No, this wasn't right anymore. For Kim to tell me that he's in love with me would worsen the situation. I shouldn't allow this to happen. I was already weak in resisting him, and for him to ride on this situation would only put the embers into flame.
This was perhaps because I had this strange but special feeling for him. But if I also had to entertain the mutual feeling he said he had with me; it wouldn't be long before I would completely fall into the pit of sinning. This I didn't want to happen.
Zed was almost a perfect husband to me, except for his sexual disorder. In our seven years of relationship, we never had gone into any serious argument. He highly respected me and consulted me in every decision-making that he made. He gave me freedom in everything I wanted to do, not suffocating me with his self-set restrictions.
"Don't flatter me, Kim, if your intention is just to pacify me for our sin. It doesn't help the situation at all."
He just pinned his gaze at me. His mouth formed out some words, but its sound never came. I wondered what made it difficult for him to say it, but that moment wasn't the time to raise the question.
I pulled my hands away from his grasps and began to walk away. I no longer turned back to see his reaction, and he also didn't stop me anymore. The moment I went out, the lady receptionist just stared at me with a curious look. Perhaps she was wondering what went through in that whole period of staying with Kim inside the room.
But whatever her opinion was, I couldn't care less.
The dazzling lights beaming from a car's headlight blinded me for a moment. I squinted to adjust to the glare, and when I did, the window from the driver's side rolled down. Vic's head then popped out of the window.
"Ma'am, I'll drive you back to the hotel," Vic hollered. He was Kim's personal driver in Japan.
I forced a polite smile, but I waved a hand in a dismissive gesture.
"Thanks, Vic, but Mr. Mori may have some errands for you."
When I didn't move, the door to his side opened and he stepped out of the car. Walking towards me, he waved a hand with a phone in it.
"Someone wants to talk to you, ma'am."
I gave him a short stare, shifting my gaze between him and the phone. I knew who was on the other line.
"Here," he said, handing out the phone to me with a wide grin on his face
I didn't have the heart to ignore his kindness anymore. He gave me a warm smile; how could I refuse?
Kim's voice flowed into my ear right away. "Let Vic drive you back to the hotel. Unfortunately, in your haste, you have forgotten to wear your…"
I looked down to see my chest, and indeed, he was right. I was naked beneath the thin fabric of my dress. I crossed my arm after handing back the phone to Vic.
"Let's go," I said with my head bowed down, wishing he didn't see my discomfort. I am gifted with a perky full size, so I knew I could barely hide them away.
Vic opened the door for me, and the moment I sat comfortably, he pointed a finger to the box sitting on the corner of the passenger's seat.
"Mr. Mori asked me to lend that to you."
I gave him a questioning look before I slowly opened the lid of the box. He also walked to the driver's side and got in.
"That's a jacket. He said you should put that on. He's afraid you might catch a cold."
I glanced at him through the rearview mirror, and our eyes met. He was also observing me through that mirror. Somehow, I managed to smile before I spoke.
"Please thank Mr. Mori for me. I indeed need this." I needed it to shield myself from shame.
"Sure, ma'am," he replied; his tone was kind, but his suspicious look didn't escape me. But, of course, I could tell what's in the mind of those who knew that I came out of that building and who I was with.
"Vic, how long have you been working with Mr. Mori?"
"Ten years, ma'am."
A sense of excitement wrapped my heart. Maybe, I should make friends with him. I was sure he knew Kim a lot, being his driver for ten years already. He could be the answer to the hundreds of questions running in my mind.
I chuckled softly and said, "I wonder how Mr. Mori looked like ten years ago."
Vic laughed softly as well. "He's stunning when he was younger, but I like his looks better now that he has matured."
"He's gorgeous, indeed. Perhaps he already has a long list of women queuing to get his attention."
"It's true. Lots of women have played tricks to get his attention, but sorry, his heart belongs to Jakara only."
I heaved out a deep sigh to calm down my rising curiosity again. The more they mentioned Jakara, the more intense my desire to know her more became.
"Is Jakara a Japanese woman?"
"By adoption. She worked for Quicksend International Remittance when Mr. Kim met her."
Oh, dear! When Shirley presented my work experiences to the Board of Directors, she also mentioned that I worked for this same company six years ago.
And she was adopted?
"Who adopted her?" My heartbeats hammered against my chest again. I quickly recited some words of prayer in my mind that Vic would just answer my question.
"Mr. Jake Williams, an American national who ran some of his businesses in Japan."
Mr. Jake Williams. The surname may be a common name, but hearing it from the lips of Vic sent shivers down my spine. I had the feeling that I had also met this man before.
Drawing a deep breath again, I gathered my courage for another question.
"Vic, do you have some saved photos of Jakara?" I asked, holding my breath
"Yes, wait."
Vic pulled to the roadside and picked up his phone from the car's phone stand. I moved forward so I could take a clearer look while he browsed on his saved photos. When Vic's finger finally stopped scrolling, I also felt my heart skipping a beat.
"Here, ma'am," Vic said with a triumphant smile on his lips as he handed his phone to me.
My hand that held the phone immediately shook as I saw the photos on the gallery. My heartbeats fluttered, and the hair on my spine crept. All those were intimate poses with Kim.
"Vic, is it me? Or, do I have a twin sister?" I asked, and my tears immediately flowed out like a deluge.
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