Jealousy is like the hot coals that scorch the soles of your feet. You can’t walk properly until all your wounds are healed. *** Alina hastily sat on the edge of her bed soon after hearing footsteps marched to her bedroom. Her face flashed brightly. She tidied up her hair with her fingers. She didn’t want to look messy in the eye of her special guest. Alina’s facial expression turned gloomy when Ansel came alone. “Where’s Qeiza?” she asked. “You met her, didn't you?” Ansel sat on the left side of Alina. He forced his lips curving up. “Qeiza’s still very busy, Mom,” he said. “She’s accompanying her boss.” Ansel’s heart was painful. He imagined Qeiza smile brightly at Chin Hwa. He wanted to get rid of that man from Qeiza’s side. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find them. There’s no other way for him but to tell a lie to Alina. “She doesn’t work in your office?” Alina asked. Ansel shook his head. “No, she doesn’t, Mom.” “Why? It'll be better if she works in your office, right?” Ansel
A male lion will never let other lions enter his territory. *** “Stop it!” Qeiza held Ansel’s wrist. “You prefer to defend this bastard than me?” Ansel’s fist was getting harder. “It’s already late,” said Qeiza. She struggled to control the tone of her voice and emotion. “It’s time for resting in peace. You don’t want to invite the people whom live here to get out, right?” Ansel was still holding on with his annoyance. His sharp eyes stabbed at Adnan. It made Qeiza feel mad. She then released her hand from Ansel’s. “It’s up to you. Do as you please!” said Qeiza. “I’m going to bed.” Qeiza turned around. Ansel could just stare blankly. He didn’t believe that Qeiza would act that easy. “If one of you needs a medical helper, you have to find him by yourself,” Qeiza said. “I’m too lazy to aid stubborn little kids.” The sound of a door bang awakened Ansel from his stupor. Adnan grinned. With no warnings, he landed a blow on Ansel’s stomach. Ansel grimaced in pain. He glared at Adna
It’s natural to feel jealous when you see your partner with someone else. What’s not natural is when the jealousy is so blind that you hurt her physically and emotionally. *** “You said you’re inviting a designer today. Where is she?” asked Ansel. He looked around. No one was in the living room but the couple. They looked confused. They stared blankly at the door. “Why are you dumbfounded?” Ansel waved his hand in front of Felix’s eyes. Felix and Joanna came to their senses. “Ah, Ansel … have a seat!” said Joanna. She was a bit awkward. “You both look weird,” said Ansel. “Is it because she’s not coming?” “Who’s?” Felix asked. His face looked stupid. “Who else if not the designer you wanted to introduce to me.” Felix and Joanna looked at each other again. “Sorry,” said Felix. “She’s just left.” “Has left? Why so fast?” Ansel smelled something fishy. “I don’t know. She seemed in hurry,” said Joanna. “She might not feel confident to show her works to strangers,” commented Anse
Being mature is not only about your age getting older, but also about how to be wise in facing various problems. *** Qeiza reached out her hand. She grabbed the phone on the right corner of the desk. Chin Hwa’s warm voice soon touched her ear. He asked her to come into his room. Qeiza took her design book. She rashly granted Chin Hwa’s call. She had no time to taste the drink Aleta served. From where she was standing, Aleta stomped one of her feet. She was frustrated as Qeiza didn’t taste the drink she brewed specially. Her jealous gaze continuously following Qeiza’s steps into Chin Hwa’s room. “Here it is,” said Qeiza. She gave him her design book. “Thanks.” Chin Hwa took over the book from Qeiza’s hand. He slowly opened it. He paid attention to the details of Qeiza’s design chosen by Joanna. “What kind of fabrics will you use to make this dress?” asked Chin Hwa. “According to the theme that Joanna asked, I’ll use the combination of some kinds of fabrics.” “Didn’t you say tha
Once in a while, a problem is getting closer when we want to avoid it. *** Lying down on the bed, Qeiza still couldn’t close her eyes. Her mind was filled with Alina’s words. Her ex-mother-in-law wanted her to remarry Ansel. What a hard request for her to grant. “Qei, you’ll remarry Ansel, won’t you?” said Alina. Her eyes stared hopefully at Qeiza. Qeiza kept silent. She had no idea what to say. She had closed her heart tight for Ansel. “I–I thank you so much for your attention, Aunty.” Qeiza spoke after a long time of silence. She answered while directing her gaze at her hand that Alina was holding. She was confused how to tell Alina about her decision. “Qei!” Alina called. Qeiza raised her head. For a few seconds, she got nervous when her eyes glued at Alina’s. Hastily she averted her look. “I’m sorry, Aunty,” said Qeiza. “All is over.” Alina sighed in disappointment. She got rid of Qeiza’s hand. Her eyes felt warm and teary. Alina looked down. She hadn’t talked for some ti
A woman sometimes behaves like a dove. Though she looks tamed, she will fly away when a man tries to approach her. Don’t push her. Just make her feel comfortable. *** Qeiza shouted in surprise. When she opened her eyes, her gaze crashed on a couple of eyes. They were watching her intensely. The distance of her face from the owner of those eyes was so close, less than an inch. Qeiza’s hysterical scream forced Chin Hwa to stand upright. That’s when Qeiza tried to sit up. Because of too rashly pulling her legs and suddenly getting up, Qeiza swayed. She almost fell down. Chin Hwa moved swiftly. He grabbed Qeiza’s waist. It caused her face landing right on Chin Hwa’s chest. Qeiza was nervous. The scent of orange blossom and neroli wafted from Chin Hwa’s body. It felt so fresh. The perfume of Patchouli and cedar also felt very calming. It made Qeiza feel comfortable to stay in Chin Hwa’s embrace. However, it didn’t slow down her racing heartbeats. The same thing happened to Chin Hwa. H
When you love a woman in the wrong ways, you’ll just chase her away. *** Qeiza was pensive. She read the messages she had just received. Chin Hwa was still concentrating at driving. Seeing Qeiza was silent, he averted his attention for a few seconds from the way to Qeiza. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Bad news?” “Nothing,” said Qeiza. “Just messages from Miss Joanna.” “Did she change her mind about the wedding dress?” “No, she didn’t.” “So?” “She asked me to meet. She said there’s something important she wants to discuss.” “Won’t you have an appointment next week?” Qeiza sighed. “Yeah, you’re right,” she said. “But … if she wants to see me today, I can’t refuse her either, right?” Chin Hwa agreed with Qeiza’s opinion. A customer was a king. They had to prioritize their customer’s satisfaction. “Wanna immediately go there right now? I’ll escort you,” asked Chin Hwa. “You don’t need,” said Qeiza. “I can go there alone later. The appointment is after lunch.” Chin Hwa stopped sp
It’s not good to believe in other people too much, although you know them well. *** Ansel was getting closer. Qeiza moved aside. Her eyes rolled in all directions. She tried to find a way to flee. She had to leave the hotel room in no time. “This time, you won’t be able to run away again,” said Ansel. His eyes stared at Qeiza hungrily. “What do you want?” Qeiza tried to negotiate with him in order to buy the time. Ansel grinned. “Sign this paper!” he said. He raised the envelope in his hand high. “I don’t want to sign anything unclear,” replied Qeiza. Ansel’s face darkened. The flash in his eyes looked angrier. Qeiza’s stubbornness raised a hungry lion in his body. He stopped. He opened the envelope. He pulled out the papers in it. “You wanna read by yourself or I’ll read it for you?” asked Ansel. His hand was still holding the edge of the papers. “Tell me what it is!” Ansel completely pulled the papers out. He read the sentences written there. “This is a statement that you’