Sean and I went out of the clinic. I thought he was going to show me his office, but to my surprise, we turned right to a corridor next to the clinic. I noticed that along the length of that corridor, there were only two doors, and there were no signages attached. We stopped in front of the first door, and Sean opened it. He held it open for me, and I gasped in awe as I stepped in. Expensive furniture and appliances graced the mini living room, enhanced by the modern ceiling and lighting design.
Behind it was a partition wall, separating the kitchen and the dining room. On the other side was another door, and I could tell without asking that it must be the bedroom. Though the room was not painted with pink or red, and that its shade suggested a general preference, I could still say it was more of a feminine design. I then began to question Sean's personality. Ever since I knew him, I never heard him mention a woman. He even didn't invite someone to be his partner du
There were a few seconds of silence before he spoke again. "Come on, Red. What do you mean by that?"It took me a while before I replied. I didn't want to hear him ranting at me anymore. I then heardsounds of opening and closing of doors, and pulling and pushing of drawers."Red, what do you mean by these empty closets and drawers? I don't see white coats here anymore.""Just when did you learn to check my things, Eric? Just when did you take your eyes off other women for you to see my missing things?""Red, you're exaggerating things-""Am I? When you seduce every beautiful woman, including my best friend?""Comehome! Let's talk about this.""My home is somewhere else already, Eric. And I am not sorry. Whatever was there between us, it's over. I have a list of all my expenses, including my tuition, and all those fancy things you give me. Just give me time, and I will return every penny you spent for me-- with intere
"I'm sorry, Red," he said in between his sobs, "I'm really sorry."I chose to keep silent because I already made up my mind. If I would reply, he would onlytry harder to convince me. Tears were always my weakness, and I was afraid I would give in if he continued his drama. I couldn't define what I was feeling for him because his unrestrained tongue wouldalways ruin every sprout of affection that I had for him.Those five years I chose to endure were more of my way of paying him because I owe him my profession and my existence. It was never difficult to love him--he's sweet if he was in a good mood. He's generous to my wants and needs, and he always wanted the best for me. He bought me an expensive car, surprised me with signature stuff, and gave me access to his bank accounts. He never questioned, nor complained whenever I went out of the line and spend on something irrational.Yet, his weakness was his shorttemper and his endless nagging. Ever
My eyes flew wide when my eyes fell on the driver. I realized how lost I was in my heartbreak that I didn't even look at the plate number of the car that picked me up. I then got worried about being unable to cancel my booking, thinking about the driver's wasted time and fuel. However, the wide grin that broke in his face eased my guilt."Don't worry, dear. I was already there when the Grab car arrived, and I took care of him."I sighed in relief before I answered. "Sean, how come you're here?""I just presumed that you might flee from Eric."Sean laid his tender gaze at me while reaching out for my hand. I just smiled back at him, although the corners of my mouth curled forward, tempting me into another episode of crying moments."Let it go, Red," he said, giving my hand another squeeze. And I did as he told me.To give me a bit of privacy, Sean turned the engine on and sped off to somewhere I couldn't care less at the moment. I
SEAN'SPOVI got nervous when I realized I could no longer hold the truth. This was my purpose of seeing and getting close to her, so I must break it to her gently. I promised to a man so dear to me, so, the time had come that I must honor my words. Even if I already broke it a long time ago."She was one of those people I met in Sama. It all started when my curiosity gripped me once again. Somewhere in the island's outskirt, there was a mysterious place where nobody was allowed to enter. The whole perimeter was fenced, and the gate was always closed. One time, I peeped into its hole, and I saw a beautiful lady walking towards the gate. I did not run away. I even told her the truth about why I was standing there when she spoke behind the barrier. I did not realize that she saw me through her security camera.""Then?" Red replied, and I got amused at how she easily got intrigued with my story."She told me to meet her at the sec
SEAN'S POV"Madame, while you cook our breakfast, may I go out first and see the beautiful sceneries outside?""Sure, young man. Not far from here are our beautiful shores. You can have your driver bring you there."On our way to the shore, my eyes caught the strange sight of a restricted area with several "No Trespassing" signboards on the long stretch of galvanized steel chain-link fence. What amazed me was the rows of giant trees inside the lot that appeared like man-made wood from the outside view. We were on the outskirts of the island, where no one would ever expect to see a small forest like that. Mangroves were expected near the foreshore lands but not those species.I asked my driver to stop as we passed by a wide, steel gate. I got out of the car and walked toward it--curious about what's inside. My eyes then grew wide to see a beautiful house in a contemporary 2000 house design. It looked eerie as it stoo
SEAN'S POV"What?" I froze for a while as I stared at her with my pulled-up brows. I may not know him personally yet, but I had already heard about him as the brain behind the Martela Group of Companies."Yes. The young and handsome man is Eric Martela. His family owns universities in the big city. You know, he loved my Calla so much. He even provided everything she wanted, including her education. Yet, one day, she replaced him with someone more powerful than him.""Do you think she can do it?" I held her gaze for a while, unable to believe my ears. Yet, she looked back at me straight in the eyes, wearing a sincere expression on her face."She grew up with me as her nanny. And ever since she was a child, she always dreamed of becoming famous and influential. I am afraid that her ambition would ruin her forever."I felt sick at the confession of Madame Cynthia. I adored Calla at first sight, but her revelation sullied my i
SEAN'S POV"Sean, I would no longer be able to meet you for a long time," she told me after our heated session in the sand. I was holding her close to me as we laid by our side."Why?" I placed my elbow in the beach mattress to raise my head and look at her."Please, don't ask. We already agreed on this.""Why? Your boyfriend is coming home?"She did not say a word, and I took her silence as an affirmative answer."What about us, Calla? What will happen to us?" I raised my voice, but that didn't conceal the desperation in my tone."There's no us, Sean.""But Calla, I know it's too early to say this, but I am a hundred percent sure that-""That you love me?" she laughed hard after she finished the sentence for me."What's funny?" I snapped. What could be so funny in putting an end to this beautiful thing that happened to us?"There's no such word as love, Sean. If ther
SEAN'S POV"Phillip, please include Mr. Eric Martela and Dr. Red in the invitation to the launching of Laminae, Inc. But before that, give me details of his business ventures, personal background, and the status of his relationship with Dr. Red."I placed back the phone into my sling bag as my thoughts wandered to the woman who helped Eric Martela forget the heartaches Calla caused him. Dr. Red must have possessed better qualities than Calla because he stayed with her for five years already. What I wanted to know if, until now, his heart still belonged to Calla. He funded her education, and now, she's a few months closer to become a full-fledged physician.My heart ached at the thought of this. I was already too late. I had failed the one who gave his full trust in me. The woman whom he wanted for me couldn't be my wife anymore. Mr. Eric Martela already owned her. I was supposedly ready to fake an emotion until I would make it, but I wa