Maine hurried through the wide restaurant and went to the rest room. Lost in her thoughts, she rounded a corner and collided with someone, her heart leaping into her throat. "Sorry, I didn't see you," Maine muttered, her gaze fixed on the ground as she hastily sidestepped the person she had bumped into. But as she glanced up, her breath caught in her throat, and her heart seemed to stop. It was Dylan. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as Maine stared at her ex-boyfriend, her mind racing with a flurry of emotions. Memories flooded back – the laughter, the tears, the moments of joy and heartache they had shared together. She felt a pang of nostalgia mixed with a tinge of regret as she realized how much had changed since they had parted ways. She thought she forget everything, but it seems that she was not moved on. Dylan's expression mirrored her own turmoil, his eyes wide with surprise as he took in Mia's presence. For a brief moment, neither of them spoke, the air thick
"Have you chosen anything yet?" Maine asked, forcing a smile to ease the tension she felt. "You choose," Demi replied listlessly, handing her the menu without even looking at her. Maine took the menu, her heart sinking a little at Demi's indifferent tone. She glanced at the list of dishes, but her mind was elsewhere. She couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. She knew Demi had noticed her earlier encounter with Dylan, and it seemed to have affected him more than he let on. "Why do you seem out of sorts?" Maine asked, trying to keep her voice calm. Demi remained silent, his gaze fixed on the table. Maine felt a pang of frustration mixed with concern. She wanted to reach out, to explain everything, but she didn't know how to start. "Demi, is this because of my conversation with Dylan?" she began, her voice trembling slightly. "We just bumped into each other, and we only talked briefly. There's nothing more to it." Demi finally looked up at her, his eye
The next day, Maine woke up early. It was her first day back at school, and she was eager to get started. Demi drove her to school. "I'll go home by myself later," she told him. "No, I'll pick you up," Demi replied firmly. Her day went smoothly. She learned a lot and enjoyed her new classmates and teachers. By three o'clock, her classes were over, and she was getting ready to go home. Demi had promised to pick her up. As she walked down the hallway, she saw Dylan standing by the side. She was startled by his presence and immediately felt a surge of anxiety. "Maine," Dylan called out, approaching her. "Can we talk?" She paused, taken aback. "What do you need, Dylan?" she asked, trying to maintain her composure. "Can we just talk for a moment?" Dylan pleaded, his tone almost desperate. "I just want to explain." Before Maine could respond, she saw Demi approaching. His eyes darted between her and Dylan, clearly concerned. "Demi," Maine called out, making sure her voic
Maine saw Dylan at their school again. He was waiting for her, just like yesterday. It seemed like he was really waiting specifically for her. "What are you doing here again?" she asked, frowning at him. "I just wanted to explain, Maine," he replied. "I don't want to hear it, Dylan," Maine said, crossing her arms. "Please, just give me a minute," Dylan pleaded. Maine hesitated but then sighed, "Fine, you have one minute. What is it?" Dylan took a deep breath, "I know I've been bothering you, and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." "Then why have you been doing it?" Maine demanded, her frustration evident. "I was trying to find the right moment to talk to you," Dylan admitted. "I know it sounds stupid, but I didn't know how else to get your attention." "You could have just talked to me like a normal person," Maine said, shaking her head. "Instead, you made things weird." "I realize that now," Dylan said, looking genuinely remorseful. "I just wanted
Demi and her Uncle Sandro went home together. They asked Lourdes to cook some appetizers. “ Lourdes really cooks well,” said Sandro as he sat on the sofa. “Oh, you’re just flattering me, Senyorito Sandro,” replied Lourdes shyly. “Oh, it's not flattery, Lourdes. What Uncle says is true,” Demi chimed in while setting the plates on the table. “Yes, Lourdes. You’ve always been so good at this. Your cooking is still excellent,” added Sandro. Lourdes smiled. “Thank you. Your words really warm my heart.” "That's why I try not to stay here too long, because you always make me gain weight," Sandro joked, laughing. Maine laughed along with him. "Uncle, you've never gained weight. It's like you're on a diet whenever you eat here." "That's true," said Lourdes, "because you're always busy and out. So when you're here, I make sure you eat well." "Well, I really can't resist your cooking, Lourdes," said Sandro as he tasted a piece of the appetizer. "It's really delicious!" "Thank
After a brief trip to the restroom, Sandro returned and noticed some women sitting on a bamboo bench outside the hut. He glanced out the window and asked, "Who are the women sitting on the bamboo bench?" "Oh, those are Jessa and her friends," Demi replied, standing nearby. "Have they graduated? Are they working now?" Sandro asked. "Jessa hasn't passed the board exam yet, so she's working here for now, managing the finances on the farm," he explained to his friend. "Why do you ask?" "No reason, really. I just noticed there are a lot of beautiful women here on your farm. I don't get out much," Sandro replied with a smile. "Do you like her?" Demi asked, teasingly. "Hmm, no. I don't like women who dress provocatively. That woman is almost naked," Sandro answered. "Maybe she's just feeling hot. Most of them dress like that here," Demi looked at the woman his friend is referring . "Aren't you tempted?" Sandro asked again. "No, I'm used to it. Besides, if I don't like someo
"This is part of being married to each other, Jermaine," said Demitri, slowly removing his clothes. "No—no!!! It can't be!!" She stepped back as her husband approached. "Sweetheart, there's nothing more you can do. We're married now, what else can you say to me? Besides, I've invested a lot in you. Perhaps it's time for you to reciprocate everything..." he murmured as they neared the bed. She sat down on the soft mattress, realizing she was the only one sleeping in it. Her spouse stood by the door, an extension of that room, so as not to arouse suspicion from their housemates that they weren't sleeping side by side. "But, Demitri... we're only married on paper!" She continued to look for a way to stop him, holding onto her clothes to avoid his touch. The man stopped in front of her. Gently, he held her chin and looked into her eyes. "Is what I give you still not enough, Jermaine? I'm only asking this now, but can't you grant me this one thing?" Jermaine felt the intensity in h
She woke up the next day with her whole body aching. Her head hurt, and the pain was throbbing in her temples. How many times had the man claimed her? She couldn't remember anymore. All she could recall was the ecstasy brought by their union. She checked the time, it was already ten o'clock... Suddenly, she felt ashamed of her husband. She felt as if she had tempted him. (How will I face him? It's so embarrassing.) She covered herself with the blanket. She noticed that he was no longer beside her. He was probably downstairs chopping wood again. She got up and noticed the stain on the bed cover. She decided she would just change it later. She took a shower first. As she touched her lips, she smiled. The sweetness of Demi's kiss still lingered there. After taking a bath, she dried her hair and combed it. She noticed that her eyes seemed to sparkle. "Why do I look so beautiful?" she asked herself. She put on a bit of cologne and then stepped out. Looking out the window, s