"I mean, we are doing well in five years, so I guess, a piece of paper does not make any difference," added Eric when he, perhaps, sensed that we got dumbfounded.
I smiled and nodded, but tried hard to conceal my embarrassment and sense of shame. I felt rejected, unwanted, and undesired.
"It makes a great difference if you were to ask me, Eric. One of the best days of my life was when I walked down the aisle with the woman I love," Mr. Tim Cruz pointed out, and I swore, I saw Mr. Grey smirked and threw a scornful look at Eric.
To my added embarrassment, Mr. Cruz turned to Mr. Grey and solicited for his idea. "Sean, what is your opinion regarding this?"
All I wanted at that moment was to faint and not wake up forever when he glanced and cast me a look of pity.
"I have the same view as you do, Tim. When the right time comes, I will ask her hand for a marriage," seconded Mr. Grey while his eyes stayed on me. Right at that moment, the last straw of my reluctance to leave Eric had lifted off. Someday, I would be able to repay him with money if all he cared was only that.
Another businessman approached us, and soon we separated. Eric found himself another business colleague, earning himself another praise for having me in his life. I then wondered why Eric had not seen me as others did, and I started to question my self-worth. If I happened to be in a relationship with somebody else, would he also treat me like how Eric did?
I was lost in my reverie when my phone vibrated. I pulled it out from my purse and checked the caller's identity. It was an unregistered number, and I knew it wasn't from the hospital where I worked. It's neither from my patients because I never gave my private number to any of them or their family members. The call disturbed me, thinking it could be an emergency, so I decided to give a ring back. Before my call went through, a message notification popped out. To my relief, it was the same number as the one who had just called a few seconds ago.
I felt like dying when the message went this way, "Nice meeting you, Dr. Red. I wish to grab more time with you tonight. Sean Grey."
Glancing at Eric, who got hooked to their discussion, I replied. "Thank you, Mr. Grey."
His reply came right away. "May I have a dance with you later?"
I was flying to the moon then but I sank back the next moment, afraid that Eric might be furious. Then, I remembered Eric's instruction before we came here. He said I should make sure I would grab Mr. Grey's attention, so what else could make me happier tonight?
"I'd be happy to," I replied, and instantly came the raptured feeling I so longed to feel.
After a few minutes, the program started, and so the formal launching of Laminae, Inc. The word shock was an understatement when a slideshow presented all the businesses of Mr. Grey. He then came up next and elaborated on the presentation, which earned him gasps of appreciation and rounds of applause. If I considered Eric a successful businessman, he was just a speck against the achievements of Mr. Grey. I then understood why Eric was willing to sell me to him, and it was sadly because of his greed for more wealth and fame.
Dinner followed, and we seated ourselves in a table. Soon after that, came the ball. All bright lights turned dim in a moment, and soon became a kaleidoscope of multicolored lights. Romantic music from the orchestra started to flow, and the men who brought their dates for the night hurried to the dance floor. Perhaps, I got so hooked in watching them swaying their bodies to the rhythm that I didn't notice Eric's absence. He neither asked my permission nor gave me a little amount of respect by telling me about his plans for tonight. All of a sudden, my eyes flew wide in seeing Eric across the dance floor, holding a woman's waist. Despite the dim lighting, I could still figure out that he was flirting with the woman because I saw his hand moved across her back and lingered on her behind.
Though a few minutes ago, I made a firm decision to find a way to leave him, seeing him now in another's arms, still consumed me with pain and jealousy. Big drops of tears began to trickle down my cheeks. In the next moment, I lost my self-control, and I started to sob. I never knew it could be this painful. My heart felt like it was run over by a heavy object. I was glad the music was loud enough to muffle the sound of my stifled cries, just as how thankful I was, as well, for the dim lights that veiled my tears.
I soon forgot about the deal I made with Mr. Grey. My mind was in a total mess. I felt emotionally battered with the sense of rejection, worthlessness as a person, and dignity-stripped as a woman. I was not sure if I could ever stop my tears the moment the music stops, and I also could not tell how long I would be able to endure.
Right then, I decided not to let Eric see I was hurting, nor let him know I was crying. It was the only sense of pride left in me. I remembered some people said that the best revenge we could give to a cheating partner is to let them feel we are not affected. That leaving us for someone else is not our loss, but theirs.
I wiped my tears and dubbed a pressed powder on my cheeks. I then bent down and applied a new layer of lip color. Just as I put my kit back in my purse, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned and looked behind my shoulder, and my heart leaped instantly at the sight of who was there.
"Mr. Grey," I mumbled softly, as I suddenly felt nervous. He was no longer the patient I met but a prominent worldwide figure.
"May I have a dance with you?"
As if the music conductor knew that the most important figure of the night approached the dance floor, the music instantly turned into the most romantic strain I ever heard. The moment he placed his hands on the small of my lower back and me on his shoulders, my world began to spin. The sound of my heartbeats competed with the loud sound of the percussion instrument hammering in the background."You're so beautiful without the white coat on," Mr. Grey commented after he ran down his eyes on me. I felt like wax then, melting against the glow of his gaze."Thank you," was all I could mutter after letting out a faint and awkward smile. I was no longer the dominant doctor I was, knowing that I was in his territory."How are you and Mr. Martela?"The question sent shivers down my spine, and it brought back the pain I was trying to push back inside. I couldn't look into his eyes, so I kept staring at his chest, hoping he wouldn't notice my reaction.
It had been some weeks already after that first and last time Mr. Grey dropped me off at home. When he gave me that piece of advice, I responded with just a smile. I couldn't pour out all my heartaches to him because I didn't want him to think that he was better than Eric because he was richer. And besides, we were still strangers who just got to know a little about each other. We were neither friends. Eric's shame was also mine because it also meant I was too stupid to allow him to trample my worth and pride.My mind was all set up. I would be leaving him. I was just waiting for the right time, and I would be breaking it to him gently. I was then slowly taking my distance. Oblivious to him, I was able to purchase my townhouse. After duty, I no longer went home. I just went there sometimes, but I wouldn't take long. I just told him I was accepting another job as a company doctor and slept at the doctor's lounge. It didn't seem to be a problem because he didn't argue with me a
I did not know how long I was crying on Sean's chest. He did not say a word but did not stop stroking my hair and my back. Knowing somebody cared and understood your heartache was such a nice feeling that my crying spell took longer. After what seemed like an eternity, I pulled myself up and looked at him with a faint smile. "Thank you, Mr. Grey." "Sean. We already agreed on this." "Ah, yes," I chuckled, feeling awkward. "I need to go back. They are already looking for me," I said as I looked around, ignoring his complaint. I sighed in relief when I realized we're standing on a corridor that only ER staff were using. I pulled my phone out and saw unread messages. I then opened the one from my fellow physician-on-duty. "Doc, Red,don't worry. I'm taking over. Mr. Martela asked if you are on duty, but I told him you are accompanying a patient who transferred to another institution." I smiled at Dr. Mimi's thoughtfulness, but I grumb
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 g
"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