It's Me who's Cheating

As Hayn was about to take his pants off, the telephone in the living room rang, making Rhan panicked.

She immediately pushes Hayn away and took the call while carrying her shirt, "Yes, hello. Westria residence," she greeted while panting.

"Is Lix home?" A woman's voice.

Rhan paused for a moment, "No, he's out. Who is this?"

She heard the woman snicker.

"This is Cassandra Willow, model, singer, actress. Nice to meet you, MRS. Westria," Cassandra said, her tone mocking and annoying with that high pitch.

Rhan gulps, "I see. Nice to meet you too, Cassandra. Why did you call? I'll tell Lix when he comes home."

"Nothing," she said, "I just want to check if my boyfriend still living with his wife."

Rhan was dumbfounded, she looked at Hayn who's wearing his shirt with an annoyed look.

"Boyfriend?" she repeated, catching Hayn's attention. His tensed face soften when he saw Rhan's frown and went to her.

'Who's that?' Hayn mouthed while pointing at the telephone.

'Cassandra, girlfriend,' Rhan mouthed in reply.

"Yes, I'm sorry if you have to know this way. But Lix and I have been dating for months now, darling."

Rhan rolled her eyes, it's obvious she's lying. Wait- lying? How can she know if she's lying? Lix is a guy! He's just another guy. What's the difference?

"I see. I'll tell him when he comes home. Don't worry, I'm not going to ruin your relationship. Thank you for calling and checking on him, Cassandra," Rhan's smiles can be heard through her voice.

"Wait... what?" Cassandra suddenly felt confused, why isn't she angry or jealous? Why does she sound like she's even happy?

"Goodbye, Cassandra," Rhan said and put the telephone down.

Hayn tries hard not to laugh, but Rhan's forced smile just killed him.

"How did she found out the number?" Rhan asks while staring at the telephone.

She looked at Hayn and rolled her eyes as she wears her shirt, "Shut up, let's eat the fruits you gave."

Why did she think Cassandra's lying? That Lix isn't dating her? Why did she felt so sure?

Lix is a celebrity. He can date anyone with his wealth and looks. Anyone can be his girlfriend. A fan. A co-star. A model. A simple waitress he met. A make-up artist. Anyone.

"What's with that grumpy look, Rhan? Are you angry? Jealous?" Hayn asks with a loud laughing voice, but deep inside, he felt sad that she looks like she's jealous.

She's afraid that she'll fall for Lix, but it seems like she already did. Because if she didn't, she wouldn't be afraid. She's been flirting with a lot of guys, and none of them made her feel scared to get hurt.

"I am not. Stop laughing or I'll kick you out," Rhan exclaimed while washing the apples Hayn brought.

Hayn's laugh then slowly fades, he doesn't want to laugh, but he has to.

"Uh, so... What's your plan? Your husband's cheating," Hayn sounded like he's just stating a fact.

Rhan looked at him with wrinkled brows, "He's not!"

Hayn froze and stared at Rhan. Why does she sound like she's offended? Like he just stated a lie.

"I mean..." Rhan looks away, "It's me who's cheating."

Her eyes wandered to the washed apples on a plate.

"Lix... I don't care if he's cheating. I expected that. But... Hayn, I never saw myself cheating. I didn't want to be married. I am not ready. I don't want to be chained to a single guy who I don't trust, someone I don't know," Rhan sighs and sits on a stool near the dining table.

Hayn took an apple and sits beside Rhan, facing her, "Hey, I told you, I can help you."

"How?" Rhan asks with a broken and cold voice, making Hayn frown.

He wanted to fix Rhan, it was supposed to be him. He was the guy for her. Why did Lix appear and suddenly claimed her? He doesn't know what she's been through. He doesn't know her.

Hayn looks down, "I..."

Rhan sighs deeper, "You know what, forget what I said earlier, Hayn. I can... do this. I can take care of myself. Thank you for helping."

Hayn shakes his head, his hand grips Rhan's arm, "No!" his voice a bit loud, shocking Rhan.

"I will help you, Rhan! I will. No matter what, I won't let you be with that guy!"

He can't leave her with Lix. She'll be alone. She'll be played, hurt, sad and lonely.

"Why? Why would you do that, Hayn? I'm just... your fling. We're similar," Rhan pulls her arm away from Hayn, but his grip just continues to tighten, almost burying his fingers in her skin.

Hayn's eyes were staring deep into Rhan's eyes, "I love you, Rhan," he said and pulled her into a kiss.

Frozen, Rhan keeps on replaying what Hayn just said to her.

Love? No, it can't be. She just playing Hayn. How can he love her? He's her closest friend. He can't be telling the truth. He just feels sympathy towards her situation. No one can love her. She's broken. She's lost. She's a mess.

Hayn breaks off the kiss, "I love you, Rhan. Please. Let me help you," he begged with a cracking voice.

Rhan pulls her hand and stood up and took a glass of water and drank it all.

"Stop playing, Hayn. I am not believing you," Rhan said in a cold tone.

Hayn stood up and wraps his hand around Rhan's waist and rests his head on Rhan's shoulder, "No. I am not playing. I love you."

"Why?"

"Because... you're beautiful. You're strong. You're kind. You're weird."

Hayn raises his head and kisses Rhan's neck, "You're amazing."

Rhan bites her lip in pain, as her long eyelashes trembles, "How?"

"You... tries your hardest to move on. To keep on moving even though every step is painful. You have these walls that keep you safe, and I find it beautiful how you can have fun within the walls."

Rhan shakes her head and turns around, "No. Stop there."

This is not what she wants to hear. She knows what will happen if she let Hayn in. He loves a girl who's trapped in her past. This is not what she wants. She needs... what does she need? All she knew was she wanted to be left alone. Because she wants to be safe from pain. But what does she need?

Hayn cuffs Rhan's face with his wide hands, "Rhan. I promise. I'll make you happy."

"No. This is wrong," Rhan shakes her head, "Sorry, Hayn. But can we talk about the comic some other time?" she asks as she pushes Hayn away from her.

"I don't get it, Rhan! I was always with you. I never left you. I'm your friend!"

"That's it! Hayn, you're my friend! You're supposed to stay with me, not own me! If you love me, you should respect my decision."

Rhan glares at Hayn, "You... I thought you understood me? Then, how can you love me? You know I hate that."

"Rhan, just let me help you. I know Lix can't break the marriage too, but he can't do anything if you don't love him. Your parents know that. They can't do anything if you act like he's not your husband."

Rhan stops pushing Hayn, "You mean... I don't have to act married to Lix? I mean, yeah, I can't do things in public. But I don't have to go home to this house. I can do whatever I want. I don't have to sleep in the same bedroom or eat breakfast with him," she slowly nods, "You're right. It's just paper. If he wants to sue me, I can pay for it. I have enough savings for a divorce."

Hayn smiles, "I'll help you too. So, please, let me."

Rhan looks at Hayn, "Alright. But forget about your emotions, you know me, Hayn. I don't want to hurt my friend."

Hayn nods, "Alright."

This is what he can do right now. Support her and someday, she'll be his.

"Thanks, Hayn. I owe you lots."

"So, what's the plan?"

Rhan smirks, "What else? Let's party! Let me change my clothes, work can wait tomorrow."