Illicit Affair (Published With Etluxocpub)

10 - He is gone

I brought my boyfriend to our home to meet my mom. Connor was already at home when we arrive. I was expecting Zander would appear out of nowhere just to annoy me. I keep looking out for him as we prepare the table for lunch. My mom prepared sumptuous lunch for us. I asked our cook to prepare Hunter's favorite food, Kare-Kare, Bagnet and Dinuguan. Lunch was served in the main dining room.

"Oh kare-kare, you prepared this for me baby," Hunter smiled widely as he saw what is in the table. "The bagoong guisado looks yummy. Let's dig in."

"What's that Hun?" Aimee asked as she cringe while pointing to the bagoong, that sounds like honey to my ears but I disregard it but Connor's eyebrow shot up.

"That's fermented shrimp paste sauteed in pork fat with lots of onion, garlic, pepper season with pepper and chilies," Connor answered Aimee with a smirk. "The shrimp is freshly harvested daily; we outsource it from local wet market, and I personally make the fermenting process, but our cook made this." Pointing to the bagoong. It is evident on Aimee's face that she is more disgusted when Connor explained to her.

"Aimee that's accompaniment for the bland taste of the kare-kare, the sauce is made of grounded toasted peanut plus other ingredients." Hunter tried to explain to Aimee. "Just eat other food that you find interesting. You have to try Filipino food. They are really delicious."

I tried not pay too much attention how Aimee is manipulating Hunter's attention. She just kept asking Hunter to do things for her and even my mom tried to talk to me with her very watchful eyes. After lunch we retreated to the lanai for our dessert and coffee. We talk about everything while Connor kept on asking Hunter details about himself. After some time, I tour Hunter around our house. I even show him my bedroom. Mom invited us to stay over but Hunter refused.

"Noelle it is much better if you guys just stay over for the night." Mu mom told me. "The two guestroom is always prepared, and your room is always cleaned." My mom begs us to stay over. I know she misses us so much. Being alone in the big house that was so noisy before can be deafening when you are alone.

"Oh Madam, thanks for the invite but it is too bothersome to have us over and besides we didn't bring change of clothes, right Noelle." Hunter politely beg of my mom.

As we made back to the sala, I saw Connor talking on his phone, he just keeps whispering on the phone. I tried to eavesdrop to know who he is talking too but I guess he is talking to Zander. I am glad that he didn't come for the usual Sunday which he always joins our family ever since I know him.

"Hey princess," Connor called me. "Zander can not come for tomorrow's account reconciliation with the client. He will have time for teleconference on Tuesday 1pm. He doesn't have his own personal phone right now and he will be contacting the company thru email. Please ask the IT dept to set it up, ask Miss E to inform the client and inform the marketing department to prepare the proposal." Connor informed while pointing to the phone.

I went near to him and mouthed, "Where is Zander right now?", Connor only shrugged his shoulder ending his call.

I am wondering what Zander this time is up too. But I don't have time or need to exert an effort to mind what he is doing. My boyfriend is here, and he needs my attention. We went back to the condo, and I went ahead of our unit while Hunter walked Aimee to his unit. When Hunter went back to our unit, he immediately went to shower and just sleep right away. I miss him I told myself but why I'm not bother that he is not asking for some kind of intimacy? Why I feel relieve that he didn't even try to hug or kiss me? Where is Zander right now? Is he thinking about me now? Damn it Noelle stop thinking about that jerk.

Monday come and Hunter with Aimee joined me in the company. I introduce Hunter as my business partner, and he will come in the company with the capacity of Business Advisor. My announcement met a lot of opposition from other board member informing that Zander Patterson has been the long-standing Advisor of the company.