MISTER EX

9. A DELICATE DESIRE

Frank took the glass of water from her hands and drank it in one gulp.

"So nice," he whispered, "and so deceitful." He stared into her eyes. "I saw you in bed with him." His lip curled. "You are a liar and a slut."

She raised her hand but, he caught her wrist only inches away from slapping him. He twisted her arm behind her back, and she tried to break free. He pulled her tight against his hard body, bending his head.

She turned her face away. "Frank!"

"Damn you and your faithless body." His hand glided over her curves, pulling her closer to him. Meanwhile, his other hand gently lifted her chin, guiding her in for a kiss.

Frank let out a low, almost inaudible sound as he tilted his head. Slowly, he traced the outline of her tightly pressed lips with his tongue before gently nibbling at the corner of her mouth. Moving down to her neck, he planted soft kisses along the way, eliciting a contented sigh from her. Releasing her wrist, his lips found hers once more, this time met with her willing response as she parted her lips for him.

Taking advantage of the moment, he deepened the kiss, exploring her mouth with his own. His fingers wove through her hair as she instinctively rose onto her toes, eager to get even closer to him.

With a swift motion, he lifted her off the ground, and she instinctively wrapped her legs around him, completely losing her connection to the floor beneath her. The embrace deepened, creating a beautifully intimate moment between the two of them.

As her arms encircled his neck, her delicate fingers gently caressed his hair, sending shivers down her spine. The intoxicating scent of his cologne filled her senses, making her heart race with desire. She couldn't resist the magnetic pull between them, clinging to his body as if her life depended on it. The ache of longing for him had consumed her, and now, at this moment, she felt complete. As her feet slowly made contact with the chilly floor, the sound of the zipper being pulled down rang in her ears. Leah's heart raced in her chest as she gathered the courage to push him away, torn between her emotions and her longing for freedom.

"Frank no!" she said, in a shaky voice, mortified by her reaction to his demanding kiss. How could she fall so quickly into his arms? Her brain screamed, he's engaged to someone else. She hated herself almost as much as she hated him.

Frank looked confused. His eyes became two black slits, his face stone. Leah saw true fury.

"Still up to your old tricks? Is that what happened with that man? He saw you for what you are, a slu..." Frank said and smiled with no gentleness in his face.

"Don't you call me that again. Look at you, engaged to another woman and trying to get me into bed. Well, I am no longer a starry-eyed, naive virgin who thought the sun rose and set around you." She flashed him a look of disdain.

Frank smartly confronted her. "Is that what you were? I think you saw a chance to marry a man for money, so you pretended to care for me. You almost made it for a month, and we would have been married."

Leah shook her head and looked at him. "You would never understand Frank. And it's late. You'd better go home and invite your fiancée to bed. I have to get to sleep. I need to be up early for work."

"Well then, I will bid you good night, thanks for the dinner." Frank turned on his heel and walked from the kitchen into the living room. He picked his coat up from the sofa and strode out the door.

Leah released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding, her body trembling as she made her way towards the door. With a steady hand, she turned the deadbolt and slid the security chain back into place, ensuring their safety. Moving cautiously, she tip-toed down the hallway towards Andrei's bedroom. The door remained closed, and there was no sign of light emanating from within. A wave of relief washed over her as she peeked inside to check on her son. A gentle smile formed on her lips as she observed him peacefully asleep in his blue race car bed. The headlights of the bed acted as a comforting nightlight, casting a soft glow around the cozy room.

Leah couldn't help but reminisce about how she had carefully chosen that bedsheet as a special gift for Andrei's fourth birthday just two days ago. As she watched him snuggled up with his beloved teddy bear, she leaned down and planted a tender kiss on his cheek before quietly exiting the room and closing the door behind her. Leaving Anne to sleep in the adjacent room, Leah noticed that it was now enveloped in darkness, a clear indication that her sister-in-law was soundly asleep. Making her way to the living room, Leah packed her spot on the couch, creating a sense of comfort and familiarity in the quiet surroundings.

The meager collection of garments dangled from the sturdy wardrobe, waiting to be chosen. As she swung open the door, her nightgown was the first to be gently lifted off the hanger. Leah carefully placed her work-uniform on the hanger, admiring the exquisite designer dress and shoes that had drained her bank account of an entire month's salary. It was a bittersweet reminder of Anne's wise counsel, convincing her to invest in the perfect ensemble that ultimately secured her position at the prestigious jewelry store nestled on the glamorous Fifth Avenue of Quezon City. Anne's advice had proven to be spot-on, and Leah couldn't help but feel grateful for her sister-in-law's guidance.

Leah ran her open hand over her clothes, ignoring the black cocktail dress hidden in the back. The rest of her outfits were all secondhand and some not nearly warm enough for the cloudy season. The dress and shoes were the only luxuries she could afford for herself.

After Frank abandoned her while she was pregnant, she faced the challenge of finding employment that offered health insurance. In order to make ends meet, she had to exhaust her remaining inheritance and sell some of her more valuable clothing items. On top of that, she had outstanding debts to the hospital and the doctor who assisted in delivering her son, Andrei. To compound her difficulties, the economy experienced a significant downturn, further exacerbating her already dire situation.

Every penny she earned was dedicated to providing for Andrei's needs, ensuring he had nutritious meals and stylish clothing. Sacrificing her own meals, she prioritized her well-being by investing in high-quality food and brand-new clothing. Refusing to settle for second-hand items, she made sure he had the best of everything, even if it meant going without herself.

Despite the financial strain, she found solace in the fact that her current job offered a significantly higher pay compared to her previous employment. This increase in income allowed her to afford health insurance for both herself and Andrei, a luxury she had never been able to enjoy before.

With this newfound financial security, she was optimistic about finally being able to pay off her debts and secure a stable future for herself and her son. Even if her father didn't want him, she loved him and would always provide the best for her son. He was her world. She was grateful that Frank hadn't seen him. Should Frank ever meet Andrei, he would know instantly that the little boy was his son. Andrei's hair and eyes were just as black as his father's. Leah huddled under the blanket on her bed and tried not to think of Frank.

The lingering sensation of his lips on hers remained, making it impossible for her not to dwell on thoughts of him. A sigh escaped her lips as she couldn't help but notice how he had become even more attractive, if such a thing was even possible. Leah's heart tightened with a mix of emotions as she reminisced about the moments they had shared together. However, one question lingered in her mind, causing confusion to cloud her thoughts - why had he brought up the name of his employee? She couldn't comprehend his intentions behind it.

Frank knew she'd met the man at the same time he had. They were in one of Frank's staycation places but not open to the public.

While relaxing at the pool, the man had been there, and he started a conversation with Frank. They discussed the new techniques and recipes to make pizza in his restaurant. It was his learning from the different places here in the Philippines and abroad. That evening, the three of them had dinner together. Then the manager's staff member named Brolden Gonzales had gone home to Paris, and she never saw him again.

Leah longed for a different outcome in her relationship with Frank. The way he pronounced her name, with his unique accent and seductive, raspy voice, had always captivated her. In the depths of the night, he would softly utter her name while they made love, igniting a fire within her. Seeing him again tonight made her realize the immense void his absence had left in her life.

Holding her pillow close, she felt a tightness in her throat as tears rolled down her cheeks, grieving for all the misunderstandings that had pulled them apart.