PS I'm (not) Over You

0Everything was temporary back under control. Ririna was in his brother's place just as she said she would be. Eli disconnected his call to Evan and looked down at his trembling hands. He clenched his fist hard and was tempted to throw his phone on the wall, but he decided not to while Skyler was still around and sleeping.     0

It was alright. Ririna was safe and hadn't left him really. She requested some space, and he gladly gave it to her even though he really wanted to keep her by his side. No. She wouldn't leave him. Just like what she had said… she loved him and still needed him.     

Eli walked back in his study room and gazed out of the window. He stood there, watching as the sun lightened up the city, waking up people from their sleep to start their day. He couldn't recall the last time he had found himself at such a loss.     

There was no need to rush. Ririna was safe for now, and he needed not to barge in his brother's place to take his wife. There was enough time to think over what had happened and how he should handle his stubborn wife who refused to listen to him.     

"Damn it all to hell," he muttered to himself.     

The fact that the first thought that passed on his mind was to follow his wife and retrieve her just showed how much influence and power Ririna had on him. Her rash personality and unpredictable behavior were starting to rub off on him without his knowledge.     

His woman was starting to affect him more than what he had expected. She was taking over everything, always interfering with his decisions and thoughts. She was causing him to do things he normally wouldn't do. Before her, he never thought he would marry someone and have a family of his own. He had broken his own rules just for her. Why couldn't she see that?     

He had never realized that being married to Ririna would turn out like this. Nothing was going on the right track when she was involved.     

Eli turned and looked at the doorway when he heard a soft knock. His eyes instantly softened as he looked at his son who was yawning and rubbing off the sleep from his eyes.     

"Daddy?" Skyler called out.     

Eli walked toward his child and picked him up. He went down the hall and turned to their sleek kitchen to prepare Skyler's breakfast. He needed to think, but he also had to look out for his child's needs. He made Skyler sat on the counter and opened their fridge to take some ingredients for their breakfast.     

"Where's Mommy?" Skyler asked when he noticed his mother's absence.     

"She's visiting your Aunt Ginny. She will be back soon," Eli replied.     

He let himself be busy, refusing to face his son so he wouldn't notice that something was wrong with his parents.     

"Is she sick?" Skyler blinked. He knew his mother only calls his Aunt Ginny when she wasn't feeling well. He still remembered when she just woke up from her long sleep and needed to check her wounds.     

"She's fine. She said she needed to talk to her about something. Don't worry." Eli turned around to reassure him. "Now, will be alright if Daddy will drop you off to school for today?"     

Skyler's eyes lit up. "Yes!"     

Eli tried to get himself busy, trying not to walk out to follow his wife. He wanted to think about what had happened and how it would affect their marriage. However, all he could think right now was his wife waiting for him to pick her up and apologize for the threats he did earlier.     

He couldn't believe that she actually tried to make him feel bad and expect that he would apologize. After what she had done last night, she should have been the one on her knees, trying to amend for her mistakes. She should be the one who needed to submit herself to him as a wife.     

She needed him. She had come to him for help. While Ririna was right that she didn't marry him for his status, money, or convenience; he wanted her to rely on him some more and stop making rash decisions. Damn it, he was always in control. She should have listened to him more.     

After he dropped off Skyler to his school, he drove silently to Han Zhou and ignored the curious looks he was receiving from their employees. This was the first time he came from work without Ririna. He worked until lunchtime, but his mind was still on his wife. Every now and then, he took a glance at his phone, hoping to receive a message from her.     

It was his fault. Ririna had run away from him because he tried to intimidate and control her. He knew he was wrong when he tried to make her submit to him using Han Zhou. He realized that Ririna had expected him to listen to her reasoning.     

Damn it, he knew her mother was her utmost reason why she came back; getting irritated over it was his own fault. He had saved her mother yesterday and had yet to inform his wife about it. He wondered what would be her reaction when she found out the truth.     

He had tried to fool himself to believe that she came back for him. That she still needed him after all those years that they parted.     

Eli needed her in his life, but he had to remind himself that Ririna didn't want him to control her. He should've accepted her apology and tried to understand her more, but he didn't. She wasn't one to take an apology as a weakness. While she knew where she stood in his life, she had never tried to use him to her own advantage. She had married him as an equal, and she expected him to share the same control with her.     

Ririna wasn't like him. She did not take satisfaction over manipulation. Her motives and reasoning were even hard for him to comprehend. The only thing he was certain was that she was way different than him. She could love with all of her heart and could kill someone without remorse.     

They were different and yet attract and complete each other.     

He needed to calm down. He couldn't let this obstacle ruin their marriage. God knew what he would do if Ririna decided to leave him for good.     

---     

Eli wasn't certain what to expect when he went to Evan's home that afternoon. He didn't like the uncertainty that he filled him as he waited for Evan to open the door. At least, his cold mask was still in place to hide the storm inside of him. A moment later, Evan opened the door.     

"Where is she?" Eli asked him.     

"In the living room. She's taking a nap," Evan hesitated. "Go easy on her, Eli. Don't stress her out. Congrats."     

Eli eyed him suspiciously. Why was Evan congratulating him?     

He crossed the entryway to find his wife in the living room. Ririna was sitting and leaning on a couch with her eyes closed. He sat beside him and stared at her sleeping face. As he reached and traced her face with his fingers, her eyes opened and saw him hovering above her.     

"Hey, handsome," Ririna said with a small smile. Her eyes warm and sparkling with joy. Whatever frustration he had at the moment was thrown outside the window when he saw her smile.     

"Are you ready to go?" he asked.     

Ririna glanced at Evan who was leaning on the doorway. He gave her a thumbs-up, and she smiled. She held his hand tightly and grinned as she stood up.     

"Let's go home. I have something important to tell you," she whispered to her husband. Eli let his wife take the lead, but when his eyes met his brother's. He inclined his head in an unusual acknowledgment of gratitude he had for Evan. Evan nodded and said nothing as he opened the door for the couple.     

Eli waited for her to get in the car before he closed the passenger door. He took his place in the driver's seat and glanced at her.     

"Are you waiting for me to apologize?"     

Ririna shook her head, her eyes on her hands which were on her lap. She was smiling, which made Eli wonder what she was thinking.     

"You came after me. I think that's enough for me to know that you were sorry for hurting my feelings. I also should've not overreacted. I know you are only concern about me."     

Eli smiled wryly. "Oh, now, you assumed I'm apologizing."     

"Let's talk about later, please? I'm missing my baby right now." Ririna looked up to him with blushing cheeks.