Stay

chapter 5

"Emily over here. Oh my God I almost didn't recognize you. You're tanned and thin.  Why you look absolutely stunning." Kenny commented as he looked at me.

"My God when Nanna told me you're not eating well I was so worried but if cheating husbands can get you to tone your body I highly recommend it," Kenny added as he hugged her to him.

"It felt good to see you Ken. So what kind of job do you have in mind for me? " She answered. They haven't seen each other for the whole week.

''Well you know the property developer I'm connected with?  His secretary is on leave so he said if it's alright with you he wants you to start on the day he comes back from his trip abroad.'' Kenny said.

''How could you have gotten him to give me this job?'' I asked innocently but knowing Kenny he has clouts like an octopus.

"This man owed me big time for saving his niece from a drunken stupor in a bar. He is giving you this job as a favor actually.'' He simply replied.  "And besides your more than capable for this job."
Kenny added.

''He also suggested that you can take on as an assistant to his sister. She's the interior designer in the business. His nephew who used to be her assistant decided to ditch her to venture into his own interior designing business so she is left with no one at the present.'' Kenny added.

Smiling broadly Kenny asked, '' So what is your pick?"

I stood up and hugged him. I would gladly take any of these jobs being offered.

"What do you suggest I will choose?" I asked happily and wishing I could start right away and start gaining my independence.

"Take the assistant job. The pay is the same but you get to meet a lot of people and contacts which would help take your mind off of your cheating husband." Kenny suggested. Looking at her sympathetically he inquired. "Is he still going on to his tutorial class?" Kenny asked.

"He still does." Kenny and I have already surmised that my husband's going to the tutorial class is his reason to keep on seeing her or to go on on his affair.

After my thorough investigation and Kenny's helpful analysis of our situation we concluded that Gwyneth is the other woman and that their family's business the tutorial class is only an alibi for their affair. Although the money that came from it has helped with our monthly bills and with the children growing up.

"Okay. When will I see her so I can start right away?" I asked.

"You can go right now. She said she'll be in her office the whole day. This is the address.  You can google the place if you're not familiar with the street address. Their office is located at the newly developed south road properties." Kenney said.

I thanked Kenny again for his help. I walked back to the parking lot.  Breathing deeply I typed the location on my phone and start driving.

I was shaking with excitement at the prospect of having a job after five years. My first and last job was as a math teacher at the grade school where Alex also worked.

I haven't paid Alex much thought at that time. I was new in town and new in the school so I worked really hard. I plan to impress the education committee so I would be given another contract.  But I impressed Alex instead and got the marriage contract.

I noticed that Alex was giving me his special attention but there were a lot of new teachers that were vying for his attention too.  So I ignored him. But it was exhilarating to know that he noticed me. 

Then the next year I kept bumping into him. I didn't know it at first but later on he confessed that he bribed the principal to make his schedule the same with mine.

It was the reason why I kept seeing him during my coffee break and library hour. And I admit I was thrilled every time I sensed that he was checking me out.

But I still don't trust him. I chose to ignore his advances. His handsome and charming and the other lady teachers sought his attention as well. And he readily gives his attention to these women and it was something that I don't like.

But I remembered how carefully I choose my dress every time I get to work. I remembered the high heels I have to suffer just to make me look tall and beautiful.

Then one day the coffee maker in the lounge was not working and I can still remember the look on Alex's face when I arrived at the lounge with the Starbucks coffee in my hands.  It was because when word got around that the machine is not working one of our colleagues had ordered from Starbucks. Alex however unaware of the Starbucks orders and anticipating my company in the lounge had prepared two cups of coffee using the kettle available in the kitchen.

Pleased with his ingenuity he was waiting for me to offer me a cup when he saw that I already have Starbucks in my hands.

One look at him and my heart melted and I gave up my nonchalant attitude towards him. We drank the coffee he prepared by dosing it with the Starbucks I brought with me.

I could have played on his feelings and teased him on his coffee abilities but I chose not. His blue eyes and charming smile are enough to weaken my heart.

So from that day on he has my coffee on the ready every day. And five months into the relationship he got serious and put an engagement ring on my finger.

He couldn't keep his hands off me during our time there as couples. He would often sneak up on me in the library and give me a full kiss.

One time he pulled me behind the kitchen cabinet in the lounge just so he can embrace me and hold me tightly to him.

I haven't given myself to him even though I was wearing his ring. I never took his ring seriously though. I was simply thrilled to be wearing one and flaunt it. I didn't plan on marrying at 22.