*5 years later*
stell just got promoted as their company's chief marketing analyst and he was in dubai that day. he just closed a deal with their biggest business partner and decided to spend some time in one of the high-end restaurants on top of one of the high-rising skyscrapers in the city.
he was holding a glass of champagne while standing near the glass ledge, looking down on the city, while the wind gently blows against his skin.
"stell?"
stell looked beside him when he heard someone call his name and he stopped, surprised to see who it was.
"ken."
the younger smiled sheepishly and stood beside him. for a couple of minutes, no one talked. the both of them were just looking down, enjoying the view.
"what are you here for?" ken asked, breaking the silence.
"uhm, business. ikaw?"
"vacation."
"really? that's nice."
ken gently nudged stell with his elbow.
"i see, you're still wearing that ring."
stell smiled, looking at his hand. "yeah. paulo and i were able to fix things and here we are, twelve years into our marriage, with two kids at home."
ken nodded and smiled. "that's lovely."
"and what about you?" stell asked before taking a sip on his champagne.
"well, it was really tough but nagkaayos din kami ni jah. it took him a year to forgive me. when he did, we sorted stuff within our relationship and we got married as well. eto, four years na kaming kasal. kasama ko siya dito sa dubai, actually."
the both of them smiled, finally feeling the relief of being able to get out of that toxic situation a few years ago.
"'wag na natin uulitin 'yun, ken." stell said, making the other chuckle.
"i know. it was a nightmare."
"i'm happy for you, ken."
"i'm happy for you too, stell."
----
even if love is filled with pain, love finds a way to bring relief. and when it does, do not waste that opportunity.
remember, you cannot cheat by mistake. cheating will ALWAYS be a choice.
