SWNOVELS Chapter 50 There Is Warmth in the Heart
Chapter 50 There Is Warmth in the Heart
"I don't need it."
Catalina refused and returned the medicine to Bennett.
Vincent held his forehead, showing understanding.
He whispered, "It would be strange if she used it!"
Who would use an expired ointment?
Bennett's face darkened, "Apply it."
He threw the medicine back onto Catalina's lap.
"I really don't need it."
Catalina refused again, "It was just a clip in the fingers and there's no wound. I'm not that dramatic."
Catalina wanted to return the medicine to Bennett again.
Bennett glared at Catalina fiercely, "You dare to return the medicine again?"
Catalina was so angry that her cheeks were puffing, "Even if this medicine is about to expire, you don't have to be this forceful, right?"
"...I do what I want!"
This idiot!
Bennett stared at Catalina fiercely. His expression was almost saying if she dared to disobey, he would swallow her alive.
Catalina was a little afraid.
She could not help but admit that she was scared.
She dared not challenge Bennett's authority.
In the end, she opened the ointment and reluctantly applied a thin layer on her red and swollen fingers.
She secretly glanced at Bennett, who was standing beside her.
Catalina wasn't sure whether what she saw was an illusion. But after she applied the ointment, Bennett's straight face gradually softened. Catalina looked back at the ointment in her hands and shrugged her nose.
"Is this ointment expensive?" Catalina thought. She was amazed that Bennett valued this ointment so much.
Until they got off the car, Bennett didn't speak to Catalina again.
"Mr. Shaffer, welcome home!"
Since a while ago, Ralph had already led the other servants and waited for them respectfully at the entrance of Sophora Villa.
Bennett briefly answered Ralph and went inside with a cold face.
Only then did Catalina slowly get out of the car.
"Mrs. Shaffer."
When Catalina was about to leave, Vincent stopped her, "I think you should take this ointment with you!"
"It's not necessary."
Catalina waved her hand with a smile, "It's just a small injury. It'll heal in a few days."
"Just take it! No matter what, it's Mr. Shaffer's kindness towards you."
Kindness?
Catalina felt what Vincent said was funny.
What kind of kindness was this for Bennett to give her an ointment that was about to expire?
Vincent said with a deeper meaning, "This medicine still has two years to expire."
After speaking, he smiled, got back into the car, and left Sophora Villa.
While holding the ointment, Catalina stood there for a long time.
The ointment would only expire two years later?
Then, why did Bennett lied to her?
All of a sudden, there seemed to be a strange feeling flowing slowly in Catalina's heart...
---
There was a saying that absence would make the hearts grow fonder. However, for some reason, since Catalina's and Bennett's parting, they seemed to have come to a tacit agreement. They had become "husband and wife" who treated each other with mutual respect. They treated each other like guests.
Perhaps, not even that close.
Their relationships had become more tepid than that.
It was like a pool of stagnant water that wouldn't even ripple.
It felt like there was a high wall between the two of them. The wall was preventing them from taking the initiative to step out but also preventing each other from breaking in.
One night, Catalina was holding her laptop, sitting cross-legged on the living room's sofa to write a manuscript.
The weather was slowly turning into spring. The heater in the house was still functioning, but the fireplace was not.
There were thunders and bolts of lightning outside. The weather was a little scary.
Catalina was afraid of thunders, but she could bear it while being indoors.
Suddenly, a weather warning was broadcasted in the news, "Rainfalls and strong convective weather are expected to occur across various parts of Sayton from tonight to tomorrow. Regional areas are to expect heavy rains accompanied by convective weather such as thunder, lightning, and hail. Please take precautionary measures, and we recommend everyone to pay close attention to weather forecasts. Please make travel arrangements in advance and minimize outdoor activities. The roads are slippery on rainy days. Please pay attention to traffic safety when you go out..."
Catalina raised her eyes from her laptop screen, "There's going to be a hailstorm tonight?"
She glanced out the window to see the thunderstorm.
She frowned.
Someone wasn't back yet.
Moreover, it seemed hard to predict when he would reach home.
"I wonder when Mr. Shaffer will be back."
Ralph was looking outside through the door. He was worried, "The rain is getting heavier and heavier. Oh, please don't let Mr. Shaffer encounter a hailstorm."
Catalina lowered her head and continued typing as if nothing had happened.
However, her mind was actually in a mess, and she could no longer concentrate.
For some reason, she would frequently and unconsciously raise her head to look toward the entrance.
A second time...
A third time...
Countless times.
When the clock rang at twelve o'clock midnight, Ralph stepped forward to remind Catalina, "Mrs. Shaffer, it's getting late. You should go to rest early!"
"I... I'm not done with my work yet. I'll go to sleep a while later."
Actually, Catalina was already done with her manuscript.
"Although work is important, one's health is the most important thing. Please prevent yourself from overworking."
Ralph was still trying to persuade Catalina.
Catalina grinned and said while looking high in spirits, "Ralph, I'm young and can still suffer. But for you, it's been late. You should go to bed early instead of waiting for him!"
"I'm fine. I'll sleep here for a while on the recliner. I won't have the mood to sleep today without waiting for Mr. Shaffer to reach home."
"Ralph, you treat Bennett very well."
Catalina was envious of Bennett.
"I had watched Mr. Shaffer grow up from childhood. He's like my own child. How can I not treat him well?"
Ralph said with a smile and sat down on the recliner.
Catalina glanced out the window and saw bolts of lightning flashing. She pursed her lips, "I think he's not even aware that someone is worrying about him at home. It's been late and he still hasn't yet come back."
Ralph closed his eyes and said with relief, "If Mr. Shaffer knew that Mrs. Shaffer is also worried about him, I believe he would have been back already!"
"...When did I worry about him?"
Catalina blushed when Ralph suddenly exposed her girlish thoughts.
Ralph was laying on the recliner with his eyes closed. He was meditating.
Catalina was bored and so she surfed Facebook to kill some time.
The century-old grandfather clock was tick-tocking.
As time passed by, Bennett was still not seen with his team.
At two o'clock in the morning, Catalina was dozing off with the laptop in her arms. Suddenly, she heard the sound of an engine and saw two beams of headlights swaying through the windows. Then, a black Rolls-Royce Phantom stopped in front of the entrance.
It was Bennett. He was back!
Catalina straightened her body and sat up immediately.
But soon, she realized something and quickly lowered her head to rest on the table. She closed her eyes while hugging the laptop and pretended to fall asleep.
At the same time, someone pushed open the entrance door.
Bennett was wearing a long black trench coat and was holding an umbrella of the same color. He strode in from outside.
He put his umbrella away and stood by the door. He looked around the living room calmly.
In front of the fireplace, there was an old man sleeping on the recliner.
Rarely, the old man wasn't awakened by the sound of the car's engine.
Next to the recliner, there was a petite body lying on the sofa.
Catalina?
Why was she here?
"Perhaps, was she waiting for me as well like Ralph?" Bennett thought.
Bennett no longer felt cold due to the storm.
Suddenly, he felt that there was something different in this supposedly empty and lifeless house.
It felt like... there was warmth.
The feeling was indescribable.