Not More Than Meets the Eye

Chapter Seventeen

Rielle can't believe what she is hearing! She realized how self-centered he was, oppressive and coercive. He has no consideration for others' feelings, leaving the burden on her without guilt.

Hyun-Ki ran after Rielle, who was sobbing furiously. She never felt more than disgusted for seeing her man with another woman in just a second. When Hyun-Ki entered the cottage, Rielle was throwing pillows at him, and Rielle kept throwing things that came to her sight while Hyun-Ki was doing his best not to get hit while he was coming closer to Rielle. He embraced her so tight to comfort her, but Rielle was fighting to get loose.

"How dare you, Hyun. It was so easy for you to replace me with that woman?! After what you've done, you didn't even feel remorse for your actions, ha?!" Hyun-Ki never loses his grip on Rielle, trying to calm her down. Then Hyun-Ki quickly let go of Rielle; she hurt him by her spoken words and turned the blame on her angrily.

"You are so selfish, Rielle. You can only see about yourself, how you feel, how wrong you are treated, but how about me, Rielle? Have you seen or ever felt how I feel for you, ha? Have you ever felt how to be turned down at that minute when I needed you?" he spoke with hurt emotions controlling his tears.

Rielle can't believe what she is hearing! She realized how self-centered he was, oppressive and coercive. He has no consideration for others' feelings, leaving the burden on her without guilt.

"So, you mean you can have your cake and eat it too, right? You have no respect; you are an example of a chauvinist!" In silence from both, Hyun-Ki sat on the bed with his face fell on his hands; then, Rielle spoke her heart out.

"Have you considered me as your girlfriend, Hyun-Ki? You told me that you had never been serious with women you had relationships with until you met me. You said that your feelings for me were so different that it was new and strange that I became so special to you. You said that you want to love me, protect me, stand by me, and you will not leave even if I tell you to. But now, where did all these come from, ha? Just mere words coming from your mouth but not from your heart? You just spoke these words if only to make me fall for you, is that it?" Hyun-Ki was startled and realized that he had wronged Rielle so much and never thought he had gone too far.

"I am so sorry for everything that I said. I am taking back all that pain I have caused you. Yes, I admit, I was so greedy that I never even considered the woman I fell in love with as you. I was only thinking of myself, of that desire that I thought you might also want it. I forgot that you were not the same as those women involved with me. Please, Rielle, forgive me." He went close to Rielle and embraced her, wanting to make up for his offense.

Rielle felt his sincerity, and she cried a lot, wanting to love him back, to trust him again, but she had these misgivings about him that she felt insecurities within her. Would she give him another chance? Would she let this slide and give it another try on him? Will, she not regret this? All these are running in her head, but she refrained from entertaining these thoughts because they might only stand as a stumbling block on their way to building a good relationship.

"I won't expect any promises from you anymore, Hyun. I don't want to get hurt because of my expectations, but I have some conditions for you." She firmly dropped her words.

"Whatever those conditions are, I am willing to comply; make me love you, and let us get back together again. Losing you will make me crazy, Rielle." Hyun-ki stressed.

Rielle observed Hyun-Ki closely, searching the contents of his thoughts, his heart, and because her love for him prevailed, she fully accepted his whole being, be it bad or good.

"I don't want anyone in the office to know of our relationship. Let us be discreet. I don't want to be the center of gossip or intrigue. I don't want to be misinterpreted or called a bitch or a snitch, you know what I mean, right?" You can never hold me or put your arms around me in the presence of anyone. You can never send me flowers as you used to. We can only be us usually when we are alone together." Concluded Rielle.

Hyun-Ki wanted to oppose those conditions, but he ultimately thought of winning her heart and trust.

"Those conditions are absurd, Rielle, but we'll work on it." He remarked in acceptance.

Their flight landed almost midnight, and Hyun-Ki was hesitant about bringing Rielle to her house.

"How about staying at my house as a guest because it's already in the wee hours, and I am sure your family is deep asleep by this hour. And don't fear, we have plenty of rooms, and I can ask my housemaids to prepare a room for you." And before Rielle can reply, Hyun-Ki is already on the phone instructing the housemaids to fix a room for Rielle.

"It's funny, it's already dawn, and you wake up your maids to prepare a room for me? Isn't that ridiculous, Hyun?" Hyun-Ki gave a dry smile and said,

"If I'll let you sleep in my room, in my bed, don't you think you'll put me in a bad light again?" Avoiding her glance, looking straight at a space. Rielle just smiled in silence.

They arrived, and the maids lined up waiting for them by the living room entrance.

"You can go back to your rooms, and thank you. And by the way, inform Ate Linda to prepare a delicious and tasteful breakfast for I have an exceptional guest. And by the way, is my little sister Su-mi in bed already? Or is she out partying again?" added Hyun-Ki.

"She was home already since this afternoon, sir." Answered one of the maids.

Hyun-Ki led Rielle to her bedroom next to him. He opened the door, and the lights were already open, showing the size of the room surrounded by glass windows just like her room back in the guest house in Cebu.

"If you need anything, let me know. Either you knock on my door or text me, okay?" then Hyun-Ki kissed her forehead, saying, "Goodnight, Sweetheart."

Rielle was full of fondness for Hyun-Ki, and in a dreamy mood, she lay down on the bed but was startled when she realized she had nothing more than fresh clothes to change in. She was at a loss and could not think, would he disturb Hyun-Ki or sleep on these clothes, but how about tomorrow? Then earned her courage and knocked on Hyun-Ki's door. She tapped slowly and heard Hyun-Ki move, and he opened his door with a big bright smile as if expecting the unexpected.

Rielle whispered so she would not cause noise, "I have no more fresh clothes to change in, Hyun; everything is already used up and soiled." Hyun-Ki stood by the door, thinking.

"Hmmm, I cannot rouse my sister to wake up at this wee hour, so the best thing we can do is find something that may fit you in my wardrobe." He held her hand and brought her inside the walk-in closet. She was surprised he neatly arranged his closet. Each set of clothes has its section from hangers to folded, from suits to polo shirts, from pants to T-shirts, and then there are also an array of folded clothes, and this is where they both look for Rielle to wear. Hyun-ki sized her up for a pyjama. It was black, soft, and silky-smooth long-sleeved clothing, and for tomorrow's outfit, she wore a light blue T-shirt to pair with her denim shorts. Rielle looked at it closely and was satisfied.

As she was about to walk away, Hyun-Ki pulled her over and kissed her so tight that Rielle gasped for breath. "I missed you; I love you; goodnight, my Sweetheart." He whispered, touching her face gently with their eyes locked to staring at each other.

"Goodnight, to my love. Sweet dreams. I love you and miss you too," she reiterated.