Just Hold Tight (Bittersweet Solitude Series #1)

Chapter 10

The Affair

. . .

Despite my growing feelings for Ethan, I knew I had a problem to settle first. My breakup with Bianca.

Kailangan ko munang ayusin ang buhay ko bago ko harapin ang panibagong yugto ng aking buhay. Hindi pwedeng basta ko na lang talikuran ang lahat ng pinagsamahan namin ni Bianca. We had history, memories, and plans for the future. Ngunit ngayon, parang nawala na ang lahat dahil sa pagtataksil niya.

Bianca and I had been together for years. We had been there for each other. Our families were intertwined, and we had a shared dream of what our future would look like. Ang dami naming pinagdaanan, masaya at malungkot, pero nanatili kaming magkasama. That's why it hurt so much when I found out she was cheating on me.

I remember the day I caught her. It was like any other day, except I decided to come home early from work. Pagpasok ko sa bahay, narinig ko agad ang mahihinang tawanan mula sa sala. My heart skipped a beat, but I shrugged it off, thinking it was just a friend visiting. But as I walked closer, I heard whispers and soft, intimate laughter.

Pagdating ko sa sala, natigilan ako sa nakita ko.

Bianca was sitting on the couch, her legs draped over another man's lap. His hand was slowly trailing up her thigh, and her fingers were playing with his hair. They were too close, too intimate.

My blood boiled as I watched the man lean in to kiss her neck, his lips lingering as she giggled softly. Hindi na ako nag-isip pa; my vision went red with anger and betrayal. I confronted them right then and there.

"What the fuck are you two doing?" I demanded, my voice a mix of fury and pain. She turned quickly, her eyes widening in shock and guilt.

"T-Terrence!" she looked so surprised and confused.

"Terrence... t-this isn't what it looks like," she stammered, pulling away from the man, but it was too late.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I growled at the man, stepping closer. He stood up, trying to look unbothered, but I could see the fear in his eyes.

"Stay out of this," he said, attempting to act tough.

"Stay out of this? This is my house, and you're in it with my fiancée," I shot back, my fists clenched.

"Terrence, please, let's talk about this calmly," Bianca pleaded, her voice shaking. She reached out to touch my arm, but I pulled away, the touch of her hand like fire on my skin.

"Calmly?" I laughed bitterly. "You have the nerve to ask for calm when I catch you cheating on me in our home?!"

Tears started to form in her eyes, her voice breaking. "I'm sorry. It was a mistake. I didn't mean for this to happen."

"It doesn't matter," I said coldly, glaring at the man beside her. "Get out. Now."

He hesitated for a moment, then grabbed his jacket and left, avoiding my gaze as he passed. I turned back to Bianca, my heart pounding in my chest.

"How long has this been going on?" I demanded, my voice low and dangerous.

"Terrence, it was just... a-a few times," she sobbed, and my face immediately turned sour. I feel like I'm gonna puke.

"I... I was lonely, and you were always so busy with work."

"So it's my fault now?" I asked, my voice rising. "You chose to betray me, and now you're blaming me for it?"

"No, that's not what I meant," she cried, but it was too late.

"We're done, Bianca. I can't do this anymore," I said, my voice breaking. "I'm ending this relationship."