Era focused her attention on the new proposal she needed to finish for a new client. Kinuha niya ang iced coffee and sipped from it. Habang tinititigan niya ang nasa screen ay napapitlag siya sa notification ng social media account niya. It was a photo of Stitch from Vernon.
Saw this and I immediately bought him. Care for a night cap later?
Napangiti siya nang makita si Stitch at nagsimulang tumipa. Sure, what time?
Tumunog muli ang kaniyang Macbook Pro, indicating a new message was received. Dinner and night cap. I'll fetch you?
She replied, Let's just meet at Coffee Bean in BGC.
Alright, see you later!
She closed the tab at tinitigang muli ang screen. It had been four months. Four months nang malaman niyang hindi itinuloy ni Zenith ang annulment or divorce nito sa kaniyang asawa. He didn't even have the slightest idea that she already knew.
Era couldn't put a name on what she was feeling towards Zenith. Was it love? Fatal attraction? The high of thrill? Gustong-gusto na niyang kumawala sa tanikalang nagbubuklod sa kanila ni Zenith, but she didn't have the strength to do so. She still stayed in his condo. Unlike before, he slept there most of the time. Ngayon? Madalang. She hated the feeling of being a kept woman. Hindi niya deserve ang ganito, but hindi niya kayang malayo kay Zenith.
Nararamdaman niya ang sense of security kay Zenith. She felt he knew her well, he made her feel how to be special, important. It was as if they knew each other for the longest time. When their hands intertwine, it fits. It was like they were created for each other. He unlocked her body's capacity in the bedroom department. Parang he knew her body more than she knew it. He unlocked her body's deepest potential, that even she never thought that existed.
"Haaay."
***
Upon seeing Era enter the coffee shop, Vernon's heart beat faster than usual. Gusto man niyang pagsisihan ang nakaraan, na hindi niya ginawa ang lahat para makausap ito ay huli na.
All he could do was to be content with the friendship he had with Era. 'Beggars can't be choosers, can we?' mahina niyang usal sa sarili.
A certain feeling of being home assaulted his system when his lips touched her cheeks and when he inhaled her scent, it brought back a lot of memories. Bumikig ang kaniyang lalamunan at pilit inilunok ang hapdi ng pagmamahalang hindi na madugtungan.
"Have a seat." He posed a bright smile upang pagtakpan ang sakit ng kawalang magawa para maibalik ang babaeng mahal sa kaniyang piling.
Like he used to, he was mesmerized by her timeless beauty. When she smiled back at him, he was a hundred percent sure his heart skipped a beat.
"Thank you for him, Vernon!" She happily giggled while staring at a limited stuff toy of Stitch.
"Anything for you, hon," he responded back. Hindi niya namalayan ang endearment na nabanggit. Her beautiful smile faded easily.
"I am sorry, force of habit." Tumungo siya at pilit na itinatago ang lungkot sa mga mata.
"It is alright." Her warm hands grabbed his. When his eyes met hers, it was apologetic, comforting, and understanding—all at the same time. Those brown, expressive eyes used to look at him with love and fondness.
"So, how are you?" He tried to divert her attention. He secretly heaved a sigh.
"Doing good, I guess?"
Tinitigan niyang muli ang mga mata nito. There was uncertainty on those beautiful, brown orbs.
Vernon was about to say something when his order came.
BINABASA MO ANG
A Sinful Forbidden Affair
RomanceEra has been in a relationship with Vernon for more than a decade. They met each other when they were still young, both dreamt of a bright future together. They promised themselves to love each other despite whatever challenges life may brough them...
