The food I cooked is already set on the table, and the wine we’ll drink is also opened. I took a baked potato and placed it on my plate, and the man did the same, clearly eager to taste the dishes. Samer was about to take a bite when Ameera suddenly called and asked their Dad to go to a Greek restaurant.
“Go ahead. You can just take out the food for now.” I told him to go see Ameera since it seemed like he was having a hard time deciding. I stood up and grabbed a Tupperware container for the food. “Come on, I’ll take you there.”
I took my smartphone and booked a ride on Grab.
“Five minutes and your driver will be at the gate. Let’s go,” I said to him, informing that I’ll take him to the gate, which is the pick-up point for Grab.
When I returned home, I found Brent sitting comfortably in the living area, reading magazines. He even had his legs propped up. Tsk tsk tsk, the way this guy acts, it’s as if he owns my house. He’s way too relaxed. I took my smartphone and booked a ride on Grab.
“It’s good that you’re ready. Let’s go, I’ll drop you off at the gate,” I said to him when I noticed he was wearing his gray t-shirt again.
“Can’t you just let me stay here?” he asked.
“What are you thinking? Are you trying your luck? It’s like we’re living together with that kind of talk. You’re really something, Brent. Out of all the men I’ve known, no one can beat you when it comes to audacity. You think nothing has changed between us.”
“Because nothing really changed. Did it?”
“Oh my, I’ll run out of patience if I entertain you. Fine, if you really don’t want to leave now, it’s up to you! Just make sure you work off what you ate!” Maybe I’ve lost my mind, why did I agree to let him stay at my house? When will I learn to avoid trouble? “Wait-” I wanted to take back what I said, but it was too late.
“No take-backs. So, what will you have me do to make up for the expenses you spent on cooking chocolate porridge for me?” And he really emphasized that I only served him chocolate porridge. As if it matters to him that I prepared steak for Samer.
“You know, you complain too much. If you didn’t like what I said, you’re free to go home anytime!”
“What’s gotten into you, Jamie? Why are you so serious? I was just kidding.”
“Just like how you joked with my heart and feelings?”
Maybe they’re right, all wounds heal over time. If I knew that I needed to see him again to know the true feelings in my heart, I would have looked for him. I wish I had found a way to cross paths with him again. For years, I carried anger and pain, but now, I can’t seem to find any anger left in my heart for Brent. Life is so unfair.
“My feelings for you back then were not a joke, Jamie. We were just brought together but not meant to be. Do you know the saying ‘right love at the wrong time’? That’s what happened to us before,” he added, clearly defending the reason why they separated.
“Alright, don’t add more ‘cheesy lines’ and drag us into something again.”
“So, what are you up to these days?”
“Hmm, I’m living the usual life in Stonewick. I’m taking care of animals now, raising and selling them.”
“Like what?” Of course, I also plan to go back to the province and raise chickens, pigs, and cows, so I suddenly became interested in what he said.
“I have some chickens, the ones used for cockfighting, and some cows.”
“Ah, so you’re into cockfighting?”
“No. I’m just breeding roosters and selling them.”
“Where did you put the chickens? Your lot in Poblacion isn’t that big, and besides, didn’t your neighbors protest?”
“Actually, I bought some land near your place, close to the water source. Since they installed a water connection in your area, not many people go to the water source anymore. It’s overgrown with weeds now. Maybe that’s why the owner sold the land.”
“What? Why there? I’m sure there are plenty of lots for sale in Stonewick.”
Oh no, my plan to return to our province seems to be ruined. I can’t be that thick-skinned. Yeah, Brent and I are okay now for unexplained reasons, we’re fine as acquaintances. But it wouldn’t be nice if we became neighbors. Because of the scandal on our graduation day, the whole Stonewick found out that I got pregnant with Brent.
“I’m glad your spouse agreed to settle there.” Why did it only occur to me now that the guy might already be married?
“I’m not married right now. I’m still looking. If you agree, I can marry you right away.”
Wow, amazing. In one day, I received two proposals. Didn’t Rhea and I just talk yesterday about the possibility of Samer proposing to me? Oh no, maybe that girl has a mole on her tongue and her words came true.
“I’m flattered by your proposal. But Samer’s proposal weighs more for me.”
“Did you accept Samer’s proposal?”
I noticed he looked uneasy when mentioning my boss’s name. But I didn’t answer him and changed the topic.
“So, you’re still single until now?”
It’s hard to believe that he’s still single with his looks. Well, for me, my face is just ordinary, not glamorous.
“The truth is, I’m divorced.”
“OMG! Why?”
“It was an arranged marriage. Our parents arranged it when we were still kids. Our mothers were best friends, and before my mom passed away, she made sure I fulfilled that agreement.”
“Oh, that’s sad. But isn’t it true that in arranged marriages, people can become true friends?”
“Hmmm yeah, it could happen. In fact, I have a friend in the US whose marriage was for convenience only, but now, they are both in love with each other.”
“That should have happened to you too.”
“I tried my best to love her, but Michelle is different, we couldn’t agree on almost anything.”
Michelle who?