Can't force affection

“Sir, don't worry, madam will be fine…her wound was not thoroughly cleaned; hence she suffered an infection,” the doctor said to Ricardo and gave him the reports. Alana was half sitting on the narrow bed, unsure of what to do. It wasn't her fault, he didn't know anything about being a doctor, and he ended up causing even more harm. It had been three days since she got hurt and the wound was getting worse

Ricardo had no choice but to rush her to the hospital for proper medical care

“Thanks, doctor,” Alana heard Ricardo say to the doctor, and he left the room.

“This isn't necessary,” Alana remarked with a frown, averting her eyes from him. The doctor treated her wound and gave her an injection to make her feel better. Ricardo walked closer to the bed and bent down to look at her

“If this wasn't needed…then you should have said so…unfortunately I can't stand you,” he muttered disdainfully when Alana glanced up at him. He was so outspoken. He liked speaking his mind.

“And I didn't ask you to bother, did I?” She replied sarcastically, Ricardo's expression darkened instantly. The only reason he decided to act all nice was that he couldn't stand her constant, groans, and moans at night. He even gave her his bed and slept on the couch and floor

“You know what, I don't care…all this…you'll spend the night here, that way the doctors can see how annoying you are,” Ricardo countered back in a displeased voice

“Sir, you are…” Alana was about to say when the door opened, startling them. It was Marcela who walked in holding some shopping bags. Ricardo and Alana composed themselves and smiled

“And there's a good husband…what are you doing Ricky…sit with her,” Marcela said with a smile as soon as she walked in but frowned when she found the two not close

“Ah, it's not needed, mom… I'm certain…”

“Nonsense dear… Ricky, sit with her and pamper her,” Marcela cut her off before she could come up with an excuse. Ricardo wanted to protest, but ended up doing what Marcela said. “That's more like it…she's not feeling well… I bought lunch, feed her, she's hungry,” she added and started taking out some foodstuff from the bags she came with…the entire time Alana was uncomfortable with Ricardo sitting close to her. She wanted to lean back but feared resting her head on his chest

“She can feed herself,” her foot was hurting not her hands. Ricardo was irritated with Marcela. Ever since she found out about the accident, she didn't stop making him do things he didn't want. Like helping Alana with her bath and everything women did

“Give her some food, will you?” Marcela demanded, making Ricardo feel helpless, he stared at Alana with a frown and then at the food Marcela was holding. Just as he was about to get it, his phone vibrated. Taking it out of his pockets. Ricardo's eyes narrowed,

“It's important,” he muttered, glancing up at Marcela. Of course, his half-mom wasn't so pleased. But it was an important call

“Fine, answer it,” Marcela finally permitted him. Ricardo nodded and excused himself. Immediately he left the room and the door closed. Alana's expression turned serious while Marcela walked to the table and placed the bowl of food there. There was silence in the room. Too much silence, that Alana was getting agitated. The sight of her mother-in-law frightened her and when Marcela stopped in her tracks

“I'm sure you know what to do dear… utilize time…grasp the opportunity,” Marcela spoke, breaking the awkward silence in the room. Alana knew full well what she meant

“I'm… I'm sorry I can't” Alana muttered with her head lowered, she understood what her mother-in-law meant. But she wasn't willing to do it

“Alana, I'm sure you know our agreement… just good old six months… I trust you with this,” Marcela said shrewdly, and picked up an apple and cut it in half and placed it on the plate and did the same with two more. Alana kept her head lowered, her heart was in agony as she did everything to keep calm

“You are a woman, aren't you? I'm sure you understand how men are. They want, but pretend not to…” Marcela went ahead and gave Alana some fruits. She was certain that Alana understood her clear assignment. But she was against it.

“You can't force affection, no one can force love… do you think anything can be done…everything was forced…no sentiments whatsoever… I'm sorry, but you are wrong," she was irritated with her mom and the people who were trying to force relationships, especially hers with Ricardo. Her mother-in-law gave her a mission to execute in six months. If she failed she would be free to go her way, but if she succeeded which wasn't going to happen

“Only time will tell sweetheart, eat up, and don't worry… I'm sure you'll thank your mother and me,” Marcela coaxed her to eat some fruits with a smile. Alana didn't want to have anything, she was too agitated to eat anything. Especially when she was asked to do something her heart wasn't ready for

“How did the week go, any changes?” Marcela asked after some time, and Alana immediately looked up at her with her mouthful. Recalling the past week, did Ricardo's behavior towards her change? She was a little afraid, especially after that night he saved her from that man. Alana shook her head and Marcela nodded and started getting more foodstuff from the bag. All Alana wanted was to leave the hospital and get back to her normal life.

___

“Are you certain, okay…let me send it again… I'm sure you received something,” Alana said over the phone while going through some files, she had scattered many files in the bed while running around. On the other hand, Ricardo came out of the shower, stopped in his tracks seeing his room turned into something terrible

“Okay, okay, Felix… I found it…do this… I'll come with it to the office, so you can have a look,” she said with a smile once she found what she was looking for, although she thought she had sent the documents via email. Ricardo frowned and proceeded to the closet When suddenly

“Ouch,” both bumped into each other and Ricardo ended up catching her before she could fall. Alana regained her wits and glanced up, only to meet Ricardo's sour expression.

“Um, I'm sorry,” she cleared her throat awkwardly and moved away from him. Ricardo composed himself and secured the towel around his lower part. While Alana went her way, she accidentally glanced back and quickly averted her eyes. He was so shameless to walk around naked. She thought and started packing the files

On the other hand, Ricardo had taken out countless suits, but he couldn't find anything to wear.

“This will do,” he finally found a brown suit and decided to wear it. He had wasted a lot of time babysitting his wife the past few days. Work was calling

“I don't think the tie and shoes match the suit,” Alana said with concern when she came back to the room and found him all dressed up and his clean clothes lying around. Ricardo frowned and glanced behind him

“Are you talking to me?'” He asked sarcastically, since when did she meddle in his affairs

“Well, let's see,” Alana muttered and walked to his closet? She stared at the clothes for a while when she found what she was looking

“The material of that suit is quite thick…so is the shirt, the shoes and tie don't compliment each other. See this, ” she said cheerfully, and came to stand in front of him. Ricardo was confused

“This is ideal, and perfect for the weather today… some black Oxford and a red tie…perfect,” she added while showing him what she picked out for him

“And what qualifications do you have huh… I know my clothes and I wear what I want,” He scoffed with a frown.

“Just you wait mister…how people will compliment you today…just tell them you are dressed by yours truly,” she beamed with a seductive wink, patted him on the chest and walked away. Ricardo was left frozen

“And she thinks I'll wear this…pathetic,” he muttered rolling his eyes and deciding to wear what he planned. However, he stopped and picked up the suit she chose for him.