Fervid Desire (Good Pleasure Series #2)

Kabanata 48

Kabanata 48

As Zach drew the glass-door of the office of Alec, I felt something growing inside me— like it was dissuading me not to do it. I'll probably hurt him, I conceived. I couldn't squelch Zach already because he was already inside the office and he was just waiting for my arrival. I peered at where Alec was right now and even I did not yet step on the floor of his room, I could espy the query he would spill out later.

My foot moved forward. Zach smiled at me like he was assuring me that everything will be alright. When I finally reached the part of Zach, his hand instantly went to the small of my back. Instead of looking at Zach, my eyes fixated to Alec who was now looking at us, stupefied. Biting my lower lip, I compelled myself to make a gesture of genuineness. I smiled as we lunged to his part. During our walking, I fathomed something on his eyes— it coruscated with an ounce of pain that slowly permeates on it. But then, instead of asking what onto his mind, he opted to smile and motioned for us to take a seat.

I know he was not ready for this. He thought that I was the only one who will meet him. But Zach wants to be with me, to support me on this. But I know, I could feel that Zach was also afraid, it was palpable through his eyes. He perhaps thought that after talking to Alec, I will leave him again. I had to blame myself for that. It was painful to me that I was the one who inflicted fear and woe on his heart. If I had only the power to change everything or even having the prowess to alleviate the burden of pain he had toted for years.

It was funny that Zach was only wearing a gray v-necked tee shirt and a brown pants. He only supposed to drive me at work. Once we finally reached our seats, I slumped myself onto it and looked at Alec who was now smiling at me but behind that smile was something painful. I thought Zach would sit on the sit in front of me but he toted it and nestled it to me. Alec slightly scrunched up his forehead but it was just short-lived.

"I... I thought you will talk to me, Cami?" Alec asked, "Why is Attorney Torres here? Hmm, I bet he has a concern in your work?"

My throat congealed. I moved a little on my seat, feeling uncomfortable. I craned my neck to look at Zach. He was looking at me like he awaits my words to be spilled out of my mouth. I swallowed the lump that clogged in my throat and tried to open my mouth.

"Alec, of that..." I began, "Zach is also concerned in what we will be talking about."

Alec beamed, "Do you still not like the idea of it? I can... you know suggest someone else—"

"No, Alec... it wasn't like that." I bit my lower lip, "I am here to inform you... as my best of friend slash my boss who treated me well, that I... I a-am already backed in Zach... I am e-engaged with him."

In just a split second the smile on Alec's face vanished, leaving only a perplexed facial expression. My heart walloped against my chest as Zach held my hand that was placed on my thighs and caressed it using his thumb. I saw how Alec traveled his eyes to our intertwined hands, he swallowed as the pain glinted through his eyes.

"P-pardon?" He tried to smile again, "I... I hadn't heard you clear, Cami."

"You heard it right—"

I immediately cut Zach when he spoke ruthlessly to Alec who looks so vulnerable and pained.

"Alec, I know Zach already before you introduced him to me. It's a long story. When you told me that he was our client, I had a qualm on that then. We had a misunderstanding before I left the Philippines— that was the reason why I don't want to go back here. But after everything, after all, he is still the man whom my heart is beating for." I was thankful that my voice did not quaver even how my chest dwindle in so much pain.