I did not know how long I was crying on Sean's chest. He did not say a word but did not stop stroking my hair and my back. Knowing somebody cared and understood your heartache was such a nice feeling that my crying spell took longer. After what seemed like an eternity, I pulled myself up and looked at him with a faint smile.
"Thank you, Mr. Grey."
"Sean. We already agreed on this."
"Ah, yes," I chuckled, feeling awkward.
"I need to go back. They are already looking for me," I said as I looked around, ignoring his complaint. I sighed in relief when I realized we're standing on a corridor that only ER staff were using. I pulled my phone out and saw unread messages. I then opened the one from my fellow physician-on-duty.
"Doc, Red, don't worry. I'm taking over. Mr. Martela asked if you are on duty, but I told him you are accompanying a patient who transferred to another institution."
I smiled at Dr. Mimi's thoughtfulness, but I grumbled at Eric's stupidity. As his partner, he should have known if I was on duty or not. His question only gave away the status of our relationship, and I felt ashamed. In my third year of residency, some ER staff had already seen Eric during those times he picked me up. However, I smirked at the thought that he only did it every time he wanted to have sex with me. It was those times, perhaps, that no one else was available for him. I already knew about his sexual relationship with others, but the knowledge was less painful than seeing his manhood stuck in my friend's cunt.
"Where are they now?" I replied.
"Up in their room already."
"Has he pulled out already?" I asked, and goosebumps spread all over me. It was awkward to ask, but I couldn't wait to know. I couldn't wait to attack them and tell Eric I'm leaving. Now, I already had a valid reason to do it.
"He has, but since they are both sedated, we transferred them to a regular room."
I turned my attention back to Mr. Grey. I knew he had read my exchange of messages with Dr. Mimi.
"S-Sean," I said, stuttering due to a sense of awkwardness, "you may go now. Thank you so much."
"You sure you're okay?"
I nodded, and he rubbed my back once again. "Tell me if you need someone to talk to. Do what is right," he said. Those few words were enough to tell me what he wanted to say.
When I went back to the ER, there were already many patients waiting for their turn. I felt relieved then, though I knew these colleagues of mine respected my privacy. True enough, no one dared to ask me except for Dr. Mimi, who gave me updates on their status. The medication I ordered would induce sleep, and my friend's vaginal wall would then open up and release Eric's shaft. Dr. Mimi also ordered a relaxant, not only to calm down Eric's stress but to hasten up the release of his tortured penile muscle. I almost laughed at the thought of it, but a pang of pain washed over me.
I got busy then, checking up and admitting a couple of patients until I was able to cater to everyone under my scope of duty. I then asked a post-graduate intern to check Eric and her other woman. Though I didn't get the title of being his wife, sleeping with him in his bedroom for five long years gave me the right to call his flings as his other women.
"They are already fine, doc, and both of them are awake already," the PGI reported after checking on them.
I heaved a deep sigh and decided it's time to face them. I asked the PGI to go with me, and we went up. While on the way, the PGI already told me that someone came in to process for their discharge, thinking perhaps, to avoid me. I smirked inwardly. Why didn't they go to other hospitals instead? But I also thought that the reason could be about confidentiality. The people here knew Eric, and he expected them to respect him on my behalf. He was right, then. No one talked about it, and no one looked at me with accusing or scornful eyes, even when I dropped by the nurses' station.
The moment the traitors both saw me, I couldn't describe the guilt and fear in their expression. If my friend had a choice, she would never have wanted to see me. I saw the color leaving her face and the fine tremors of her lips.
"How are you both doing?" I asked, trying hard to show no expression as if what happened did not affect me at all.
"Red, I'm so sorry," came Shirley's apology, even before I started to confront one of them.
"Red, it's not what you think. We were both drunk during..." Eric started to justify, and I raised a hand to stop him, looking at Shirley, who was sobbing already. I did not want to hear his lies - it only heightened my hatred against him.
"It's not the right place to talk about this. I'm just checking to see if you're both fine."
Eric laughed like a fool and came forward to hug me, but I stepped back and pushed the PGI to my front so that I would be standing behind him.
"I know you are so understanding, babe. You know I can never imagine a life without you."
I felt like throwing up in hearing him. I did not see the Eric anymore who slept with me at night, but instead, a demon right in front of me. I managed a smile and replied, "You're wrong. You can never imagine a life without them."
I stressed the word 'them' to remind the only best friend I used to know that we were not the only women in his life. He could purchase a truckload of them if he wants. What hurt me most was that even my best friend, whom I loved as myself, betrayed me behind my back.
I turned my back on them and went out of the room. To my surprise, I was not hurting as much as I was a few hours ago. Eric and my best friend were not worthy of my tears. A beautiful future still lay before me, and I shouldn't waste my time over insensible things. Yet, human as I was, I couldn't get away with it, no matter how much I wanted to.
The following morning, I went to Eric's house, my home for five years, to pick up my important things. I left those expensive things he bought me, such as bags, shoes, sets of dresses, and laptops. I wanted to show him that those material things were not important to me. If I had to choose, I would rather live a simple life in a happy home than living like a princess in an empty mansion.
I asked the guard to call a taxi. I did not want his car anymore. He could sell it if he likes, it's all up to him. I was about to step inside the taxi when two expensive cars stopped in front of me.
Eric rolled up his window and threw me a confused stare. Suddenly, I lost my courage to say it personally to him that I was already leaving. Not because I had hesitations, but because I did not want to hurt myself anymore. I knew he would start insulting me again and remind me how ungrateful I was."Eric," I greeted him as soon as I was done placing some of my things in the passenger's seat. It was not much anyway because I already pulled some of it every time I dropped by."What happens to your car?" I was right. He didn't notice the absence of my things, even in our bedroom. Either he was too busy with my best friend, or he just didn't care about it. I was used to it, anyway."It's safe from scratches here. Long hours in the hospital's parking lot is too risky.""I won't mind. You can have it fixed anytime."Oh, really. What makes him so gentle today?"Thank you," I said, giving him a pursed smile. "Eric, I have to g
"I'm used to this. I can still sleep," I smiled awkwardly. "No. Drink milk, instead. I also bought a little." "What-" "Wait." He cut me off, only to make me wait. Yet, when he came back, he already had two bags in his hands. My eyes got wide when he pulled out a big can of milk. Standing to take it from him, I giggled. "Thanks, Sean, but I'm not a baby anymore." "The babies are not the only ones who need a good rest. Adults, also. And milk contains melatonin, a hormone that induces sleep. You're the doctor here, so I don't have to give further explanation." I raised both my hands, still giggling. "Okay, okay, I'll drink the milk. I don't need another lecture. What else do you have there?" I stood up next to him as I opened the two bags and looked at what he got. I shook my head in amusement when I saw that those foods were even enough to feed me for three months: nuts, chocolates, cookies, noodles, dri
Sean slowed down as we were about to enter the basement entrance of a tall building in one of the famous parks of the city. He did not tell me where we were going; he just diverted our conversation into some trivial topics. I put my head forward so that I could take a look at the whole facade-- from top to bottom. Built of tinted glass and silver steel framework in a contemporary design, its mirrored glass panes reflected the lights of the lamp posts and the night view of the surroundings. It wouldn't take more than just a glance to tell that the building was a work of elegance. What caught my attention next was the bold, silver signage enclosing the beautiful landscape that glittered against the evening lights.LAMINAE, INC."So, this is your building?" I asked, looking at him with awe.Sean chuckled and threw me a glance. We were already descending towards the basement parking lot that required his focus. "Not only mine, but I also have business partn
Sean and I went out of the clinic. I thought he was going to show me his office, but to my surprise, we turned right to a corridor next to the clinic. I noticed that along the length of that corridor, there were only two doors, and there were no signages attached. We stopped in front of the first door, and Sean opened it. He held it open for me, and I gasped in aweas I stepped in. Expensive furniture and appliances graced the mini living room, enhanced by the modern ceiling and lighting design.Behind it was a partition wall, separating the kitchen and the dining room. On the other side was another door, and I could tell without asking that it must be the bedroom. Though the room was not painted with pink or red, and that its shade suggested a general preference, I could still say it was more of a feminine design. I then began to question Sean's personality. Ever since I knew him, I never heard him mention a woman. He even didn'tinvite someone to be his partner du
There were a few seconds of silence before he spoke again. "Come on, Red. What do you mean by that?"It took me a while before I replied. I didn't want to hear him ranting at me anymore. I then heardsounds of opening and closing of doors, and pulling and pushing of drawers."Red, what do you mean by these empty closets and drawers? I don't see white coats here anymore.""Just when did you learn to check my things, Eric? Just when did you take your eyes off other women for you to see my missing things?""Red, you're exaggerating things-""Am I? When you seduce every beautiful woman, including my best friend?""Comehome! Let's talk about this.""My home is somewhere else already, Eric. And I am not sorry. Whatever was there between us, it's over. I have a list of all my expenses, including my tuition, and all those fancy things you give me. Just give me time, and I will return every penny you spent for me-- with intere
"I'm sorry, Red," he said in between his sobs, "I'm really sorry."I chose to keep silent because I already made up my mind. If I would reply, he would onlytry harder to convince me. Tears were always my weakness, and I was afraid I would give in if he continued his drama. I couldn't define what I was feeling for him because his unrestrained tongue wouldalways ruin every sprout of affection that I had for him.Those five years I chose to endure were more of my way of paying him because I owe him my profession and my existence. It was never difficult to love him--he's sweet if he was in a good mood. He's generous to my wants and needs, and he always wanted the best for me. He bought me an expensive car, surprised me with signature stuff, and gave me access to his bank accounts. He never questioned, nor complained whenever I went out of the line and spend on something irrational.Yet, his weakness was his shorttemper and his endless nagging. Ever
My eyes flew wide when my eyes fell on the driver. I realized how lost I was in my heartbreak that I didn't even look at the plate number of the car that picked me up. I then got worried about being unable to cancel my booking, thinking about the driver's wasted time and fuel. However, the wide grin that broke in his face eased my guilt."Don't worry, dear. I was already there when the Grab car arrived, and I took care of him."I sighed in relief before I answered. "Sean, how come you're here?""I just presumed that you might flee from Eric."Sean laid his tender gaze at me while reaching out for my hand. I just smiled back at him, although the corners of my mouth curled forward, tempting me into another episode of crying moments."Let it go, Red," he said, giving my hand another squeeze. And I did as he told me.To give me a bit of privacy, Sean turned the engine on and sped off to somewhere I couldn't care less at the moment. I
SEAN'SPOVI got nervous when I realized I could no longer hold the truth. This was my purpose of seeing and getting close to her, so I must break it to her gently. I promised to a man so dear to me, so, the time had come that I must honor my words. Even if I already broke it a long time ago."She was one of those people I met in Sama. It all started when my curiosity gripped me once again. Somewhere in the island's outskirt, there was a mysterious place where nobody was allowed to enter. The whole perimeter was fenced, and the gate was always closed. One time, I peeped into its hole, and I saw a beautiful lady walking towards the gate. I did not run away. I even told her the truth about why I was standing there when she spoke behind the barrier. I did not realize that she saw me through her security camera.""Then?" Red replied, and I got amused at how she easily got intrigued with my story."She told me to meet her at the sec