Far Away

Mario had just arrived at the Quartararo family's house at exactly eight o'clock in the evening. The man came at the same time as Tristan because the two of them had previously attended a meeting with a client outside the office.

Once home, Mario went straight to the room. Cleaning up then followed Aurora who was currently in the dining room. His wife was seen enjoying dinner with Sophia and other family members.

"Good night, honey," Mario greeted. Before the man actually sat down in his chair, he took the time to kiss his wife's forehead first. "Sorry if I came home a little late tonight."

"Even if I don't want to go home, I don't care, Mario," Aurora said innocently. She answered as if she didn't care whether her husband was at home or not. "I'd rather you didn't come home at all."

"Aurora!" Raphael, who was in the dining room at that time, immediately reprimanded him. He really didn't like seeing the attitude of the princess who didn't respect Mario as a husband at all. "Watch your mouth. He is your husband."

"I'm just telling the truth, Pa," Aurora replied casually. "I'm not the slightest ----"

"No problem, Pa," interrupted Mario. Commenting on a smile that was no less relaxed, the man instead defended Aurora so that she would not become the target of her father's anger. Actually, he was also lazy to see the feud or hear the arguments between his wife and parents-in-law. Moreover, he realized that Aurora was currently pregnant. Provoked a little, his emotions will be quickly disturbed. "I'm not at all angry or offended by Aurora's words."

"You can hear yourself, right? Mario doesn't have a problem with what I say."

Aurora said that while looking at her father with a triumphant expression. Feeling in the wind because the husband does not mind one bit what he said before.

"Papa hopes that your behavior will eventually change, Aurora. Papa can't guarantee that Mario will continue to put up with you if you continue like this."

"If you can't stand it, just split up, Pa, what's so difficult?"

Again Aurora answered casually. As if the marriage that took place between him and Mario didn't have the slightest meaning in his eyes. She didn't care that her husband liked it or not with the behavior he had shown from the start.

While Raphael could only shake his head in disbelief. Even though he remembered that he had educated Aurora very well. Why is it now so rude and even impressed by antipathy with other people's feelings. Really, Aurora now is very much different from her previous personality.

"Marriage is not something to be trifled with, Aurora. It's not that you don't like it, then you decide to separate or divorce at will. Don't you think about the fate of the baby in your stomach?"

Aurora stopped her eating. Putting the spoon and fork on the plate, then wiping his slightly greasy lips with a napkin, then replied to his father's words.

"If there's no match, what's the point of holding on, Pa? I'm tired of living with pretense. If I don't like it, I will loudly say I don't like it. Instead of pretending to enjoy this damn marriage!"

Aurora then got up. No longer interested in continuing his dinner. In fact, there was still a lot of black pepper fried rice on his plate because he had only eaten a few mouthfuls.

Seeing his wife who was so upset, Mario took the initiative to bring a new plate containing fried rice complete with side dishes. He then got up and hurriedly followed Aurora who had already entered their room.

Seeing Aurora sitting on the sofa with an annoyed expression on her face, Mario slowly approached. He took a sitting position right beside his wife. Full of care, he tried very hard to find the right words to invite Aurora to speak.

"I know you must still be hungry. I purposely brought this food for you to eat again."

Aurora immediately shook her head. Lazy to accept what Mario offered him.

"I have no appetite."

"But you still have to eat, Aurora," Mario persuaded slowly.

"Don't you have ears?"

Aurora turned to look at Mario. Throwing a cynical glance because he felt that his husband was really annoying tonight.

"What else should I say so you understand, Mario? I have no appetite. So, don't force me to do things I don't like."

Mario nodded. Understood what Aurora said. But instead of moving away, once again the man tried his luck again by persuading his wife to listen to his request.

"I know you're upset. I know you're probably very angry right now. I'm sorry that I was the one who started you like this. But I beg one thing from you, Aurora. You have to keep eating. Don't forget, there is another life inside. you need to take care of and pay attention to. Don't be selfish by not considering his existence."

Aurora took a deep breath. Tired of arguing with Mario, he finally agreed to eat what the man had brought him.

"Ok, Fine! I'll eat the food until it's gone."

"Then I'll help feed you."

"I'm not a kid!"

"I don't accept rejection, Aurora."

Aurora exhaled in resignation. In the end he took it for granted when Mario slowly started feeding him food. Trying to enjoy every spoon that was offered until he finally finished eating one plate of fried rice.

Not forgetting to drink milk and some vitamins that the doctor had prescribed, Aurora chose to stay on the sofa. Meanwhile, Mario, who had previously delivered dirty dishes to the kitchen, is now back. The man came closer, then sat kneeling right under Aurora's feet. Lend a hand. Without hesitation massage the wife's legs alternately.

"No need to overdo it. Aren't you tired of massaging me like this every night?"

Mario flashed a smile. While continuing to massage, the man answered what his wife asked.

"Not at all, Aurora. I'm pretty sure you must be very tired because you're pregnant with my flesh and blood. So, there's nothing wrong with me treating you like this. Besides, tomorrow and the next few nights, I'll be taking my massage off because I have to go out city."

Aurora nodded. What her husband said was true. Maybe tonight was the last time she felt a massage. Because tomorrow night and the next few nights her husband will be running errands out of town.

After being satisfied with the massage, Mario stood up. Then led Aurora to immediately move to the bed. Help pull up the covers. Then deliberately sat beside the nightstand, deliberately waited while gently rubbing the wife's shoulder to the waist until finally the woman fell fast asleep.

This is what he does every night. He will not move or sleep first before making sure his wife is enjoying her sleep well.

***

Aurora was very surprised when she opened her eyes to find Mario sleeping soundly next to her. Not lying down, but sitting right next to the nightstand. Exactly the same position as last night before he actually closed his eyes.

The man's head is left resting on the left hand. While his right hand gripped Aurora's fingers tightly. He was sure, his husband must not have moved at all after making sure he fell asleep.

Slowly, Aurora tried to let go of Mario's grip. But, instead of letting go, the man woke up feeling the movement Aurora caused.

"You've been awake long?" he asked. "How do you feel now?" There was a tone of anxiety tucked into the question that Mario threw.

"I'm fine," Aurora replied with a straight face. "You slept here all night? I mean sitting next to me like this?" asked Aurora to make sure. It's just a wonder because her husband can endure sleeping for long in a position that he feels is very uncomfortable.

"It seems that because I was so tired, I overslept last night."

"And you have no intention of moving?"

Mario shrugged his shoulders.

"Want to sleep anywhere feels the same, Aurora. After all, the important thing is sleep, right?"

Aurora nodded. Then slowly try to straighten up. The woman intends to edge out of bed.

"Where are you going?" asked Mario curiously.

"Of course take a shower," Aurora answered casually. "It's already seven o'clock, Mario. I have to work."

Mario nodded. He got up first then suddenly picked up Aurora's body to take her straight to the bathroom. Calculatively and carefully seated his wife at the sink table. Of course, this made Aurora jump in surprise and immediately protested as usual.

"Mario what are you doing?"

"Helping you take a bath, what else is there?"

"I can wash myself. Do you think I'm elderly? Or a disabled patient who needs help with everything?"

"Ssstsss..."

Mario hissed. Ignoring Aurora's chatter, the man slowly helped remove the nightgown that was still attached to Aurora's body. Opened everything without anything left, then slowly moved his wife to a bathtub filled with warm water.

While continuing to frown, Aurora just accepted it when Mario helped rub soap all over her body. Massaging so gently, then rinse, then help dry her clean body. Putting on the bathrobe then carrying it back to put it slowly on the bed.

"It's done. Do you want me to help you get dressed too?" Mario offered with a smile.

"No, no!" Aurora rejected outright. "You'd better shower now and prepare yourself. Aren't you leaving for Liverpool at nine o'clock? Tristan might get angry if you're late."

Mario nodded in agreement. After helping to get Aurora's work clothes, the man rushed to the bathroom to clean himself. Once finished and wearing clothes, he immediately took a suitcase to put some clothes along with the items needed during the business trip in the next few days.

As a married man, Aurora should be the one who has the duty to help prepare his needs like this. But realizing that his wife didn't have the slightest interest in him, Mario decided to prepare everything independently without anyone's help.

"Your laptop and tablet, have you put them in the suitcase?" rebuked Aurora, who had been watching her husband from a distance.

"Yes," nodded Mario. "I've put everything in the suitcase."

After making sure everything was neatly arranged, Mario then got up and invited Aurora to go to the dining room. He thought, before leaving, he should really enjoy breakfast with his wife.

"Have you prepared everything you need?" asked Tristan while at the dining table. He wanted to make sure that Mario didn't forget to bring all kinds of stuff that he needed on this official trip.

"I have prepared everything as usual. Just waiting for the office pickup to leave."

"If you need anything there, just let Tristan know, Mario." Raphael chimed in. He wanted to make sure his son-in-law could comfortably carry out his duties elsewhere.

"Take it easy, Pa," said Mario. The man's expression was as usual. Very relaxed. Really not burdened with all the monthly tasks that Tristan is giving him. "If there's anything or if I need anything, I'll definitely report it right away."

Then everyone returned to enjoy breakfast. Until it was time for the driver assigned to pick Mario up at home. He hastily said goodbye to all the family members, especially to Aurora who was also getting ready to go to work.

"I'll be gone for a few days. If you're having trouble sleeping because your shoulder or back hurts, ask Samanta for a little massage so you can sleep."

"No need to think about it, Mario," Aurora said as usual. "I can take care of myself."

"I know," Mario replied. "While I'm away, never drive or leave the house alone without anyone accompanying you. Please, remember what I said on this one."

"Yes, husband. Take it easy. You don't have to worry a bit about me."

Because she was lazy to hear Mario chattering all the time, Aurora chose to just nod. Seconds later, the man kissed Aurora's cheeks alternately. Then a brief hug before finally leaving the house.