I heard what Marius said. However, at that moment, overwhelming joy seemed to take over my entire being. My mind was filled with sensuality during those moments. That was also the reason why I intensified what I was doing. The succeeding scenes inside the chamber were purely filled with passion. Marius, tirelessly and seemingly boundless, engaged in an intimate encounter with me. It felt like an endless exploration of our bodies. With me on top of Marius, I was catching my breath, but stopping was far from my plans. I excelled in my movements atop Marius, giving him a reason to desire me even more. Yes, I'm happy that Marius loves me. That truth gives me a reason to continue living, aside from my child and other loved ones. But, whether I admit it or not, I also wish that I am the only one Marius desires. I believe that if that happens, he will have no reason to replace me. In other words, he will lose interest in other women. With that thought in mind, I quickly bit my lower lip.
"Thank you, Sam," Marius happily expressed while keeping his face close to mine. I enjoyed it as well—the warmth of his palms on both of my cheeks. It felt like he was calming my anxious heart. "Thank you, Marius," I replied to him. "Soon, I want us to get married, Sam. Is that okay with you?" Marius asked, even though I knew he already anticipated my response. "Soon? Does that mean in two weeks? Is that it?" I inquired. "Yeah, exactly. Is that okay with you?" Marius asked again. I wasn't sure if Marius was seeking assurance or just playfully teasing me, but in the end, I noticed a playful glint in his eyes as he smiled. "Of course. That's fine with me. Honestly, if my love for you is the basis, then I'd like us to get married as soon as possible," I agreed with him. Marius's dark eyes sparkled at my response, and his smile widened. All of this warmed my heart, creating a surge of affection in my feelings. "Don't you want to wait until your memory comes back, just in case?" Ma
"HELLO, good morning!"I heard the cheerful voice of a woman. I was in the living room at that time, reading a book. I was sitting on the rocking chair near the large window."Lena," that's all I managed to say.I quickly felt the familiar discomfort. And since I didn't want to show it to Lena, I decided to focus back on my book."Did you come here to see Nana Lourdes?" I asked her formally.Even though I didn't look, I felt Lena entering the room. Aside from that, the noise of her slippers against the narra plank floor also caught my attention."It's you I really came to see, Sam," she replied, causing me to quickly turn to her."Me?" I asked, raising my eyebrows in confusion.Lena nodded, and at that moment, she was already sitting on the chair next to me. As I looked at her, I noticed a strong resemblance to Nana Lourdes. She seemed pleasant enough, but my instincts told me otherwise. I believed that some things were better left to instinct."Yes, I noticed that you don't pay much
I am upset. I need to admit that even if it's just to myself. And at this point, I also need to admit that Lena has won. Because if not, I'll just keep pretending.In my final thoughts, I suddenly stopped.I can! I can continue with all of this. Marius doesn't need to know that I'm okay. He doesn't need to know that my memory has returned.But the question is, how long can I keep this up?How long can I hide the truth from him? And the pain I feel because of what I've learned?I was in such a state when the man who occupied my thoughts suddenly entered our room.I quickly turned to him as he approached with a smile."Are you okay?" he asked as he neared.I couldn't think of what to say. So I just nodded. When Marius kissed me on the forehead, I closed my eyes. Then, I felt the corners of my eyes warm. But like I did earlier, I held back. And once again, I succeeded."Lena came from here," I said, then I absentmindedly glanced at the engagement ring on my finger.I saw Marius pause at
The next morning, it was Marius whom I found busy preparing breakfast. I knew why. It was because of what Lena did yesterday, which led Marius to talk to Nana Lourdes and ask her not to come over for the time being. I didn't want that. The truth was, it was my fiancé's decision. I tried to stop him because Nana Lourdes had no idea about her niece's actions. But Marius didn't listen."Good morning!" Marius greeted me cheerfully that morning.As was usual, I had already showered before coming downstairs. Marius had finished setting the table."Come, let's have breakfast so we can head out," he said, pulling out a chair for me to sit.I smiled at him and followed suit."You really didn't let Nana Lourdes in?" I asked as he started serving rice onto my plate.Marius just shrugged. "For the time being. I didn't like what her niece did. Although you're right. The old lady had nothing to do with it, but I'm trying to avoid giving Lena another reason to come here. The truth is, I'm also plann
I felt really awful during those moments. And I know that, despite everything, Marius understands why I'm feeling this way. "S-Sam, please don't do this," Marius pleaded. I started packing at that moment, all while quietly shedding tears. I didn't know what else to do except cry. Honestly, that's all I've ever been capable of, even before. I would just cry. I couldn't bring myself to hurt him, even though deep down I was so angry with him. "Sam, please let me explain. Please listen to me," Marius pleaded again as he followed me into the walk-in closet. I didn't respond. I took all my personal belongings from there, one by one. Afterward, I came out again to put everything in my suitcase. "Please don't bother me for now, Marius," I begged him, as I couldn't resist. "Sam," he said. Marius' tone still carried a strong sense of pleading. I didn't know if that was why I stared at him. And honestly, I felt like regretting what I had done. Because suddenly, I felt sorry for him. I fel
"Hey, Marius, I'm glad you called."That was Lana answering his call.She was currently standing outside Sam's condominium unit. It had been two days since he dropped her off, and Sam hadn't been responding to his calls or text messages. Worried, he decided to come over to check on her."Did Sam call you? Or did she come to your place?" were his consecutive questions.The truth is, this was his last resort. He tried his best not to involve Andrew and Lana in the mess, even though he was the one who caused it. But he couldn't think of any other way. Besides, the fact was Sam had nowhere else to go except to her brother."Sam? No, she hasn't. Wait, aren't you two together?" replied his friend on the other line.He quickly picked up on the concern in Lana's voice."My god," he replied instead, then rubbed his face wearily with his hands.He momentarily forgot that Lana was still on the line, so he was slightly surprised to hear her voice from the other end."What's wrong, Marius? Where's
That night, Marius spent the evening in his condo in Manila. His eyes were fixed on the television while he drowned himself in alcohol.He couldn't explain or even put into simple words how much pain he was feeling at that moment. He accepted that this was his karma. What he did was wrong, plotting against someone as kind as Sam.As he thought about it, a bitter smile formed on his lips, accompanied by the flow of his tears. He had been crying since earlier, unable to control himself. He had never experienced this level of pain before, not even when Lana decided to accept and marry Andrew.But now, it felt like he couldn't breathe. He was so sad that he couldn't even quantify it."Sam," he whispered.He cast a glance towards the veranda, remembering the times spent there. In an instant, he saw himself dancing with Sam—their first dance together.He missed her terribly. He longed to hold her close and, most of all, he wanted to continue taking care of her."There are only a few days le