Chapter 5

“YOU’RE HERE!”

Vale turned his head, and he saw Rab walking in his direction. He had a teasing smile on his face, probably because he had witnessed him and Einille earlier.

“Hey!” He tapped his shoulder, “Actually, I’m about to go home. What the hell happened to Einille? She looks like a damsel in distress.”

Rab’s expression softened, “I pity her, honestly. They’ve broken up. But it’s for her own good. She’ll get over it soon. Now, it’s your time to shine!”

Vale chuckled, “I hope so. Let’s wait until she processed everything.”

“Be there for her. At least she is safe under your watch.”

“Of course!”

“By the way, what happened to your sponsorship in the coming shoot fest?” Rab asked, changing the topic.

“Yeah, I’ve talked to Sergeant Marquez earlier. Everything is settled. Are you going to join?”

Rab shook his head, “No. I’ll be a Range Officer. But Ein might join. You know her extraordinary shooting ability.”

“Great! That would be another chance for me to be near her.” Vale but his hands to the pockets of his jeans. He was feeling excited.

“Just take it easy. But please, make her happy.”

His face hardened, “Right,” he let out a sigh, “Let’s see each other during the event. I guess I’ll be busy watching over her.”

“No problem, bro.”

They exchanged fist bump before he got inside his car.

Vale deeply breathed out before wearing the seat belt. He put his gun into the compartment before starting the engine.

So, Einille finally knew that Hero made her his mistress. He predicted that this would happen sooner, but not this early.

He gritted his teeth, remembering Einille’s somber face. He prayed that she would not do anything stupid. However, he knew that she was a strong woman.

She will get over it.

He trusted Einille that she wouldn’t be sulking over a useless man. But for now, he would make sure to be with her always, even if she were not aware of it.

THE white roses found their new home at Einille’s glass flower vase on the center table. It looked perfect and fresh in her eyes, but she could not appreciate its beauty. She was still fuming in anger. Einille realized she was lucky that despite her reckless driving earlier, she got home in one piece.

She lay down on the couch, still trying to digest everything that happened. Why she trusted somebody who was not even deserving? Maybe, because of her inborn kindness that many people were abusing it.

She loved Hero, even his imperfections. She had seen his good sides, and she only focused from that angle—the reason she couldn’t hold her foolish heart from trusting too much. But she felt his love for her was real—or so she thought.

Before she formally became his girlfriend, she made background checks on Hero. She really didn’t know that he was married. She had seen his identification cards, and it stated there he was single. She even asked him to provide a Certificate of No Record of Marriage, and yes, it was also a document that proved that he was single! Now she realized all these documents were fake because she never verified them even once.

Cheater! Her jaw clenched. She was puzzled about everything. But Hero would not joke about him being married with two kids. They could break up anytime without being dramatic as this. What she got now?

She was mad to herself. It was her great mistake! All the red flags were visible, but she chose to ignore them because she was dumb and in love.

How can you be this stupid?

What an irony! She was intelligent, but when it comes to men, she was ignorant.

Hero was her second boyfriend. Her first cheated on her as well, and Hero was aware of that. And now that bastard would do this to her, too? Well, the only consolation that Hero never took advantage of her, physically at least.

She just turned twenty-eight a few months ago, and she had been planning to settle down next year, thinking Hero would be her groom. But it was all a lie. It was like she just woke up from a nightmare.

Hero’s documents and bank accounts were under her name because he insisted on saving for their future. Well, not that much, though. But it bothered her.

Einille pressed her fists tight. Hero brought her a never-ending problem that would ruin her life once this goes public.

She never wanted her name to be involved in a scandal like this. What if someday his wife came and embarrassed her? She hoped that would not happen because she would defend herself, whatever the consequences may be.

“Hey, Couz! I didn’t know you’re back.” Shari greeted her coming from her room, and she witnessed her staring blankly at the white roses.

“I’m exhausted,” she frowned.

“You’re always exhausted. Let me guess. You quarreled with Hero?”

She couldn’t lie to her cousin. She’d like to think Shari knew her more than herself.

“We broke up this morning.”

“Really? He dropped by here?” Shari was seated on the couch on the other side.

“No,” she hardly shook her head, “He just called me while I’m in the office.” She let out a heavy sigh.

How would she explain what happened? High chance that Shari might storm up at Hero’s place. Shari hated Hero even before. She just respected him because he was her boyfriend.

“If that’s true, this calls for a celebration! You’re free from that bastard.” Shari’s face beamed, “However, I’ve seen this situation before. Tomorrow, you’ll be back together, again.” Her eyes rolled.

“I will tell you everything, but you have to be calm. Promise?”

Shari’s one brow raised in doubt, “What? Come on, tell me.”

Einille got up and sat straight, “Hero told me that he is married, with two kids.”

Shari’s eyes blinked many times, thinking she had heard it wrong. But Einille confirmed it again, then her eyes widened.

“Holy fuck!” Shari stood up, unbelieving.

“You heard it right.”

“How thick his face is! He should start praying now because once we crossed paths, I would give him a twin bullet on his balls!” Her face red in rage.

“Shari, calm down! Do you think I’m not affected? Let me think with my proper logic.”

Shari deeply inhaled and exhaled, trying to calm herself. She sat back again.

Einille told her everything about what happened, and Shari carefully listened.

“What are your plans now?”

“None,” she simply shrugged, “I’ll face the consequences of being dumb. Probably I’ll let the situation cool down, we’re working in the government, and it’s not good to drag our names in this shame.”

“I think that’s the best decision for now. Soon, everything will be fine. I’m just worried about your health. Would this affect your work?” Shari looked at her with so much concern.

“Don’t worry. I can handle this.” She reassured her.

Shari moved and seated beside her. She stretched her arm and put it on her shoulder. They were sitting in silence.

Einille was thankful for her cousin’s presence. It was enough to make her feel all right despite the chaos in her mind.

“Forget him. Anyway, where these lovely roses came from?” She pointed out the vase.

“From Vale, he dropped by at the camp earlier.”

“Oh, from Valentino.” Shari paused, looking at her, “Why don’t you gave him a chance? He looked sincere, and not to mention, hot!”

She glared at her cousin, “No way! He’s not my type.”

Shari’s brow raised, “Excuse me? Are you blind? Vale is way hotter than Hero. He might not be as rich as your cheater, ex-boyfriend. At least he is single.” She knew Vale because that guy proudly introduced himself as her suitor when he visited the house before, along with few men serenading her. That was the night where Einille wanted to shrink in embarrassment.

Einille remained silent. Her cousin had a point, Vale was drop-dead gorgeous, so manly to look at because of his lean built and tall height. His tanned skin was perfect, too. And the way he carried himself showed self-assurance. But this would not change the fact that she didn’t like Vale. There were no spark and butterflies in her stomach.

“I don’t want to give a false hope to Vale,” she seriously said.

“I said give him a chance. You don’t know him. That’s why you’re saying he’s not your type. Besides, aren’t you planning to settle down next year? Vale is the perfect candidate. I mean, he’s stable and responsible.” Shari’s eyes beamed in excitement.

“I was in a rush to settle down, now look at what happened? I need to be extra cautious this time. Being single is also great.”

“You’re right,” Shari nodded, “Or maybe, you’re desperately looking out for a guy that you like, not the one you need. Want and need are two different things, and I guess Vale is the man that suits you best.”

“Don’t push your luck. I’m mending a broken heart. Getting in a new relationship spells disaster.” Einille stood up, “I’ll prepare our dinner.”

“I’ll help you.”

They went to the kitchen and prepared a sumptuous meal.