CHAPTER 2

FIVE YEARS AGO…

Patricia sorrowfully wiped away her seemingly endless tears that continued to flow uncontrollably. She stared at the sleeping Alvin for a few moments before grabbing her shoulder bag. His face, peaceful in sleep, was a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within her.

Now, she was aware of her true feelings for the man. And even if she didn’t admit it to him, she knew within herself that the feelings she had for Alvin back when they were in college had resurfaced. And it was because of her weakness and his relentless passion towards her.

She stepped out of the room, carefully closing the door behind her. Then, she hurriedly walked away from the tall building where Alvin’s condominium unit was located. The city was just beginning to stir, the soft light of dawn casting a gentle glow over the streets. It was a serene backdrop to the chaos in her heart.

Why did she allow things to come to this? She had given her virginity to a man she knew didn’t have feelings for her. And it wasn’t just once; it happened many times, enough for her to start weaving beautiful dreams of a future with him. Each encounter was a mix of pain and pleasure, leaving her yearning for a love that seemed forever out of reach.

She loved Alvin.

And that was the truth she couldn’t deny, even to herself.

But those feelings had no future. And it wasn’t right for her to continue letting herself be used by a man she loved so deeply. It was utter foolishness. Her only prayer was that their passionate encounters wouldn’t result in a child.

When she returned to her apartment, Patricia began preparing for her planned departure. She had spoken to her landlady, informing her that she would move out as soon as she found a mover to take her things. The small, cozy space was now filled with the tangible presence of her decision, suitcases lined up like sentinels of her impending departure.

She was going back to the province. She didn’t know if her hasty decisions were immature, but it didn’t matter anymore. She had filed her resignation at the bank where she worked last week, and Alvin had no idea about it. She was certain he would be furious once he found out.

But things didn’t go as she expected. Just as she was about to leave her room, she heard the door to her apartment open. She knew it was Alvin, as he and her landlady were the only ones with a copy of her key.

“Where are you going?” he asked as he entered, his eyes darting between her face and the suitcases she carried. His presence filled the room, making her feel both trapped and comforted at the same time.

Patricia swallowed hard and quickly looked away. “I-I’m going on vacation to the province,” she lied, keeping her head down. Her voice trembled, betraying the facade of calm she tried to maintain.

She knew Alvin wouldn’t believe such a flimsy excuse, so she decided to meet his gaze.

“Okay, fine!” she began angrily, her voice rising in defiance. The words felt like shards of glass, cutting through the air between them.

Alvin’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion, clearly puzzled by her sudden outburst. His eyes, usually so warm, now held a hint of concern.

“Do we have a problem?” he asked kindly, in his usual tone, attempting to bridge the growing chasm between them.

“Damn it, Alvin! You’re so insensitive!” she shouted angrily, her voice echoing through the small apartment. She could feel the anger and frustration bubbling over, a dam breaking after holding back for so long.

“What? How am I insensitive?” he asked, bewildered. His genuine confusion only fueled her frustration further.

A bitter smile formed on Patricia’s lips. His tone made it clear he had no idea what she was feeling. Did she have to spell it out for him? He had explored every inch of her body, and she had given it all to him without hesitation. Because of the deep love she had for him, a love he obviously couldn’t reciprocate.

“I’m leaving and I’m not coming back. I don’t want to see you again because you’re a demon and an animal!” she said bluntly, fueled by the intense resentment she felt towards him. Each word was a dagger, aimed straight at his heart.

What woman wouldn’t be hurt? They had done every position imaginable, yet he still didn’t understand how much she loved him.

Alvin smiled and approached her, clearly unaffected by her harsh words and apparent anger. Even his eyes showed amusement. It was as if he enjoyed the challenge, the fiery spirit that she displayed.

“Don’t laugh at me!” she snapped, her voice quivering with a mix of anger and vulnerability.

Alvin’s thick eyebrows rose, accompanied by another smile, as he closed the remaining distance between them. His confidence, his calm demeanor, only served to heighten her emotional turmoil.

He knew her weakness, and he exploited it by kissing her.

Last night, as a farewell, they had done nothing but make love in his condo until late into the night. She didn’t mind because she loved him. It was meant to be their final encounter, the last time they would be together.

But it seemed that wasn’t the case. Last night was only the beginning of her farewell plan. Now, with the way he kissed her, she knew where this was heading. And she was right.

Every corner of her apartment was filled with their passionate moments.

In the kitchen, the bathroom, her bedroom, even the laundry area and the living room. They didn’t miss a single spot. That’s how intense they were. Whenever they had the chance, they took it.

She knew that Alvin’s passion was normal for a man. But there was something different between them, and she couldn’t control herself whenever he ignited the flame between them, like he was doing now. Each touch, each kiss, sent waves of desire crashing over her, drowning her resolve.

And as she mentioned earlier, Alvin had tasted every hidden part of her body. She had nothing left to hide from him. She had nothing left to boast about, except her pride, and that was the only thing she could hold onto.

“You can’t leave. You can’t abandon me,” he whispered as he slowly undressed her. His voice was a seductive caress, a plea wrapped in desire.

She opened her mouth to speak, but her words were silenced when he claimed her lips once more.