Stacy got taken aback. With his question, she doesn’t know what to answer. Something had gone wrong with her ears, but Zach was asking the right question. It’s not possible, right? They’ve been on each other’s side for a year, hiding behind Sam’s shadow, kissing each other inside the tinted cars so that no one would find out.
Did Zach just regard her as a pastime?
Stacy swallowed before speaking up, “Zach, I know you’re confused right now. But so you know, your heart was the one who would learn to remember those things and eventually, you’ll come back to square one.”
She gave a little smile. Zach was staring at her face. He must be processing all of it before turning to another conversation. Stacy straightened out his comforter, and sat down on the edge of the bed.
“How about my work, is it difficult?” Zach asked. Stacy reached out, holding his hand, and stared at his delicate knuckles for a while. It has certain bruises he attained from the car accident, but it’s still the strong hands whose hold her on the dance floor. Zach let her.“Not that difficult. We’re both radio producers, Zach. You are the top star, and I was on the second spot. Both of us have achieved so much.” Zach leaned forward, getting interested with the topic. Stacy doesn’t want to go on further, but she told him more of the details.
“You want to hear more?”
“Yeah.”
…
Sam walked inside the TDC Studios, and got an early call from the CEO, Mr. Gerand. She rushed to an empty elevator car, and closed the doors hastily. Sam doesn’t know what kind of talk she’d do, but it made her nervous.
As she walked to the 4th floor, Sam walked past ahead the employees who occupy the CEO’s work. What’s the good thing inside the TDC Studios is that they aren’t allowed to gossip with one another. Just a rumor spreading inside the studios meant you’re going to be removed from your job, even though you’re skilled and longer than the newbies.
Mr. Gerand doesn’t tolerate defamation. He doesn’t want an environment that has rumors flying out in their employees. Mr. Gerand guaranteed a letter that no one would be able to spread any rumor unless it’s from the outside.
Every employee in the TDC Studios had signed it.
Sam knocked on the door, waited for Mr. Gerand’s order to let her come inside.
“Come in.” His voice was formal. Sam went inside, look at his table, and he just started his work.
“Good morning, Ms. Samantha Lee.”
“Good morning, too, Mr. Gerand.”
He cleared his throat, motioning for her to sit down at the couch. Mr. Gerand propped his hands at the table as Sam settled down, wearing off her shoulder bag. She raised her eyebrows, asking, “What’s the reason you called me over here?”
“I just want to ask about something that concerned Mr. Zachary Gonzales.”Sam widened her eyes. They cut their ties, so she doesn’t have anything to do with him anymore. Sam blinked, waiting for him to continue.
“Well, I was aware of his car accident. Even his team was devastated to find out about this unfortunate event. Do you think someone is behind this accident?”
It never crossed her mind until now. She pursed her lips, looking down at her bag, and wondered about who it was. Sam didn’t respond for a while. Sighing, she shook her head.
Mr. Gerand nodded. “I know you have cut ties with him over the last 3 months. I’m aware of the separation between the two of you. Maybe you’re not into searching for the perpetuator who has done this to Sean.”
Sam has a detective brother. He had been in the industry for a while. Tristan Lee can actually track the one who did that to Zach.
“Mr. Gerand. I don’t know the reason you called me here, but can you at least know I’m not interested with Zach anymore?” Sam couldn’t help but to straighten it out. Mr. Gerand has known how bold she was. Sam hasn’t backed out from that figure anymore.
“Ms. Samantha Lee, he just turned in his resignation to the company via email. I just thought you ought to know he’s not going to be here anymore.”
Sam swallowed. She has known it would happen. Stacy and his family have planned all out, severing any tie, cutting out Sam from his life. Sam nodded. She responded, “I’ve known it would happen, Mr. Gerand. It isn’t that surprising at all. I know you’re going to approve that, too.”
“His family talked to me, too, a while before you. They’ve thanked my gratitude for keeping their son over the past few years. Well, he did a very good job being a producer. Now, TDC Studios has rich radio shows, and he’s one of them,” Mr. Gerand explained. Sam wouldn’t rule out the skill Zach has when it comes to creating concepts.
He never failed to impress a thousand-people audience even if he spoke up only 6 words. Sam sighed, mumbling, “I wouldn’t eradicate my admiration to him. He’s too good in his radio show. Zach had never failed to impress me when we’re still in college.”
“That’s right.”
…She’s left alone in the office, typing up something in her screen. But after the door closed, Sam flailed her fingers to a stop. She sighed, looking at the lines she written for the drama they had to produce, and burst out crying. She’s been holding onto it for the entire shift she had.
Sam had never been this failed in life. She felt like the only thing who could give her comfort was Zach’s words. Sam shook her head vigorously. It wasn’t him…
She could do it without him…
Sam wiped the tears flowing out of her cheeks. Her cell phone rang.
Turning to it with a blurry vision, Sam saw its Lyza.
She answered it quickly. Lyza must have gone back from her business trip.
“Sam!” she squealed. Lyza heard the sob from the other end of the line. She has gone quiet, too. Sam turned to the table, buried her hands inside her palms, gritting her teeth.
“What happened?” Lyza asked.
“Come by…” Sam stuttered. She shook of her head first, trying to calm her down.
“What? I’ll drop by in your office.”
…
Sam stared at the steam of the coffee Lyza ordered. Her friend crossed her arms over her chest. Sam couldn’t grab anything to scream onto, but the pain she had dealt with over the past few days was unbearable. With the revelation Stacy has made, Sam couldn’t help but to think what she lacked.
“I don’t know if I was the one at fault. I’ve known how much I love Zach, but when I see him with another woman inside our house, all the trust and foundation I’ve built with him broke off. It couldn’t support my weight anymore.”
Lyza listened in.
“Stacy said everything to me, on how they started to see each other behind my back. I don’t know if it’s my fault, but Stacy was there when Zach needed me the most. She was the one who saved him… the one’s shoulder to lean on… and I wasn’t there for him, Lyza.”
She looked up, and the tears brimmed in her lids.
“I wasn’t there when he felt like he lost his world.”
It was a month after his car accident. He stood close in the hospital window while his family took care of the things. Zach doesn’t know if he should help, but they insisted for him not to move, even if he can fold on the clothes he’s on. Stacy slung his bags over his shoulders, and Zach came up on her rescue, retrieving the bags in her hands. “It is fine, Zach. You should stay there. Don’t exert yourself.” Zach was still on unprogressive state. His mind is still blank, and he couldn’t remember anything. They hoped that flying in to another country can give them ample amount of therapy he needed. Zach dreaded that the memories he had weren’t that good, that’s why his family isn’t saying something. “I can bring these, Stacy. Don’t treat me like a baby who couldn’t lift things.” Zach slung the bags over his shoulder while his parents cleared up the private ward. Stacy smiled to him, and she looked stressed. She must not be getting enough sleep based on how sunken her eyes were.
“You are always nagging me to do the things when I’m tired!” Dinner supposed to be happy conversations and laugh between them. But when Sam stood in the kitchen door’s frame, nagging Zach to repair a light bulb, he burst out like an angry old man. Sam didn’t know how to react, knuckling her fists at the side, astonished by her boyfriend’s words. Zach scratched the back of his head, turning his heel around, and slammed the bedroom door tight. Sam froze, too stunned to speak. What is it that she heard? Is it another behavior she hadn’t seen from Zach for a long time? Sam maintained her balance, leaning at the door frame, and swallowed. The lump on her throat made her out of breath, as if she’s catching it after a split second. No air meant she’s getting suffocated. Sam sniffed, fighting back the raging tears, and goes back to the kitchen. She wiped her bare face, looking at the dishes to wash, and sighed. Sam closed her eyes, resting for a bit
It’s too old to even fight with a single argument, but for Sam, it convicted her whole purpose as a woman. Being disrespected with a single word is everything to Sam. He shouted only a sentence and it broke her dignity. Sam would never accept and tolerate that kind of action towards her. Why is he even asking about their marriage when he’s apologizing? Sam didn’t want to believe this man’s attitude at all. As their relationship took its 10th year peak, she realized the bumps of the road. Sometimes, you just have to let go of too much pain. Like what she’s experiencing with Zach. “Do you just have to do this now when we’re going to get married in a few months?” Zach asked her. Sam couldn't believe she's hearing that question. How can he even think of this marriage by now? When his behavior wasn't the same as when they're just both a couple? Sam shook her head. Looking at his eyes, Sam didn’t know if he was the same man she loved at first sigh
Kissing her underneath the sweet music of the hotel room meant how much thirsty Zach had been. He slammed the door, making sure it’s locked, and pulled her closer. He swirled his tongue to her. She did the same thing. A chuckle even came out from her lips. The back of her knees found the edge of the bed, and she quickly sit down. Zach traveled his hands to her tight coat, and slipped his fingers on the button. He released it and wore it off from her smooth shoulders. Zach was a bit aggressive this time. She scraped her hands in his scalp, pulling the strands, and it made Zach grit his teeth in her chin. She moaned, liked the pleasure he brought to her. Zach whispered, “I wanted to be inside you, Stacy.” Opening her eyes, she pushed him away. That hard he sprawled on the floor right away. Stacy puffed her cheeks, glaring at him. Zach has come to his senses, yelping out, “Why are you resisting me now?” Stacy brushed her fingers in her scalp, c
Sam decided to take the overtime job today again. Besides, she got nothing to do in Lyza’s house but to slack off in her soft couch. Her office was silent, and the only noise she can hear was the keyboard she’s typing on. Sam’s heart became heavy as usual, and she had gathered up a lot of strength every morning to get out of Lyza’s couch. It has been 4 days since she last seen Zach, and they’re not communicating ever since.He must have enjoyed a lot with his mistress, eh?Whenever it flooded his mind, Sam got distracted. Her eyes gone back to the ring she received when Zach proposed the marriage to her, and she chuckled. Why was she still wearing this? Sam leaned back to her swiveling chair, sighing. Looking at the glamorous gem perched at the top of the silver ring, it’s beautiful. Sam knew she was the happiest when she received that ring. She wanted to spend her life with Zach, no matter what happened.But
Sam’s empty eyes landed to Zach’s panicking ones. His hair was tousled, like he was just gotten out of a bewitching love-making session. Standing there, she knew it. There was a silhouette of a woman by Zach’s back, only a distance from the door. Sam chose to ignore it, but her insides crumpled like a paper. It kept on shattering, like someone slammed a sledgehammer. Sam sighed. She waited for Zach to ask the question, but Sam’s not going to respond. She’s not here to come home. She’s here to confront someone. Zach let go of the doorknob, saying, “You’re home.” Sam thought he’s going to ask that question. She thought he’s going to ask if the week is over yet. Sam thought he’s going to push her away because of that damn space, but no. He welcomed her home… with the mistress behind his back. What a brazen act to do. Zach stood there with his stony face. Sam didn’t even form the words, but her eyes speak of loathe. Zach sighed, knowing Sam had seen Stacy. He
1 year ago. Before everything fell apart. “You promised to be with me forever?” It was their 9th anniversary, and they celebrated in the small restaurant by the street of their home. They don’t have time to book somewhere elegant, so they decided to celebrate it simple. Sam and Zach sat down by the table, waiting for their order. The sweet and serene music played over the speakers, adding the cozy and romantic atmosphere in. Sam couldn’t help but to stare at him fixatedly. Zach is the only rest she has known. After 9 years of being with him, she couldn’t help to fall in love further. Everything about him was perfect. Zach sighed, uttering sadly, “I’m sad now, you know.” “Why?” “The rank of my show goes down on like… 100 units. That’s a 20 person lost listeners on our show.” Zach doesn’t want any failure in life, but this doesn’t mean everything he does will lead to a wrong path. Sam understood the statistics of the radi
How could the man she used to spend her days with became a stranger in just one snap? How could the woman he used to kiss at night and cuddle at sleep became a person he’s just going to pass in the street? It all goes back to the top. When the first time they glanced at each other’s eyes, they didn’t know each other well. And now, it all happened again. Zach furrowed his eyebrows, darting his eyes somewhere. He was the first one to back out. Zach couldn’t stand Sam’s empty eyes at him. It was what she usually glimpsed at him. It was how fast the day changes. How fast the stars disappeared at night whenever the sun rises. How fast the sunset began. Sam didn’t even convey a single word and just flapped back the papers in the clipboard. She breathed, her eyes looking straight ahead. Zach didn’t even move an inch, and why does Sam cared? It’s lunchtime. They always run up each other in between of works when 12 o’clock hit the clock