He Married the Stripper.

Sexting.

---ALEX---

As expected, everything went well with the final meeting with the clients and everyone in the office are celebrating. I left them to themselves since they'd be more comfortable without me there. I took off my coat and loosened my tie. It's almost lunch time and there's still radio silence on her end. No text nor phone call. 

Tch, she's probably having way too much fun with whoever Anthony found last night. I don't care, what can a total stranger do to satisfy her anyway? Doesn't matter to me because I'm going to have a much better night than her. I checked the e-mail Sheng sent about the party tonight.

- Hey boss, I told them you were coming and all the girls are excited, should I tell them you're married? Pretty sure that'd make you look hotter to them. Are you sure your wife wouldn't mind? -Sheng.

I didn't bother replying and went in the bathroom to take a bath. I was soaking in the tub when I heard my phone beep. I closed my eyes, pretty sure it's nothing important. Job's done so it's probably some random people congratulating me. 

No one important.

Just a random person.

I grabbed my phone to check who it is and immediately called back.

"Hello?" She said as she picked up on the 2nd ring.

"So you finally decided to reply huh."

"Sorry, tinago kasi ni Anthony yung phone ko, kanina lang niya binalik bago sila umalis ni Gigi."

"Is your new friend gone?" I asked her as I leaned back in the tub.

"You mean Nathan? Yea, kakauwi ko lang galing sa condo nya. Nag-brunch kaming apat dun." The hell?! So after our place she went there for seconds?

"Hmm, is that so, he moves fast. Does he know you're married?" I asked straight to the point.

"Yea he knows. Funny story, remember nung nasa Palawan tayo? Yung couples retreat or whatever natin, nandun din siya sa same resort nagti-team building and dun ko sya unang nakilala and coincidentally dito din pala sya nakatira sa condo. Dun lang sya 6th floor." Palawan? That was months ago. So he's not a total stranger then. Maybe that's why they move fast or maybe they've been building up to it and ngayon lang natuloy since I'm not around.

"And he doesn't care that you're married?" 

"I mean... why would he?" Because it's vulgar? I know it's 2020 but open marriages is still very much frowned upon in the Philippines.

"Because you're married to me or did you tell him about our arrangement? Didn't we agree not to tell anyone anymore?"

"...what? Bakit ko naman sasabihin sa kanya?" She sounded confused.

"Wait... so he doesn't care. He's go guts and to think you invited him in my own home. I don't really care since we do have an arrangement but think about my pride, he's probably thinking I'm some kind of pushover, I'm not saying I'm gonna make it hard for you to meet other people but think about--" I didn't finish what I had to say because she started laughing.

"Why the fuck are you laughing? I'm being serious." I continued she's starting to get on my nerves.

"Seriously? Ano bang pinag-sasasabi mo? Mag kaibigan lang kami." Then what about the lovers thing Anthony was saying? I mean who else would he be talking about? He's taken, Gigi said she's not the dating type. So it's just the two of them.

"Ahh. Teka, I think I know what you're thinking. Yung lovers na sinasabi ni Anthony kagabi, he meant him and Nathan. Your cousin's been crushing on him that's why he invited him for dinner when he saw him last night." What the hell?!

"Isn't Anthony in a relationship?" I asked.

"Kaka-break lang nila kaya nga nagmumukmok siya dito sa bahay. Well not really since he met Nathan and started flirting right away. Coping mechanism daw nya yun."

"Oh." She was still giggling. Shit, why did I say all that. I mean, I sounded like a jealous douche.

"Stop laughing."

"Nakakatawa kaya, para kang batang naagawan ng laruan."

"Can you blame me? I've been gone for a few days and you never once contacted me."

"Bakit kinontact mo ba ko?" That's true. I never really did.

"...I was busy."

"Exactly why I didn't contact you. Baka sabihin mo inaabala kita."

"I wouldn't say that."

"Sus. Of course you would." Yea I would just to tease her still doesn't excuse the fact that she didn't though.

"... how's work?" She asked after I didn't say anything.

"All good now. Fixed the problem and the clients are happy."

"That's good so... kelan ka uuwi?"

"Why do you miss me and our nights together?" I teased her as revenge from teasing me.

"Hindi no. Baka ikaw jan."

"Are you sure? I mean I've been gone a few days and we have been doing it every night before I left." I put the phone on speaker and took a picture of myself in the tub. 

"Please I'm fine." 

"Are you sure?" I asked as I sent the picture and waited for her reaction. After a few seconds I heard her breath hitch. 

"...Alex, what the hell."

"What? Just showing you what you're missing. Want me to put you on facetime so you can see it in real time?" I teasingly asked her.

"...No. Besides nag-reready na ko for work." 

"I wouldn't mind seeing you get ready." She coughed a little and I can imagine her blushing and fumbling with her hands.

"I'm not sending you a picture of me naked."

"Who said anything about being naked?"

"Hubad ka kaya sa picture mo."

"How would you know? I'm in a tub and you can only see my upper body... you're the one thinking dirty."

"Yung kamay mo... suggestive..."

"And? Anong sinuggest sayo? It's just a selfie. Kung ano mang ini-imagine mo that's on you. Don't tell me you're thinking dirty thoughts about me? Wow I feel violated." I teased her.

"I'd rather have you touching me right now to be honest." I whispered.

"Or have me touch you..." I continued, I can feel her breath hitch again and I know she's starting to feel something too.

"...You know what I'm gonna be late for work. Jan ka na."

"You're no fair. I showed you mine you gotta show me yours."

"Bye!" She quickly hung up.

- if u show me urs, I'll definitely make it worth ur while when I get home. - Alex.

I stared at my phone and after a few minutes she sent me a picture. I stared, zoomed in on the juicy parts, stared at it some more and after I while I got out of the tub and called my secretary.

"Get me a flight home for today, the sooner the better."

And I headed straight for a cold shower.