Sealed With A Vow

Chapter 24- Happiness

My eyes fluttered open at the crack of dawn as a beam of sunlight peeked through the curtains. Derek must've left the balcony door ajar last night because I could hear the distant sound of waves crashing in the ocean.

Immediately, my cheeks grew red with embarrassment as I realized how loud he and I must've been last night. The last thing I needed was for our neighbors to come knocking at the door, questioning our bedroom activities. I made a mental note to close all the windows and balcony door next time.

As I stretched my arms and legs, right away I noticed how sore my entire body was. To the right of me where Derek normally lay was a wrinkled mess of linen sheets. He probably left a while ago.

At that moment, I began to miss him like crazy. If only he was still here in bed beside me instead of on a plane to LA with that bitchy secretary of his, although I couldn't help but smile to myself in amusement.

So this was what a one-night stand felt like... Only the man was my own husband who just had to leave for a business trip.

I bet he'd had a fair share of those in his past. Screwing some girl one night then throwing them out at his disposal the next. I honestly didn't even understand how men could be like that. But then again, no one would ever figure out the male species. They were something else.

Thinking about last night's events sent a mixture of emotions running through my brain. The truth was, I had always thought that I'd lose my virginity to my one true love- Nick. But who knew Derek and I would come this far in our relationship?

A part of me was overwhelmed with satisfaction, but I couldn't fight the feeling of guilt that was currently surfacing. I felt like I'd betrayed Nick by sleeping with Derek last night.

I knew he would've wanted me to be happy...but he was the one that had brought nothing but joy to my life ever since we met eighteen years ago.

The memory of our beloved friendship always brought tears to my eyes, and sometimes, I'd find myself talking out loud to him, as if he was still alive and by my side.

With the image of Nick's face lingering in my mind, I dragged myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom, picking up my clothes off the floor along the way.

A look of horror struck my features the moment I glanced into the mirror. On my neck was a huge hickey where Derek had bitten and sucked last night, and to add to that, his mind-blowing kisses had left my lips completely swollen.

What a great day to be visiting my grandparents. 

When I was about to step into the shower, my phone started ringing, and a smile grew on my face as I picked it up.

"Derek?"

"Good morning, Claire Bear! What are you up to?", my husband asked cheerfully, instantly lifting my spirits.

"I'm about to take a shower."

"Damn it, why couldn't I be home right now," he muttered. I threw my head back and laughed.

"Jeez, wasn't last night enough for you?"

"Baby, I can never get enough. And if I was there right now, I'd put that shower of ours to good use," he drawled.

"You're insane." I heard him chuckling through the phone. Then, his tone grew more serious.

"I miss you, Claire."

"I miss you, too." I sighed heavily.

"You should've come with me."

"I will next time. Are you in LA already?"