THREE - Part 2

Exelle

"You. I want you back, former Mrs. Alvez," echoed in my mind as I jolted upright in bed, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. My hand instinctively clutched my chest, seeking to calm the erratic beats of my heart. What was that? Why would I dream such a bewildering scenario? It was beyond reason, utterly insane for such a thing to manifest in reality.

Just as my racing thoughts began to settle, my attention was drawn to the insistent ringing of my cellphone, perched atop the nightstand next to my bed. I reached out and glanced at the screen, eager to identify the caller responsible for disrupting my disoriented state.

Anonymous Calling.

Curiosity mingled with suspicion, giving rise to a flurry of questions within me. Who could be audacious enough to contact me anonymously at this early hour? And how did they acquire my private contact information? As I pondered these thoughts, the sunlight seeped through the gaps in the curtains, casting curious streaks of light across the room. Morning had arrived, of that I was certain.

Resolute in my decision to break away from my habit of answering unknown calls, I let the phone ring unanswered. Placing it back on the nightstand, I swung my legs off the bed and stretched, seeking a momentary release from the lingering sense of unease. With renewed determination, I hastened to the bathroom to commence my daily routine.

***

Thirty minutes passed, and I came out of the bathroom, feeling refreshed. My curiosity about the missed calls compelled me to check my phone once again. The sight that greeted me nearly caused my jaw to drop in astonishment.

10 missed calls.

0 messages.

Seriously? Who on earth could be so persistent? I scrutinized the caller's ID, realizing that it belonged to the same anonymous individual as before. Furrowing my brow, I found it peculiar that someone would make such an excessive number of calls if it were merely a prank.

"Who the hell is this?" I muttered under my breath, placing the device back on the nightstand and attempting to dismiss it from my thoughts. Morning had arrived, and I should be focusing on the matters that deserved my attention, rather than allowing myself to be disturbed by such trivialities. Yet, truth be told, a spark of curiosity ignited within me as well.

Turning my attention to the task at hand, I opened the fifth closet, extracting a black dress from within. Even now, I couldn't fathom why I hadn't opted for a spacious walk-in closet instead of enduring the inconvenience of ten separate closet doors in my room. Frustration mingled with regret, and I let out a sigh, pressing my temples in vexation. It was too late to rectify the past, but as this house was due for renovations, I resolved to transform these ten closet doors into a grand walk-in closet.

As I faced my reflection in the mirror, making the final adjustments to my appearance, I couldn't help but appreciate the allure of black. It had been my favorite color since childhood, known only to my parents, my best friend Sam, and me. Others who knew me were unaware of this aspect of my personality.

Just as I donned my coat, a knock resonated through the door of my room. Could it be Manang* Albe, the housemaid?

"Yes?" I called out, curiosity lacing my voice.

"Ma'am, there's someone here to see you," came Manang Albe's response from outside the room.

Contemplation seized me. Who could this visitor be? Could it be Samara? But I couldn't recall inviting her over. After all, she knew I had to visit the construction site for the new branch of EX

iellene Royale in the Philippines. So, why would she disturb me with an unexpected visit?

Eager to unravel the mystery, I approached the door, shouldering my bag as I turned the handle. Manang Albe stood on the other side, clutching a cloth and a sprayer. I stepped out of the room, closing the door behind me, ready to face the visitor who came to visit.

"Do you know who they were, Manang?" I asked her, my brows furrowing as I faced her in search of answers. Her response left me deep in thought, my mind racing to make sense of the name she had mentioned.

"He said he's Mr. Alexis Riguera, ma'am," Manang replied, her words hanging in the air. The name echoed in my mind, stirring a faint memory, but it remained elusive, like a distant whisper. Which Riguera could he be? I pondered, my thoughts weaving through the labyrinth of forgotten connections.

"Where is he, Manang?" I inquired, my impatience growing as I stood before the bedroom door, awaiting her response. The anticipation swelled within me, urging me to unravel the mystery of this visitor.

"He's in the living room, ma'am," Manang answered, her voice gentle yet filled with curiosity. I offered her a smile of gratitude before turning towards the staircase, ready to descend and confront the enigma that awaited me.

Alexis Riguera? The name reverberated in my mind as I made my way downstairs. It felt like a melody I had once known, but time had muffled its chords. Had we crossed paths before? I questioned myself, wracking my brain for any recollection. Yet, my memory remained stubbornly blank, withholding the answers I sought. Perhaps he was an old friend, I mused, the thought weaving its way through my mind. But if that were the case, why couldn't I recall any Alexis among my circle of friends? My acquaintances consisted mainly of Samara, Julles, and their twin, along with business contacts. Faces blurred together in a sea of forgotten encounters, leaving me uncertain of this Alexis I was about to encounter.

As I stepped into the living room, my gaze locked onto a sight that momentarily stole my breath away. There he stood, a well-dressed man in a royal blue long-sleeved shirt, his captivating eyes meeting mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. The contours of his face were exquisite, defined by a strong jawline and a pointed nose. His skin possessed a moderate complexion, not too pale like milk but imbued with a subtle warmth. A god from Olympus, I thought, marveling at his presence.

And yes, he looked like a god.

"Xiellenna," he called out, addressing me by my old name, and the sound of it rippled through me, awakening dormant memories. How did he know my old name? I wondered, a mix of surprise and curiosity surfacing within me. Despite the whirlwind of thoughts occupying my mind, I mustered a smile, acknowledging his presence despite my preoccupation.

"Mr. Alexis Riguera?" I inquired, my tone laced with a hint of skepticism as I questioned him, seeking confirmation that he was the Alexis Riguera mentioned by Manang. His reaction to my words intrigued me, for his face seemed to flicker with emotions—surprise, uncertainty, and perhaps even a touch of disappointment. Could it be that he wasn't the Alexis I was expecting after all?

"Yes, I am Alexis Riguera. You, you can't remember me?" he responded, his surprise evident in his voice as he confirmed his identity. The bewilderment in his eyes mirrored my own confusion. How could I know him when I couldn't even recall his name? I studied his face intently, searching for any hint or familiarity within those features. And then, as if a lightning bolt struck, it hit me—a sudden realization that caused my eyes to widen in disbelief. The pieces fell into place, and I stood before the man I once loved before my husband."

Lex?" I uttered, a mixture of amusement and astonishment dancing in my voice. His smile confirmed my revelation, a shared recognition of the past that connected us.

***

"Really, Lex. You don't have to do this. I'm just so thankful that you visited me," I expressed, a grateful smile adorning my face. I couldn't help but feel touched by his presence, his efforts to reconnect with me after all these years.

Lex nodded, his own smile mirroring mine. "I fully understand, Lina. Actually, when I found out that you had returned to the country, I immediately looked for your address to visit you," he confessed, a soft chuckle escaping his lips.

"Oh yeah, you even brought flowers," I teased, a laugh escaping me as I playfully acknowledged the gesture. "Rylie might think you're courting me," I added, intending it as a lighthearted jest. Yet, as the words lingered in the air, I noticed a sudden shift in his demeanor. His face turned serious, his mood transforming as if the mention of courting held deeper significance. Did I say something wrong? Something rude? Confusion clouded my thoughts as I observed the change in his countenance—an intermingling of anger and sadness.

"You didn't know?" he interjected abruptly, his tone tinged with a mix of disbelief and heaviness. The question hung in the air, leaving me bewildered and yearning for answers. What was it that I didn't know? What had transpired in my absence?

"Didn't know what? Why? What happened?" I bombarded him with a flurry of questions, my voice filled with concern and confusion. I searched his eyes for any clue, seeking to understand the weight that now burdened him. His silence stretched, a pregnant pause pregnant with unspoken truths, until my phone abruptly interrupted our exchange, its ringing piercing through the room. With a gesture, I indicated to Alexis that I needed to take the call, and he nodded in response, his gaze lingering on me as I stepped outside onto the veranda adjacent to the living room.

From there, I had a clear view of the house, its various sections and the maze garden at its heart. I greeted Audrey, my voice warm and familiar as she answered from the other end of the line. The conversation veered towards her recent arrival at the temporary residence I had arranged for her, and I expressed my hope that she liked it. Audrey, with her impeccable English fluency mixed with occasional Tagalog phrases, had become a steadfast presence in my life, guiding and reminding me of my schedule. Her authoritative nature seemed to place her in charge, and I found solace in her unwavering support.

As the call came to an end, I returned to the living room, where Lex stood before a cabinet adorned with displayed photographs. The images of our past had been altered, some discarded, while a new family portrait took center stage—a depiction of me, Mama, Papa, and even Lolo. The absence of our wedding portrait felt like a void, a stark reminder of the choices that had led me down a different path.

Snapping back to the present, I called out to Alexis, drawing his attention. It was time for me to embark on my own journey, separate from the nostalgia that clung to the photographs. I retrieved my sling bag from the sofa, securing my phone within its confines. Alexis approached me with a smile, offering to give me a lift—an act of kindness I tried to decline.

"No, it's okay. I don't want to bother you anyway. I might be inconveniencing you," I protested, my voice gentle yet resolute.

He laughed, an easy and genuine sound that enveloped the room. "No, I insist. I'll give you a ride. Just name your destination."

I couldn't help but smile at his persistence, realizing that when Lex insisted, it was often difficult to refuse. With a nod of acceptance, I relented, allowing myself to be swept into the currents of the unknown, with Alexis Riguera by my side once more.

..............

NOTE:

*Manang is a Filipino term used to refer to an older sister or a respectful term for an older woman.