A Sinful Forbidden Affair

Chapter 6

"Hi, hon! I'll be coming home late. I'll meet a client here in Pasay. Yes, do not worry. I'll take care, I love you."

Era ended the call with Vernon and inhaled deeply bago pumasok sa loob ng hotel. She opted to use Grab para hindi na mapagod pauwi mag-drive. Pagpasok sa restaurant ng hotel ay hinanap niya ang katagpuan, ngunit hindi niya ito makita.

"Hi, miss! Is there any table reserved under the name Mr. Sujuico?" tanong ni Era sa restaurant receptionist.

"Mr. Alistair Sujuico, ma'am?"

"Yes?"

"This way, ma'am."

Iginiya siya nito sa isang panig ng restaurant. 'Are we going to?'

Era's question was answered upon standing in front of the doors for a private dining area. She felt underdressed for the occasion. She was wearing a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, sneakers, and a purse.

Tinanguan siya ng receptionist and she opened the doors for her.

She saw Zenith sitting on the couch. His eyes automatically bore into hers. Umaliwalas ang mukha nito pagkakita sa kaniya. He was wearing casual clothes, too. Buti na lang, kung hindi ay underdressed siya.

He stood up with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. "Hi!" He smiled at her.

Tinanguan lamang niya ito, she fought the urge to smile back at him. Tinanggap niya ang mga bulaklak atas ng kagandahang asal.

"Is this a date? Attor—"

"Zenith, please, Era."

"Is this a date, Zenith?" Era saw him smile again, but this time, it reached his eyes.

"It is up to you on what you want to perceive," anito. Ipinaghila siya nito ng upuan. She went to his side and sat down. As expected, Zenith was a gentleman.

"Thank you," aniya.

"No, thank you for giving me this chance, Era."

She nodded.

As they sat, the waiter poured champagne in their wine glasses. Lamb spanakopitas were now served. While enjoying their food, Zenith started to have a conversation with her.

"Your ideas for Sujuico are exceptional," pagbubukas ni Zenith ng topic.

"No need to flatter me, Zenith. I am just doing my work."

"I am telling the truth, Era. If we met in a different circumstance, for sure, I'll tell you the same."

Yumuko si Era, she couldn't handle the intensity of Zenith's stare. She reached for her water goblet. Ayaw niyang uminom ng kahit anong alak. Mahirap na.

"So, how's being married?" she asked.

Lumambong ang mukha ng abogado sa kaniyang harap. "To be honest, Era, it was not good even before we met. I don't want to talk about it either."

Nagkibit-balikat si Era. Bakit nga ba niya naitanong? Was she fishing for information or was she wishing he was not married?

"I am single, for tonight." Ipinakita ni Zenith ang palasingsingan. "Not that I deliberately want to, ayaw kong makita kang may kasamang may lalaking may asawa." He genuinely smiled at her.

"I feel like we are cheating on your wife and with my boyfriend. As much as I don't want to, thi—"

"Please don't. We are just adults sorting our differences, Era. That's why I chose to meet you here in the private dining area."

Era was about to say something when their main course, tournedos with bordelaise sauce, was now served. Her champagne was now changed into a red wine.

She looked at Zenith.