t rival my wife."
When he said that his face heated and he shifted in his seat. He didn"t think he would ever say such words. And he blurted out those words without thinking.
He chuckled, "What made you stop avoiding her?"
"What is it to you? Go get married if you want to know!" Chamberlain harrumphed.
"I got married." He said with so much gusto.
Of course Carl wanted to announce it to the world! He had forgotten about his plan to shove it in Chamberlain"s face. It did not matter right now. All he wanted to do now was show off.
Kim, who was in his embrace blushed. She could hear their conversation and she found it funny.
Chamberlain clicked his tongue, "Look at this person… I wanted to make you my best man but you didn"t invite me for yours. Anyway, since you got married, I"ll let you off for two weeks. I have to go now." With those words, he hung up.
Carl did not know that his wedding leave would save him from trouble later on.
He had a smug expression on his face when he hung up. He did not really have friends if not he would have called them all to tell them the wonderful news.
"Your boss?"
"Yeah."
She drew circles on his bicep as she laid on him, "You seem close, I thought you were at odds with each other?"
"He kind of grew on me." He explained.
"Does that mean everything is fine now?"
Carl thought for a while before answering, "Yeah.. things are fine."
"That"s good to know."
"So, my wife, what were we talking about before he interrupted?"
Kim placed a kiss on his right cheek, "I love you."
She had never thought she would say that to anyone. Or truly mean it if she did but the situation proved her wrong. She was sure he was the one in her heart.
He grinned, "I love you too."
That was all it took to make him feel he was on cloud nine. He had never felt so satisfied and at peace before.