2. Not Genuine

At the glimpse of the sunlight, Selena awoke slowly, her back pressed to his bare chest, her arms holding him tightly to her. These past nine days have been the most mesmerizing time in her life. They went shopping, to amusement parks, to the beach, to movie theatres and did everything a couple could do together.

She should have been ecstatic but as the days went, she realized it started looking superficial. She wasn’t a fool. This was too sketchy. He did so hard to please her to a point that she began questioning it all. There was not a single flaw in him and everything she asked for, he would give it to her without even questioning her. She should be feeling cared for but somehow, it felt suffocating, as if she barely had space to breathe.

His mouth touched her shoulder and he started lingering kisses up her neck. There he started again. “Mmm, Jason. Stop…” “Tell me what you want.” “You.” 

His hand caressed her slender waist, dipping across her stomach, lower as he squeezed her thigh. She held her breath, arching her back into him, moaning, “Stop! I’m still sore.” He teased her, biting her ear, “You’re mine.” “Yes, I’m yours.” 

He turned her head gently so that he could kiss her, biting her lower lips. She struggled to keep up, “Jason… wait.” “No.” How could he be so insatiable? He shifted above her, a mischievous grin on his face as he pinned her wrists above her head, “Tell me again, baby. What do you want?” 

“I think it’s time.” “Time?” “I want to meet your parents.” 

He stared at her, his body shaking as she said those taboo words. What the fuck was wrong with her? He released her, sitting up on the edge of the bed, beads of sweat already forming on his forehead, “I told you I’m not on good terms with em.” 

She also sat up next to him and exclaimed, trying to get her point across, “It’s not fair you’re making me wait for so long. It’s been three fucking years, Jason!” She was desperate now. She hated how he couldn’t understand about how important that was to her. She was only asking him to introduce her to his parents. Why was that so hard for him?

“What. Are you already bored with me?” He snapped at her, his eyes reflecting a certain anger she had never seen in there before and for a few seconds, she actually felt threatened and what else? Scared? She stammered, instinctively raising the sheets to cover herself,  “I could never! It’s just that… I want our relationship to progress. It’s time we take it further.”

He wondered what was going on in that woman’s head. Fuck. Didn’t he give her everything? What more could she want? He couldn’t understand. And just like that, it dawned on him. Fuck it. “Selena, my job’s…” 

She promptly interrupted him, feeling sad that he would actually go in that direction again, “You’re making excuses again. You’ve been going on about being promoted since like… eight months! What’s keeping you? You know you can tell me everything!”

She pressed her head onto his shoulder and he nearly pushed her away. “Listen, once I get that promotion, I'll be in a better position to take care of you and…” His voice trailed off as he heard his phone buzzing. Saved! 

Before he could move, she reached over the mattress to get it and as she read the caller’s name, he knocked the phone off her hand, aggressively spatting, “It’s probably work. Stay here. I’ll be back.” He stood, wore his pants and dashed out of the bedroom, slamming the door so hard behind him that instead of closing, it just banged against the frame only to bounce open slightly.

She was dumbfounded. Did he just yell at her? And who was that ‘doc’ ? Her heart thundered in her chest. She didn’t feel good about this. She pushed the sheets away and tiptoed till the door. She hoped he wasn’t getting into trouble. 

She stood there, peeping carefully only to see his back turned to her and the phone pressed to his ear. She could hear him speaking in an amazingly calm voice. After the heated way he just lashed at her, she was quite surprised he was behaving that way.

“Mmh yeah, tough clients. Just sold that antique manor with em. Had to rent a motel around here… Didn’t you read my text? I’m all good now.” Why was he lying to his company? He laughed heartily. She never saw him look so genuinely happy before.

“…of course it was a tough deal but you know me. I can get anything done.” Maybe he was just…married to his job. He chuckled, switching the phone to his other ear as he teased, “Aww, are you missing me, doc?” 

Selena froze as she heard that. Was he flirting? He slowly turned around and she hastily pulled herself away from his sight, pressing herself flat against the wall. She instinctively held her breath, praying that he didn’t spot her.

“See you tonight then.” Once he ended the call, his shoulder slumped in frustration. She heard him walking towards the room again and she instantly dashed to the bed before he could see her. She gulped, her heart beating erratically. He said tonight! He was going to meet that person tonight!

A few seconds later, he walked in, ruffling his messy hair with his hand as he apologized, “Sorry babe. I reacted strongly.” She tried not to sound bothered, “It was work?”

He took a second too long to answer, “…yeah. It's kinda stressful when you need to meet a quota. Haha.” 

When he didn’t said what she wanted to hear, she pressed for more, “Your boss’ name is doctor?” 

He seemed confused for a minute, “Doctor? Ah, that’s just my colleague! It’s her nickname.” 

“Funny name when you work in real estate.” 

She was disappointed. Was it because the doc was a she? He burst into a small laugh, “You’re so cute when you’re jealous.” “I’m not.” He sat beside her, pinching her right cheek, “Don’t worry gorgeous. I just need to drop in the office. I left most of the paperwork on her. So it’s been tough for her. She’s a good friend. Someday I’ll introduce you to her and her husband.” 

Her eyes lit up, feeling relieved, “Oh. Okay!” Good thing that woman was married… so why was he going to meet her?!

He smiled at her, kissing the tip of her nose before heading in the shower, “Gotta head back to work, love. These properties aren’t gonna sell themselves.” She managed an awkward laugh and once she heard the electric shower buzzing, she slouched on the bed. 

He was leaving her again. When was he going to propose? She’d been giving him so many hints and he had just deliberately dismissed them during their dates. And somehow it hurt. He had never let her meet his parents or his friends, never let her stay with him at his house, never brought up the topic of marriage.

She was twenty-four now. Wasn’t that the best age to be proposed to? Or maybe... she had to take the initiative? She was certain Jason wouldn't like it if she stole his act. All these thoughts were driving her crazy. 

How longer should she wait? It pissed her off. She closed her eyes, a vague image of a random blonde wearing a provocative and skimpy doctor clothes, flirting with Jason, appeared on her mind. Ugh. She hated it. She wanted to slap herself. This was too weird. Was she really being jealous?

One thing was clear though. Her boyfriend was hiding something from her and he wasn't trusting her with it. It was decided then. She would make the effort he wasn’t going to make for them. Tonight, she knew what she had to do. As wrong as it was, she would find out about that ‘doc’.

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