I left Dad for a while inside the VIP room. I decided to go to the bathroom to freshen up. My Dad was a good conversationalist that he did not leave any questions behind. I think he asked almost everything that relates to me. And I answered all of it with lies.
I sighed and looked at myself in the mirror. I looked pitiful. I was not a fan of lying but I needed to, even if I felt like my solu's getting burned in hell. It hurts me everytime I lie, butI didn’t have a choice.
I washed my face, not minding if my light makeup gets erased. There's no reason to be beautiful. In Atlas' eyes, I was the most ugly and wicked woman he knew.
“Oh, look who’s here.”
I abruptly shifted my gaze from the newly opened door. I instantly saw Trina walking towards me, smirking. I shook my head and continued what I was doing. I quickly wiped my wet face and fixed myself, ignoring her presence. I already had enough for today. My head hurt too much to give her even a bit of my attention.
“You know, Olive. . . Atlas and I booked a hotel nearby. After we eat dinner, we'll eat each other,” she muttered and gave off a wicked laugh. “You know why Atlas doesn't like you? Aside from the fact that you're a midget, you're also ugly.”
My eyes narrowed down to her. Her words caught my attention. “Can you please stay away from me? I don't care about your escapades with Atlas. So, shut up!” I firmly said.
Trina looked astonished but in a flick of an eye, she's already smirking. “You're brave now, huh. Aren't you afraid of being left?”
I sighed and composed myself once more. I reminded myself that Trina's just a mistress. That just like the ones before her, Atlas would leave her, too. That she's not worth my time because I'm still the legal wife.
“If you don't have anything left to say, excuse me.”
I turned my back to her and picked my bag. But after a few steps, I felt her grip on my arm. I puffed out a breath. I desperately stopped myself not to hurt her but my hand did otherwise. When my gaze went to her, I pulled my arm away. Her eyes widened but I care less. Trina cut the last string of my patience. She pushed me to the limit.
“When I say shut up, shut up! Be grateful, Trina, because I never once fought back from everything you did. You might have to borrow a face from a dog once I get enough of you!” I remarked. “Also, I'm not ugly! Do you want me to take that thick makeup off your face to see who's the ugly one?!”
Before she could even recover, I already left her. I didn't wait for her to get her revenge. I was catching my breath as I walked through the hallway of the restaurant. My heart was beating so fast. I know I'm weak, but in times of need, I had to fight back. Because the truth is that I'm the one who has my rights. Trina's just a mistress leeching over my husband.
“Shit!”
I know that my ears aren't deceiving me. Even though I got hurt from the clash, I looked up to confirm my thoughts. When I lifted my head, Atlas' rumpled forehead greeted me. His eyes were full of questions as he stared at me.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled.
“Why are you here? Do you really want your dad to see Trina and I?” he asked. Atlas looked so formal. He seemed to come from the site when he met with Trina. I shook my head. I shouldn't even wonder why.
“I don't know what you're saying. I have to go. Daddy and I had to go home,” I said.
“Don’t fool me again, Olive. I know that you're good at manipulating everything. You even manipulated th—”
I slapped him. I looked him straight in the eyes. For the first time in our ten years of marriage, I slapped him for degrading me. I don't know. It seems like my hand had its own mind. Maybe my heart was the only thing left numb and my body was tired of not feeling anything. My heart was still a martyr, but not my mind. Not anymore.
“I’ve had enough for today, Atlas. I’m drained from all the shit in our life. Please, let me rest. I'm tired of everything!” I said before heading to my Dad’s room.
Even if it was hard, I forced myself to calm down from shaking in so much anger. My knees were wobbling because of what I just did. I was usually calm and quiet. Even if I'm hurt, I can't fight for myself. But, things changed. I learned that once you have enough, you'll explode like a volcano without even realizing it.
“Good thing you’re already here, Hija. Atlas was here. I saw him somewhere and I invited him to join us but he declined. He said he had an important meeting. I guess it's more important than us.” Daddy laughed. I just got seated and that's what greeted me. I smiled at him, too. A fake one. I can feel that he's disappointed towards Atlas.
I held his hand. “Sorry, Daddy. Maybe next time. Atlas is too busy.”
I forced myself to keep a cheerful tone to make my dad's weariness go away. I tried to open topics that were worthy to talk about. Daddy also asked me about the Dubai magazine that chose me as a representative for a big event about empowering women.
My Dad was very proud of me. I could feel it. The thing is, I don't know if I should be happy or sad. I had been in different countries to represent women empowerment but me as a woman was way farther than the image I portray. It saddens me to even think about it, but that's the truth.
I came with Daddy back to our house. I decided to stay with Dad for a while. I don't have anyone back in my house. Whenever I'm sad and Dad's free, he's the only one I can lean on. The only person that would understand and spoil me just like before.
“You know, Hija. I really want to have a grandchild. When are you and Atlas planning to have one?"
Dad caught my attention. I turned to his side and removed my eyes from the car's window pane. He seemed excited. I smiled and tried to push the things that bothered me away. I leaned to my father’s shoulder and clung to him like a baby.
“I don't know, Dad. There's a right time for everything. We are waiting for the right time,” I said. “How about you? When are you planning to get married again?” I said jokingly.
Daddy tapped my left shoulder. I laughed, and that made him laugh too. “Never anymore. I love your mother so much. When love hits you so hard, my daughter, it's hard to get up. You can never change your heart,” he said softly. I felt him kissing the top of my head.
I smiled at what my father said. I just proved how my father loved my mother so much, once again. The magic of true love. When it hits you hard, it sticks to you like glue.
Same goes for my feelings with Atlas. Feeling that even after a long time, I'm still drowning. Staying. Waiting. Hoping.
I stayed at my Dad’s house for one week. I skipped work and decided to cancel all my meetings. I thought of resting from all the stress that I was feeling. I want to unwind and relax.I didn't inform Atlas because we don't really inform each other of our schedules. I can say that we're not close. We were two different people that were binded only because of marriage. A marriage that he didn't like but was forced to because of me.LBefore I went home to South Ridge Village, I decided to stop by my clinic first. I got some of the papers and documents of my patients. I decided to read those papers at home. It was six in the morning and I had all day to scan it.I smiled as I maneuvered my car. I reminisced about the happy days with my dad. When we went to another co
I left Atlas in the kitchen after I said those words. I felt like if I stayed longer, my tears would stream down endlessly. I'm not mistaken, because after a few steps, my tears fell.It hurts.It hurts because I know that I'm just forcing myself to not be hurt by everything that's happening. I know that I'm cheating on myself, making me believe I'm strong and I will fight. But the truth is. . . I'm already wrecked, and I don't know if it's still possible to fix.I walked straight to my room. I locked my door before I sat on my bed. I held my chest and tapped it gently. My tears kept on falling and I could hardly breathe.I asked myself if I should just be like this everytime? Crying and hiding? Be
Seconds passed before I managed to push Ramn away from me. My eyes were wide as I looked at him. I can't utter a word. I was too baffled by what happened. I don't know what to do first, slap Ramn or meet Atlas' eyes that's been boring holes in my skin.I blinked many times to calm my raging heart. But, the moment I tried to say something to Ramn was the same time I felt someone grab my waist. The man behind me punched Ramn straight to his face.I blinked again. Even if I keep on denying, I know that my heart's not deceiving me. I know who's the man behind me because the scent of his musk has been engraved in my soul."Fuck you, moron!" Atlas shouted angrily. He pulled me out of the pool and carried me like a sack. I heard him cursing under his breath while I am still s
Atlas kissed me rough. Like he could erase his anger through a kiss. I tasted the blood from my lips. I badly wanted to push him away but just like every time, I couldn't. His arm was snaked around my waist while his other hand held my head.I shook my head when he let go of my lips. My eyes were full of begging while staring at him. He was staring at me, too. I forcefully pushed his body using my hands."No, Atlas. Please," I whispered.Atlas shook his head and pulled me close to him. He bit my lower lip so I'll ope n my mouth. It hurts, but after a while, it changed. Its rhythm became calm, like it was enthralling me. Like every pain he inflicted can vanish because of it.I closed my eyes. My body was almost froze
I glanced at my wristwatch. I shook my head when I saw the time. It is exactly three in the afternoon. One hour before meeting with Montreal.I sighed. I still can't believe that gay attorney made me agree. He used his scheming tactics on me, except for my interest when I heard Trina's name who was behind everything.I balled my fist. She will never get away with this. I've had enough. I already accepted the reality that she's Atlas' mistress, but I could never accept her attempt to humiliate me. I will make sure that she'll pay.After some time, I brought my attention back to the papers that are scattered around my table. I looked into it one by one. Being a good psychiatrist in the Metro means having the biggest responsibility. I had things to take care of and things to hi
Kraius and I ended up at a resto near BGC. It's already past six in the evening. We both felt hungry so we agreed to just eat dinner. We ended up at a turkish restaurant. I was a bit surprised when he said that he's half turkish.I ordered my usual salad and steak. I'm not really a fan of heavy foods in dinners. I'm usually fine with just juice and lettuce. Kraius, on the other hand, ordered a Kebab and Köfté. We both like orange juice."Is that fine with you? No wonder, you're so thin," he playfully said, his brows were raised at me. He was holding a fork with kebab."Stop staring," I scoffed.I brought my attention back to my food but Kraius was really a bother. I can feel his intense gaze towards me.
I've been awake for a while, but I didn't want to get up. My mind is being clouded with so many uncertainties. Questions that I don't know if I should find out or just let it be.I sighed and glanced at Atlas who's at the other side of the bed. His back was facing me and he looked like he's still sleeping.It's such a dream to see the both of us sleeping on the same bed. Just like the other couples, we also had a normal relationship. We may fight, but in the end, we'll still go home to each other's arms.I hope everything's that easy. We wouldn't have hurt each other. The wound in my heart wouldn't have deepened. I wouldn't have endured the little love I've been begging for.I sighed and looked at the bedside
"Olive, my dear! The house looks so beautiful."I smiled when I saw the happiness in Atlas' mom's face. Even if Atlas and I fought earlier, I still picked the best decorations based on my taste. No word had been uttered in the whole duration of our stroll around the mall.I chose to shut my mouth up because I know that every word I'll say, it will just be neglected by Atlas. He already concluded everything. His mind is closed for my explanations. It hurts, especially when I hoped that we'd at least treat each other better.I shook my head and sighed. I'm still the same woman that can be easily swayed by the man I love. I quickly hope for something, and even if I'm mad, I still can't deny the fact that I love Atlas. My heart has been a slave for him that after ten years
Starry starry night Paint your palette blue and gray Look out on a summer's day With eyes that know the darkness on my soul Now I understand What you tried to say to me How you suffered your sanity And how you tried set them free They did not listen They did not know how Perhaps they listen now I immediately reached for my phone underneath my pillow when I heard my ringtone. I was still half asleep as I stared at its screen. I pouted as I saw the time. I'm already thirty minutes late to my destination. It's already nine in the morning and I just woke up. I put the phone on my bedside table and tried to get up. I carefully got off the bed and stretched my body before walking to my small window. I smiled instantly when the small but beautiful garden greeted me. There are different types of flowers and roses blooming. My succulents looked beautiful as they were displayed in my small backyard. "Good morning, sunshine!" I cheerfully said as if they could understand me. I even s
Atlas Ramirez POVI was smiling as I watched a woman with long hair. It was pulled in a bun as he stood formally, watching the tall building of Eiffel Tower. Her brown coat reached her thighs, paired with a white shirt inside. Her blue jeans and boots with heels complimented well as she paired it with a clutch bag hanging on her shoulder.It's been a long time since I saw her. Times where I feel like my life is nothing. Times where I surrendered everything for her. And the times where I needed to carry the pain of letting her go. I can't seem to fathom the fact that I saw her again because of a coincidental vacation.There are a lot of types of love. There's pure, there's not. It's enduring. There's leaving. There's love for family, for friends, and for everyone. But above e
I feel like everything stopped at that moment. My breathing hitched and my heart didn't beat. I felt like I was slowly dying as I saw my son being surrounded by doctors and nurses. They did everything they could to save him, until they ended up shaking their heads, a sign of giving up."Time of death. Twelve thirty in the afternoon."I sobbed on Atlas' chest as the doctor uttered the words I didn't want to hear. Why is it that when you want something, you just can't get it? It's always not allowed. Always wrong. Always not in the right time.I even thought about what sin I've done to receive this kind of punishment. I kept on going back to the past but I couldn't find the reason why. I can't think of anything but the fact that I just lo
A muffled moan came out from my mouth as another punch of pain rushed inside. I almost can't take the pain on my hips and womanhood. Atlas was driving the car speedily. We quickly arrived at the biggest hospital of San Vicente. He didn't waste any time and carried me inside the hospital."It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay," he whispered and kissed my head."It hurts," I said, in pain.I felt Atlas laying me down somewhere. When I opened my eyes, his worried face was what greeted me. Beside him was a uniformed nurse while behind him was also someone wearing a uniform, but I couldn't see it because of my vision blurring. I'm tired and desperately want to sleep."How often does it hurt, Ma'am?" the doctor ask
I don't know where I pulled the strength to get off Atlas' car. I don't have any idea as to how I moved my feet together with Atlas who's holding my hand tightly. When I glanced at him, he was just staring in front of us seriously. I remained silent and let him take me wherever."We're here."We stopped at a not-so-big mausoleum. It's obviously been here for a long time just by looking at its rusty grills and roof."She's my first love," he started.I've heard that phrase a lot of times from his mouth, but it still hurts the same. Maybe because that truth was the reason why I had my uncertainties and regrets for the past ten years. Because of that phrase, I was wrecked repeatedly until I couldn't recognize myself an
After the tragedy, light will come. After the rain stops, the sun will shine. All the tears and pain, all the suffering and torments. It will serve as a foundation for a new chapter. For a new start and for a new hope.I woke up the next morning with a smile glued on my lips. I wondered what happened to Atlas and I last night. It wasn't sexual, but a physical kind that I could still feel his embrace. An embrace that made my mind at peace, that made me fall into slumber.I roamed around the room as I got up from bed. There is no trace of Atlas in every corner of it. I pouted my lips. I felt a bit of disappointment but I just shrugged the thoughts off. Then, I sighed and continued the things that I needed to do."Big sister!"
I didn't exactly know what Atlas meant about coming with him. I don't know what he meant by starting again. All I know is that I was with him and we were both inside his car while he was driving somewhere far from the Metro. A place that I didn't know.The skies started to be gloomy as the light and darkness fought for its place. The sun began to bid its goodbye, together with the rise of the moon. I am tired from the long ride that I let myself drown into slumber. I don't know how long I slept in so much tiredness. The only thing I knew was I was awakened by a soft kiss on my lips. And when I opened my eyes, Atlas' face greeted me."We're here," he whispered."I'm sorry, I slept."I slightly moved away
Dr. Lagman brought us to a private room. My heart was beating so fast. I couldn't explain what I was feeling. I was nervous and excited at the same time.When I roamed around the room, I saw that it was just a normal clinic laboratory. There's a bed on the side while there's a small table beside the ultrasound monitor. There's a lavatory at the other side of the room and a picture of a baby on the wall. The interior was white with a hint of green, so it felt really refreshing in the eyes."Alright! You can let go of your wife now," she turned to Atlas. That's when I realized that Atlas was still snaking his arm on my waist. I took a glimpse of him and shook my head. He nodded and let me go with a sigh."Now, let's lay down on the bed and relax. This will not hurt," she said.
They said the best healing starts from yourself. Start from accepting your flaws. From reflecting the things that you've done in the past. And from loving and caring for yourself, alone. A new start for myself."But, Dad! You said that you will go with me to the hospital," I said, problematic."I'm sorry, Hija. We have an emergency at the Senate, so I didn't have the time to inform you. But, I promise next time."I heard him sigh. I nodded although he couldn't see me. "Okay. I'm sorry, Dad. I know you're busy and I am still disturbing you. I'll just go alone," I said."No! baby, Atlas will come with yo--""What?!" I immediately complained. When I real