New Course 6

ERIC'S POV

I watched Red as she stepped inside the car after she refused my offer to drive her to wherever she was staying. I expected she wouldn't let me. What kind of a woman would give in at the height of her decision to leave a man who cheated her? As soon as the car disappeared from my sight, I went back to our bedroom. Half of me expected that Red couldn't leave and couldn't survive without me. She had already gotten used to the luxurious lifestyle I gave her for five years. After all, that's what most women want.

I opened all the closets and drawers except for that one I opened earlier, where she placed her white coats and scrub suits. To my surprise, all her expensive apparel, including her bespoke party gowns, were still hanging in one compartment. In the next cubicle, her sets of party shoes and sandals were also placed neatly in one column. I opened another shelf for her signature bags, expecting to see nothing left. To my surprise again, all those I bought for her from the first week we were together were all there--intact and complete!

I saw a note plastered on a wall. At one glance, I knew it was for me. "Eric, thank you for letting me experience these luxuries. You may either sell it or give it to your new girlfriend. I seldom used each of them anyway. I even kept the price tags of each purse and bag in its pockets. Tell me how much you have spent for me because I will return it to you on an installment basis in the soon future. In case you lost track of it, I have a list here. My bank and credit card transactions reflect everything."

I realized that Red left everything I bought for her, including her car. There's only one meaning for this, and that is the fact that Red doesn't want me for my wealth. She only took those things she brought when she first came to the house to stay with me, except for those white coats and hospital uniforms that she couldn't hand down to others.

I felt the pang of pain when I laid down alone on our bed the whole night. I wondered where she was staying. I couldn't remember either that Red had someone else. She was too submissive, even when I was too harsh in treating her. I may not have hurt her physically, but I was aware that my cold and cruel treatment cut her emotion deeper. If she were not beautiful to feed my pride, I would not have offered to rescue her from financial setbacks. I also need someone at that moment, because I felt the need to move on from Calla.

"Tess," I hollered at our housekeeper as I went down to the living room. She then came running to see me.

"Why didn't you tell me that Red is taking out her things? I could have done something to stop her before it's too late," I scolded her, but when I saw her confused and surprised look, I calmed down.

"Wh-what do you mean, sir?"

"Red is leaving us."

I walked toward her shoe rack, the one she used frequently, and saw that most of the shoes were missing. So, it dawned on me that she only brought along with her those that are old and worn out!

I then dropped myself on the couch and closed my eyes. My heart sank deeper than the cushion I was sitting on as the truth prevailed. Red was not like Calla at all. Her affection for me was pure and honest.

I regretted hurting the one who truly loved and cared for me, the one who was not after what I could give. My sense of remorse cut through my heart and conscience that I wanted her back into my life right at that moment. I knew her wound was difficult to heal, but I believed love could forgive. I knew she loved me, but I had wounded her feelings. What made it worst at that moment was the stifled sobs of Tess as she sat down on the dining table. The house was too silent that even the sound of our breathing was audible.

"Tess?"

Tess sobbed even louder as I called her name.

"I'm sorry, sir. She was so good to me. Life is lonely here without her."

I sighed. If she felt her loss that way, how much more for me? I made love to her every day, and I boasted her to my business colleagues for five years. Red had maintained the highest honor even in her Physician's Licensure Examination, and I was the proudest boyfriend around. Only that, I didn't give her my heart. Calla took it with her the moment she left me for someone more famous and wealthier.

I woke up early the next morning. I must be at the hospital before she would log in so that I could still talk to her. Red was always a punctual person so I made it sure that I would be there before she arrived.

I asked the guard, who was assigned to register every person who came in. He was also the one tasked to record all the plate numbers of those cars that passed by and those that parked.

"Is Dr.Red here already?"

"Not yet, sir," he answered with enthusiasm, having recognized me as Red's boyfriend.

"Are you sure?" I said, worried that Red might have done the trick and hid from me.

"Yes, sir. All who come must register and leave their numbers and address so that the tracing of those who may be suspects of the Bronc X virus would be easier."

As I nodded, I saw a sleek, black car approaching. It was one of the latest BMW models. As I fixed my gaze on it, I had the feeling that Red was inside. I didn't know why, but my instinct was right. I hid in the corner when I saw the silhouette of her figure through the windshield.

My eyes bulged out when the car stopped a few meters away from me. I saw Red sitting beside the man behind the steering wheel, and dear saint, it's Mr. Grey! My heart almost dropped when he bent sideways and pulled Red to him, enclosing her for a deep kiss.