Book 2:10

I remembered that day when Sean looked so disheveled as he entered my room here in Laminae. When I accepted Sean's offer to lead the team of medical professionals to handle Laminae's clinic for hundreds of workers, he provided me a private room to stay. He could have allocated a bed for me in the doctor's lounge, but he assigned a luxurious space for me. I knew at that time that his room was next to mine.

I wondered why Sean looked so messy at that time, but when I saw his things in my bedroom, I was emotionally moved. I presumed that Sean was really sincere in inviting me into his life because he decided to share a room with me. He planned everything for both of us. Even the house that I bought from Philip turned out to be a shared complex with him. Now that we are married, he converted the house into a single-detached house even before we returned from Hawaii.

This side of him confused me. He made everything possible for us to get closer to each other. I couldn't even believe how much he needed me. This strong desire of him to put our lives together was so surprising, one-in-a-million case, too good to be true. Yet, I believed him. In those short periods that we were together, he amazed me with his simplicity, a different side of him I never expected.

He was a self-made billionaire, although he had a wealth of Sir Thomas Grey, his foster father. His business assets could not turn into multi-billion-dollar value if it were not for Sean's brilliance and hard work. Yet Sean did not honor himself with all these accomplishments. He always attributed his success to Sir Thomas Grey.

He did not live in a mansion as expected from a billionaire, but he chose to stay instead in a townhouse. His car was never close to the most expensive model--Philip's car was even far more luxurious than his. He bought me a fancy car, but none for himself. The only property he claimed as his, was the farm he inherited from his father. Though he bought all the parcels of lands surrounding his father's estate, the remote location of that farm would not cost much.

"Haze, I should apologize for getting carried away by your suspicion, but no, my husband is not cheating me."

"But doc, I overheard them on a heated conversation about the child..."

"I know about it. Calla was my husband's first love, and yes, she may be carrying his child, but I am the one whom he married. We have already agreed about the child--that he or she would have Sean's name."

Hazel stared at me in disbelief, perhaps thinking I was too stupid to get blinded. In a frustrated tone, she conceded.

"You know better doc. Just keep your senses sharp."

I left Hazel with a crushed heart. I went to our room and did as I planned--preparing our dinner. Such a simple task became difficult because all the while I was cutting and slicing the meat and vegetables, my tears flowed and clouded my vision. If only I knew that loving Sean could hurt this much, I wouldn't have started this journey. Yet, I remembered our wedding vow and took it in my heart.

"In the name of God, I take you to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death does us part."

Tears were stinging my eyes when I recited this. Although millions of couples had recited this vow, I uttered each word with sincerity and commitment. I was looking forward to a lifetime with him and vowed to God that I would be more understanding and rational. That very day I made my vow, I heaved out and surrendered to God my doubts and heartaches about Sean and Calla.

When everything was done, I went to Sean's office on the other wing. I had not gone there yet since I only stayed at my clinic, but Sean gave me the direction beforehand. I wanted to surprise him for my visit, and then we would have dinner together. I forced myself to believe that all these were just Calla's moves and that it didn't mean that Sean allowed her to succeed.

The first table to my left was empty, so I assumed it was her secretary's desk. Since she was on maternity leave, no one stopped me from entering the door towards Sean's private office. Aside from that, it was already five in the afternoon, so I presumed that most workers had started to leave already.

I turned the doorknob open and pushed the door slowly. Just as I was to peep in, I heard voices from inside.

"How many times should I tell you-"

"But Sean, I can't. I want you; our baby needs you as much as I do."

"Calla, stop it. I'm already married."

"It's not a problem. You can always get a divorce."

"Are you crazy?"

"Who's crazy here? How many times did you tell me that you love me? Why do you have to lie to yourself? You need me, and I need you.!"

"Calla-"

Calla cut him off, and before I could blink, she pounced on him like a wild animal, pulling his face in a deep kiss.

I stood frozen at the door as I watched her kissing Sean like a hungry beast. Sean struggled to pull her away, but she forced himself on him, running her hands desperately on his body. She pulled his tie and began unbuttoning his shirt. I wondered how Calla became a prodigy of strength, seeing how graceful she carried herself. Yet remembering that she was a surfing coach, that alone justified her agility and strength.

"Sean!" I called him before their making out could progress into something I couldn't bear to see.

I saw him frozen like a statue as he heard me. Calla nonchalantly pulled away, throwing me a sarcastic look.

"You can't blame me here," she told me after drawing out a sigh. "I am his first, and I am the one he truly loves. Moreover, I am carrying his child."

She smirked and shifted his gaze between Sean and me. "I warn you; this is going to be a tough fight!"

With that, she walked toward the connecting door to where Hazel had described as her secret office.

Author's note:

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