Chapter 6

     Maria

    "Is he asleep?" Maria asked.

    The moment that I came back to our room. I found Maria biting her nails. This indicates that she's pretty nervous, but at the same time, I can see how her eyes glittered with excitement.

    I can't blame her. She's supposed to go home right now, technically go back to the hotel where she check-in. But I stopped her. And there she is, on the bed wearing a silk robe. I wanted to have alone time with her. It's been a week or two since the last time we saw each other. And I want to grab this chance since Angela forgot about me again. And all that I have is Maria.

    "Yes, his snoring. Tired of all the activities," I strolled towards Maria. "Thank you, Maria. For staying with me and for taking care of Thomas. This... " I stopped. And take in a deep breath, sat on the soft mattress, and gently grab her right hand, " I mean us. We are not your responsibilities, and here you are."

    Her features softened. "Hey, don't say that. Thomas, is my son okay? I missed taking care of my baby." She moved closer, wrapping her delicate hands around me, and automatically I pulled her closer. She buries her face into my chest and breath my sent. And I do the same I kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tight. 

    "Yeah, Godmother?" I joked.

    Maria can't help but giggle. I sighed. Her voice will be my favorite music, the synchronized beat of our heart will be my favorite rhythm. Her scent will be my favorite perfume.

    And I didn't stop myself. I pull Maria in for a kiss. To my delight, she kisses me back—same intensity, same rhythm, our mouths open and close in sync. My hand has its mind and runs all over her body. Her lips are sweet like honey with a hint of mint. That drives me crazy. My lips traveled to her collarbone, down to her proud breast. I can't help to massage her breast, and just like a hungry baby, I drunk all the sweetness her proud breast has to offer.

The next day...

    I gently opened and rubbed my eyes. And my gaze automatically darted to the beautiful woman sleeping beside me. She's silently snoring, tired of what we did last night, a mischievous smile plaster on my face. 

    Ahh... What a fantastic night. Maria never failed to express her love and her amazing knack in bed. She was pleasuring a lonesome man like me.

    I gently shoved some of the strings of her hair, and I want to stare at her smooth, beautiful, bared face. She's perfect. I gently kiss her cheek and whispered, sweet nothing.

    "If God gives me a chance, I'll do the same thing over and over again as long as it's you. You give a reason to live, my dear, Maria."

    She's worth all of these sacrifices. She's everything to me now. I love her.

    Yes, I love Maria. The only woman who makes me feel that I'm an amazing man. The only man she needs, I never felt this way before...even to my wife. Everything doesn't matter to Maria. She loved all of me; she loves my son. And most importantly, she was always there whenever I need her, whenever I needed solace.

    And that's the only matter to me. 

    Angela used to do that same thing to me. But now, around her. I'm barely a man, let alone anything else. But, still, it didn't change the fact that I do love Angela. If I didn’t, I would have left her long ago. It’s that love that I hold on to—not the money, the security, or the houses. Maria gives me the love that Angela can no longer. They both complete me. It’s sick, I know, but it’s true. I need them both.

    I let out a heavy sigh. When did this thing start? He can't even think a single thing. All he could remember was... He was drowned and addicted to Maria, and everything else matters.

    My soul will root in hell if Angela knows that Maria, her best friend is my mistress. Life is fuck! And so let it be.

    My attention was snatch. When I heard a loud bang over the window, and I noticed heavy raindrops. The wind goes wild, and the flash of lightning next is the thunderstorms.

     Life is like the weather. We wake up with calm and good weather, good life. But, the next thing we knew. We are facing thunder and rain. And now we're going to face the dark side of life. And this is his life in between.

    I guess?

    I decided to stand up. And drops Maria's leg that tangle with mine and walks to the bathroom. I Fixed myself, who, as of the moment, looked like a shit. My hair was out of place. My blue eyes are clouded with red.  I can only stand looking at myself for a few seconds before I must look away. I’m not ashamed of who I am, but I’m not proud either. I splash some water on my face and then onto my chest, abs, and dick. I’m too tired to shower. I pat myself dry with a towel.

    When I got out of the bathroom, Maria still asleep on the bed. I kissed her lips again and fixed her blanket. Her delicate boobs are exposed, and this is not the right time to devour them.

     I'm about to go outside the room when I heard a tiny little step. I looked to my right, and there he is Thomas. He just woke up, rubbing his eyes and walking half asleep.

    "D-daddy?"

    "Yes, baby." I squat when his few inches. And carry him in my arms, I feel his head on my shoulder. I pat his back; maybe he woke up because of the heavy rain outside.

    "Daddy, it's raining." He murmured in my ear.

    I laughed. "Yes, baby. It's raining outside, and we have to postpone our snorkeling today. Maybe, if there's no bad weather tomorrow, we will go to enjoy the beach. Okay?"

    "'Kay," he answered. But then again, I heard his heavy sigh.  "Daddy, did you call mum? I want to talk to her. She promised, dad."

    I was stunned. Even Thomas didn't see my reaction. I smile for a brief second before a wave of guilt span over me. I let out a sigh.

    "I'll call her... Later, okay," I give him a reassuring pat. Yeah, I'll call her later. Sometimes, I get a glimpse of who we used to be, and I think we can be that couple, that family again. But I’ve fucked up too much for that to ever happen, and Angela's career has always come first—before me, before us, before a family, before everything. I don’t foresee that ever-changing.

    "Thank you, Dad. I'm hungry. I want to eat," before he could even speak, I heard his tummy grumbling.

    I loved the house that Angela purchased. It's a complete package, and I'm glad that it also has the appliances we needed. The 50-Inch tv hanging on the wall together, with Dolby surround speakers; I love how cozy and relaxing it is. Specifically, now that we're far from the nearest town. And I don't want Thomas to get bored and sick just because we're all hungry.

    When we reached the kitchen I put Thomas on the Island table. And look for something to cooked and being a jobless jerk I was before. The kitchen was his scapegoat.

    "What do you want to eat?" I asked him while I'm holding a piece of bread.

    "Grilled Cheese, dad," he answered happily. "I missed your grilled cheese, dad."

   A small smile draws on my lips. A genuine smile. "Grilled cheese coming right up," 

    "Mine, too. I love how you perfectly made my grilled cheese." Maria announced. 

    She's finally awake. She, too, was excited and hungry; they forgot to eat dinner last night except for Thomas, who eats with so much gusto.

    I almost run out of breath when she seductively winks at me. She was standing at the kitchen doorway and wearing a silk nightdress and a pink bathrobe, with her messy hair and everything. 

    "Such a tease," I softly mumbled.

    Ahh... This is one of those unforgettable and beautiful mornings I had.