Eric rolled up his window and threw me a confused stare. Suddenly, I lost my courage to say it personally to him that I was already leaving. Not because I had hesitations, but because I did not want to hurt myself anymore. I knew he would start insulting me again and remind me how ungrateful I was.
"Eric," I greeted him as soon as I was done placing some of my things in the passenger's seat. It was not much anyway because I already pulled some of it every time I dropped by.
"What happens to your car?" I was right. He didn't notice the absence of my things, even in our bedroom. Either he was too busy with my best friend, or he just didn't care about it. I was used to it, anyway.
"It's safe from scratches here. Long hours in the hospital's parking lot is too risky."
"I won't mind. You can have it fixed anytime."
Oh, really. What makes him so gentle today?
"Thank you," I said, giving him a pursed smile. "Eric, I have to go now."
Eric stared at me and chuckled afterward. "You sure you don't want to talk to me about Shirley?"
I shook my head and didn't say a word. Yet, the pursed smile on my lips didn't save my tears from clouding my vision. To save me from an emotional outbreak, I bid him a quick goodbye then slid into the waiting taxi. Eric didn't seem to mind anyway. He dismissed me easily without raising an argument.
As soon as I asked the taxi driver to go, my eyes fell unconsciously to the other car that stopped behind Eric. I saw the driver opening the hood, perhaps checking some trouble with the engine inside. Yet, as we moved past them, I noticed the window rolling down. To my surprise, I saw a familiar face grinning at me. Before I could take my eyes off him, my phone vibrated. It was from Sean.
"Stop right there," Sean said. "I'll take you wherever you want to go."
Just because I was stunned, I got lost for word. Eric did not even offer the same thing to me, although I was glad he didn't. I only returned to my senses when the taxi driver called my attention that a car was blocking our way.
"Ma'am, do you know who's in that car?" the driver's anxious voice jolted my attention.
I did not have to answer the driver anymore because Sean walked to us and knocked on the passenger's door. I opened my bag and pulled out paper bills from my purse, handing it to the driver after making an apology.
"Let me take your things." Sean's wide smile greeted me as soon as I opened the door for him. His charm captivated me again that I was no longer able to refuse. I only realized how I looked silly when I felt his face close to me. He was reaching over for the bag I placed beside me.
"Is this all? Or, did you put something else in the trunk?"
I looked at the driver, and somehow, that look made him go out from his seat and picked up my things for me. Sean followed him anyway without waiting for my answer, so I was able to take a deep breath before stepping out of the car.
"Here, sir." I heard the driver speaking to him as he showed him my things. "Shall I place these bags in your trunk?"
"Yes, please," I heard Sean replied before turning back to me. I just stood a few feet from the taxi, watching them with a slow processing mind. Who would ever think that a famous billionaire would be carrying my things?
Ushering me first into the comfort of his car and sitting right next to me afterward, made me more uncomfortable. This had become more personal, I thought, to have me in his car. If his sudden appearance and his presence overwhelmed me, his next move stunned me further.
"Easternville Block 7, 10th house," Sean said, instructing his personal driver where to go. It was the address of my new place. How does he know about it? Is he stalking on me?
I stole a glance at him, but I met his amused smile instead. I was tall, but he was still much taller than me that I had to tilt my head back to be able to see his face.
"I already expected that you would confront him first thing after your shift. So, I planned to wait outside, in case he would be violent. However, I did not expect that it would end up easier."
I gazed at him tongue-tied. He seemed to know so much about my private life. I did not say a word, but I knew he followed my eyes as I glanced at the driver. I would never start a scene with another unwanted audience, especially his driver. He nodded and smiled, giving me that tender look again.
The rest of the short trip was silent. The moment the driver pulled to a stop in front of my gate, I did not have to invite Sean into the house because he carried all my bags. His driver followed next, bringing what seemed like boxes of food. Sean took it from him and placed it at my dining table. And contrary to what I expected, I heard Sean dismissed his driver, and the latter left, leaving Sean and me alone with each other.
"Can we have breakfast first?"
I glanced at the boxes on top of the table and smiled. "Thanks for bringing it, Sean. You must have expected that I have nothing here except water."
"I know. That's why I also bought some instant foods and beverages." I stood gaping at what he said, but he stepped closer and hovered over me--chuckling while placing a hand at my shoulder. Dear skies, I felt I could faint at any moment. I had never felt this way with Eric.
I got an excuse to get away from him as I suggested to open the boxes and spread the food on the plates. I also heated the cups of coffee he bought before mixing up the cream and sugar for the two of us. Sean sat across from me, and we started eating our breakfast silently. I was about to sip my coffee when a hand grabbed mine that was holding the cup. I looked up with a puzzled expression.
"You have to sleep well. No coffee before sleeping." I held my breath for a second, as I felt my heartbeats racing. I didn't need the caffeine anyway. His presence was enough to boost my energy.
"I'm used to this. I can still sleep," I smiled awkwardly. "No. Drink milk, instead. I also bought a little." "What-" "Wait." He cut me off, only to make me wait. Yet, when he came back, he already had two bags in his hands. My eyes got wide when he pulled out a big can of milk. Standing to take it from him, I giggled. "Thanks, Sean, but I'm not a baby anymore." "The babies are not the only ones who need a good rest. Adults, also. And milk contains melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep. You're the doctor here, so I don't have to give further explanation." I raised both my hands, still giggling. "Okay, okay, I'll drink the milk. I don't need another lecture. What else do you have there?" I stood up next to him as I opened the two bags and looked at what he got. I shook my head in amusement when I saw that those foods were even enough to feed me for three months: nuts, chocolates, cookies, noodles, dri
Sean slowed down as we were about to enter the basement entrance of a tall building in one of the famous parks of the city. He did not tell me where we were going; he just diverted our conversation into some trivial topics. I put my head forward so that I could take a look at the whole facade-- from top to bottom. Built of tinted glass and silver steel framework in a contemporary design, its mirrored glass panes reflected the lights of the lamp posts and the night view of the surroundings. It wouldn't take more than just a glance to tell that the building was a work of elegance. What caught my attention next was the bold, silver signage enclosing the beautiful landscape that glittered against the evening lights.LAMINAE, INC."So, this is your building?" I asked, looking at him with awe.Sean chuckled and threw me a glance. We were already descending towards the basement parking lot that required his focus. "Not only mine, but I also have business partn
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 aweas 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'tinvite 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