Serving a Paralyzed Wife
41. Birthday Invitation

The next day Glacia decided to pay a visit to John's house. The large mansion seemed quiet as usual, there were only workers wandering around with their duties.

Weni followed Glacia from behind. There was also Julian whom Narendra ordered to look after him. Glacia took a breath as she recalled the stubbornness of the man. For some reason, but Glacia felt Narendra's attitude was getting different to her.

Narendra often paid attention to it excessively, and that made Glacia a little uncomfortable. Maybe Narendra is the type of person who is responsible, he is good, even though they do not love each other Narendra is able to survive even though Glacia's attitude is often arbitrary.

But that's what makes Glacia nervous. He does not want to be pitied. According to him Narendra only pity him, on the sad fate that befell him. She's a cripple that everyone left behind.

In front of the lobby there were already many servants who greeted him, including the butler who was now bowing in disrespect.

"Welcome back, Miss," said Jang, the butler who has worked for decades in the Glacia family.

"Morning," replied Glacia briefly. "Is there?"

"Sir is out for a job."

"Come in, Miss? We have prepared Miss's favorite snack in this house," continued Jang, allowing Glacia to enter the mansion immediately.

Glacia moved her wheelchair past the servants lined up. He silently watched the entire lobby unchanged. His mother's painting is still faithfully displayed there, as well as a family photo that stretches large on the top wall.

"Miss wants a break? Will I be able to take the snacks to the room?" ask butler Jang.

"no need. I'm going around this house first. I don't think I've been here long. But I'll go to the gazebo."

Jang nodded. "Well, we'll take the food to the gazebo."

Glacia continued his journey towards the north side of the large mansion. All of her mother's flower plants are still well-preserved, although now she no longer gets a touch from her soft hands.

Glacia recalled, the mother always spent time arranging flowers that she would store in several rooms. The reason why every day this mansion always feels fresh.

Glacia picked a stem of gardenia flowers there. Kissing her fragrant smell caressed her nose while closed in memory of all the memories that still remain.

Gardenia is her mother's favorite flower. Glacia smiled, indeed she longed for the togetherness of those who would be stored in Glacia's memory at any time.

Turning from the park, next Glacia down the backyard with a large pool. Palm trees are embedded in several corners, creating an oasis in the heat of Jakarta. But, the Martadinata mansion does stand in a beautiful environment, more precisely deliberately made beautiful.

Amidst the calmness of Glacia that morning, Weni suddenly approached and said with a slightly bent body. "Madam, there are guests" he said.

Glacia looked back, her forehead wrinkled faintly finding Claire standing a few meters away from her. The short-haired lady looked at Glacia straight. Without even talking Glacia knew Claire had come here to meet her.

Glacia turned to Weni and Julian. "You go on. I'm going to the gazebo for a second."

Hearing this Julian's body was vertical. From his gesture he slightly disagreed with Glacia's proposal. However, Narendra had ordered him to keep the woman at close range.

It seems that Glacia realized Julian's doubt. He also told me to convince the man. "He's my family."

I don't want Julian to give up. He and Weni left Glacia with Claire who was now approaching.

"During the meeting, Sister." Claire stood firmly in front of Glacia, looking at her flatly as usual.

"What's wrong?" ask Glacia to the point.

Claire did not answer. He took Glacia to the rear gazebo not far from there. For a moment they were silent to each other. Claire looked up at the splash of water sweeping the pool below them.

"Next week Lizy's birthday. You come, " said Claire.

Glacia frowned faintly. Claire turned around until now they faced each other. He took something out of his bag. "Lizy's busy and can't invite you in person. But he left this to me."

Claire handed over an invitation to Glacia. Glacia stared at it for a moment before accepting it.

"I didn't know you were close" Claire continued fishing.

Glacia kept the invitation in her lap. "Not long. He was quite friendly to befriend," he sniffed back, impressed to just answer his potluck.

Claire snorted softly, the corner of her lips lifted thinly feeling funny. "It turns out you've listened to me enough."

Sentences in the form of innuendoes that Glacia did not ignore. It seems that Claire already knew about Glacia's efforts to bring Narendra closer to Lizy, and the woman thinks Glacia did it because it refers to their conversation last time at a family dinner.

"Indeed, you should have opened your eyes to your marriage. There's no way you keep getting shackled in a relationship with no direction, right?"

"You and Narendra are bound, but your goals are never the same. Am I right?"

Glacia looked up for a moment. "Please take it that way."

In Glacia's heart grunted due to Claire's pretentious attitude. But, no matter what the woman said was true. The purpose of Glacia's marriage is very unclear. Tasteless, without romance like most people.

Thinking about it sometimes made Glacia want to live like everyone else. Have a perfect marriage with a loved one and love him. In the past, Glacia had placed that hope on Gallen, but it turned out that the man was just a pseudo-port filling Glacia's life sheet temporarily.

"Have you ever thought of what it's like to be Narendra?" claire said suddenly. "Living in the shadows of others and being depressed under their influence. Cannot freely express desire. Even to move, he must see from all sides."

"Your father liked Narendra too much, so that his future was arranged in such a way. No matter how much Narendra sacrificed to be able to obey all his orders. He was even willing to put his heart aside for a pseudo-life that was not clear where he was running to."

"If it was you, it might have chosen to die or run away," Claire continued, with a faint smile staring at Glacia.

Glacia was silent in her place. His eyes glared at the flow of water that filled the fish pond. Claire also straightened her body looking to move.

"He's great because he can still survive. But, don't rule out the possibility of his heart changing one day, right?"

Claire's eyes looked at Glacia meaningfully, and Glacia simply replied that flatly tended to be indifferent. Claire smiled patting Glacia on the shoulder. "Then I go home. Don't forget to come next week."

After that Claire breezed away leaving Glacia. But he stopped for a moment to talk again. "Your face is getting pale. Hope your treatment goes well."

Glacia didn't budge after Claire's departure. He took a breath and touched his nose which was bleeding again. Glacia looked at Weni as well as Julian who were approaching in the distance. He immediately picked up a tissue that had recently always been tucked in the pocket of his wheelchair.

***