"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, drinks, and many others.
"Thank you so much, Sean. You're making me fat."
"A little more fat is sexier," he grinned, and the sparks in his eyes tickled my heart again.
"You're impossible." I didn't know how to reply to that anymore.
"You need to hurry up and go to sleep."
"Are you in a hurry?"
"Not at all. It's just that I want you to sleep as soon as possible. Your job is exhausting."
Whether it was flattery or just his thoughtfulness, yes, I was moved. If only Eric had half of this attitude, perhaps, I wouldn't leave him. But, I'm a woman who always keeps a sense of gratitude.
"Thank you," was all I could say. A sense of melancholy crept into my heart again.
"If you're done, you may go to bed now. I'll arrange these foods on your cupboards before I go. Send me a message when you wake up later."
"What? Does the famous Mr. Sean Grey clean up a table?"
"You won't believe it, but I only hire cleaners in the house every other day. I even do my laundry sometimes when I'm not busy. I cook my meals and clean up my dishes."
I stared at him with an open mouth. My admiration for him grew higher. Eric...my goodness, why shouldn't I leave him alone? Why do I always compare him to Sean? How they run their lives is not my business, and why should I bother Eric when he can afford it?
Gazing back at my stunned demeanor, Sean reached out a hand and pinched my nose. "Now, go to sleep. Let's talk later."
I went to my bedroom as Sean wouldn't stop pushing me to go to sleep. I changed into my sleepwear, did a quick feminine routine, then slipped into my bed. While waiting for my lids to pull down, I let my thoughts wander over to Eric. Is he still at the house now? Or is he with Shirley? What are the things that made Shirley more special to Eric? Why couldn't he give his heart to me?
Drops of tears run through my cheeks, drenching my pillow. I didn't know that betrayal hurts this much. Even though Sean's presence thrilled me and lifted my mood a while ago, now that I'm alone and in the middle of the four corners of my wall, the pang of pain started to creep again.
My thoughts then drifted back to a time in the past when Shirley and I first met. We came from the same university in college though we took different courses. She took up business administration while I took my pre-medicine course. I was at the coffee shop at that time, the usual place I hung out.
"Hi, Miss! Maybe you'll be interested to see my brochure?" Shirley sat across my table after she handed me her cosmetic brochure.
I looked at her and smiled. I'm not fond of using any cosmetics from a product dealer because Eric was very particular about the brand I was using. But, of course, I was his trophy, so he always wanted the best for me. The praises I got were always his pride. I scanned the pages with a feigned interest so as not to hurt her. Finding nothing that caught my interest, I politely handed it back to her.
"I'm sorry, Miss. Maybe next time," I said, smiling.
"My name is Shirley. It's alright, maybe next time there will be something you will like," she smiled back at me while she put the brochure back in her bag.
"You know what, I like people who love to do business," I said. However, there was something in her eyes that made me reluctant to let her go empty-handed.
"Because I have to. This is the only way to finish my studies. I don't have parents to support me or any family member."
That was how our friendship started. Because we were both orphaned, I was the best person to understand her. Since I had money already, I trimmed on my expenses and gave it to Shirley. When she finally graduated from her business course, I asked Eric a favor to let her work in his company.
"Let her come to the office tomorrow," he said, and in my happiness, I kissed him hard, sending us both into a passionate encounter on the bed the next moment.
I dozed off to sleep with the image of Shirley in my mind. She was smiling at me; her beautiful face reflected the golden rays of the sun behind her. She stood tall and sexy, wearing an expensive set of clothes this time. I was happy for her; she's now living according to her dream. She got promoted to a higher designation because she was good at what she did. She graduated with high honors and recognition, after all.
It was already past six when I woke up. I took a bath and hurried to change. I still have to do groceries because what Sean bought mainly was for snacks. I was already hungry. Now that I am living alone, I should be cooking my meals. I hired a Grab car since my place was far from the highway. As soon as I heard the sound of a car's engine in front of the house, I hurried to the door. To my surprise, Sean was already standing at the doorway, giving me that melting smile again.
"Why are you here?" I asked as soon as I seated myself next to him in his car. I just paid the Grab car driver because I was already too late in canceling my booking and that he had already arrived when I went out.
"I told you we'd talk later. Did I not?"
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
SEAN'S POV"What?" I froze for a while as I stared at her with my pulled-up brows. I may not know him personally yet, but I had already heard about him as the brain behind the Martela Group of Companies."Yes. The young and handsome man is Eric Martela. His family owns universities in the big city. You know, he loved my Calla so much. He even provided everything she wanted, including her education. Yet, one day, she replaced him with someone more powerful than him.""Do you think she can do it?" I held her gaze for a while, unable to believe my ears. Yet, she looked back at me straight in the eyes, wearing a sincere expression on her face."She grew up with me as her nanny. And ever since she was a child, she always dreamed of becoming famous and influential. I am afraid that her ambition would ruin her forever."I felt sick at the confession of Madame Cynthia. I adored Calla at first sight, but her revelation sullied my i