Dog Show (Carnal Consensus #1)

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AFTER DINNER Ludivina accompanied Emanuel to one of the guest rooms in her penthouse apartment. She had the guest room well prepared for Emanuel in accordance with his health condition. The room was filled with the aromatic scents of gardenia flowers and mint —- to make sure that Emanuel would not be having trouble breathing. Watching Emanuel striding across the dainty room, Ludivina couldn't avoid feeling the guilt that was kicking and thrashing through her chest and stomach. She knew that if she and Emanuel had not separated in the very first place, Emanuel would not be in this sort of situation.

A smug smile encompassed her face as soon as Emanuel slumped his butt on the edge of the bed. She couldn't help but imagine those old moments when she and Emanuel were still together as husband and wife. "I hope you won't be having uncomfortability with this room, dad. I know you are sensitive now that your health is—"

"Would you like to discuss what James wanted to happen, Ludivina? Or shall I still say and address you, mom." Emanuel chimed rhetorically, interrupting Ludivina from going onward. He had not told James the truth that he still loved Ludivina, and he only married Sonya because Sonya was like a homeless dog and badly needed someone to take care of her.

In a sudden, a lump of awkwardness gradually and drastically grew and flogged her throat. The tone of Emanuel's voice found its easy way to her brain and her heart, shaking and awakening the dormant guilt and culpability stored inside her. "Did he also tell you what he wants to happen? And why is he doing this to us?"

"Ludivina, there's something you have to know." Emanuel cooed indifferently and it sent shivers down her spine.

Cringing to the thought of who the two of them had to blame for their unnecessary separation, Ludivina slumped herself on the couch adjacent to the bed, across the room. "I hope you forgive me, dad. I know it was my fault. But I was blinded by the amount of money David had." She sadly cooed while covering her face, preventing Emanuel from seeing her tears. "Do you know why I didn't hesitate when James asked me to let you stay here for the night, dad?"

Emanuel shook his head languorously. "No. I don't know but I feel something like a doubt."

"A doubt? About what, dad?" Ludivina scoffed indifferently, mimicking a series of questions to Emanuel.

"A lot of things, mom." Emanuel retorted.

"Tell me dad. I wanna know." Ludivina insisted.

Heaving a desmissive sigh, Emanuel straightened up himself while nailing Ludivina with his glare. Inwardly, he had been longing for this moment to come —- to talk to Ludivina and confess everything that had been burdening and adding weights on his head. "Let me begin between you and me, mom. I know you're still—-"

"I still have feelings for you, dad. I still love you even though you now have Sonya with you." Ludivina interjected nervously yet bravely blurting out the truth that had been weighing on her shoulders.

And it didn't surprise nor shock Emanuel, rather, the poor at the same time lucky guy knew and already saw it coming. He had doubts that his ex-wife had loved him still despite the years they were living separately. "I knew you would say that, mom." Emanuel scoffed funnily while stifling a smile on his face. "And I still feel the same way too towards you."

Surprised with what she heard from her ex-husband, Ludivina stood up and scooted quickly at Emanuel's side. "I know we still love each, dad. And I hope you forgive me for what I have done to you and to our family." She snorted emotionally while hugging Emanuel and leaning her head on his shoulder. "We can start all over again. We still can rebuild and repair everything that we'd lost in our way."

"I really want to, mom. But I haven't had any reason to divorce Sonya. Unless what I am thinking about is true." Emanuel sadly exclaimed. The doubt and exasperation that occupied his voice was unavoidable and canning.