It's Sad to Belong

It's Sad to Belong || Paranoia

Warning: Mature Scene. Read at your own risk. Here you go! Please remember their behavior here is also fictional. Loooong updates. Enjoy!

Chapter Eleven

Ericka has been worried since James left for Palawan. She is worried that Nadine might be attending the seminar with him.

She is not ashamed to admit it, she is threatened by Nadine and the effect she has on James, and what she can do to their marriage.

As she drives to the office, she comes across a song in the radio and it suddenly brings back memories; early memories with James. She remembers how he used to be; how in love he was with her, and how his world revolved around her.

She remembers all the promises he made and kept, and how much he had taken care of her as if she was the most important thing in the world. She remembers the night she told him she was pregnant.

The way he jumped up and down like a little kid. She remembers the smile he had on his face when he said "I do" and the day he had held Sibelle in his arms for the first time.

That James is gone. A tear escapes her eye. She turns off the radio and begins to sob uncontrollably.

She pulls up in the parking lot and quickly walks inside the building, heart pounding very fast. "God, please, keep her away from James. I'm begging you," she thinks to herself.

She reaches the 2nd floor and is quickly greeted by Luis, who is standing by the elevators.

"Ericka, how are you? It's so good to see you," Luis says.

"Hi, Luis. How is it going?" she says, scanning the place for Nadine.

"So what brings you here?"

"I was just looking for Ms. Lustre. I just need to ask her about something. Is she here?" she asks nervously.

"Sorry, Ericka. But Nadine is not here. She went to that seminar with James and other lawyers," he explains.

Her heart drops. THEY ARE TOGETHER.

Her heart is now pounding faster than it was a minute ago, and she feels her legs go weak.

"Oh, is she? That's too bad. I'll just come back then when she's here," she says, trying her best to sound as normal and calm as possible.

She makes it back to her car and immediately grabs her cellphone to call James. She dials his number and it goes straight to voicemail.

"Honey, it's me. Can you call me when you get this? Please. I love you."

***

The first day of seminar just ended and James glances at Nadine, who is standing across the room, busy searching her purse for something. He walks up behind her.

"Hi. Busy?" he asks.

She turns around. "Oh, hi. No. I was just looking for my hotel room key."

"Listen, uhm, would you like to have dinner with me?" he asks smiling.

"Uhm-"

"My treat," he says playfully.

Nadine smiles at him and scratches her head. "Fine. You said the magic words. As long as you're paying," she teases.

James laughs. "I'm paying, don't worry. You can even get desserts, too," he jokes.

"Alright. Fine. Meet me at the lobby at 7:00."

"I'll see you at 7:00," he says, winking his left eye.

***

It's 6:50 pm and James is anxious to get downstairs and see Nadine. He's been in Palawan now for a day but he hasn't even thought about calling his wife.