The Empire Series 1: Vander Lewis Rushed

2. Lunch Date?

Vander Lewis

Maaga siyang nagising kinabukasan. He made sure he'll look handsome sa lunch date nila ni Aubrey. He wore his best long sleeves polo and unbuttoned the upper three buttons, faded jeans and brown boots.

Aubrey was already at the hotel lobby nang makarating siya doon. He felt the urged to snake his arms around her shoulders when he saw how sexy her dress is. Nagpaganda pa yata ito para sa pagkikita nila.

But he hates it because men are ogling at her. Naka-above the knee fitted dress ito. Parang mini-version lang ng red gown nito kagabi. Kitang-kita ang cleavage at hubog ng katawan pati ang likod.

"Since when did you learn how to dress like that?" Napasulyap siya sa asawa bago itinuon ang atensyon sa daan. Papunta na sila sa restaurant kung saan siya nagpa-reserve.

Aubrey just smiled but didn't answer. Hindi na lamang siya nagsalita pa.

"What are we going to talk about?" He asked while waiting for their order. They are on the second floor of the restaurant. It is overlooking a man-made lake. Maganda ang panahon dahil bahagyang malamig ang ihip ng hangin. It adds to the romantic ambiance of the place.

"Kumain muna tayo," saad nito. He can't do anything but oblige.

They ate silently.

After eating, he waited for her to talk. Nang hindi na siya makapaghintay ay siya na ang gumawa ng hakbang.

He reached for her hand. Bahagya siyang nagulat nang bawiin nito ang kamay. Pero hindi naman niya masisisi ang asawa kung may pag-aalinlangan ito. Ngunit hindi ito ang magiging rason para panghinaan siya ng loob.

"Aub, I am sorry for being irrational and irresponsible before. I know I've caused you so much pain." Umpisa niya. Ito na ang matagal niyang iniisip gawin simula nang malamang babalik ang asawa. He inhaled deeply and stared at her.

Aubrey stared back for a moment bago ito tumango at ngumiti ng tipid. Gumaan ang dibdib niya sa reaksyon nito. The anticipation for this moment gave him sleepless nights. Hindi niya kasi sigurado kung ano ang magiging reaction ng asawa. He expected worse than this.

"Tell me what I should do para makabawi sa lahat ng kasalanan ko sa 'yo." Puno ng sinseridad niyang saad.

"I've already forgiven you, Vander. Matagal na." Aubrey uttered calmly.

Napangiti siya sa sinabi nito. So, they stand a chance to get back together?

"But don't ever think that I did it for you," she said smiling bitterly. Natigilan siya sa narinig mula sa asawa.

"It was something I had to do to fix myself." She added. Napatitig siya rito. Her eyes are so calm. Hindi siya nakapagsalita agad. Pakiramdam niya ay bumalik ang bigat sa dibdib niya.

"Ngayon isa na lang ang kulang para tuluyan na akong makawala sa anino ng nakaraan natin." Dagdag nito na mas lalong nakapagpatigil sa mundo niya.

"I am filing an annulment." She stated. He felt like the world crushed. Sunud-sunod ang ginawa niyang pag-iling.

"No, Aub. I don't like." kontra niya sa pahayag nito. It was the last thing he wants.

"We can still fix our marriage." He said with conviction.

"Vander please don't make it too hard for all of us. Besides matagal na tayong hiwalay." Kalmado nitong hayag.

Her calmness scares him. Ibang-iba ito sa Aubrey na laging nagagalit at nakabulyaw noon sa tuwing may ginagawa siyang kabalbalan.

"No! Let me prove to you na nagbago na ako. Ten years, Aub. Marami na akong ipinagbago. I'm more responsible now. Kaya ko nang alagaan ang pamilya natin."