We arrived at about six in the evening, but Zed wasn't in the house anymore. He had probably left for his lecture tonight, so I sent him a message to inform him of my arrival.
"Welcome home, dear. I'm already here in the Bayfront Hotel. Just heat the food I have prepared for you. Don't wait for me anymore since you need to have a good rest."
I roamed around the house and wondered how my home with Kim looked like. Perhaps, our few months of staying together had already let us set up a house of our own. And probably, he had turned that apartelle into our residence.
A wave of mixed emotion stirred my emotion. Something deep inside had recognized Kim all along, only that I couldn't remember. Since Zed and I were into a seven-year relationship, it only meant that Zed was my first boyfriend and left for Japan when we were in our second year of the relationship. I began to wonder if Zed knew all about my amnesia. And as to why I got it, I still have to discover it.
We had another round of caterpillar rides of pleasure into the ninth cloud. If it were not for Zed, who already knew I was there, I would have laid there until morning. But since I couldn't afford to make him suspect that I was doing something fishy, I went up and took a quick shower."I'll go down to the restaurant and wait for Zed there," I said, looking at Kim, who just lay on the bed, watching me."I'll order food and take you home. You're tired already.""Zed saw me. You know that."Kim sat up and looked at me. "I should be the one acknowledging you as my wife, not him.""I don't have to explain. You know better than me.""Tell him about us as soon as possible," he said, and I got annoyed at how fast he changed his mind.I picked up my bag angrily and slammed the door shut, leaving him staring at me with a frustrated look. The more I indulged him in bed, the more he became possessive.I sat down at the restaurant wit
I woke up later with Zed massaging on my feet. I moved abruptly, shifting into a sitting position, watching him as he pressed the tip of his fingers on the outer side of my soles. It was already past midnight, but his wet hair still sparkled against the light from the ceiling.“Go back to sleep,” he said, smiling affectionately at me.“Just arrived?”“Thirty minutes ago.”I wouldn’t complain or suspect him for anything. I knew very well the nature of his job. After his lecture, the small group meetings would take longer since every group would ask him to speak for another motivational word.“I see, so go to sleep now. You must be exhausted already.”He lay down beside me and pulled me close to him, placing my head on his chest. “I miss you so much.”“Mmmm, miss you, too,” I replied in a sleepy tone, although my sleepiness disappeared the moment he cuddled me
“Of course, you told us about the places you have gone, and all the things you have enjoyed there. Have you forgotten already?”Zed tried to be on the safe side by asking if I already forgot. If he feeds me the things I wanted to know, it’s like confirming that I really forgot everything about my going to Japan. And that would make him think that such answers would make me question myself.“I have become so forgetful already.”“It’s because there are so many things in your mind,” said Zed in a thoughtful and calm way that I would never suspect that he knew about my amnesia.“Maybe.” I smiled and continued eating.“I would be expecting that one of these days, you’d be looking for your hairclip that is just on your head,” he chuckled.“But what if I forget that I have a husband?”Zed shook his head and answered, “That would be terrible. I cou
“The informant here is Maria Zenaida Cabrera.”I sank after hearing the name. Although that was a common name, I had known no one in that name. I then wondered if she was someone I knew before or someone I met in Japan.“Yen, what happened to you? Why do you have this diagnosis?” Myrna wasn’t able to hold back her curiosity anymore. I knew she was already dying to know everything about me, but she just couldn’t dare to ask.“I don’t know, either.”“Do you still know everyone in your clan? Your friends, classmates, or neighbors?”“Of course,” I replied curtly.“Then what could be the basis of this diagnosis?”“I don’t know,” I lied. How could I tell her I married in Japan and forgot about him after a few months?“Then do you still remember when you were admitted?”“Yes. I had fever and bod
Thinking about the trouble of hiring taxis when Zed is out and thinking about the possibility that I may never buy a car in the future because child-raising would then be our concern, I offered a condition.“Okay, Kim, I’ll have it your way, but I will pay it through salary deduction.”Kim’s face darkened, but he still nodded in the end. “Fine.”“Another thing,” I paused and looked at him, “please change the brand of the car. It’s too expensive.”Kim shook his head and said, “No way. Vince is not just an agent but a friend. Aside from that, he is in great financial need since his wife has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.”I froze. Never did I expect that a man such as Kim would have sympathy over ordinary people like me. And the good thing was that he wanted to help him in a way that wouldn’t lower his ego.“Why don’t you just lend him some
“Who’s that?” I asked as I watched the woman smiled at me before she walked away. There were strange glints in her eyes, telling me she knew me.“Ignore her. Just some crazy woman who roams around the street.”“But she stares at me as if she knows me? Is she also one of those people I couldn’t remember?”Kim gathered me in his arms. I was already shaking. What else were those terrible things that I did in the past?“Stop thinking about it. Give yourself more time. You will restore your memories, eventually. Don’t stress yourself. And I hope you will also remember my place in your heart before.”I fell silent for a while. A sense of guilt also welled up inside me. I may not remember him, but the thrill I felt every time I saw him, my fondness and admiration for him, and that I made him my sexual fantasy, spoke of the truth that he had occupied a space in my heart.“But wh
My heart thumped louder than Zed’s voice, but I tried my best to conceal my guilt.“Yes, we’re out to meet a client. Mr. Mori is introducing me to him as the new Asian branches manager,” I said, looking at Kim.There was a pause, and every second that passed by sounded like a bell banging against my ear.“Okay, dear. Enjoy your lunch, and don’t stress yourself on the meeting.”I heaved out a sigh after ending the call. If this situation keeps repeating, I'll soon die of nervousness.“Okay, let’s have lunch together,” Kim said, his brows knitting closer. What had been the state of bliss we were enjoying a while ago popped out like bubbles in the air.“But we have no client to meet,” I argued. “We better go back to the office and have lunch there.”“No.”I kept my mouth shut. Kim’s mood turnedsour, and I knewit wasn&r
I glanced at Kim, and our eyes locked for a moment."What's happening to you, Virgil? Yes, I married Miss Williams five years ago, but you knew what happened then."Mr. Virgil squinted his eyes, moving his eyes from Kim to me."I couldn't go wrong. My memories are -""Let's stop arguing. You're confusing Miss Yen."Mr. Virgil gave me a quick start once more, but a sharp look from Kim made him shut his mouth. And I sighed inwardly, thinking that he did, but I couldn’t dare to look at Zed. Kim’s actions could draw more curiosity than just riding on the tide with him.“Are you done already?” Kim asked, looking at Zed and Mr. Virgil. “We could have another table so you both can have privacy.”Mr. Virgil gestured with his hand to tell us that we could share a table with them.“We’re wrapping up already, so please take your seat.”Zed put his left arm around my should
My mom almost fainted when she saw me standing outside the door with Kim. Her eyes were on his arm on my shoulders, and I could tell by her expression that she was gritting her teeth in anger. “Where do we fail in raising you, Yen? Why do you bring another man into the house? Is it because he’s richer? Why? Are you not content with Zed’s income?” I was taught to keep silent every time my parents scolded me, so I just swallowed all her hurting words. “Come inside and let’s hear what your dad hasto say. You put us all into shame.” My knees trembled right away as I imagined dad slapping me in front of Kim. If that would happen,I would surelydie in shame. So, when I heard his footsteps on the stairs, I held Kim’s hand tighter. Kim also raised his arm again and pulled me close to him. Damn it, my mom’s eyes almost fell out from their sockets. “Yen, you’ve finally remembered us. Do you have any idea how many times we went to your h
I waited until Dr. Vergara came back. Her eyes flew wide as she saw me holding a record of another patient.“Miss Yen, this is not allowed. All records must be confidential,” she explained politely, even though her voice didn’t conceal her being upset with me.“I understand, doc, but he is my husband. So, if you tell me everything, that would save him from my lifetimehatred.”The doctor sighed, but she began telling me a little about Zed.“He’s been with me for a couple of months already. However, I believe that the reason he’s not improving yet is because of the secrets he hides from you. If you want to know more, talk to him.”I hurried out of the doctor’s clinic. And for the first time in 6 months, I stepped into the place that created my best memories with Zed. The grass had grown tall, and dried leaves filled the lawn. But it looked like no one was living here anymore.
I moved out of Zed’s houseright after I was discharged from the hospital. I even refused to stay at Ara’s house since I didn’t want to live near Zed anymore. I only came to her house when she informed me of her flight to the USA. And that happened after six months.“Yen, you should listen to Zed. I’m not telling you to go back to him, but at least you talk things out.”“I wouldn’t dare anymore.”“How about your marriage annulment?” Ara asked, but I didn’t believe she didn’t know anything.“Only his lawyer came. Zed has decided to make everything smooth for me by not appearing during the hearing. Both of us signed waivers. I refused to have a share in his house, car, and businesses.”“It’s sad, Yen, but I’m after your happiness. I guess you are happier with Kim.”I didn't tell Ara that I also asked Kim for some space and tim
When Zed slammed the door shut, I went out of the room. But then I felt a cramping sensation in my lower abdomen. I hurried upstairs to rest, ignoring Zed's calls.This was what I was too scared about. That this constant nervousness and tension I went through would eventually bear me down and risk my pregnancy. I forced myself to sleep, hoping that this cramping would be gone when I wake up. But somehow, the symptoms persisted until morning.I took a quick shower, preparing myself to see Dr. Mitch. I also wondered where Zed had gone to, but I shook it off, thinking that Zed wouldn't want to see me after that conversation with Kim.I was already pulling out of the garage when Ara called."Where have you been? Zed had been drinking all night.""Zed? He doesn't drink," I argued, but Ara insisted that he did."He fell asleep here on the porch. He thought you would come here after running away.""Don't wake him up," I said. "Let him sleep
I hurried away from the hotel, pushing away Kim and Zed, who tried to hold me. I just didn’t want the confrontation happening this way. But who could stop Maezy from getting back at us? Perhaps she thought I was avenging for Ara when Kim barged into her home and brought Tim’s things with him. She must have also thought that I manipulated Mr. Yuki and Kim that all those things that should be hers went to Ara instead. She was already desperate, and nothing could stop her from suspecting me.I went home and sought a place to hide. Yet, Zed had all the keys to open the rooms, even our guest rooms. Of course, I would have wanted to stay at any hotel or resort, but I didn’t have time to prepare anymore. Moreover, I knew that these two wonderful men were already rushing after me. Luckily, I had thought of the stockroom. And I knew Zed would never think I would hide in that messy place.I turned on the lights and locked the door before I looked for a comforta
Ara, Zed, and I gathered around a table in the finest restaurant in the city. The day had finally come for all of us to have dinner with Maezy and him. And since we arrived earlier than them, I kept stealing glances at the door. At this time, I had already prepared myself for the worst. I was already too exhausted from constant hiding and running. I had always wanted to protect Zed from hurting, but I had not lived in peace for a long time.“Good evening, everyone!” Kim’s voice jolted me off my seat. I had shifted my attention to the baby inside the stroller because the anxiety was killing me already.“Good evening, Mr. Mori.”“Good evening, sir Kim.”“Good evening, Ja -” Kim greeted, looking at me. I froze for a second, but then he said, “I mean, Yen.” He then took a seat across from me, stealing gazes now and then. But, damn it, his presence was then sending pricks down my spine, es
“Go ahead. Do everything for her,” Zed replied. He saw me coming, so he met me halfway and pulled me to a corner.“Don’t worry. Ara will be alright. She just needs close monitoring.”I pulled out my phone from my bag and called Tim. He didn’t pick up right away, so my anger escalated. I was already shaking -- aggravated by that sore spot in my heart.“Look at what you did. Do you really think this is the best time to drop your bomb on her? Ara is dying, Tim! She’s in the ICU, and the doctors are attending to her right now. If Ara is not going to make it, you will never see your son. And what’s ironic about it? Your son looks exactly like you!”“Ara has given birth already?” Tim confirmed, shaken by the news.“What do you think? Can’t anything happen to her after picking the best time to shatter her heart?”Zed snatched my phone away because my face had
“Dear, I will go home. I will prepare the baby’s room.”“Zed, you’re just so excited! The baby will stay with Ara for as long as she is here.”“Ara said she wouldn’t look at the baby. So that the pain of having to be away from him would be bearable for her.”Glints of massive shock must have spread on my face because Zed rubbed my back. I couldn’t believe Ara could do that. But perhaps, she had already thought about that and I had to honor her decision. Some people appear tough on the outside, but they are too weak inside. If she couldn't handle more than her stress over Tim's betrayal now, who am I to judge her? Perhaps, all she needed was time.The nurse picked up the baby and held it out for me. And there was the cute bundle, sleeping soundly in his sky blue bonnet and nappies!"I can't wait to hold her, Zed!" I exclaimed, giggling."You have all the time to do that later. Go to
I felt my strength leaving my body as I stared into Kim’s eyes. I slowly dropped myself to the floor, but Kim was quick to pick me up. He brought me back to the office and placed me on the sofa.“What’s your plan now?” Kim asked.“You know what, how I wish I could turn back the time. I would not have chosen to work for you. I’d rather forget a part of my life than hurting someone who doesn’t deserve it.”“Then what about me, Jakara? I had been searching for you for a long time, and this is what I get?”“But Kim, I still don’t remember the feelings I had for you back then, although I feel comfortable with you around. Aside from that, we have hurt people. You hurt Maezy before by your indifference, and now for discarding her like trash.”“I even think I knew why Maezy seduced Tim. It’s because she’s insecure.”“And because she’s a