A Case of Love (COMPLETED)

Chapter XLII

Lea woke up with a sleeping Isabelle on her chest while Nathalia is on her forearm wrapping her little leg on Lea's tummy. It's the little masters' fave positions of which Lea was left with nothing else but got used to being a human burrito. She spent the night watching cartoons with her kids until they slumbered on her side. It's her best morning view, unfortunately, she can't seize to it for a little longer. A university invited her as guest speaker two weeks agone, it can't be finked out inasmuch as she can't be late. It's five minutes past six as she checks the time so she slowly dodged Isabelle beside Nathalia and went straight to her bathroom for a quick shower.

She went out freshly from bath and slides open her walk-in closet. It's neatly arranged in colors so choosing an outfit won't take up a lot of her time. The said program has no notable distinction from those numerous ones she attended to but nevertheless formality in appearance is of great importance. She always dresses accordingly. A three-quarter sleeve knee-length fitted dress stands out from her signature clothes, she pullout the dress and wear it on. She strokes her wet hair whilst facing the vintage vanity in soft pink to put on a make up when her little bosses dodged and groaned seeing the empty side of the bed. Isabelle got up, rubbing her eyes, to sit on her mom's lap then Lea showers her with morning kisses as well as the affectionate Nathalia on her side. Their favorite pancakes are set on the table when they reached downstairs while Lea prepares herself a cup of coffee. She glances at her children chatting about what they binge-watched last night. It's her kind of morning and the best view she'd never sated of.

She pulls over at the university's parking lot and paced the direction to the auditorium. It's packed with the attending students in their formal suits. The entire first row is reserved for the professors and guest speakers as well so she sashays to look for a good spot. Those lovely foreign men who seated at the front row can't take their eyes off her as if it's a fashion runway she's pacing on. Some of them offered her a seat but she's not into any amorous temperament and opted to take the spot adjacent to an old lady instead. There she makes herself comfortable while waiting for the program to start. She keeps on asking for updates from the nanny about the kids, checks the unread emails and urgent messages; keeping her thumbs busy on the phone screen. The program is hosted by their top student and started it off with a quick introductory about the university. Those men who keep throwing furitive glances make her conscious and irritated all at once but she disregards them. Gone are those days she finds it fluttering.

The first guest speaker was introduced by the host and that started giggles from women though the name isn't called yet. She smiled about it reminiscing her younger days getting giddy over masculine and, undeniably, handsome men.

The guest speaker's name got called finally, "Please welcome Mr. Aga Martinez"

What.the.fuck!

She paused, trying to sink it in her confused mind. The ladies hoot and holler as he goes up to stage, grinning. That smile plastered on her face turned to sneer. He apparently enjoys the overwhelming attention and by that, it nettled her. She rolls her eyes when some ladies fight over the chance to ask question and he responds to it in enthusiasm though it's nonrelevant. In her opinion, it's a waste of time inviting him over to be a guest speaker, he's just clearly flirting as what she observes. She huffs and puffs listening to each nonrelevant question. Adds the fact that he's enjoying it ... a lot and that ignites an unexplicable feeling. She feels so irritated 'bout something she can't name. It's this weird feeling that irritates her even more. She tries to not mind it but her traitor inner being won't cooperate. She tries to remain civil and professional but her storming emotion is winning. This can't be happening anymore though her love remains. She's guilty to that but it's wrong. It's wrong to love him the same way as before. It's a mistake to continue remembering the memories that was long gone. That made-believe affection he gave her should've been long forgotten. She knows her place by now. Even if time comes that he knew about the kids she should never forgot where she stands. What matters now are the kids 'cause gone are those days she once believed in his feign love. It's all in the past.